Post on 03-Jan-2017
INTRODUCTION This training information has been prepared by the Georgia Tech Safety
and Health Consultation Program with the technical collaboration of Mr. Juán C. Rodriguez and under the sponsorship of OSHA. Its content may be
copied and distributed for free. The Georgia Tech’s Safety and Health Consultation Program requests it be acknowledged as the source of this information. The authors believe that all information contained in this
training is accurate; however, this is not an official OSHA publication and has not been revised or approved by OSHA. The user should be aware that
the recommendations provided in this training do not replace any OSHA standard or regulation.
Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation ProgramGeorgia Tech Research Institute
260 14th Street, Fourth FloorAtlanta, GA 30332-0837
Voice :(404) 407-7431FAX :(404) 407-8275
Web http://www.oshainfo.gatech.edu
Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program
Duty to have fall protectionProtection required when working at 6 feet
or higher
Walking/working surfaces shall be inspected before employees begin work activities
Employees shall be allowed to work only on those surfaces which have the requisite strength to withstand their weight
GA Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program
SCOPE AND APPLICATION
Subpart M sets forths criteria for all fall protection hazards, except: Section L - ScaffoldsSection N – Cranes and derricksSection R – Steel erection work in buildingsSection S – Tunneling operations Section V – Electric transmission and
distribution linesSection X – Stairways and ladders
GA Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program
Fall Protection is required when…
Unprotected (open) sides and edges
Leading edge workDangerous equipment Overhand bricklaying Steep-slope roofsResidential constructionHoles
Working/walking surfaces
Formwork Excavations and wells Precast concrete
erectionWall openingsLow-steep roofs
GA Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program
Protection from falling objects
Each exposed employee shall wear a hard hat
Employers must prevent objects from falling from higher levels (which could strike employees below) by using all necessary measures
GA Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program
Fall Protection Systems:
criteria and practices...(a) Guardrails
Top edge height of top rails shall be between 39" and 45"
Midrails shall be installed between the top edge of the guard rail and the walking/working surface
Openings between rails shall not be more than 19" apart
The top rail edge shall withstand a force of at least 200 pounds
The midrail shall withstand a force of at least 150 pounds
Wire rope shall be flagged and shall not deflect more than 3"
Frequently inspect wire ropes
No rail material smaller than 1/4" diameter shall be used
GA Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program
Fall Protection Systems: criteria and practices...
(b) Safety net systemsShall be installed as close as practicable , but in no case
more than 30' (9. 1 m) below the working surfaceShall be subjected to impact force tests or certifiedWithout any defects Shall be inspected weekly and after any occurrence
(impact)Debris that have fallen into the net must be removed
before starting workMaximum size of each mesh opening shall not be longer
than 6” and each opening will not exceed 36” square All border rope must have a minimum breaking strength
of 5000 pounds
GA Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program
Fall Protection Systems: criteria and practices...
(c) Personal fall arrest systems
Effective January 1, 1998, body belts are authorized to be used only for positioningDee-rings and snaphooks shall have a minimum
tensile strength of 5,000 poundsSnaphooks shall be of the locking typesHorizontal lifelines shall be installed by a
qualified person and maintain a safety factor of at least 2
GA Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program
Body belts only for positioning
Chain for positioning
Fall protection
GA Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program
Fall Protection Systems: criteria and practices...
(c) Cont..
Lanyards and vertical lifelines shall have a minimum breaking strength of 5,000 pounds
A body harness shall withstand a force of 1,800 pounds
Be mindful of the correct attachment point to the wearer’s body, plans for prompt rescue of the employee, and inspections of equipment prior to use
GA Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program
Fall Protection Systems: criteria and practices...
(d) Positioning device systemsEmployee can not free fall more than 2' (0.61 m) Shall be inspected prior to each useBody belts and harnesses shall be used only for
employee protection
(e) Warning linesShall be erected around all sides of the roof
work area
GA Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program
Fall Protection Systems: criteria and practices...
(e) Cont.
Mechanical equipment shall be placed not less than 6' (1.8 m) from the roof edge
Access points shall be blocked when there is no work Warning lines shall be flagged with high-visibility
materials The lowest point of the warning line is not less than
34" (0.9 m) and the highest point at not more than 39" (1 m)
GA Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program
Fall Protection Systems: criteria and practices...
(f) Controlled access zonesUsed in areas where leading edges change
constantlyIn areas with overhand bricklaying work at edgesWhen erecting precast concrete membersAccess permitted only to trained and qualified
employeesWritten information (signs) at points of access
GA Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program
Fall Protection Systems: criteria and practices...
Competent person as monitor
At same visual level of that of employees
Close enough to communicate orally
Mechanical equipment shall not be stored in the monitoring area
Only employees engaged in roofing work allowed
Employees shall follow the monitor’s instructions
Monitor shall not have other responsibilities or functions
GA Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program
• (g) Safety monitoring systems