1. Welcome Fall Protection in Construction Will begin at 10:30am To join Teleconference Call-in Number: Participant Pin: # Presented by: Dave Yanoschick, CSP Pennsylvania OSHA Consultation Office Phone: or Web:

2. Fall Protection in Construction
To join Teleconference Call-in Number: Participant Pin: # PA OSHA Consultation Program Website
Fall Protection in Construction

3. Fall Protection in Construction
Webinar General Info Recorded PowerPoint Presentation Q&A Questions Chat is open to submit questions Due to the technical nature of most questions requiring extensive responses, chat questions will not be answered live Answers will be posted on our website within seven days after the webinar  
Fall Protection in Construction

4. WEBINAR OBJECTIVES Provide an overview of
OSHA’s (4th Annual) Fall Protection Stand-Down
OSHA’s Region III Focus Four Campaign
Overview Fall Protection Regulations- Construction
Fall Protection Technology

5. OSHA’s “Fall Protection Stand-Down”

6. Fall Protection Stand-Down
-Voluntary event
-All participants welcome
-Toolbox Talk or other activity
-Certificate of Participation available
-Share your story

7. OSHA’s Region III “Focus Four Hazards” Campaign

8. What is it?
Joint effort OSHA and Region III construction industry partners
4 month program started in February 2017
4 leading hazards resulting in construction fatalities in 2015 (64.2%):
Falls (39%)
Electrocutions (9%)
Struck by object (10%), and
Caught-in/between (7%)

9. “FOCUS FOUR HAZARDS” CAMPAIGN
How to participate
Contact Area OSHA Office to formally participate
Conduct weekly toolbox talks
Share the program with colleagues, trade groups, etc.

10. Fall Protection Regulation Overview

11. Fall Protection Regulations
Why?
Historically 1/3 of fatalities
39% in 2015
Takes most 1/3 second to recognize a fall
Another 1/3 second to react
.33sec./2 feet
.67 sec./7 feet
1 sec./16 feet
2 sec./64 feet

12. Fall Protection Regulations-Construction
29 CFR 1926 Subpart M- Fall Protection
Each employee on a walking/working surface with an unprotected side, edge, or hole which is 6 ft. or more above a lower level.
Excavations
Dangerous equipment <6 ft.
Subpart M does not apply to workers inspecting, investigating or assessing condition prior to the start of work or after all construction activities have been completed.

13. Fall Protection Regulations-Construction
Section 501-Duty to have Fall Protection does not apply to the following:
Scaffolds- Subpart L
Cranes & Derricks- Subpart cc
Steel Erection (except Towers & Tanks)- Subpart R
Certain Tunneling operations- Subpart S
Erection of Tanks, Communication & Broadcast towers
Construction of Electric Transmission and Distribution lines & Equipment - Subpart v
Stairways & Ladders- Subpart X

14. Fall Protection Regulations-Construction
Employer Responsibilities
Assess the workplace for fall hazards
Strength of walking/working surface
Consider all phases or work
Determine methods to deal with those hazards
Elimination
Minimization
Fall Prevention
Fall Protection/Arrest

15. Fall Protection Regulations- Fall Protection Systems 1926.502
Fall Prevention- A system that will prevent a person from falling to a lower level. (guardrail)
Fall Protection- A system that will protect a person from contacting a lower level after a fall. (anchorage, harness, lanyard, etc.)

16. Fall Protection Regulations- 1926.502(b)
Guardrail Systems
Top rails
42” (+ or – 3”)
200 lbs.
Midrails (if used)
21” or halfway between toprail and surface
150 lbs.
Screens and mesh (if used)
Extend from top rail to working level along entire opening
Intermediate members (if used)
19” or < apart
Other structural members (if used)
No opening > 19 wide
Support 150 lbs.

17. Fall Protection Regulations- 1926.502(b)
Guardrail systems- Subpart M Appendix B
This Appendix serves as a non-mandatory guideline to assist employers with a starting point for guardrail design.
(1) Wood railings:
Min lb-ft./in2 fiber (stress grade) construction grade lumber
Posts min. 2”x 4” lumber spaced 8 ft. or <
Top rail min. 2”x4” lumber;
Mid rail min. 1”x6” lumber.
(2) Pipe railings:
1 ½” (schedule 40 pipe) with posts spaced 8 ft. or <
(3) Structural steel railings:
2”x2”, 3/8” angles, with posts spaced 8 ft. or <

18. Fall Protection Regulations- 1926.502(b)
Guardrail systems
Free of puncture, laceration or hazards that could snag the clothes
No steel or plastic banding may be used.
Wire rope can be used
Min. ¼”
Toprails flagged every 6ft. high vis. material

19. Fall Protection Regulations- 1926.502(j)
Falling Object Protection
Toeboards:
50 lb. force
Min. 3 ½” height
Max. ¼ inch clearance
No opening > 1 inch

20. Fall Protection Regulations- Fall Prevention
Holes
Guardrail erected on all exposed edges
Covers
Support 2x max. load
Secured from displacement
Marked or color coded
(i)

21. Fall Protection Regulations- 1926.502(c)
Safety Net Systems
Installed as close as practicable to walking/working surface and never more than 30 feet below that level.
Sufficient clearance underneath to prevent a falling body from hitting the surface or structure below the net.
Vertical distance from working level to horizontal plane of net
Minimum required horizontal distance of outer edge of net from the edge of the working surface
Up to 5 ft.
8 ft.
>5 up to 10 ft.
10 ft.
>10 ft.
13 ft.

22. Fall Protection Regulations- 1926.502(c)
Safety Net Systems- Drop Tests
Drop testing is required. See 29 CFR (c)(4)(i)
Exceptions to Drop test. See 29 CFR (c)(4)(ii)
Employer or designated Competent person must certify that the net and its installation is in compliance with the standard.

23. Fall Protection Regulations- Key Definitions
(f)- Competent Person: One who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.
(f)- Qualified Person: One who by possession of a recognized degree of certificate, or professional standing or who by extensive knowledge, training, and experience, has successfully demonstrated their ability to resolve problems related to the subject matter, the work, or the project.

24. Fall Protection Regulations- 1926.502(d)
Personal Fall Arrest Systems
System used arrest a fall
Consists of:
A-anchorage
B-body wear
C-connecting device

25. Fall Protection Regulations- 1926.502(d)
Personal Fall Arrest Systems
Anchorage
Capable of supporting 5,000 lbs. per employee attached, or
As part of a complete system, maintaining a safety factor of 2, and
Under the supervision of a “qualified” person

26. Fall Protection Regulations- 1926.502(d)
Chest strap tightened at mid chest
“D” ring between shoulder blades
Snug in shoulder an hips
Leg straps snug but not binding
Butt strap intended to support the load

27. Fall Protection Regulations- 1926.502(d)
Personal Fall Arrest Systems
Max. arresting force 1,800 pounds
Free fall no more than 6 feet nor contact any lower level
Distance from deceleration begins until stopped is 3.5 feet
Be inspected prior to each use for wear, damage, and other deterioration
Defective components must be removed from service

28. Fall Protection Regulations- 1926.502(d)
Personal Fall Arrest Systems
Shock Absorbing Lanyards

29. Fall Protection Regulations- 1926.502(d)
Now What?

30. Fall Protection Regulations- 1926.502(d)
Consider the rescue
Studies have indicated permanent damage may occur when worker hangs an extended period of time.
Desired Load Distribution
Excessive pressure here can cut blood flow

31. Fall Protection Regulations- 1926.502(e)
Positioning Device Systems
Allows a worker with both hands free while leaning.
Free fall no more than 2 feet
Anchorage- 2x the potential impact load of a worker’s fall or 3,000 pounds, whichever is greater.
Body belts permitted

32. Fall Protection Regulations- Fall Protection
Fall Restraint Systems
Not mentioned in Subpart M, but OSHA recognizes as a means of prevention.
System will not allow a fall of any distance.
Comprised of a body belt or body harness, an anchorage, connectors, and other necessary equipment.
Anchorage must be strong enough to prevent the worker from moving past the point it is fully extended, (3,000 lb. min. or 2x max. expected force)

33. Fall Protection Regulations- 1926.502(f)
Warning Line Systems (Roofing work on low slope roofs)
Barrier erected on a roof to warn workers that they are approaching an unprotected roof side or edge, and to designate an area in which roofing work may take place without the use conventional fall prevention/protection.
Warning line systems consist of ropes, wires, or chains, plus supporting stanchions.

34. Fall Protection Regulations- 1926.502(f)
Warning Line Systems
Erected around all sides of roof work areas with no conventional fall prevention/protection.
Mechanical equipment not is use must be erected at least 6 ft. from the roof edge.
Mechanical equipment is being used the warning line must be erected:
Min. 6 ft. from the roof edge parallel to the direction of mechanical equipment operation; and
Min. 10 feet from the roof edge perpendicular to the direction of mechanical equipment operation. 29 CFR (f)(1)(ii).
Flagged every 6 ft. with high-visibility material.
Low point more than 34” (including sag), high point 39”
Stanchion support 16 lbs. force, 30” above surface
500 lbs. tensile strength
Pulling line in one section may not take up slack in another section before stanchion tips over

35. Fall Protection Regulations- 1926.502 (g)
Controlled Access Zones
Control access to areas where leading edge or overhead bricklaying and related work may take place without using conventional fall protection systems.
Controlled access zones must be defined by a control line or by any other means that restricts access.
Control lines not < than 6 ft. and not > than 25 ft. from the unprotected or leading edge, except when precast concrete members are being erected.
Control lines must:
Consist of ropes, wires, tapes, or equivalent materials, and supporting stanchions.
Be flagged at 6 ft. intervals with high-visibility material.
Lowest point (including sag) is not < 39 inches or > 45 inches, (50 in. max. with overhand bricklaying)
Have a breaking strength of at least 200 pounds. 29 CFR (g)(3)(iii).

36. Fall Protection Regulations- Fall Protection 1926.502(h)
Safety Monitoring Systems
Alternative fall protection option for low-slope roofing work under 29 CFR (b) (10).
Must designate a competent person to monitor the safety of workers and to warn them when their work puts them close to a fall hazard.
The safety monitor must:
Be competent in the recognition of fall hazards.
Warn workers when it appears that they are unaware of fall hazards or when the workers are acting in an unsafe manner.
Be on the same walking or working surfaces as the workers and be able to see them.
Be close enough to the work operations to speak directly with workers; and
Have no other duties to distract them from their monitoring function.

37. Fall Protection Regulations- Fall Protection 1926.502(h)
Safety Monitoring Systems
Employers must ensure that:
No mechanical equipment is used in area
No worker, other than those engaged in roofing work on low slope roofs or one covered by a fall protection plan, enters an area; and
All workers in area must comply with fall hazard warnings issued by safety monitors.
Part of a Fall Protection Plan under 29 CFR (k), where no other alternative measure has been implemented.

38. Fall Protection Regulations- Fall Protection 1926.502(k)
Fall Protection Plan (Sample Subpart M Appendix E)
Limited to residential construction work, precast concrete work, and leading edge work. (see (b)(2), (b)(12), (b)(13), .502(g) and (h))
*Must first demonstrate that it is infeasible or creates a greater hazard to use conventional fall protection equipment.
IMPORTANT: The employer has the burden of establishing it’s infeasible
Prepared by a qualified person and developed specifically for the site where the work is taking place.
Implementation of the plan shall be under the supervision of a competent person.

39. Fall Protection Regulations- Fall Protection 1926.503
Training
All workers who might be exposed to fall hazards.
Recognize fall hazards and how to minimize them.

40. Fall Protection Regulations- Fall Protection 1926.503
Training (cont’d)
The employer must assure that each worker has been trained as necessary, by a competent person who is qualified in the following areas:
Nature of fall hazards in work area,
Erecting, maintaining, disassembling, and inspecting the fall protection systems to be used,
Use and operation protection to be used,
The role of each worker in the safety monitoring system if used.
The limitations on the use of mechanical equipment during the performance of roofing work on low-slope roofs,
The correct procedures for equipment and materials handling and storage and the erection of overhead protection,
The role of workers in fall protection plans.
Subpart M.

41. Fall Protection Regulations- Fall Protection 1926.503
Training (cont’d)
Written training certification record
Name
Dates
Signature of either the person who conducted the training or the employer.
Retraining
Changes that render previous training obsolete.
Fall Protection equipment has changed.
Inadequacies in workers’ knowledge

42. New Fall Protection Solutions

43. New Fall Protection Solutions
Fall Prevention Systems-
Non-penetrating roof-top guardrail

44. New Fall Protection Solutions
Fall Prevention Systems-
Non-penetrating skylight, and floor guard

45. New Fall Protection Solutions
Fall Prevention Systems-
Non-penetrating roof hatch guardrail

46. New Fall Protection Solutions
Fall Prevention Systems-
Perimeter clamp for flat edge and parapet wall guardrails

47. New Fall Protection Solutions
Fall Prevention Systems-
Side and deck mounted guardrail brackets

48. New Fall Protection Solutions
Fall Prevention Systems-
Clamping system for flatbed trailer guardrails

49. New Fall Protection Solutions
Personal Fall Arrest Systems-
Self-Rescue attachment for body harnesses

50. New Fall Protection Solutions
Personal Fall Arrest Systems-
Concrete Anchors
Anchors for standing seam roofs

51. New Fall Protection Solutions
Personal Fall Arrest Systems-
Temporary Reusable Roof Anchors
Permanent Roof Anchors

52. New Fall Protection Solutions
Personal Fall Arrest Systems-
Roof Anchors for roofing and re-roofing

53. New Fall Protection Solutions
Personal Fall Arrest Systems-
Non-penetrating roof-top anchorage for fall restraints

54. New Fall Protection Solutions
Personal Fall Arrest Systems-
Mobile anchorage systems

55. New Fall Protection Solutions
Personal Fall Arrest Systems-
Mobile “Hitch mount” anchorage system

56. New Fall Protection Solutions
Personal Fall Arrest Systems-
Counterweight Jib fall arrest system

57. New Fall Protection Solutions
Personal Fall Arrest Systems-
Portable anchorage for equipment maintenance

58. PA OSHA Consultation

59. OSHA On-site Consultation Program
Designed specifically for small-and medium-size businesses
250 employees at a single site or 500 corporate wide
Priority assistance given to:
employers in high-hazard industries
involved in hazardous operations
Large business requests honored as well…but limited scope

60. No Citations, No Penalties
Different than OSHA enforcement
Citations for violations… are not issued
Penalties for violations… are not imposed
Employer Obligations
Employer must agree to correct any “serious or imminent danger” hazards identified
Must refer to OSHA Enforcement if employer refuses to correct hazards…very rare!

61. Costs and Savings Free of charge
Avoided OSHA penalty and litigation costs
Reduced workers compensation costs
Minimized equipment damage and product losses
One consultant identifies an average of 7 serious and other-than-serious hazards, SAVING the employer approximately $87,000 in OSHA fines per visit

62. Contact us Pennsylvania OSHA Consultation Office
57 South 9th Street Suite 305 Indiana, PA 15701
Phone:
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63. Questions
Upcoming Webinar: Walking Working Surfaces-General Industry July 19, 10:30am Pennsylvania OSHA Consultation Office Phone: or Website: