1. Down To Zero ̶ Eliminate Falls/Save Lives
State Building & Construction Trades Council of California, AFL-CIO
Funded by Federal OSHA (2013)
Tell the class: This is a training on construction falls and ways to prevent them. It is designed for construction workers, unions, and employers. It specifies federal OSHA and Cal/OSHA regulations and standards.
This training program was developed by the Labor Occupational Health Program (LOHP) at UC Berkeley for the State Building & Construction Trades Council of California (SBCTC), AFL-CIO.
PPT Section 4 of 8
This material was produced under grant number SH F-6 from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor. It does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

2. Alternative Fall Protection

3. When Can You Use Alternative Fall Protection Systems
Precast concrete erection
Leading edge work
Residential construction
Roofing
Tell the class: Under very limited conditions, OSHA allows employers to use alternatives to conventional fall protection. The employer must develop a written fall protection plan when conventional fall protection cannot be used because it would “create a greater hazard or is infeasible.”
Photo: eLCOSH

4. What Is Required In a Fall Protection Plan?
Site specific
Prepared by a qualified person
Implemented and supervised by a competent person
Documents why conventional fall protection systems are infeasible or would create a greater hazard
Identifies CAZ for each location where fall protection can not be used
Background Information
The fall protection plan (e.g. the plan) should be prepared by a qualified person and developed for the worksite where the work is being performed. It must be maintained up to date. Cal/OSHA requires the following in a FPP:
Identity of the qualified person must be documented in the plan.
Copy of the plan must be at the job site.
Implementation of the plan is under the supervision of a competent person.
The plan documents the reasons why the use of conventional fall protection systems (guardrails, personal fall arrest systems, or safety nets) are infeasible or why their use would create a greater hazard.
The plan includes a written discussion of other measures that will be taken to reduce or eliminate the fall hazard for workers who cannot be provided with protection provided by conventional fall protection systems.
The plan identifies each location where conventional fall protection methods cannot be used. These locations shall then be classified as controlled access zones (CAZ), employees with access to the CAZ are identified in the plan.
Where no other alternative methods (i.e. scaffolds, ladders, vehicle mounted work platforms, etc.) have been implemented, the employer shall implement a safety monitoring system.
Source: GISO Fall Protection Plan

5. What Are Some Alternative Methods?
Controlled Access Zone (CAZ)
Controlled Decking Zone (CDZ)
Warning line systems
We will discuss each of these methods in more detail.
Photo: NAHB

6. What is a Controlled Access Zone (CAZ)?
Allows work without using a fall protection system
Defined by a control line: minimum breaking strength is 200 pounds
Must use safety monitor
Tell the class: A CAZ allows work without fall protection systems. Typically, the guardrails have been removed from a leading edge to perform a specific job. Control lines define where the worker is. They consist of ropes, wires, tapes, or equivalent materials, and supporting stanchions.
Background Information
Each control line should be:
Flagged or otherwise clearly marked at not more than 6-foot intervals with high-visibility material.
Rigged and supported in such a way that its lowest point (including sag) is not less than 39 inches from the working level/working area and its highest point is not more than 45 inches.
Have a minimum breaking strength of 200 pounds.
Safety monitors:
Are a competent person.
Warns workers when it appears that the employee is unaware of a fall hazard or
is acting in an unsafe manner.
Is within visual sighting distance of the workers and is always in communication with the workers who are being monitored.
Does not have any other responsibilities which could take the monitor's attention from the monitoring function.
No worker, other than those covered by a fall protection plan, is allowed in the CAZ. Each
worker in the CAZ must comply promptly with fall hazard warnings from safety monitors.
Photo: Washington State Dept. of Labor & Industries

7. What Are The Duties Of A Safety Monitor?
Tell the class. The safety monitor’s duties are as follows:
Warns workers of fall dangers.
Is easily identified (wears a bright vest).
His/her only job is to watch and warn the workers of danger.
There must be a clear view between the monitor and the workers. Safety monitors can’t be used in bad weather.
Photo: Washington State Dept. of Labor & Industries

8. What Is A Controlled Decking Zone (CDZ)?
Tell the class: A Controlled Decking Zone (CDZ) is basically an area where certain work (e.g. decking) may take place without the use of conventional fall protection like guardrail systems, personal fall arrest systems, fall restraint systems, or safety net systems. A qualified person must train workers in CDZ procedures. Only trained workers may be in a CDZ.
There are additional OSHA requirements regarding the use of controlled decking zones that must be addressed prior to the commencement of metal decking operations.
Background information
There are two primary fall protection requirements pertaining to Ironworkers installing metal decking. OSHA states, "a controlled decking zone may be established on a structure over 15 and up to 30 feet above a lower level where metal decking is initially being installed and forms the leading edge of a work area."
The second OSHA requirement states, "each employee working at the leading edge in a controlled decking zone shall be protected from fall hazards of more than two stories or 30 feet, whichever is less."

9. When Can You Use A Warning Line System?
Use only on flat or low-pitched roofs or surfaces (4:12 slope or less) during roofing leading edge work
Ask the class: Has anyone used this kind of system?
Tell the class: Warning line systems are only used for roofing work.
Background Information
Warning-line systems are used in residential construction for flat or low-pitched roofs (4:12 or less) during leading edge work. The warning line forms a barrier to warn workers approaching unprotected edges or open-sided surfaces, and to keep them away from the fall hazard. They consist of ropes, wires, or chains, and supporting stanchions.
Illustration: Union Of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers, Local # 49