Safety personnel are conducting inspections of a fall-protection system designed to keep workers safe at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (BGCAPP).

This system consists of Horizontal Life Lines (HLL) that span fall-hazard areas, line anchor points and harnesses and other protective equipment used to attach workers to them, said Helen Allen, safety and health analyst, BGCAPP. The life lines are designed to limit a worker’s ability to move close enough to fall over an unprotected edge.

“HLL were used throughout the site during the construction phase, but now we are in systemization their use has been reconfigured,” said Allen. “Along with other specific areas, they have been established on the Munitions Demilitarization Building filter banks for the workers who will perform preventive maintenance there during systemization and operations.”

Workers examine temporary and permanent fall-protection equipment before each use, and the result is documented on the equipment’s inspection tag, said Allen. All related equipment is inspected annually in order to maintain the project’s Fall Hazard, Prevention and Control program. Each worker on site completes awareness training, and affected workers receive more detailed training on the subject.

“The BGCAPP safety program and culture are very proactive,” said Ron Hink, project manager, Bechtel Parsons Blue Grass. “Our goal is zero accidents and we strive for that daily. We want our team members to go home in the same condition they arrived in each time they come to work, and safety systems like this one are a large part of ensuring they do so.”