Fall Protection These handouts and documents with attachments are not final, complete, or definitive instruments. This information is for guidance purposes only. You should independently verify and satisfy yourself as to its accuracy. The AHBSIF does not assume any liability for damages arising from the use of this information or exhibits and attachments thereto and renders no opinion that any of the terms, conditions, and/or cited federal standards in this document and the exhibits and attachments should be explicitly followed by the fund member. Seek specific guidance from the appropriate regulator (OSHA) or professional advisor.

Regulatory Changes 12/16/10 OSHA issued STD /16/10 OSHA issued STD Compliance Guidance for Residential Construction Compliance Guidance for Residential Construction Rescinds STD , Rescinds STD , Interim Fall Protection Compliance Guidelines for Residential Construction Interim Fall Protection Compliance Guidelines for Residential Construction Rule change in effect as of June 16, 2011 Rule change in effect as of June 16, 2011

When is Fall Protection Necessary? Open sided floors in General Industry? Open sided floors in General Industry? 4’ 4’ Open sided floors in Construction? Open sided floors in Construction? 6’ 6’ Roofing? Roofing? 6’ 6’ Scaffolding? Scaffolding? 10’ 10’

Training Requirements Fall Hazard Recognition Fall Hazard Recognition Protection Methods Protection Methods Certifications must be maintained Certifications must be maintained If the process or environment changes retraining may be necessary If the process or environment changes retraining may be necessary

Documentation Contractors must have a written fall protection plan for all work Contractors must have a written fall protection plan for all work Written Plan: Written Plan: Must be site specific Must be site specific Identify all potential fall exposures Identify all potential fall exposures Plan must address methods of protection Plan must address methods of protection PFAS, handrails, safety nets, etc. PFAS, handrails, safety nets, etc. Employees must be educated on protection measures and potential exposures Employees must be educated on protection measures and potential exposures

Potential Jobsite Fall Exposures General Unprotected sides and edges Hoist areas Leading edges Holes Ramps, runways, walkways Dangerous equipment Formwork and reinforcing steel Excavations, wells, pits, shafts Overhand bricklaying Pre-cast concrete erection Roofs Wall openings Walking/working surfaces not otherwise covered.

Potential Jobsite Fall Exposures Specific to Residential Work Truss Erection Foundation Walls Rafter Installation Form Work Ridge Beam Installation Floor Penetrations Decking Operations Excavations & Culverts Roof Sheathing Wall Erection Floor Joists Wall Openings Floor Decking All Roofing Operations Walking/working surfaces not otherwise covered.

Fall Protection Measures Acceptable means of fall protection may include: Acceptable means of fall protection may include: Handrails Handrails Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS) Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS) Positioning Devices Positioning Devices Safety Nets Safety Nets Warning Lines & Barrier Systems Warning Lines & Barrier Systems Controlled Access Zones (CAZ) Controlled Access Zones (CAZ) Covers Covers

Considerations What fall protection system will best suit the project? What fall protection system will best suit the project? Duration of work and pace Duration of work and pace Employee movement Employee movement Reusability Reusability Implementation (assembly and training) Implementation (assembly and training) Cost efficiency Cost efficiency

Handrails Top Rail height: 42” Top Rail height: 42” Mid Rail height: 21” Mid Rail height: 21” Must be able to support 200 lbs of outward and downward force on the top, 150 lbs on the mid rail Must be able to support 200 lbs of outward and downward force on the top, 150 lbs on the mid rail Toe Boards are necessary only if an exposure exists for those below Toe Boards are necessary only if an exposure exists for those below

Handrails Steel or plastic banding is not acceptable as a handrail Steel or plastic banding is not acceptable as a handrail Wire rope is acceptable, top rails must be flagged every six feet Wire rope is acceptable, top rails must be flagged every six feet Plastic or synthetic ropes are acceptable, they must be inspected regularly Plastic or synthetic ropes are acceptable, they must be inspected regularly Rope/Cable material must have ¼” diameter or greater Rope/Cable material must have ¼” diameter or greater

Handrails Uprights or stanchions must be placed no more than 8 ft apart Uprights or stanchions must be placed no more than 8 ft apart If handrail must be taken down for stocking purposes, workers must use some other means of fall protection If handrail must be taken down for stocking purposes, workers must use some other means of fall protection Parapet walls ≥ 39” in height do not require handrails Parapet walls ≥ 39” in height do not require handrails

Safety Harnesses and Lanyards Bodybelts have been banned from personal fall arrest use since January 1, Bodybelts have been banned from personal fall arrest use since January 1, Harness should be properly adjusted to fit the employee. Harness should be properly adjusted to fit the employee. Never use positioning devices as primary means of tie-off. Never use positioning devices as primary means of tie-off. Always have a plan for retrieving a “hanging” worker. Always have a plan for retrieving a “hanging” worker.

Lanyards Choose the right lanyard for the task at hand. Choose the right lanyard for the task at hand. Static w/ shock absorber Retractable Nylon Rope or Steel Cable All new lanyards are equipped with double action snap hooks to prevent “turn-out” All new lanyards are equipped with double action snap hooks to prevent “turn-out” Never loop or attach a lanyard back to itself unless specified by the manufacturer Never loop or attach a lanyard back to itself unless specified by the manufacturer

Anchors Anchorage point must withstand a 5000lb. static load Anchorage point must withstand a 5000lb. static load Must consider conditions of use for selection Must consider conditions of use for selection Must consider system that will provide best safety and efficiency for employee Must consider system that will provide best safety and efficiency for employee Conventional Anchors Conventional Anchors Disposable Anchors Disposable Anchors Specific Applications Specific Applications

Conventional Anchors Cross Arm Strap Roof AnchorBolt-On Anchor

Disposable Anchors Safe-T-Strap, device is left in the structure Safe-T-Strap, device is left in the structure

Specific Application Truss Brace, spreads anchor force over several trusses Truss Brace, spreads anchor force over several trusses

Positioning Devices Should not allow wearer more than 2’ of free fall Should not allow wearer more than 2’ of free fall Devices must be inspected after each use Devices must be inspected after each use Safety belts are suitable for positioning Safety belts are suitable for positioning

Safety Nets As close as possible, no more than 30’ below work area As close as possible, no more than 30’ below work area For bridge applications, the fall area to the net should be unobstructed For bridge applications, the fall area to the net should be unobstructed The net must have sufficient clearance to objects below The net must have sufficient clearance to objects below The net must be drop tested or certified The net must be drop tested or certified Outward Extension of Safety Nets VerticalHorizontal Up to 5’ 8’ >5 to 10’ 10’ > 10’ 13’

Safety Nets Inspections must be done at least weekly or after an impact Inspections must be done at least weekly or after an impact Fallen objects must be removed daily or prior to each shift Fallen objects must be removed daily or prior to each shift Openings on any side should be no greater than 6” Openings on any side should be no greater than 6” Border ropes must be able to support 5,000 lbs of force Border ropes must be able to support 5,000 lbs of force Connections should not be more than 6” apart Connections should not be more than 6” apart

Warning Line Systems For use on large flat roofs For use on large flat roofs System must be erected around all sides of work area System must be erected around all sides of work area Mechanical equipment must maintain a distance of six feet parallel and ten feet on sides perpendicular to travel direction Mechanical equipment must maintain a distance of six feet parallel and ten feet on sides perpendicular to travel direction The warning line must be 34” to 39” high and flagged with highly visible material The warning line must be 34” to 39” high and flagged with highly visible material

Barrier Systems Can protect the perimeter as well as a specific exposure Can protect the perimeter as well as a specific exposure Skylight Protection Skylight Protection Access Hatches Access Hatches Ladder access points Ladder access points

Controlled Access Zones (CAZ) CAZ’s are acceptable when it can be proven that conventional fall protection is infeasible or could create a greater hazard CAZ’s are acceptable when it can be proven that conventional fall protection is infeasible or could create a greater hazard

Controlled Access Zone Requirements  The contractor must have a written plan detailing all practices and procedures for the CAZ  The competent person shall determine the boundaries of the CAZ and clearly mark them with signs, wires, tapes, ropes or chains  The crew supervisor/foreman shall monitor the workers in the CAZ to ensure they don’t engage in unsafe practices.  All access to the CAZ is restricted to authorized workers. All employees permitted in the CAZ must be listed or identified by the competent person before entry.  All protective elements of the CAZ must be enforced before the beginning of work.

Use of a Controlled Access Zone Commercial* Commercial* Decking operations Decking operations Some roofing applications Some roofing applications Residential* Residential* Installation of floor joists, floor sheathing, roof sheathing Installation of floor joists, floor sheathing, roof sheathing Erecting exterior walls Erecting exterior walls Setting and bracing roof trusses and rafters Setting and bracing roof trusses and rafters *Application requires contractor to demonstrate CAZ is the most safe and effective way to complete the work. *Application requires contractor to demonstrate CAZ is the most safe and effective way to complete the work.

Covers For vehicular traffic – 2 times the maximum axle load of the largest vehicle For vehicular traffic – 2 times the maximum axle load of the largest vehicle Foot traffic – 2 times the weight of the expected load Foot traffic – 2 times the weight of the expected load Secured to prevent displacement Secured to prevent displacement Marked “HOLE” or “COVER” or color coded Marked “HOLE” or “COVER” or color coded

Fall Protection Checklist General Requirements Employees working over 6 ft. must be protected. Specific Hazard Exposures Personal Protective Equipment All window exposures with lower sill <39” hand railed (top rail, mid rail, and toe board). All window exposures with lower sill <39” hand railed (top rail, mid rail, and toe board). Employees educated on capabilities and use of device. Employees educated on capabilities and use of device. Stairwells completed or unfinished covered with adequate decking or hand railed (top rail, mid rail, and toe board). Stairwells completed or unfinished covered with adequate decking or hand railed (top rail, mid rail, and toe board). Anchorage points must withstand 5000lbs of force. Anchorage points must withstand 5000lbs of force. Open Entrance culverts covered with adequate decking or handrailed (top rail, mid rail, and toe board). Open Entrance culverts covered with adequate decking or handrailed (top rail, mid rail, and toe board). Equipment must be inspected prior to use. Equipment must be inspected prior to use. Transitions with fall exposures inside or outside of structure properly decked and supported, equipped with handrails (top rail, mid rail, and toe board). Transitions with fall exposures inside or outside of structure properly decked and supported, equipped with handrails (top rail, mid rail, and toe board). Equipment must be adequate for job. Equipment must be adequate for job. Documentation Written fall protection plan must be site specific Written fall protection plan must be site specific Plan must educate employees on fall hazard recognition Plan must educate employees on fall hazard recognition Plan must address all potential fall exposures Plan must address all potential fall exposures Plan must address methods of protection Plan must address methods of protection