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Description
General Requirements
- Employers must provide and install all fall protection systems and falling object protection before any employee begins work that requires such protection.
- (Image: Worker wearing fall protection equipment, fall protection used near wall opening)
Unprotected Sides and Edges
- Employees on walking-working surfaces with unprotected sides or edges 4 feet (1.2 m) or more above a lower level must be protected from falling by one or more of the following:
- Guardrail systems
- Safety net systems
- Personal fall protection systems (e.g., personal fall arrest, travel restraint, positioning systems)
- If guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall protection are not feasible or create greater hazard on residential roofs, the employer must:
- Develop and implement a fall protection plan and training.
- For platforms at loading racks, docks, or teeming platforms where fall protection use is not feasible:
- The operation without fall protection must be in process.
- Access must be limited to authorized employees.
- Authorized employees must be trained per OSH Center Standard 1910.30.
Hoist Areas
- Employees in hoist areas must be protected from falling 4 feet (1.2 m) or more by:
- Guardrail system
- Personal fall arrest system
- Travel restraint system
- If parts of guardrail systems, gates, or chains are removed and an employee must lean over the edge to facilitate hoisting, they must be protected by a personal fall arrest system.
- Grab handles installed at hoist areas must comply with OSH Center Standard 1910.29(l).
