OSHA Standards: Fall Protection

Everts Air Fall Protection

Everts Air Fall Protection

OSHA Standards

Standard Railing

Safety Nets

Covers

Connectors

Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS)

Anchorage Point & Body Harness

OSHA Standards

Covers

Covers must be able to support at least twice the axle weight of the largest vehicle that might drive over the cover and at least two times the weight of employees, equipment and materials that may be imposed on the cover at any time. Covers should be well-secured to prevent accidental movement. Covers should be marked with the word “Hole” or “Cover”.

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OSHA Standards

Safety Nets

Safety Nets

• Maximum size of each net mesh opening must not be longer than 6 inches on any side.
• Nets must have a border rope for webbing with a minimum breaking strength of 5,000 pounds.
• Safety nets must be drop-tested at the jobsite.
• Nets should be inspected weekly for wear, damage and/or deterioration. Defective nets/components should be removed from service.
• Objects which have fallen into the safety net, such as debris and tools, must be removed as soon as possible.

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OSHA Standards

Connectors

Connectors: Device which is used to connect parts of the PFAS and positioning devices together such as D-rings, locking snap hooks and lanyards. Connectors must have a minimum breaking pointing of 5,000 lbs. Lanyards must be made from synthetic material and also have a minimum braking point of 5,000 lbs.

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OSHA Standards

Personal Fall Arrest System: PFAS

Each component of the system must be able to withstand the amount of impact forces involved with stopping an employee that is falling. The farther an employee falls, the greater the force needed to stop them.

• PFAS must:

• Limit maximum arresting force on an employee to 1,800 lbs.

• Be rigged so that an employee cannot free fall more than 6 feet nor contact any lower level.

• Bring an employee to a complete stop and limit deceleration distance an employee travels to 3.5 feet.

• Be inspected before each use for wear, damage and other deterioration. Defective parts must be removed from use.

• Be used, stored and replaced according to manufacturer’s guidelines.

• Never attach PFAS to guardrails, hoists or roof edges or in areas that can cause an employee to swing.

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OSHA Standards

Anchorage Point & Body Harness

• Anchorage Point: A secure point of attachment that must be independent of any anchorage being used to support or suspend platforms. Anchorage must be capable of supporting 5,000 lbs. per employee.
• Body Harness: Device of straps worn by an employee in a manner that will distribute the fall arrest forces over at least the thighs, pelvis, waist, chest and shoulders with means for attaching it to other components of a PFAS.

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OSHA Standards

Standard Railing

Standard Railings:

• Height from the upper surface of the top rail to floor level should be 42 inches.
• Mid rail height needs to be 21 inches.
• The ends of the rails should not overhang the terminal posts.
• The railing must be able to withstand a force of at least 200 pounds applied within 2 inches of the top edge in any outward or downward direction at any point along the rail.

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