Masonry Magazine July 2002 Page. 29
It must be equal to the height of the wall plus four feet (1.2m) and must run the entire length of the wall.
It shall remain in place until the wall is adequately supported to prevent overturning and to prevent collapse.
When the height of the wall is more than eight feet (2.4 m), it must be adequately braced. The bracing shall remain in place until permanent supporting elements of the structure are in place.
The Controlled Access Zone (CAZ) is the area in which work such as overhand bricklaying may take place without the use of guardrail systems, personal fall arrest systems, or safety net systems and access to the zone is controlled by OSHA Subpart M, Fall Protection 1926.500 (b) Definitions.
Overhand bricklaying means the process of laying bricks and masonry units such that the surface of the wall to be jointed is on the opposite side of the wall from the mason, requiring the mason to lean over the wall to complete the work. Related work includes mason tending and electrical installation incorporated into the brick wall during the overhand bricklaying process.
If workers must reach more than 10 inches below the level of the walking and/or working surface, the worker shall be protected from falling by use of a guardrail system, safety net system, or personal fall arrest system.
This applies particularly to laborers handling incoming material who work at the leading edge of the scaffold. When the gates open, there best be some fall protection in place. While masons have a natural aversion to wearing harness-style fall arrest systems, laborers, who often are working much closer to the "fall zone" can and should be protected with these systems.
When the CAZ is used to control access to areas where overhead brick laying and related work are taking place, it shall be defined by a control line erected not less than 10 feet (3m) nor more than 15 feet (4.6m) from the working edge. The control line shall extend for a distance sufficient for the CAZ to enclose all employees performing overhand bricklaying and related work and shall be approximately parallel to the working edge. Only employees engaged in overhand bricklaying or related work shall be permitted in the CAZ.
On floors and roofs where guardrail systems are not in place prior to the beginning of overhead bricklaying operations, controlled access zones shall be enlarged, as necessary, to enclose all points or access, material handling areas, and storage areas. On roofs and floors where guardrails systems are in place, but need to be removed to allow overhead bricklaying work or leading edge work to take place, only that portion of the guardrail necessary to accomplish that day's work shall be removed.
Final words
THERE ARE NEVER final words in the quest for safety. It's a constant challenge to meet the changes in technologies and techniques in construction. OSHA modifies its rules to consider these changes and it usually does so after many years of discussion, rule publishing, and exception consideration.
You may not like them, you may challenge them in court, but until they change, you better follow the rules. And make sure all your crews know and follow them, too.
strapex USA
www.strapex.com
2601 Westinghouse Blvd.
Charlotte NC 28273
Phone: (800) 446-4347 Fax: (704) 588-8795
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The Voice of the Mason Contractor
July 2002
Masonry
27