Fall Protection
Summary of Requirements
- Stairway/Ladderway floor openings must be guarded with a railing.
- All floor openings into which a person could accidentally fall through must be appropriately guarded or covered.
- Open sided floors or platforms 4 feet or more above adjacent surfaces must be appropriately guarded.
- Ladders and scaffolding must be designed, constructed and used in an appropriate manner.
- Elevator doors must not open between floors.
- Wall openings must be appropriately guarded.
- Employees must be protected from hazards associated with "unprotected" roof surfaces.
- Safety harnesses, lifelines, lanyards and safety nets used for fall protection shall be designed, constructed and used in compliance with applicable regulations. Only full body harnesses and locking snap hooks are permitted (29 CFR 1926).
- Every floor, working place, and passageway must be kept dry and free of obstructions.
Training
Employees must be trained and equipped to prevent injuries associated with slip, trip and fall hazards. Employees assigned to train other employees, competent person, shall be trained through a qualified fall protection training program.
Reporting
In the event of a fatality, amputation or incident resulting in the hospitalization of three or more people, OSHA must be notified within 8 hours.
Inspections
Equipment associated with fall protection (ropes, harnesses, ladders, scaffolding, etc.) must be inspected frequently and removed from use if damaged or defective. Walking and working surfaces must be inspected frequently to identify, correct and plan protection for potential fall hazards.
Recordkeeping
Training and certification records must be maintained for employees that receive fall protection training. Inspection certification records must be maintained for power lifts and working platforms
Written Program
Specific written fall protection plans are required to be prepared by a qualified person for situations in which the requirements of the regulatory standard would not be practical and/or create a more hazardous situation.