Fall Protection for Construction

1
Fall Protection for Construction
2
Training objectives

• Nature of fall hazards in the work area
• Subpart M of the construction regulations

1a
3
Training objectives

• Procedures for erecting, maintaining,
  disassembling, and inspecting fall protection
  systems

1b
4
Training objectives

• Use and operation of
• guardrail systems
• personal fall arrest systems
• safety net systems
• warning line systems
• safety monitoring systems
• controlled access zones
• other protections to be used

1c
5
Training objectives

• Role of each employee when a safety monitoring
  system is used
• Role of employees in fall protection plans

1d
6
Training objectives

• Limitations on the use of mechanical equipment
  during roofing work on low-sloped roofs

1e
7
Training objectives

• Correct procedures for the handling and storage
  of equipment and materials and the erection of
  overhead protection

1f
8
Fall hazards in the work area

• Falls are one of the major causes of injuries to
  construction workers
• Working at the leading edge of floors,
  formwork, or roofs

2a
9
Fall hazards in the work area

• Leaning over for overhand bricklaying work
• Working near holes or openings
• Walking on elevated ramps or runways

2b
10
Standard applicability

• The OSHA standard requires construction employers
  to
• identify and evaluate fall hazards
• provide fall protection
• train employees
• The requirements are performance-oriented

3a
11
Standard applicability

• The standard does not cover construction workers
  who are inspecting, investigating, or assessing
  workplace conditions
• prior to the actual start of work or
• after all work has been completed

3b
12
Standard applicability

• Other OSHA standards also contain fall protection
  requirements, but they may not outline specific
  rules for fall protection during all parts of the
  job

3c
13
Standard applicability

• Review
• Subpart L - Scaffolds
• Subpart N - Cranes and derricks
• Subpart R - Steel erection
• Subpart S - Tunneling
• Subpart V - Electric transmission and
  distribution lines and equipment
• Subpart X - Stairways and ladders

3d
14
Fall protection measures

• All walking and working surfaces must be strong
  enough to safely support employees
• Employees must be protected from fall hazards
  whenever they are 6 feet or more above a lower
  level

4a
15
Fall protection measures

• Construction workers who are exposed to the
  hazard of falling onto or into dangerous
  equipment must be protected at any height
• All employees must be protected from falling
  objects

4b
16
Fall protection measures

• Guardrail systems
• Safety net systems
• Personal fall arrest systems
• Positioning device systems

4c
17
Fall protection measures

• Warning line systems
• Controlled access zones
• Safety monitoring systems
• Covers

4d
18
Terms

• Anchorage
• Body belt (safety belt)
• Body harness
• Controlled access zone (CAZ)

5a
19
Terms

• Dangerous equipment
• Deceleration device
• Deceleration distance
• Free fall

5b
20
Terms

• Free fall distance
• Guardrail system
• Lanyard
• Leading edge

5c
21
Terms

• Lifeline
• Low-slope roof
• Lower levels
• Mechanical equipment

5d
22
Terms

• Overhand bricklaying and related work
• Personal fall arrest system
• Positioning device system
• Roofing work

5e
23
Terms

• Safety-monitoring system
• Self-retracting lifeline/lanyard
• Steep roof

5f
24
Terms

• Unprotected sides and edges
• Walking/working surface
• Warning line system

5g
25
Guardrail systems

• The top edge height of top rails must be between
  39 inches and 45 inches above the
  walking/working level

6a
26
Guardrail systems

• Midrails, screens, mesh, or intermediate vertical
  members are needed when there is no wall or
  parapet wall at least 21-inches high

6b
27
Guardrail systems

• Guardrail systems must be able to withstand the
  forces specified in OSHAs standard
• Steel or plastic banding cannot be used as top
  rails or midrails

6c
28
Guardrail systems

• Top rails and midrails must have a diameter of at
  least 1/4-inch
• If wire rope is used for top rails, it must be
  flagged with high-visibility material at least
  every 6 feet

6d
29
Guardrail systems

• Top rails or midrails made from manila, plastic
  or synthetic rope must be inspected frequently
• The guardrails surface must be smooth enough so
  it does not cause lacerations or other injuries,
  or snag clothing

6e
30
Guardrail systems

• The ends of top rails and midrails must not
  overhang the terminal posts to create a
  projection hazard

6f
31
Safety net systems

• Safety nets must be installed as close as
  practicable under the walking/working surface,
  but in no case more than 30 feet below the surface

7a
32
Safety net systems

• When nets are used on bridges, the potential fall
  area from the walking/working surface to the net
  must be unobstructed

7b
33
Safety net systems

• Safety nets are to extend outward from the work
  surface by a sufficient distance as specified in
  the standard
• Safety nets must have sufficient clearance
  under them

7c
34
Safety net systems

• Safety nets must be capable of absorbing an
  impact force equal to the standards specified
  drop test
• Defective nets must not be used

7d
35
Safety net systems

• Inspect safety nets at least once a week for
  wear, damage, and other deterioration
• Safety nets must also be inspected after any
  occurrence that could affect the integrity of the
  safety net system

7e
36
Personal fall arrest systems

• Effective January 1, 1998, body belts are not
  acceptable as part of a personal fall arrest
  system
• Connectors, dee-rings, and snaphooks must meet
  the standards design and strength requirements

8a
37
Personal fall arrest systems

• Devices used to connect to a horizontal lifeline
  are to be capable of locking in both directions
  on the lifeline
• Lanyards and vertical lifelines must meet the
  standards minimum breaking strength
  requirements

8b
38
Personal fall arrest systems

• When vertical lifelines are used, each employee
  must be attached to a separate lifeline
• Lifelines must be protected from being cut or
  abraded

8c
39
Personal fall arrest systems

• Self-retracting lifelines and lanyards must meet
  the standards load requirements
• Anchorages used for personal fall arrest
  equipment must be independent of any anchorage
  being used to support or suspend platforms

8d
40
Personal fall arrest systems - when stopping a
fall must

• Limit the maximum arresting force on an employee
  to 1,800 pounds when used with a body harness
• Be rigged so that an employee cannot free fall
  more than 6 feet

8e
41
Personal fall arrest systems - when stopping a
fall must

• Be rigged so that an employee will not contact
  any lower level
• Bring an employee to a complete stop and limit
  the employees maximum deceleration distance
  to 3.5 feet

8f
42
Personal fall arrest systems - when stopping a
fall must

• Have sufficient strength to withstand twice the
  anticipated potential impact energy

8g
43
Positioning Device Systems

• Positioning devices are to be rigged so that an
  employee cannot free fall more than 2 feet

9a
44
Positioning Device Systems

• Positioning devices must be secured to an
  anchorage capable of supporting
• at least twice the potential impact load of an
  employees fall or
• 3,000 pounds, whichever is greater

9b
45
Positioning Device Systems

• Connectors, dee-rings, and snaphooks must meet
  the standards design and strength requirements

9c
46
Positioning Device Systems

• Positioning device systems must be inspected
  before each use for
• wear
• damage
• deterioration
• defective components

9d
47
Positioning Device Systems

• Body belts and components must only be used as
  part of a positioning device systemthey cannot
  be used to hoist materials

9e
48
Fall protection systems

• Employers have a duty to anticipate fall hazards,
  and to plan work activities accordingly
• Careful planning and preparation lay the
  necessary groundwork for an accident-free
  workplace

10a
49
Fall protection systems

• Limit work activities to walking/working surfaces
  that have the strength and structural integrity
  to safely support employees

10b
50
Fall protection systems

• The rule identifies areas or activities where
  fall protection is needed. These include, but are
  not limited to
• unprotected sides and edges
• hoist areas
• holes
• wall openings
• formwork and reinforcing steel

10c
51
Fall protection systems

• The rule identifies areas or activities where
  fall protection is needed. These include, but are
  not limited to
• ramps, runways, and other walkways
• excavations (protection from falling into
  excavations greater that 6-feet deep only)

10d
52
Fall protection systems

• The rule identifies areas or activities where
  fall protection is needed. These include, but are
  not limited to
• dangerous equipment
• overhand bricklaying and related work

10e
53
Fall protection systems

• The rule identifies areas or activities where
  fall protection is needed. These include, but are
  not limited to
• roofing work
• leading edge work
• precast concrete erection

10f
54
Fall protection systems

• The rule identifies areas or activities where
  fall protection is needed. These include, but are
  not limited to
• residential construction
• other walking and working surfaces

10g
55
Fall protection systems

• Employers need to
• give instructions to prevent exposure to unsafe
  conditions
• ensure employees follow the procedures and
  understand the training
• be aware of the safety methods being used by
  specialty subcontractors

10h
56
Unprotected sides and edges

• Employees must be protected when they are exposed
  to falls from unprotected sides and edges of
  walking/working surfaces 6 feet or more above
  lower levels

11a
57
Unprotected sides and edges

• Fall protection options include
• Guardrail systems
• Safety net systems
• Personal fall arrest systems

11b
58
Protecting hoist areas

• Employees in a hoist area must be protected from
  falling 6 feet or more
• Fall protection options include
• guardrail systems
• personal fall arrest systems

12a
59
Protecting hoist areas

• When guardrail systems are used at hoisting
  areas, a chain, gate, or removable guardrail
  section must be placed across the access opening
  when hoisting operations are not taking place

12b
60
Protection for holes

• Employees must be protected from
• falling into or through holes
• tripping in, or stepping into or through holes
• objects falling through holes

13a
61
Protection for holes

• Covers located where there is vehicular traffic
  must be able to support at least twice the
  maximum axle load of the largest vehicle
  expected to cross over the cover

13b
62
Protection for holes

• All other covers must be able to support at least
  twice the weight of employees, equipment, and
  materials that may cross over the cover at any
  one time

13c
63
Protection for holes

• Covers must be secured in place
• Covers must be color coded or marked with the
  word HOLE or COVER to provide a warning

13d
64
Protecting wall openings

• Employees must be protected from falling out or
  or through wall openings
• Fall protection options include
• guardrail systems
• safety net systems
• personal fall arrest systems

14a
65
Formwork and reinforcing steel

• Employees working on formwork and reinforcing
  steel 6 feet or more above lower levels must be
  protected by one of the following
• Personal fall arrest system
• Safety net system
• Positioning device system

15a
66
Formwork and reinforcing steel

• Fall protection is not required while employees
  are moving vertically and/or horizontally on the
  vertical face of rebar assemblies built in place

15b
67
Ramps, runways, and walkways

• Ramps, runways, and other walkways have
  guardrails along each unprotected side or edge
  when employees could fall 6 feet or more

16a
68
Excavations

• If the excavation depth is 6 feet or more, edges
  of excavations must be protected by
• guardrail systems
• fences
• barricades

17a
69
Falls into dangerous equipment

• Employees working 6 feet or more above dangerous
  equipment must be protected from falling by one
  of the following systems
• Guardrail systems
• Personal fall arrest systems
• Safety net systems

18a
70
Falls into dangerous equipment

• Where the walking/working surface is less than 6
  feet above the dangerous equipment hazards,
  guardrails or equipment guards must shield
  employees from the hazard

18b
71
Overhand bricklaying

• Each employee performing overhand bricklaying and
  related work 6 feet or more above lower levels
  must be protected by one of the following systems

19a
72
Overhand bricklaying

• Guardrail systems
• Personal fall arrest systems
• Safety net systems
• Controlled access zones

19b
73
Overhand bricklaying

• The controlled access zone
• is defined by a control line erected between 10
  feet and 15 feet from the working edge

19c
74
Overhand bricklaying

• The controlled access zone
• must extend far enough to enclose all employees
  performing overhand bricklaying and related work
  at the working edge

19d
75
Overhand bricklaying

• The controlled access zone
• needs additional control lines erected at each
  end to enclose the controlled access zone
• allows only employees engaged in overhand
  bricklaying or related work in the controlled
  access zone

19e
76
Overhand bricklaying

• Control lines consist of ropes, wires, tapes, or
  equivalent materials, and supporting stanchions
  as follows
• Each line is flagged or otherwise clearly marked
  with high-visibility material at intervals of at
  least 6 feet

19f
77
Overhand bricklaying

• Control lines consist of ropes, wires, tapes, or
  equivalent materials, and supporting stanchions
  as follows

19f
78
Overhand bricklaying

• Each line is rigged and supported so that
• its lowest point is at least 39 inches from the
  walking/working surface
• its highest point is not more than 50 inches from
  the walking/working surface
• Each line must have a minimum breaking strength
  of 200 pounds

19g
79
Overhand bricklaying

• All employees reaching more than 10 inches below
  the level of a walking/working surface must be
  protected from falling

19h
80
Overhand bricklaying

• Fall protection options include
• guardrails
• personal fall arrest systems
• safety nets

19i
81
Overhand bricklaying

• To provide for falling object protection during
  overhand bricklaying and related work
• no materials or equipment except masonry and
  mortar can be stored within 4 feet of the working
  edge

19j
82
Overhand bricklaying

• To provide for falling object protection during
  overhand bricklaying and related work
• excess mortar, broken or scattered masonry units,
  and all other materials and debris must be
  removed at regular intervals

19k
83
Roofing on low-slope roofs

• Employees engaged in roofing activities on
  low-slope roofs with unprotected sides and edges
  6 feet or more above lower levels must be
  protected by one of the following methods

20a
84
Roofing on low-slope roofs

• Guardrail systems
• Safety net systems
• Personal fall arrest systems

20b
85
Roofing on low-slope roofs

• A combination of warning line and guardrail
  systems
• A combination of warning line and safety net
  systems
• A combination of warning line and personal fall
  arrest systems

20c
86
Roofing on low-slope roofs

• A combination of warning line and safety
  monitoring systems
• On roofs 50 feet or less in width, the use of a
  safety monitoring system alone

20d
87
Roofing on low-slope roofs safety monitoring
system

• When a safety monitoring system is used
• A designated competent person must monitor
  employee safety
• The safety monitor cannot have other
  responsibilities that could distract him/her from
  the monitoring function

20e
88
Roofing on low-slope roofs safety monitoring
system

• Mechanical equipment must not be used or stored
  in areas where safety monitoring systems are
  being used

20f
89
Roofing on low-slope roofs safety monitoring
system

• No employee, other than an employee engaged in
  roofing work, or an employee covered by a fall
  protection plan, can be allowed in an area where
  an employee is being protected by a safety
  monitoring system

20g
90
Roofing on low-slope roofs safety monitoring
system

• Each employee working in a controlled access zone
  must comply with fall hazard warnings from safety
  monitors

20h
91
Roofing on low-slope roofs warning line system

• When warning line systems are used
• Warning line systems are to be erected around all
  sides of the roof work area

20i
92
Roofing on low-slope roofs warning line system

• The warning line must be at least 6 feet from the
  roof edge when mechanical equipment is not being
  used

20j
93
Roofing on low-slope roofs warning line system

• The warning line must be farther from the roof
  edge when mechanical equipment is being used

20k
94
Roofing on low-slope roofs warning line system

• Two warning lines must form an access path to
  connect points of access, materials handling
  areas, storage areas, and hoisting areas to the
  work area

20l
95
Roofing on low-slope roofs warning line system

• When a point of access is not in use, a rope,
  wire, chain, or other barricade, must be placed
  across the path

20m
96
Roofing on low-slope roofs warning line system

• Warning line ropes, wires, chains, and supporting
  stanchions must meet the standards design and
  strength requirements

20n
97
Roofing on low-slope roofs warning line system

• No employee is allowed in the area between a roof
  edge and a warning line unless the employee is
  performing roofing work in that area

20o
98
Roofing on low-slope roofs

• To provide for falling object protection during
  roofing work
• materials and equipment must not be stored within
  6 feet of a roof edge unless guardrails are
  erected at the edge
• materials that are piled, grouped, or stacked
  near a roof edge must be stable and
  self-supporting

20p
99
Roofing on steep roofs

• Each employee engaged in roofing activities on
  steep roofs with unprotected sides and edges 6
  feet or more above lower levels must be protected
  from falling

21a
100
Roofing on steep roofs

• A steep roof has slopes greater than 4 in 12
  (vertical to horizontal)

21b
101
Roofing on steep roofs

• Fall protection options include
• Guardrail systems with toeboards
• Personal fall arrest systems
• Safety net systems

21c
102
Leading edge work

• Leading edge work 6 feet or more above lower
  levels requires one of the following fall
  protection methods
• Guardrail systems
• Safety net systems
• Personal fall arrest systems

22a
103
Leading edge work

• If these conventional systems cannot be used, a
  fall protection plan must be in place

22b
104
Leading edge work

• When used to control access to areas where
  leading edge and other operations are taking
  place, the controlled access zone is defined by a
  control line that restricts access

22c
105
Leading edge work

• When control lines are used, they are to be
  between 6 feet and 25 feet from the unprotected
  or leading edge, except when erecting precast
  concrete members

22d
106
Leading edge work

• The control line must extend along the entire
  length of the unprotected or leading edge
• Each side of the control line is to be connected
  to a guardrail system or wall

22e
107
Leading edge work - control lines

• Control lines consist of ropes, wires, tapes, or
  equivalent materials, and supporting stanchions
  as follows

22f
108
Leading edge work - control lines

• Each line must be flagged or otherwise clearly
  marked with high-visibility material at intervals
  of at least 6 feet

22g
109
Leading edge work - control lines

• Each line is to be rigged and supported so that
  its
• lowest point is at least 39 inches from the
  walking/working surface
• highest point is not more than 45 inches
• Each line must have a minimum breaking strength
  of 200 pounds

22h
110
Precast concrete erection

• Erecting precast concrete members 6 feet or more
  above a lower level requires one of the following
  fall protection methods
• Guardrail systems
• Safety net systems
• Personal fall arrest systems

23a
111
Precast concrete erection

• If these conventional systems cannot be used, a
  fall protection plan must be in place

23b
112
Precast concrete erection

• A controlled access zone may be used to control
  access to areas where leading edge and other
  operations are taking place

23c
113
Precast concrete erection

• The controlled access zone is defined by a
  control line (or other means) that restricts
  access

23d
114
Precast concrete erection

• When erecting precast concrete members, the
  control line is to be
• between 6 feet and 60 feet or
• half the length of the member being erected,
  whichever is less, from the leading edge

23e
115
Precast concrete erection

• The control line must extend along the entire
  length of the unprotected or leading edge
• Each side of the control line is to be connected
  to a guardrail system or wall

23f
116
Precast concrete erection - control lines

• Control lines consist of ropes, wires, tapes, or
  equivalent materials, and supporting stanchions
  as follows

23g
117
Precast concrete erection - control lines

• Each line is to be flagged or otherwise clearly
  marked with high-visibility material at intervals
  of at least 6 feet

23h
118
Precast concrete erection - control lines

• Each line is to be rigged and supported so that
  its
• lowest point is at least 39 inches from the
  walking/working surface
• highest point is not more than 45 inches
• Each line must have a minimum breaking strength
  of 200 pounds

23i
119
Residential construction

• Employers engaged in residential construction
  must protect employees from falls of 6 feet or
  more to lower levels by the use of one of these
  fall protection systems
• Guardrail systems
• Safety net systems
• Personal fall arrest systems

24a
120
Residential construction

• If it is infeasible or creates a greater hazard
  to implement these conventional systems, a fall
  protection plan can be used instead

24b
121
Fall protection plans

• The use of a fall protection plan is available
  only to employees engaged in
• leading edge work
• precast concrete erection work
• residential construction work

25a
122
Fall protection plans

• Fall protection plans must developed by a
  competent person

25b
123
Other walking/working surfaces

• All employees exposed to falls of 6 feet or more
  to lower levels must be protected by a
• guardrail system
• safety net system
• personal fall arrest system

26a
124
Protection from falling objects

• Employees who may be exposed to falling objects
  are required to wear hard hats

27a
125
Protection from falling objects

• Employers must also do one of the following
• Erect toeboards, screens, or guardrail systems to
  prevent objects from falling from higher levels
• Erect a canopy structure and keep potential
  falling objects far enough from the edge of the
  higher level

27b
126
Protection from falling objects

• Employers must also do one of the following
• Barricade the area to which objects could fall,
  and keep employees out of thearea
• Keep objects far enough away from the edge of a
  higher level

27c
127
Protection from falling objects

• Falling object protection must meet the
  standards design and strength requirements

27d