Fall Protection in Residential Construction

The 6-foot rule for residential work

When you do residential construction work 6 feet or more above a lower level, you must be protected by one of three systems:

Another paragraph in the same section may give a different protection measure for a specific kind of work. If it does, that measure applies.

The standard presumes that at least one of these three systems is feasible and will not create a greater hazard.

Before work starts

• The employer decides whether the surface can support employees safely. You may work on it only when it has the strength and structural integrity.
• The employer provides and installs the required fall protection before you begin the work that needs it.

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.501(a)(2) · 29 CFR 1926.501(b)(13) · 29 CFR 1926.502(a)(2) · 29 CFR 1926.500(b) "Guardrail system" · 29 CFR 1926.500(b) "Personal fall arrest system"

Four hazards that need their own protection

Open edges are not the sole fall hazard. Look at each of these on your site.

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.501(b)(4) · 29 CFR 1926.501(b)(11) · 29 CFR 1926.501(b)(14) · 29 CFR 1926.501(c) · 29 CFR 1926.501(c)(1) · 29 CFR 1926.501(c)(2) · 29 CFR 1926.501(c)(3)

Check a guardrail: height and strength

A guardrail protects you when it is built to the rule. Check these on any rail you depend on.

• Height: the top edge is 42 inches, plus or minus 3 inches, above the walking/working level. When conditions warrant, the top edge may be higher than 45 inches, provided the guardrail system meets all the other criteria.
• Strength: it must withstand at least 200 pounds applied within 2 inches of the top edge, in any outward or downward direction, at any point along the top edge.
• Deflection: when that 200 pounds is applied downward, the top edge must not deflect to a height less than 39 inches.
• Materials: steel banding and plastic banding must not be used as top rails or midrails.

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.502(b)(1) · 29 CFR 1926.502(b)(3) · 29 CFR 1926.502(b)(4) · 29 CFR 1926.502(b)(8)

Midrails and guardrails around holes

A top rail alone is not enough in most places.

• Between the top rail and the surface there must be midrails, screens, mesh, intermediate vertical members, or an equivalent, when there is no wall or parapet wall at least 21 inches high.
• Midrails, when used, go midway between the top edge and the walking/working level.
• Midrails and the other intermediate members must withstand at least 150 pounds applied in any downward or outward direction at any point.
• A guardrail around a hole must be on all unprotected sides or edges of the hole.

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.502(b)(2) · 29 CFR 1926.502(b)(5) · 29 CFR 1926.502(b)(11)

Safety nets in brief

If your crew uses a net, know what to watch for.

• It is installed as close as practicable under the work surface, and in no case more than 30 feet below it.
• It is inspected at least once a week for wear, damage and other deterioration. Defective nets must not be used.
• Materials, scrap, equipment and tools that fall into it are removed as soon as possible, and at least before the next work shift.

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.502(c)(1) · 29 CFR 1926.502(c)(5) · 29 CFR 1926.502(c)(6)

What a system must do when it stops a fall

A personal fall arrest system, when stopping a fall, must:

• limit the maximum arresting force on you to 1,800 pounds when used with a body harness
• be rigged so you can neither free fall more than 6 feet nor contact any lower level
• bring you to a complete stop and limit your maximum deceleration distance to 3.5 feet
• have sufficient strength to withstand twice the potential impact energy of you free falling 6 feet, or the free fall distance the system permits, whichever is less

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.502(d) · 29 CFR 1926.502(d)(16) · 29 CFR 1926.502(d)(16)(v)

Anchor it, wear it, inspect it

Anchorage

The anchorage must be independent of any anchorage used to support or suspend platforms, and capable of supporting at least 5,000 pounds per employee attached. The other option is an anchorage designed, installed and used as part of a complete system with a safety factor of at least two, under the supervision of a qualified person.

On your body

• The harness attachment point is in the center of your back near shoulder level, or above your head.
• Only locking type snaphooks may be used.

Before each use

• Inspect the system before each use for wear, damage and other deterioration. Defective components are removed from service.
• Do not attach to a guardrail system, and not to a hoist except as other subparts allow.
• Use belts, harnesses and components only for your protection, not to hoist materials.

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.502(d)(5) · 29 CFR 1926.502(d)(15) · 29 CFR 1926.502(d)(17) · 29 CFR 1926.502(d)(18) · 29 CFR 1926.502(d)(21) · 29 CFR 1926.502(d)(23)

After a fall

• Equipment that has been through an impact load is removed from service immediately. It is not used again until a competent person inspects it and determines it is undamaged and suitable for reuse.
• The employer must provide for prompt rescue after a fall, or assure that employees can rescue themselves. Ask about the rescue plan before you go up.

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.502(d)(19) · 29 CFR 1926.502(d)(20)

When a plan can replace conventional systems

The employer must be able to demonstrate that guardrails, nets or personal fall arrest systems are infeasible or create a greater hazard. The employer carries the burden of showing that a plan is appropriate. A plan is not a shortcut.

What the plan must be like

• Prepared by a qualified person, written for your specific site, and kept up to date
• A copy with all approved changes kept at the job site
• Put into practice under the supervision of a competent person
• Any changes to the plan are approved by a qualified person
• It documents the reasons conventional systems are infeasible or would create a greater hazard
• It includes a written discussion of other measures that will be taken to reduce or eliminate the fall hazard for workers who cannot be protected by conventional systems

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.501(b)(13) · 29 CFR 1926.502(k) · 29 CFR 1926.502(k)(2) · 29 CFR 1926.502(k)(6)

Controlled access zones and safety monitors

• The plan identifies each location where conventional methods cannot be used. Those locations are classified as controlled access zones. The plan names or otherwise identifies each employee designated to work in those zones, and no other employees may enter them.
• Where no other alternative measure has been implemented, the employer must implement a safety monitoring system. The employer designates a competent person as the safety monitor. The monitor must be competent to recognize fall hazards, warn you when you seem unaware of a fall hazard or are acting in an unsafe manner, be on the same walking/working surface and within visual sighting distance of you, be close enough to communicate orally with you, and have no other responsibilities that could take attention from monitoring.
• After a fall or a serious incident such as a near miss, the employer must investigate the circumstances of the fall or other incident to determine if the plan needs to be changed (for example, new practices, procedures or training), and must implement those changes.

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.502(k)(7) · 29 CFR 1926.502(k)(8) · 29 CFR 1926.502(k)(9) · 29 CFR 1926.502(k)(10) · 29 CFR 1926.502(h)(1) · 29 CFR 1926.502(h)(1)(i) · 29 CFR 1926.502(h)(1)(iv) · 29 CFR 1926.502(h)(1)(v)