Fall Protection Systems
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.
Guardrail Systems
The employer must ensure guardrail systems meet the following requirements:
- Top rails: The top edge height of top rails must be 42 inches (107 cm), plus or minus 3 inches (8 cm), above the walking-working surface.
- Midrails: Midrails, screens, mesh, intermediate vertical members, solid panels, or equivalent intermediate members must be installed between the walking-working surface and the top edge of the guardrail system as follows when there is not a wall or parapet that is at least 21 inches (53 cm) high:
- Midrails are installed at a height midway between the top edge of the guardrail system and the walking-working surface;
- Screens and mesh extend from the walking-working surface to the top rail and along the entire opening between top rail supports;
- Intermediate vertical members (such as balusters) are installed no more than 19 inches (48 cm) apart; and
- Other equivalent intermediate members (such as additional midrails and architectural panels) are installed so that the openings are not more than 19 inches (48 cm) wide.
- Guardrail systems must be able to withstand an outward or downward force of at least 200 pounds.
- Midrails, screens, mesh, intermediate vertical members, solid panels, etc., must be able to withstand an outward or downward force of at least 150 pounds.
- The ends of top rails and midrails must not overhang the terminal posts if they pose a projection hazard.
- Steel banding and plastic banding must not be used for top rails or midrails.
- Top rails and midrails must be at least 0.25-inches (0.6 cm) in diameter or in thickness.
- When guardrail systems are used at hoist areas, a removable guardrail section must be placed across the access opening when employees are not performing hoisting operations.
- When guardrail systems are used around holes, they must be installed on all unprotected sides or edges of the hole.
- When materials are passed through holes, at least two sides of the hole must be protected by guardrails.
- When guardrail systems are used around holes that serve as points of access (such as ladderways), the guardrail system opening must have a self-closing gate or be offset to prevent an employee from walking into the hole.
Note: The criteria and practices requirements for guardrail systems on scaffolds are contained in 29 CFR part 1926, subpart L.
Safety Net Systems
The employer must ensure each safety net system meets the requirements in 29 CFR part 1926, subpart M.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
2-7. At what height is the top edge of the top rail of a guardrail system installed?
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