Fall Protection, Construction, 29CFR1926.501

OSHA 1926 Subpart M is really clear. Employers have a duty to provide fall protection for employees on a walking or working surface (horizontal and vertical) which is 6 feet or more above a lower level. Protection may be provided by guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems unless the employer can prove that such systems are infeasible and can provide the same level of protection through other means. This includes protection from tripping or stepping into holes.

Fall Protection Training, Construction, 29CFR1926.503

In addition to the requirement to provide fall protection for workers, employers have to provide a training program for each employee who might be exposed to fall hazards. The program shall enable each employee to recognize the hazards of falling and shall train each employee in the procedures to be followed in order to minimize these hazards. The employer shall ensure that each employee has been trained, as necessary, by a competent person and shall verify compliance with a written certification record.

Ladders, Construction, 29CFR1926.1053

As obvious as it sounds, the OSHA Regulations state basically that ladders, including job-made ladders, must be capable of supporting loads without failure. Both self-supporting and portable ladders must be capable of sustaining at least 4 times the maximum intended load, except that extra-heavy-duty type 1A metal or plastic ladders shall sustain at least 3.3 times the maximum intended load. For portable ladders, the ability to sustain the requisite load is determined with the ladder in a downward vertical direction at an angle of 75.5 degrees from horizontal.

Fixed ladders must support at least 2 loads of 250 pounds, and each step or rung must be capable of supporting a single concentrated load of at least 250 pounds in the middle of the step or rung.

Scaffolding, Construction, 29CFR1926.451

Other than for aerial lifts and a few other exceptions, the basic requirement is that each scaffold and scaffold component shall be capable of supporting its own weight and at least 4 times the maximum intended load. Direct connections to roofs and floors, and counterweights used to balance adjustable suspension scaffolds, shall be capable of resisting at least 4 times the tipping moment imposed by the scaffold operating at the rated load of the hoist, or 1.5 (minimum) times the tipping moment imposed by the scaffold operating at the stall load of the hoist, whichever is greater.

Each suspension rope, including connecting hardware, used on adjustable or non-adjustable suspension scaffolds shall be capable of supporting, without failure, at least 6 times the maximum intended load applied or transmitted to that rope. The stall load of any scaffold hoist shall not exceed 3 times its rated load.

Eye and Face Protection, Construction, 29CFR1926.102

Industrial eye protection is a basic requirement in general industry, but it is also emphasized in the construction standards, 29CFR1926. And the fact that it made the OSHA Top 10 list (again) speaks to the importance of the employer’s requirement to ensure that each affected employee uses appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation. This includes both prescription (Rx) and non-prescription (plano) eyewear and incorporates by reference the current product specifications in ANSI/ISEA Z87.1.

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