Protection Against Falls
General Requirements
The employer must provide and install all fall protection systems and falling object protection before any employee begins work that necessitates fall or falling object protection.
Fall protection used when exposed to wall opening.
Unprotected Sides and Edges
The employer must ensure that each employee on a walking-working surface with an unprotected side or edge that is 4 feet (1.2 m) or more above a lower level is protected from falling by one or more of the following:
- guardrail systems;
- safety net systems; or
- personal fall protection systems, such as personal fall arrest, travel restraint, or positioning systems.
When the employer can demonstrate it is not feasible or creates a greater hazard to use guardrail, safety net, or personal fall protection systems on residential roofs, the employer must develop and implement a fall protection plan and training.
When the employer can demonstrate that the use of fall protection systems is not feasible on the working side of a platform used at a loading rack, loading dock, or teeming platform, the work may be done without a fall protection system, if:
- The work operation for which fall protection is infeasible is in process;
- Access to the platform is limited to authorized employees; and
- The authorized employees are trained in accordance with OSHA Standard 1910.30.
Hoist Areas
The employer must ensure each employee in a hoist area is protected from falling 4 feet (1.2 m) or more to a lower level by:
- A guardrail system;
- A personal fall arrest system; or
- A travel restraint system.
When any portion of a guardrail system, gate, or chains is removed, and an employee must lean through or over the edge of the access opening to facilitate hoisting, the employee should be protected from falling by a personal fall arrest system.
If grab handles are installed at hoist areas, they must meet the requirements of OSHA Standard 1910.29(l).
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
2-1. At what height must the general industry employer ensure each employee on a walking-working surface with an unprotected side or edge above a lower level is protected?
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