512 EM 385-1-1 Chapters 16-22

Sections

21-8. General Requirements.

Fall Protection Requirements during Inspection, Investigation, or Assessment Work

Employees must use fall protection during construction or general industry activities if exposed to fall hazards.
A guardrail, safety net or personal fall protection system must be in place when conducting inspections, investigations, or assessments within 6 feet (1.8 m) from an unprotected edge. A warning line system (WLS) or designated area is not permitted.
The Competent Person (CP) is responsible for developing an Activity Hazard Analysis (AHA) for inspection work near unprotected edges and submitting it for approval or acceptance.
During maintenance work, such as inspecting HVAC on roofs, employees must use fall protection.

Fall Protection Requirements for Work on Low Sloped Roofs (General Industry Work)

When working near unprotected roof edges, employees must use a conventional fall protection system.
For work between 6 feet (1.8 m) and 15 feet (4.5 m) from the edge, use a conventional system or a designated area for temporary and infrequent tasks.
If working 15 feet (4.6 m) or more from the edge, a fall protection system is required for lengthy or routine tasks, and a rule prohibiting approach without protection must be enforced.

Steep Roofs

Use a conventional fall protection system when performing work on steep roofs (more than 4:12 slope).

Working at Height Over or Near Water

The employer must ensure a Qualified Person (QP) or CP identifies specific safety and health requirements for working at heights over or near water, documented in the Fall Protection Plan or AHA.
A fall protection system is mandatory in the presence of additional hazards, and Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) may not be required if continuous fall protection is used.
Assess the need for fall protection and/or PFDs when employees are on boom-attached or suspended platforms over water, ensuring not to increase drowning hazards.

21-9. Figures and Tables.

See Figures/Tables Checklists/Forms

21-10. Checklists and Forms.

Not Applicable.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

21-10. What fall protection system is NOT permitted when conducting inspections, investigations, or assessments within 6 feet (1.8 m) from an unprotected edge.

A warning line system

A guardrail system

A safety net system

Personal fall protection

You forgot to answer the question!

EM 385-1-1 Paragraph 21-8 (q.–t.).

21-8. General Requirements. (q.–t.).

q.  Fall Protection Requirements when Conducting Inspection, Investigation, or Assessment Work.  (21-8.q)

(1)  During construction or general industry work activities, fall protection is required for employees exposed to fall hazards while conducting inspection, investigation, or assessment work.

(2)  Ensure that the conventional fall protection system (that is, guardrail, safety net or personal fall protection system) is in place when conducting inspections, investigations, or assessments within 6 feet (1.8 m) from an unprotected edge of a roof or other walking or working surface (that is, within the control zone). A warning line system or designated area is not permitted.  The CP must develop an AHA for this activity and submit it to the USACE supervisor for approval or to the KO or COR for acceptance.

Note.  For general industry work only, when fall protection systems or equipment have been installed and are available for workers to use for pre-work and post-work inspections, investigations or assessments, the above exemption does not apply.

(3)  Prior to start of construction or after construction work is complete, fall protection may not be required when conducting inspection, investigation, or assessment work more than 6 feet (1.8 m) away from an unprotected edge of a roof (that is, within the safe zone).  The CP must develop an AHA for this activity and submit it to the USACE supervisor for approval or to the KO or COR for acceptance.

(4)  During maintenance evolutions (for example, inspecting or maintaining HVAC or other equipment on roofs), fall protection is required when conducting inspection and investigation work.

r.  Fall Protection Requirements for Work Performed on Low Sloped Roofs (Only applicable to general industry work).  For construction work, see paragraph 21-8.i (WLS).  (21-8.r)

(1)  When work is performed less than 6 feet (1.8 m) away from the unprotected roof edge, ensure each employee is protected from falling to lower level using a conventional fall protection system (that is, guardrail system, safety net system, personal fall protection system).  WLS or designated areas are not permitted.

(2)  When work is performed at least 6 feet (1.8 m) but less than 15 feet (4.5 m) away from the unprotected roof edge, ensure each employee is protected from falling by using a conventional fall protection system (that is, guardrail system, safety net system, or personal fall protection system).  The use of designated area is acceptable when performing work that is both infrequent and temporary (see para 21-8.j).  For lengthy or routine jobs involving exposure to fall hazards, use conventional fall protection systems.

(3)  When work is performed 15 feet (4.6 m) or more from the unprotected roof edge:

(a)  A fall protection system is not required, provided the work performed is both infrequent and temporary.  For lengthy or routine work, use conventional fall protection systems (that is, guardrail system, safety net system, or personal fall protection system) or designated area.

(b)  Implement and enforce a work rule prohibiting employees from going within
        15 feet (4.6 m) of the unprotected roof edge without using fall protection system.

s.  Steep Roofs. When inspection and investigation work is performed on steep roofs (more than 4:12 slope), use conventional fall protection system (that is, guardrail system, safety net system, or personal fall protection system).  (21-8.s)

t.  Working at Height Over or Near Water.  The employer must ensure a QP or CP identifies and determines:  (21-8.t)

(1)  Task specific SOH requirements for working at height over or near water activities and document it in the Fall Protection Plan and/or AHA prior to work.  Abide by all applicable OSHA standards.

(2)  Where there are additional hazards (for example, currents, intakes, dangerous machinery, or equipment) present, a fall protection system will be required regardless of the fall distance and PFDs may not be required.

(3)  The drowning hazard is removed if continuous fall protection is used (for example, guardrails, personal fall protection) to prevent workers from falling into the water.  PFDs may not be required.

(4)  The need for fall protection and or PFDs in situations where employees are occupying a boom-attached or suspended personnel platforms over water for construction or marine activities.  For example, if an error occurred that resulted in the employees being in the water, would being tied-off increase the drowning hazard? Personal fall protection equipment may not be needed if PFDs provide better protection. See 29 CFR 1926.106, 29 CFR 1926.453(b)(2)(v), 29 CFR 1926.1431(k)(10)(i), and OSHA’s letters of interpretation on these references.

(5) The use of safety nets as fall protection during marine construction activities usually will not eliminate the drowning hazard, so PFDs are usually required.  In many cases (such as in bridge construction) there is a risk that materials heavy enough to damage the nets may fall. If required, use safety nets and adequate fall protection.

Note. PFDs must not interfere with proper use of personal fall protection equipment. Follow all manufacturer requirements and chapter 5 of this manual.