Step-by-step guide to prevent falls Module A - Overview of Part C-1 Fall Protection Requirements for Construction, Chapter 296-155, WAC

Table of Contents Sections of the rule What’s in Part C-1? What’s the rule telling you to DO? Web links to useful documents

Before continuing, print your own copy …of Part C-1; Keep it handy throughout the slideshow, as we will ask you to find specific requirements to make your job safer. Click here to download and print

Sections of the rule Scope and application Definitions General requirements Fall protection required regardless of height Fall protection required at 4 feet or more Fall protection required at 10 feet or more Fall arrest specifications Fall restraint specifications Positioning device system specifications Other specifications Training Appendices A and B non mandatory guidelines

Scope and Application Part C-1 requires employers to provide and enforce the use of fall protection for employees performing activities covered under chapter 296-155 WAC, Safety Standards for Construction.

Fall restraint specifications “Full body harness” is now being used throughout the rule. Body belts are no longer allowed as an option for fall restraint. “Standard guardrail system” is used for consistency throughout the rule.

Read and understand all definitions that apply to your work Affected area is the distance away from the edge of an excavation equal to the depth of the excavation up to a maximum distance of 15ft. For example, an excavation 10 ft. deep has an affected area extending 10 ft. from the edge of any side of the excavation. Catch platform is a type of fall arrest system that consists of a platform installed within four vertical feet of the fall hazard, is at least forty-five inches wide and is equipped with a standard guardrail system on all exposed sides. All definitions are located in WAC 296-155-24603 Here are a few… Equivalent means alternative designs, materials, or methods to protect against a hazard which the employer can demonstrate and will provide an equal or greater degree of safety for employees than the methods, materials or designs specified in this standard. Floor hole is an opening measuring less than 12 in. but more than 1 in. in its least dimension in any floor, roof, platform, or surface through which materials but not persons may fall, such as a belt hole, pipe opening, or slot opening. Walking/working surface means any area including, but not limited to, floors, a roof surface, bridge, the ground, and any other surfaces whose dimensions are forty-five inches or more in all directions, through which workers can pass or conduct work. A walking /working surface does not include vehicles or rolling stock on which employees must be located in order to perform their job duties. Floor opening means an opening measuring 12 in. or more in its least dimension in any floor, roof, platform, or surface through which persons may fall. Hazardous slope is a slope where normal footing cannot be maintained without the use of devices due to the pitch of the surface, weather conditions, or surface material. Safety watch system means a fall protection system as described in WAC 296-155-24615(6), in which a competent person monitors one worker who is engaged in repair work or servicing equipment on low pitch roofs only.

Part C-1 covers these trigger heights Fall hazards can occur at any level. There are three threshold levels which have fall hazard concerns and requirements: Wow!! Fall hazards on walking/working surfaces, with open sides, wall openings, ramps, or runways. It also includes work on steep pitch roofs, hazardous slopes, etc. Ooops! Fall hazards when working above or adjacent to dangerous equipment; floor holes/openings into which persons can walk; and impalement hazards. Arghhh!!! Fall hazards during leading edge and roofing work on low pitched surfaces, excavation work, or any other working surface that is not a walking/working surface, such as beams, the sides of structures, etc. 0 feet 4 feet 10 feet

WA State Requires Fall Protection at 4 ft. or more for Construction Exceptions to the 4 ft. rule (Based on certain hazards) Exemptions from the 4 ft. rule (Based on certain activities) Working above or adjacent to dangerous equipment Roofing work & leading edge work on a low pitch surface Employees exposed to these hazards must be protected from falls regardless of height Employees engaged in these activities must be protected from falls of 10’ or more Working on any surface that does not meet the definition of a walking/working surface Floor holes/openings into which persons can accidentally walk Trenching and Excavation (see note below) Impalement hazards Exception: fall protection is not required for persons directly involved in the excavation process (foreman; signal person; employee hooking on pipe or other material; grade person; state, county, or city inspectors; engineer or other professional conducting a QA inspection)

Fall protection trigger heights requirements Regardless of height (covered in this module) 4 ft. or more is covered in module - B 10 feet or more is covered on module - C Fall protection systems specifications are presented in module - D Other specifications are explained in module - E

What’s the rule telling you to DO? Q&A to safer work regardless of height Have your Part C-1 section available.

General requirements Q: What is the first thing you must be sure of before allowing anyone to work or walk on a surface? Find the answer in section WAC 296-155-24605(1) A: Make sure surfaces are structurally sound prior to allowing employees to walk or work on them.

Inspection of fall protection equipment Q: You must inspect all equipment components before each use. What must you do if you find defective or damaged equipment? Find the answer in section WAC 296-155-24605(2) A: Remove it from service because it’s strength is no longer reliable.

Fall protection equipment Q: Under what circumstances may you hoist materials using fall protection equipment? Find the answer in section WAC 296-155-24605(3) A: Never. Fall protection systems are only meant to be used for employee protection and not to hoist materials.

Exemptions Q: The fall protection anchor needs to be installed before work begins or removed after the job is completed. Are you exempt from using fall protection? Find the answer in section WAC 296-155-24605(4)(a) If using a ladder for access or egress, follow all ladder safety requirements in WAC 296 876. A: Yes. Once the anchor is installed, you are required to follow fall protection requirements in this rule.

Exemptions Q: You need to inspect or estimate roof level conditions. Are you exempt from using fall protection? Find the answer in section WAC 296-155-24605(4)(b) A. Yes, but only on low slopes prior to the job starting or after the work has been completed.

Working above or next to dangerous equipment Q: At what height must you protect employees working above dangerous equipment? Find the answer in section WAC 296-155-24607(1) A: Regardless of height.

Floor holes and floor openings Q: What would you do to fix the floor hole in the photo? Find the answer in section WAC 296-155-24607(2) A: Install a marked cover capable of supporting at least 200lbs., with a safety factor of 4 that can’t be moved. *While the cover is not in place, the floor hole must be protected by a standard guardrail system.

Regardless of height Q: What type of impalement hazards does this section protect employees from at your worksite? Find the answer in section WAC 296-155-24607(3) A: Examples include unguarded rebar or exposed steel or wood stakes used to set forms.

Training Q. When must you train employees in fall protection requirements? Find the answer in section WAC 296-155-24621 A. Prior to employees being exposed to fall hazards. Retrain when there are changes to the workplace or fall protection systems/equipment or when employees lack understanding of the original training.

Click on any of these useful web links Safety standards for construction work Fall Protection Part C-1 Accident prevention program Click on the page … Worksite housekeeping Click on the page… Fall Protection Basics publication Fall Protection Work Plan Template

To view other Fall Protection modules, click on any link below: Module A – Overview of Part C-1 Module B – Fall protection required at 4 feet or more Module C – Fall protection required at 10 feet or more Module D – Fall protection systems specifications Module E – Other specifications