Fall Protection

WHERE THE STANDARDS ARE

Cal/OSHA:8 CCR Article 24 1669 – 1671.2

Federal OSHA:

Subpart M 1926.500 - .503

DUTY TO HAVE FALL PROTECTION

Employees must be

protected from falls

FALL PROTECTION METHODS

Guardrails Restraints Covers Equipment Building design

TRIGGER HEIGHTS Federal OSHAGeneral Trigger - 6 feet

Residential Roofers – 6 feet

Rod Busters – 6 feet

Ironworkers – 15 feet

Connectors – 30 feet

Cal/OSHA General Trigger – 7.5 feet Framers – 15 feet Commercial Roofer – 20

feet (measured from lowest edge)

Residential Roofer (slope 3:12 to 7:12) – 15 feet >7:12 fall protection is

mandatory regardless of height

FALL PROTECTION METHODS

Guardrails Hole Covers Safety Nets Restraint

Systems Positioning

Systems Fall Arrest

Systems

GUARDRAILS

Federal OSHA Top Rail 39-45

inches high Mid Rail – Between

top and bottom (21 inches)

Toe Board 3.5 inches high

Posts – 8 feet apart

Cal/OSHA Top Rail 42-45

inches high Mid Rail – Between

top and bottom (21 inches)

Toe Board 3.5 inches high

Posts – 8 feet apart

GUARDRAIL STRENGTH

Top Rail - 200 lbs. outward and downward force

Mid Rail – 150 lbs. Toe-board – 50 lbs. Deflection - <3

inches

CABLE GUARDRAILS

Flagged every 6 feet

Deflect < 3 inches

Proper U Bolt clips

RAMPS AND WALKWAYS

Guardrails required at 6 feet (Federal OSHA)

Guardrails required at 7.5 feet (Cal/OSHA)

HOLES AND OPENINGS

Guardrails or covers

Covers must Be secure Labeled Support twice

the exposed weight

LADDERS

Fall protection required If used near

leading edge Over the top of

guardrails

POSITIONING DEVICES

3,000 lbs. anchor or 2 times intended load

Limit fall to 2 feet

May need fall arrest as well Typically rebar or

carpenters

FALL RESTRAINT

Anchorage – 4 times intended load

Prevents fall POTENTIAL

May use a belt

FALL ARREST

5,000 lbs. anchorage

Full body harness

Retractable lanyards

Shock absorbing lanyards

Double lanyards

SHOCK ABSORBING LANYARDS

3,600 lbs. gate strength Note: WAS 300 lbs.

5,000 lbs. hook strength and lanyard strength

Limit free fall to 6 –feet or less

Deceleration distance of 3.5 feet

Limit arresting force to 1,800 lbs.

RETRACTABLE LANYARDS

Attached directly to D-ring

Limit free fall to 2 feet

Be aware: Swing radius Pulling out more

line than height Annual inspections

LANYARDS AND HARNESSES

Inspect prior to use Properly store Keep clean Wear properly Keep away from:

Heat, chemicals, harsh cleaners, what else?

No knots!

SNAP HOOKS

Gate strength of 3,600 lbs.

Double locking Rated for 5,000

lbs.

CATENARY LINES (HORIZONTAL LIFE LINE)

Designed, installed and used under supervision of Qualified person

Safety factor of 2

VERTICAL LIFE LINES

Rope Grab Cable Grab Pipe Grab One employee

per line 5,000 lbs.

strength Align arrow up

ANCHORAGE POINTS

As high as possible

Support at least 5,000 lbs. for fall arrest How much for

restraint?

INSPECTIONS

Prior to each use Wear marks Tears Signs it stopped

a fall

INSPECTIONS

Cracks in rings, hooks

Distortion of snap hooks or D-rings

Shock absorbers in good condition

RETRACTABLE INSPECTIONS

Check locking mechanism on retractable lanyard

Check cable Ensure annual

inspection is done

INSPECTIONS

UV damage Chemical burns Thermal burns Fraying

STORAGE

Clean dry place Hung properly Away from heat No sharp objects No chemicals Power tools Tangles

STORAGE

Correct Incorrect

STORAGE

Correct Incorrect

RESCUE

PROMPT!!!! What can hanging

in a harness do to you?

Have a written plan Self rescue or

outside rescue? Do not rely on 911

alone!

SAFETY NETS

As close as possible to working surface

30 feet maximum distance

Clearance below Inspected

weekly Drop tested

CONTROLLED ACCESS ZONES

Consist of ropes, wires, tapes, etc.

Flagged every 6 feet

200 lbs. breaking strength

Edge distances vary depending on task

39 to 45 inches high

SAFETY MONITORING SYSTEM

Low slop roof work or fall protection plan covered employees only

Monitor shall have no other task

No mechanical equipment used

SAFETY MONITORING SYSTEM

Monitor must be competent

Monitor must be on the same working level

Clear communications

FALL PROTECTION PLAN

Only for

Leading edge work Precast concrete

erection work Residential

construction work ALL other methods

must be infeasible (good luck)

FALL PROTECTION PLAN

Conforms To Drafted by Qualified

Person Site specific Maintained at jobsite Supervised by

Competent Person Document why other

methods are not feasible

TRAINING

Anyone that might be exposed

Recognition of hazards

Minimize hazards

Employee rolls

TRAINING

Nature of fall hazards

Fall protection systems

Maintenance of systems

Inspection of systems

TRAINING

Regulatory standards

Equipment limitations

Storage of equipment

CERTIFICATION OF TRAINING

Name of employee

Name of trainer or employer

Training date(s) Signature of

trainer

RETRAINING

Workplace changes

Equipment changes

Employee actions or inactions

QUESTIONS

How many lbs. must the anchor support for a fall arrest system? 5,000

How often do you inspect your equipment? Before each use

QUESTIONS

How much weight must a guardrail support? 200 lbs.

What is the standard guardrail height? 39-45 inches