Other Hazards that Require Fall Protection

A construction environment poses many hazards requiring protection. Below are some fall hazards that cannot be overlooked:

Hoist Areas

Each worker in a hoist area must be protected from falling six feet or more by guardrail systems or personal fall arrest systems.

There may be times when the guardrail systems (or chain, gate, or guardrail) must be removed in whole or in part to facilitate hoisting operations. For example, during the landing of materials, a worker may need to lean through the access opening or out over the edge of the access opening to receive or guide equipment and materials. At such times a personal fall arrest system must be used to protect the worker from falling through the unprotected opening.

Holes

Each worker on walking or working surfaces must be protected from falling through holes (including skylights) that are more than six feet above lower levels by personal fall arrest systems, covers, or guardrail systems erected around such holes.

Each worker on a walking or working surface must be protected from tripping in or stepping into or through holes by using covers.

Ramps, Runways, and Other Walkways

Each worker on a ramp, runway, or other walkway must be protected against falling six feet or more by guardrail systems.

Dangerous Equipment

When working six feet or more above dangerous equipment, each worker must be protected by guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems.

When working less than six feet above dangerous equipment, each worker must be protected from falling into or onto the dangerous equipment by a guardrail system or equipment guards.

Wall Openings

Each worker working on, at, above, or near wall openings (including those with chutes attached), where the outside bottom edge of the wall opening is six feet or more above lower levels and the inside bottom edge of the wall opening is less than 39 inches above the walking or working surface, must be protected with a guardrail system, a safety net system, or a personal fall arrest system.

To learn more about Focus Four Safety visit our Construction Focus Four Safety Online Training web page.