29 cfr part 1926 subpart m fall protection 29 cfr part 1926 subpart m fall protection hgs

29 CFR PART 1926 29 CFR PART 1926 Subpart MSubpart M

FALL PROTECTION FALL PROTECTION

HGSHGS

OSHA estimates that at least 68,000 injuriesOSHA estimates that at least 68,000 injuries & 95 fatalities occur each year due to occu- & 95 fatalities occur each year due to occu- pational related falls from elevations. pational related falls from elevations.

An OSHA study involving 100 fall related An OSHA study involving 100 fall related fatalities suggests that virtually all of those fatalities suggests that virtually all of those deaths could have been PREVENTED if a fall deaths could have been PREVENTED if a fall protection system had been in use. protection system had been in use.

Most frequently cited “serious violation” by OSHA in Most frequently cited “serious violation” by OSHA in 1998 was unprotected sides and edges. 1998 was unprotected sides and edges.

I. WHY FALL PROTECTION?I. WHY FALL PROTECTION?

DID YOU KNOW?DID YOU KNOW?

Falls from more than 30 feetFalls from more than 30 feet account for 58% of fatalities.account for 58% of fatalities.

• 22% between 21’ and 30’.22% between 21’ and 30’.

• 20% from 20’ or less.20% from 20’ or less.

Recognizing that fall-related fatalities / Recognizing that fall-related fatalities / serious injuries were a pertinent safety serious injuries were a pertinent safety problem in the construction industry, OSHA problem in the construction industry, OSHA revised the construction industry safety revised the construction industry safety standards related to fall protection systems standards related to fall protection systems and procedures.and procedures.

OSHA’s revision of subpart M was effective OSHA’s revision of subpart M was effective February 6, 1995.February 6, 1995.

The revised Fall Protection Standard coversThe revised Fall Protection Standard covers the below human and equipment related the below human and equipment related issues: issues:

The need to know when protection isThe need to know when protection is required. required.

The types of fall protection equipment /The types of fall protection equipment / systems to use to provide protection. systems to use to provide protection.

The proper training in selection, use and The proper training in selection, use and maintenance of fall protection systems.maintenance of fall protection systems.

The employer must provide equipment and The employer must provide equipment and training to employees to protect them from training to employees to protect them from falling off of, onto, or through working levels falling off of, onto, or through working levels that are 6 FEET OR MORE above lower levels, that are 6 FEET OR MORE above lower levels, and to protect them from falling objects.and to protect them from falling objects.

Fall protection must be provided and installed Fall protection must be provided and installed BEFORE ALLOWING any employee to begin BEFORE ALLOWING any employee to begin work or be exposed to a hazardous area that work or be exposed to a hazardous area that requires fall protection. requires fall protection.

II. WHEN IS FALL II. WHEN IS FALL PROTECTION REQUIRED? PROTECTION REQUIRED?

Scope / Application of FallScope / Application of Fall Protection Standard Protection Standard

Not all workplaces, conditions, operations Not all workplaces, conditions, operations and circumstances for which fall protection and circumstances for which fall protection shall be provided is covered by subpart M.shall be provided is covered by subpart M.

Fall protection requirements for employees Fall protection requirements for employees working on working on scaffoldsscaffolds can be found in can be found in subpart subpart LL..

Fall protection requirements for employees Fall protection requirements for employees working on certain working on certain cranes and derrickscranes and derricks can can be found in be found in subpart Nsubpart N..


Fall protection requirements for employees Fall protection requirements for employees performing performing steel erection work in buildingssteel erection work in buildings can be found can be found subpart Rsubpart R..

Fall protection requirements for employees Fall protection requirements for employees working on working on certain types of equipment used certain types of equipment used in tunneling operationsin tunneling operations can be found in can be found in subpart Ssubpart S. .

Fall protection requirements for employees Fall protection requirements for employees working on working on stairways and laddersstairways and ladders can be can be found in found in subpart X subpart X ..


The provisions of this subpart The provisions of this subpart do not apply do not apply when when employees are making an inspection, employees are making an inspection, investigation or assessment of workplace investigation or assessment of workplace conditions before the actual start of construction conditions before the actual start of construction work or after all construction work has been work or after all construction work has been completed.completed.

If certain employers can demonstrate that it’s If certain employers can demonstrate that it’s infeasible or creates a greater hazard to use infeasible or creates a greater hazard to use standard fall protection measures, they can standard fall protection measures, they can develop & implement a written fall protection plan develop & implement a written fall protection plan that meets the provisions of 29 CFR 1926.502 (k). that meets the provisions of 29 CFR 1926.502 (k).


This option is available only to employers with This option is available only to employers with employees engaged in leading edge work , employees engaged in leading edge work , precast concrete erection work, and residential precast concrete erection work, and residential construction work.construction work.

The employer has the burden of proof that the The employer has the burden of proof that the plan they’re implementing is appropriate and plan they’re implementing is appropriate and that another means is infeasible.that another means is infeasible.

Interim Fall Protection Compliance Guidelines Interim Fall Protection Compliance Guidelines for residential construction are currently under for residential construction are currently under review, that would allow the option of using review, that would allow the option of using various non-standard fall protection measures, various non-standard fall protection measures, without the need to develop a written plan. without the need to develop a written plan.

A. A. GUARDRAILS:GUARDRAILS:

• A guardrail is defined as a barrier installed A guardrail is defined as a barrier installed to prevent falls to lower levels.to prevent falls to lower levels.

• Guardrails are used to protect workers from Guardrails are used to protect workers from falls from:falls from:- Unprotected sides and edges.- Unprotected sides and edges.- Through openings (floor, wall, roof).- Through openings (floor, wall, roof).- Ramps, runways, and walkways.- Ramps, runways, and walkways.- Into excavations or onto dangerous- Into excavations or onto dangerous equipment. equipment.

III. METHODS OF PROVIDING III. METHODS OF PROVIDING FALL PROTECTION ARE FALL PROTECTION ARE DESCRIBED BELOW: DESCRIBED BELOW:

A. GUARDRAILS A. GUARDRAILS

• Guardrails are required to have a toprail, Guardrails are required to have a toprail, midrail, and toeboards (if personnel are midrail, and toeboards (if personnel are working underneath).working underneath).

• Toprail should be at least 1/4” diameter Toprail should be at least 1/4” diameter and be substantially installed between 39 -and be substantially installed between 39 -45” high (preferably 42”).45” high (preferably 42”).

• Toprails must be capable of withstanding a Toprails must be capable of withstanding a 200 lb. force.200 lb. force.

A. GUARDRAILSA. GUARDRAILS

• Midrails should be positioned roughly half way Midrails should be positioned roughly half way between floor and toprail (about 21” high) and be between floor and toprail (about 21” high) and be capable of withstanding a 150 lb. force. capable of withstanding a 150 lb. force.

• Midrails must extend the entire distance of the Midrails must extend the entire distance of the top rail; steel or plastic banding cannot be used top rail; steel or plastic banding cannot be used as top or midrail. as top or midrail.

• As warranted by pedestrian traffic or workers As warranted by pedestrian traffic or workers below, a standard 4” toeboard must be installed below, a standard 4” toeboard must be installed around the perimeter of the work area. around the perimeter of the work area.

A. GUARDRAILSA. GUARDRAILS

• If wire rope is used for toprails, it must be If wire rope is used for toprails, it must be flagged at not more than 6’ intervals with flagged at not more than 6’ intervals with high visibility tape.high visibility tape.

• If synthetic rope is used for top or midrails, If synthetic rope is used for top or midrails, it must be inspected frequently for it must be inspected frequently for strength.strength.

• When guardrails are used around holes, all When guardrails are used around holes, all unprotected sides / edges must be unprotected sides / edges must be protected. protected.

B. SAFETY NETSB. SAFETY NETS

• Safety nets may be used as protection for:Safety nets may be used as protection for:

- Unprotected sides and wall openings.- Unprotected sides and wall openings.- Leading edge work.- Leading edge work.- Working on the face of formwork or- Working on the face of formwork or reinforcing steel. reinforcing steel.- Precast concrete work.- Precast concrete work.- Residential construction.- Residential construction.- Bridge work.- Bridge work.


• The requirements for the use of safety nets The requirements for the use of safety nets are:are:

- The net must be installed as close as- The net must be installed as close as possible under where you’re working, possible under where you’re working, but never more than 30’ below. but never more than 30’ below.

- Safety nets must extend outward from the- Safety nets must extend outward from the edge of your work area as noted on the edge of your work area as noted on the following slide: following slide:


Minimum Distance Minimum Distance Vertical Drop From Net Must Extend From Vertical Drop From Net Must Extend From

Working SurfaceWorking Surface Edge of Work AreaEdge of Work Area

Up to 5 feet 8 feetUp to 5 feet 8 feet >5 to 10 feet 10 feet >5 to 10 feet 10 feet

More than 10 feet 13 feet More than 10 feet 13 feet


• After safety nets are installed they must be After safety nets are installed they must be drop tested or certified before use. drop tested or certified before use.

• Safety nets must also be drop tested or Safety nets must also be drop tested or certified whenever they’re relocated, certified whenever they’re relocated, repaired, and every 6 months if the net is in repaired, and every 6 months if the net is in one location that long. one location that long.


• Safety nets in use must be inspected at Safety nets in use must be inspected at least once/week for wear, damage, and least once/week for wear, damage, and other deterioration. Defective nets or other deterioration. Defective nets or components must be replaced before use.components must be replaced before use.

• Materials, scrap, equipment, and tools Materials, scrap, equipment, and tools which have fallen into the safety net must which have fallen into the safety net must be removed as soon as possible and at be removed as soon as possible and at least before the next work shift. least before the next work shift.

C. PERSONAL FALL ARRESTC. PERSONAL FALL ARREST EQUIPMENT (PFAE) EQUIPMENT (PFAE)

Personal fall arrest equipment (body harness Personal fall arrest equipment (body harness and lanyard) protects you from a fall / different and lanyard) protects you from a fall / different level. level.

Personal fall arrest equipment will be used to Personal fall arrest equipment will be used to protect employees from falls when working 6’ protect employees from falls when working 6’ or higher when other means of fall protection or higher when other means of fall protection are not feasible. are not feasible.

Requirements for Personal Fall Arrest Requirements for Personal Fall Arrest Equipment and its use are noted on the Equipment and its use are noted on the following slides. following slides.


• A horizontal lifeline must be designed, A horizontal lifeline must be designed, installed and used under the supervision of installed and used under the supervision of a qualified person.a qualified person.

• Lanyards and vertical lifelines must have a Lanyards and vertical lifelines must have a minimum breaking strength of 5,000 lbs.minimum breaking strength of 5,000 lbs.

• Only one worker can attach to a vertical Only one worker can attach to a vertical lifeline. lifeline.

• The lifeline must be inspected to check for The lifeline must be inspected to check for cuts / abrasions before and during work.cuts / abrasions before and during work.


• Rope straps (webbing) used must be made Rope straps (webbing) used must be made of synthetic fibers.of synthetic fibers.

• The attachment point of a full body harness The attachment point of a full body harness must be in the center of the back near your must be in the center of the back near your shoulders.shoulders.

• A Personal Fall Arrest system, when A Personal Fall Arrest system, when stopping a fall, should be rigged so a stopping a fall, should be rigged so a worker:worker:- Cannot free fall more than 6’, nor;- Cannot free fall more than 6’, nor;- Cannot contact any lower level. - Cannot contact any lower level.


• A rescue plan must be worked out in case A rescue plan must be worked out in case of a fall so the employee can be promptly of a fall so the employee can be promptly rescued. rescued.

• Fall arrest equipment must be inspected Fall arrest equipment must be inspected prior to each use for damage, wear or other prior to each use for damage, wear or other deterioration; defective equipment must deterioration; defective equipment must not be used.not be used.

• Personal fall arrest equipment may not be Personal fall arrest equipment may not be attached to guardrails, hoists, or anchor- attached to guardrails, hoists, or anchorages being used to support or suspend ages being used to support or suspend platforms. platforms.


• Anchorages used for attachment of Anchorages used for attachment of personal fall arrest equipment shall be personal fall arrest equipment shall be capable of supporting at least 5,000 lbs. capable of supporting at least 5,000 lbs. per employee attached. per employee attached.

• Horizontal lifelines must be installed by a Horizontal lifelines must be installed by a qualified person, as part of a personal fall qualified person, as part of a personal fall arrest system, with a Safety Factor of at arrest system, with a Safety Factor of at least TWO. least TWO.


COMMON OPERATIONS / AREAS REQUIRING TYING COMMON OPERATIONS / AREAS REQUIRING TYING OFF INCLUDE:OFF INCLUDE:

Open sided floor and roof areas.Open sided floor and roof areas. Floor and roof openings.Floor and roof openings. Scaffold erection.Scaffold erection. Installation of guardrails.Installation of guardrails. Working on ladders near edges / openings.Working on ladders near edges / openings. Working near protruding reinforcing steel.Working near protruding reinforcing steel. Working in elevator shafts, and on bridges.Working in elevator shafts, and on bridges.


• Body harnesses / lanyards are to be used Body harnesses / lanyards are to be used for fall protection for employee safety - and for fall protection for employee safety - and NOT FOR lifting loads, binding loads, etc. NOT FOR lifting loads, binding loads, etc.

• D-rings and snaphooks shall have a D-rings and snaphooks shall have a minimum tensile strength of 5,000 lbs.minimum tensile strength of 5,000 lbs.

• Effective January 1, 1998 only “locking Effective January 1, 1998 only “locking type” snaphooks shall be used. type” snaphooks shall be used.

• Effective January 1, 1998 body belts not Effective January 1, 1998 body belts not allowed for fall arrest.allowed for fall arrest.

D. SAFETY MONITORINGD. SAFETY MONITORING SYSTEM SYSTEM

A SAFETY MONITORING SYSTEM is used in A SAFETY MONITORING SYSTEM is used in conjunction with warning lines and must conjunction with warning lines and must include appointing a “competent person” include appointing a “competent person” safety monitor to observe, instruct and warn safety monitor to observe, instruct and warn employees in the work area of fall hazards.employees in the work area of fall hazards.

This method of fall protection is frequently This method of fall protection is frequently used by commercial roofers on low sloped used by commercial roofers on low sloped roofs (< or equal to 4 in 12 pitch).roofs (< or equal to 4 in 12 pitch).

A SAFETY MONITORING SYSTEM may be used A SAFETY MONITORING SYSTEM may be used alone when working on a roof that is 50’ or alone when working on a roof that is 50’ or less in width. less in width.

D . SAFETY MONITORINGD . SAFETY MONITORING SYSTEM SYSTEM

• The person chosen as the safety monitor The person chosen as the safety monitor MUST:MUST:

- Be competent to recognize fall hazards.- Be competent to recognize fall hazards.

- Warn the employee when the employee - Warn the employee when the employee is unaware of a fall hazard or is acting in is unaware of a fall hazard or is acting in an unsafe manner. an unsafe manner.

- Be positioned on the same working sur-- Be positioned on the same working surface and within sight of the employees face and within sight of the employees being monitored. being monitored.

D . SAFETY MONITORINGD . SAFETY MONITORING SYSTEM SYSTEM

• The person chosen as the safety monitor The person chosen as the safety monitor MUST: (continued)MUST: (continued)

- Be able to be heard by employees.- Be able to be heard by employees.

- Have no other responsibilities that could- Have no other responsibilities that could affect the monitor’s attention. affect the monitor’s attention.

- Allow only qualified workers necessary to- Allow only qualified workers necessary to perform specific duties in the work area. perform specific duties in the work area.

E. CONTROLLED ACCESSE. CONTROLLED ACCESS ZONES ZONES

• Leading edge work.Leading edge work.

• Overhand brick laying.Overhand brick laying.

• Pre-cast concrete construction.Pre-cast concrete construction.

• Must be segregated by a control line.Must be segregated by a control line.

• Accessible only to those qualified Accessible only to those qualified employees necessary to perform the work.employees necessary to perform the work.

• Must utilize “competent person” safety Must utilize “competent person” safety monitor and have a written fall protection monitor and have a written fall protection plan. plan.

F. COVERSF. COVERS

• Covers must be placed over floor and roof Covers must be placed over floor and roof openings, gaps and other holes 2” or more openings, gaps and other holes 2” or more in their least dimension. in their least dimension.

• Covers must be secured to prevent dis- Covers must be secured to prevent dis- placement due to wind, equipment or placement due to wind, equipment or workers.workers.

• Covers must be capable of supporting two Covers must be capable of supporting two times the imposed load of workers, eqt., times the imposed load of workers, eqt., tools, materials, etc.tools, materials, etc.

• Hole covers must be clearly marked “Hole” Hole covers must be clearly marked “Hole” or “Cover” to provide hazard warning. or “Cover” to provide hazard warning.

G. WARNING LINESG. WARNING LINES

• Warning lines are typically used in con-Warning lines are typically used in con-junction with a safety monitoring system, junction with a safety monitoring system, but can also be used with guardrails, safety but can also be used with guardrails, safety nets, and/or PFAE.nets, and/or PFAE.

• Warning lines are set up near the edge of all Warning lines are set up near the edge of all open sides, at least 6’ from the edge.open sides, at least 6’ from the edge.

• Warning lines must be made of ropes, Warning lines must be made of ropes, wires, or chains and supporting stan-wires, or chains and supporting stan-chions, and must have a minimum tensile chions, and must have a minimum tensile strength of 500 lbs. strength of 500 lbs.

G. WARNING LINESG. WARNING LINES

• Warning lines must be flagged at intervals Warning lines must be flagged at intervals of 6’ or less.of 6’ or less.

• No employee shall be allowed in the area No employee shall be allowed in the area between an open roof edge and warning between an open roof edge and warning line unless the employee is performing line unless the employee is performing roofing work in that area. roofing work in that area.

H. POSITIONING DEVICESH. POSITIONING DEVICES

• Positioning devices are typically used on Positioning devices are typically used on the face of formwork and reinforcing steel the face of formwork and reinforcing steel structures, and other situations where the structures, and other situations where the employee’s hands must be free to work.employee’s hands must be free to work.

• Positioning device systems must be set up Positioning device systems must be set up so that an employee cannot fall more than so that an employee cannot fall more than two feet.two feet.

• Safety belts are OK for use.Safety belts are OK for use.

I. PROTECTION FROM I. PROTECTION FROM FALLING OBJECTS FALLING OBJECTS

Hard hats must be worn at all times to provide Hard hats must be worn at all times to provide protection from falling objects. protection from falling objects.

Employees must also be protected from fall-Employees must also be protected from fall-ing objects by one or more of the following ing objects by one or more of the following methods.methods.

• Toeboards installed along the edge of all Toeboards installed along the edge of all unprotected sides / edges where there is a unprotected sides / edges where there is a possibility of materials, equipment, or tools possibility of materials, equipment, or tools being dropped or falling onto workers being dropped or falling onto workers below. below.

I. PROTECTION FROM I. PROTECTION FROM FALLING OBJECTS FALLING OBJECTS

• Guardrails that have openings small Guardrails that have openings small enough to prevent passage of potential enough to prevent passage of potential falling objects. falling objects.

• Proper storage methods.Proper storage methods.

• Canopies and barricades.Canopies and barricades.

J. FALL PROTECTION FROMJ. FALL PROTECTION FROM SCISSORS & AERIAL LIFTS SCISSORS & AERIAL LIFTS

- A key factor is whether the boom mounted - A key factor is whether the boom mounted platform can be positioned OUTSIDE THE platform can be positioned OUTSIDE THE WHEEL BASE; if it can (ie aerial lift) then a WHEEL BASE; if it can (ie aerial lift) then a body harness system is required.body harness system is required.

- Otherwise it falls into the scissors lift - Otherwise it falls into the scissors lift category. category.

J. FALL PROTECTION FROMJ. FALL PROTECTION FROM SCISSORS & AERIAL LIFTS SCISSORS & AERIAL LIFTS

- - The reason for requiring a body harness The reason for requiring a body harness when using an aerial lift is the possibility when using an aerial lift is the possibility of being bounced out of a basket or off a of being bounced out of a basket or off a platform.platform.

- They are also called extendible or articu- - They are also called extendible or articu- lating boom supported platforms, aerial lating boom supported platforms, aerial ladders, or bucket trucks.ladders, or bucket trucks.

I. FALL PROTECTION FROMI. FALL PROTECTION FROM SCISSORS & AERIAL LIFTS SCISSORS & AERIAL LIFTS

- A body harness shall be worn and a - A body harness shall be worn and a lanyard attached to the boom or basket lanyard attached to the boom or basket when working from an aerial lift. when working from an aerial lift.

I. FALL PROTECTION FROMI. FALL PROTECTION FROM SCISSORS & AERIAL LIFTS SCISSORS & AERIAL LIFTS Employees working on scissors lifts are not Employees working on scissors lifts are not

required by OSHA or ANSI standards to wear a required by OSHA or ANSI standards to wear a body harness while on platforms equipped with body harness while on platforms equipped with guardrails, as long as the platform remains guardrails, as long as the platform remains within the wheel base. within the wheel base.

Hard hats must be worn at all times to provide Hard hats must be worn at all times to provide protection from falling objects. protection from falling objects.

If the guardrails are removed or ineffective, then If the guardrails are removed or ineffective, then other means of fall protection must be provided. other means of fall protection must be provided.

IV. EMPLOYEE TRAININGIV. EMPLOYEE TRAINING

Employees are required to be trained in the proper selection Employees are required to be trained in the proper selection and use of fall protection equipment by a competent person if and use of fall protection equipment by a competent person if they will be exposed to fall hazards. they will be exposed to fall hazards.

The training should include:The training should include:

- Recognition of fall hazards and how to - Recognition of fall hazards and how to minimize exposure. minimize exposure.

- Correct procedures for erecting, maintaining,- Correct procedures for erecting, maintaining, disassembling and inspecting fall protection disassembling and inspecting fall protection systems and equipment used. systems and equipment used.

IV. EMPLOYEE TRAININGIV. EMPLOYEE TRAINING

- Proper use of fall protection equipment. - Proper use of fall protection equipment.

- Understanding of OSHA fall protection- Understanding of OSHA fall protection standards. standards.

All competent person and employee training All competent person and employee training needs to be documented. needs to be documented.

Retraining will be conducted at least annuallyRetraining will be conducted at least annually for “competent persons” and as needed for for “competent persons” and as needed for employees exposed to falls. employees exposed to falls.

THE ENDTHE END

29 cfr part 1926 subpart m fall protection 29 cfr part 1926 subpart m fall protection hgs

Documents

written fall protection

interim fall protection

fall related fatalities

subpart x

residential construction

oshas revision of subpart

working levels

steel erection work