Fall Hazard Standard, c. 1995

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OSHA 29 CFR 1926 - Subpart M
Safety Standards for Fall Protection in the
Construction Industry Effective February 6, 1995
2
Total Construction Fatalities1985-1993
Other 10
Shock 17
Falls From Elevation 33
Struck By 22
Caught In/Between 18
3
Falls From Elevation - Breakdown
Open Sided Floor 4
Suspended Platform/ Vehicle 3
Scaffold 17
Concrete Erection 3
Ladder 8
Aerial Lift Basket 3
Other 16
Steel Erection 10
Floor Opening 7
Roof 27
4
Number of Construction Fatalities Due to Falls
1985-1993
5
Analysis of Heights For Construction Fatalities
Caused by Falls 1985-1993
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Construction Activity of Total Fatalities 1985
- 1993
Painting, Paper Hanging and Decorations - 63
Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning - 31
Heavy Construction, except Highway Street - 15
Highway and Street, except Elevated Highways - 2
Building Construction - Nonresidential - 50
Building Construction - Residential - 29
7
Construction Activity (Contd) of Total
Fatalities 1985 - 1993
Miscellaneous Special Trade Contractors 47
Concrete Work 30
Roofing, Siding and Sheet-Metal Work 73
Masonry, Stonework, Tile Setting and Plastering
62
Carpentry and Floorwork 63
Electrical Work 24
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1926.500(a)(1) Scope and Application
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Whos Affected by Subpart M? EVERYONE EXCEPT

• Employees making an inspection.
• Employees working on scaffolds. (Subpart L)
• Employees working on stairways and ladders.
  (Subpart X)
• Employees working on equipment used in tunneling
  operations. (Subpart S)

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Whos Affected by Subpart M? EVERYONE EXCEPT

• Employees engaged in the construction of electric
  transmission, distribution lines, and equipment.
  (Subpart V)
• Employees working on cranes and derricks.
  (Subpart N)
• Employees performing steel erection work in
  buildings. (Subpart R)

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1926.500(b) Definitions
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1926.501(b)(1) Unprotected Sides and Edges
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1926.501(b)(2) Leading Edges
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Exception
When the employer can demonstrate that it is
infeasible or creates a greater hazard to use
these systems, the employer shall develop and
implement a fall protection plan.
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Definition
Infeasible - means that it is impossible to
perform the construction work using a
conventional fall protection system (i.e.,
guardrail system, safety net system, or personal
fall arrest system) or that it is technologically
impossible to use any of these systems to provide
fall protection.
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1926.501(b)(3) Hoist Areas
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1926.501(b)(4) Holes
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1926.501(b)(5) Formwork and Reinforcing Steel
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1926.501(b)(6) Ramps, Runways, and Other Walkways
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1926.501(b)(7) Excavations
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1926.501(b)(8) Dangerous Equipment
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1926.501(b)(9) Overhand Bricklaying and Related
Work
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1926.501(b)(10) Roofing Work On Low-Slope Roofs
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1926.501(b)(11) Steep Roofs
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1926.501(b)(12) Precast Concrete Erection
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Exception
When the employer can demonstrate that it is
infeasible or creates a greater hazard to use
these systems, the employer shall develop and
implement a fall protection plan.
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1926.501(b)(13) Residential Construction
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Exception
When the employer can demonstrate that it is
infeasible or creates a greater hazard to use
these systems, the employer shall develop and
implement a fall protection plan.
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1926.501(b)(14) Wall Openings
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1926.501(b)(15) Walking/Working Surfaces Not
Otherwise Addressed
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1926.501(c)(1) Protection From Falling Objects

• Erect toeboards, screens, or guardrail systems to
  prevent objects from falling.

32
1926.501(c)(2) Protection From Falling Objects

• Canopy Structure

• Barricade

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1926.502(b) GuardrailSystems
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1926.502 (b)(1), (2) (14)

• Top edge height shall be 42 /- 3 from
  walking/working level, and able to withstand 200
  lbs. of force.
• Midrails shall be installed at a height midway
  between top edge and walking/working level, and
  able to withstand 150 lbs. of force.

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1926.502(b)(9) Guardrail Systems

• Top rails and midrails shall be at least 1/4 inch
  nominal diameter.
• Top rail shall be flagged at not more than 6-foot
  intervals with high-visibility material.

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1926.502 (b)(13)

• Guardrails at points of access shall be provided
  with gates or offset to that a person cannot walk
  directly into the hole.

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1926.502(c) Safety Net Systems
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1926.502(c)(1) Safety Net Systems

• Install as close as practicable under the
  walking/working surface on which employees are
  working, but in no case more than 30 feet below
  such level.

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1926.502(c)(2) Safety Net Systems
Net Extension lt 5 feet 8 feet gt 5 feet
and 10 feet lt10 feet gt10 feet
13 feet
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1926.502(c)(3) Safety Net Systems

• Install with sufficient clearance to prevent
  contact with any surfaces or structures below.

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1926.502(c)(4) Safety Net Systems
When the employer can demonstrate that a drop
test is unreasonable, the employer shall certify
that the net and installation can meet an impact
force equivalent to the impact forces of a drop
test.
42
Definition
Competent Person - means 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.
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1926.502(c)(5)(6) Safety Net Systems

• Inspect nets weekly for wear, damage, and other
  deterioration.

• Remove any materials, scrap, equipment, and
  tools, that have fallen into net.

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1926.501(c)(7) Safety Net Systems

• Maximum mesh opening shall not exceed 36 sq.
  inches nor longer than 6 inches on any side.
• Mesh crossings shall be secured to prevent
  enlargement of mesh opening.

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1926.501(c)(8)(9) Safety Net Systems

• Minimum breaking strength for border rope webbing
  is 5,000 lbs.
• Connections shall be as strong as net components.
• Connections shall be spaced not more than 6
  inches apart.

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1926.502(d) Personal FallArrest Systems
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1926.502(d) Personal Fall Arrest Systems
Connector means a device which is used to
couple (connect) parts of the personal fall
arrest system and positioning device systems
together. It may be an independent component of
the system, such as a carabiner, or it may be an
integral component of part of the system (such as
a buckle or dee-ring sewn into a body belt or
body harness, or a snap-hook spliced or sewn to a
lanyard or self-retracting lanyard.)
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1926.502(d)(8) Personal Fall Arrest Systems

• Horizontal lifelines shall be designed,
  installed, and used, under the supervision of a
  qualified person, as part of a complete personal
  fall arrest system, which maintains a safety
  factor of at least two.

49
Definition - from 1926.32(l)
Qualified Person - means one who, by
possession of a recognized degree, certificate,
or professional standing, or who by extensive
knowledge, training, and experience, has
successfully demonstrated his ability to solve or
resolve problems relating to the subject matter,
the work, or the project.
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1926.502(d) Personal Fall Arrest Systems

• Rope Grab means a deceleration device which
  travels on a lifeline and automatically, by
  friction, engages the lifeline and locks so as to
  arrest the fall of an employee.
• Lanyards and vertical lifelines shall have a
  minimum breaking strength of 5,000 lbs.
• Each employee shall be attached to a separate
  lifeline.

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1926.502(d)(12) Personal Fall Arrest Systems
Self-retracting lifeline/lanyard means a
deceleration device containing a drum-wound line
which can be slowly extracted from, or retracted
onto, the drum under slight tension during the
normal employee movement, and which, after onset
of a fall, automatically locks the drum and
arrests the fall.
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1926.502(d)(12) (15) Anchorage

• Capable of supporting at least 5,000 lbs. per
  employee attached.

• Limit free fall distance to 2 ft. or less and
  able to sustain a 3,000 lb. min. tensile load.

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.5
t (2h/g) or How Long Does It Take To Fall?
Height (feet) Time (seconds) 4
0.5 16 1.0 36 1.5 64
2.0 100 2.5 144 3.0 256
4.0 576 6.0
2
g Gravitational Constant of 32.2 ft/s h
Height of Fall in feet t Time of Fall in
seconds

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Velocity

• v (2gh)

• v Velocity, assuming no initial velocity
• g Gravitational Constant of 32.2 ft/s
• h Height of fall in feet

.5
2
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Momentum Of Fall

• M Momentum in foot- pounds/second
• m Mass in pounds
• v Velocity, assuming no initial velocity

• M mv

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Skull Fracture
A skull would fracture at approximately 50
foot- pounds/second . The velocity of a fracture
is expressed in the equation

• E Kinetic Energy
• g Gravitational Constant
• m Weight of an average human head

• 2Eg
• m
• 50 x 2 x 32.2
• 12
• 16.3 ft/sec

v


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Peak Fall Arresting Forces - Forces Generated by
220 lbs Steel Weight Free-Falling 6 ft
Force in lbs.
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Determining Minimum Anchorage Point Height

• C Clearance
• H Anchor Point Height
• L Distance Between Anchorage Point and D-Ring
• S Deceleration Distance
• 5 Harness D-Ring Height
• Free Fall 5 L - H 6 max. OSHA
• Clearance 5 L - H S 9.5 Minimum
  Clearance where S 3.5 max. OSHA
  

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1926.502(d)(16) (17) Harnesses

• Limit maximum arresting force to 1,800 pounds.
• Rigged so that an employee cannot free fall more
  than 6 feet.
• Attachment point located in center of back near
  shoulder level.

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1926.502(e) Positioning Device Systems
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1926.502(f) Warning LineSystems
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Warning-Line System

• Erected around all sides of roof work area.
• 6 feet from edge - 10 feet when using mechanical
  equipment.
• Two warning lines at points of access, material
  handling, storage, and hoisting areas.
• Rope, wire, or chain flagged at not more than
  6-foot intervals with high visibility material.

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Warning-Line System

• The rope, wire or chain shall be rigged or
  supported so that its lowest point is no less
  than 34 inches and the highest point is no more
  than 39 inches from the walking/working surface.
• Stanchions shall be capable of resisting, without
  tipping over, a force of at least 16 pounds
  applied horizontally against the stanchion 30
  inches from the walking/working surface.

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Warning-Line System

• The rope, wire or chain shall have a minimum
  tensile strength of 500 pounds.
• The line shall be attached so that pulling on one
  section of the line will not result in slack
  being taken up in adjacent sections.
• Employees are not permitted between the roof edge
  and warning line unless performing roofing work
  in that area.

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1926.502(g) Controlled Access Zones
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1926.502(g)(1) Controlled Access Zones - Leading
Edge

• Extends parallel along the unprotected or leading
  edge.
• Control line connected to guardrail system or
  wall.
• Line situated not less than 6 feet nor more than
  25 feet from edge.

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1926.502(g)(1) Controlled Access Zones - Leading
Edge (contd)

• Consists of ropes, wires, and tape with a minimum
  breaking strength of 200 lbs. and is marked with
  high visibility materials at not more than 6 foot
  intervals.
• Stanchions rigged so that the lowest point is not
  less than 39 inches nor more than 45 inches.

68
1926.502(g)(1) Controlled Access Zones - Precast
Concrete

• Control line erected not less than 6 feet nor
  more than 60 feet, or half the length of the
  member being erected, whichever is less, from the
  leading edge.

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1926.502(g)(1) Controlled Access Zones -
Overhand Bricklaying

• Lines erected not less than 10 ft. nor more than
  15 ft. from the working edge.
• Lines extended to enclose all employees
  performing overhand bricklaying and related work.
• Lines erected at each end to enclose zone.
• Only employees engaged in work permitted in zone.

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1926.502(h) Safety Monitoring Systems
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Safety-Monitoring System

• Competent person to monitor
• Warns employees nearing hazard
• On same walking/working surface
• Within visual Contact
• Able to communicate orally with workers
• No mechanical equipment used or stored in
  safety-monitoring system area

A shout may be the last thing a worker hears as
he or she hurtles to the ground.
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1926.502(i) Covers
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1926.502 (i) Covers
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1926.502 (i) Covers
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1926.502 (i) Covers
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1926.502 (i) Covers

• Capable of supporting twice the maximum axle
  load.
• Capable of supporting twice employee, equipment,
  and material weight.
• Secured to prevent accidental displacement.
• Color coded or marked with the word HOLE or
  COVER.

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1926.502(j) Protection From Falling Objects
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1926.502(j)(1),(2) (3) Toeboards

• Erected a sufficient distance to protect
  employees below.
• Able to withstand a force of 50 lbs. outward and
  downward.
• Minimum height of 3 and 1/2 inches with no more
  than 1/4 inch gap at walking/working surface.

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1926.502(j)(5) (6) Guardrail System

• Erect paneling or screening when material exceeds
  guardrail systems top rail.
• No materials or equipment stored within 4 feet of
  working edge.

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1926.502(j)(8) Canopies

• Canopies used for falling object protection shall
  be strong enough to support and prevent
  penetration by any objects which might fall into
  canopy.

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1926.502(k) Fall Protection Plan

• Available for employees engaged in leading edge
  work, precast concrete erection work, or
  residential construction work only.
• Up to date, site specific plan prepared by
  qualified person, with a copy maintained at the
  job site.
• Changes to plan must be approved
• by qualified person.

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Definition - from 1926.32(m)
Qualified Person - a person who has
successfully demonstrated his ability to solve or
resolve problems relating to the subject matter,
the work, or the project.
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1926.502(k) Fall Protection Plan (Contd)

• Plan must document reasons why conventional fall
  protection systems are infeasible or would create
  a greater hazard.
• Documentation of other measures taken to reduce
  or eliminate fall hazards for workers not using
  conventional fall protection.

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1926.502(k) Fall Protection Plan(Contd)

• Plan must identify each location where
  conventional methods cannot be used, and
  locations must be classified as controlled access
  zones.
• When alternative measures have not been
  implemented, a safety monitoring system shall be
  used.

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1926.502(k) Fall Protection Plan(Contd)

• Plan must state name or identify employees who
  are designated to work in controlled access
  zones.
• If an employee falls, or some other related
  serious incident occurs, the employer must
  investigate the circumstances of the fall or
  incident, and determine if the fall protection
  plan needs to be changed to prevent recurrence.

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1926.503 Training Requirements

• The nature of falls in the work area.
• The correct procedures for erecting, maintaining,
  disassembling, and inspecting the fall protection
  system in use.
• The use and operation of guardrail systems,
  personal fall arrest systems, safety net systems,
  warning line systems, controlled access zones,
  and other protection to be used.

Certificate of Training
John Doe has successfully completed all the
training provisions of fall protection for
ABC Roofing Company on this date February
6, 1995 Tony Maroni, President
Noah Falls, Safety Director
87
1926.503 Training Requirements

• The role of each employee when a
  
• safety-monitoring system is used.
• Limitations of mechanical
• equipment during roofing work on
• low-sloped roofs.
• Correct procedures for the use,
• handling and storage of equipment
• and materials.
• The employees role in fall protection
• plans.

Certificate of Training
John Doe has successfully completed all the
training provisions of fall protection for
ABC Roofing Company on this date February
6, 1995 Tony Maroni, President
Noah Falls, Safety Director
88
Appendix A to Subpart M - Determining Roof Widths
Example B - Sloped Rectangular Shaped Roofs
Example A - Rectangular Shaped Roofs
89
Appendix A to Subpart M - Determining Roof Widths
Example C - Irregularly Shaped Roofs With
Rectangular Shaped Sections
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Appendix A to Subpart M -Determining Roof Widths
(Contd)
Example D - Separate Non- Contiguous Roof Areas
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Appendix A to Subpart M -Determining Roof Widths
(Contd)
Example E - Roofs With Penthouses, Open
Courtyards, Additional Floors, etc.
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Appendix A to Subpart M - Determining Roof
Widths (Contd)
Example F - Irregular, Non-Rectangular Shaped
Roofs