A Look at the OSHA Standards

Federal OSHA has stated in 29 CFR 1926.501 that "Each employee on a walking/working surface (horizontal and vertical surface) with an unprotected side or edge which is 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above a lower level shall be protected from falling by the use of guardrail systems, safety net system, or personal fall arrest systems."  Further, this requirement is duplicated for "Leading edges", "Hoist areas", "Holes", "Formwork and Reinforcing Steel", "Excavations", "Dangerous equipment", "Overhand bricklaying and related work", "Roofing work on low-slope roofs", "Steep roofs", "Precast concrete erection", and the list of areas covered goes on.

A review of the OSHA regulations governing fall protection shows that in 29 CFR 1926.502(d) "If a personal fall arrest system is used for fall protection, it must do the following:....Limit maximum arresting force on an employee to 1,800 pounds (8 kiloNewtons) when used with a body harness; Be rigged so that an employee can neither free fall more than 6 feet nor contact any lower level."

Further, OSHA states in 29 CFR 1910.132 (d) that "The employer shall assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).  If such hazards are present, or likely to be present, the employer shall: (i) Select, and have each affected employee use, the type of PPE that will protect the affected employee from the hazards identified in the hazard assessment; (ii) Communicate selection decisions to each affected employee; and, (iii) Select PPE that properly fits each affected employee."

U.S. Congress states in 29 USC 654 that "Each employer shall furnish to each of his employees, employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees."  

The above standards can be located at WWW.OSHA.GOV