Fall Protection – Tool Box Talks 3

FALL PROTECTION BARRIER SYSTEMS
Positioning device systems and their use shall conform to the following provisions:

  • Positioning devices shall be rigged such that an employee cannot free fall more than 2 feet.
  • Positioning devices shall be secured to an anchorage capable of supporting at least twice the potential impact load of an employee’s fall or 3,000 pounds whichever is greater.
  • Positioning device systems shall be inspected prior to each use for wear, damage, and other deterioration and defective components shall be removed from service.
  • Body belts, harnesses, and components shall be used only for employee protection (as part of a personal fall arrest system or positioning device system) and not to hoist materials.

Warning line systems and their use (Only when working on a low slope roof) shall comply with the following provisions:

  • The warning line shall be erected around all sides of the roof work area.
  • When mechanical equipment is not being used, the warning line shall be erected not less than 6 feet from the roof edge.
  • When mechanical equipment is being used, the warning line shall be erected not less than 10 feet from the roof edge.
  • When employees are present on the roof that are not performing roofing activities, the warning line shall be erected not less than 15 feet from the roof edge.
  • Points of access, materials handling areas, storage areas, and hoisting areas shall be connected to the work area by an access path formed by two warning lines.
  • When the path to a point of access is not in use, a barricade equivalent in strength and height to the warning line, shall be placed across the path or the path shall be offset such that a person cannot walk directly into the work area.
  • Warning lines shall consist of ropes, wires, or chains, and supporting stanchions erected as follows:
    • The rope, wire, or chain shall be flagged at not more than 6-foot intervals with high-visibility material;
    • The rope, wire, or chain shall be rigged and supported in such a way that its lowest point (including sag) is no less than 34 inches from the walking/working surface and its highest point is no more than 39 inches from the walking/working surface;
    • After being erected, with the rope, wire, or chain attached, stanchions shall be capable of resisting, without tipping over, a force of at least 16 pounds and have a minimum tensile strength of 500 pounds; and
    • The line shall be attached at each stanchion in such a way that pulling on one section of the line between stanchions will not result in slack being taken up in adjacent sections before the stanchion tips over.
  • No employee shall be allowed in the area between a roof edge and a warning line unless the employee is protected by the use of a Person Fall Arrest System.

    • SAFETY REMINDERS – FAILURE TO IMPLEMENT AN APPROPRIATE SYSTEM IS GROUNDS FOR IMMEDIATE DISCIPLINARY ACTION INCLUDING DISMISSAL FROM THE SITE.