Masonry Magazine December 1994 Page. 17
THE OCCUPATIONAL Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released revised standards on fall protection in construction (Subpart M) in August 1994. The standards establish fall protection requirements for construction workplaces, operations and circumstances that are not otherwise covered by existing OSHA standards.
OSHA'S Revised Fall Protection Standards
Revised OSHA standards on fall protection, released in August 1994, establishes new standards for construction workplaces not previously covered. OSHA standards with fall protection requirements that will not be superseded by the revised Subpart M are: Subpart L Scaffolds; Subpart N Cranes and Derricks; Subpart R Steel Erection; Subpart S Tunneling; Subpart V Electric Transmission/Distribution Lines; and Subpart X Stairways & Ladders. A summary of the revised standards follows.
Employers must determine whether walking/working surfaces are structurally capable of supporting workers safely.
Workers on walking/working surfaces with unprotected sides or edges six feet or higher above a lower level must be protected from falling by the use of guardrails, nets or fall arrest systems.
Workers constructing or working near leading edges at six feet or higher above a lower level must be protected from falls by guardrails, nets or fall arrest systems.
Workers in hoist areas must be protected from falling more than six feet by guardrails or personal fall arrest systems.
Workers must be protected from falling more than six feet through holes (including skylights) by hole covers, guardrails or personal fall arrest systems.
Workers on the face of formwork or reinforcing steel must be protected from falling six feet or more by personal fall arrest systems, nets or positioning devices.
Workers on the edge of excavations deeper than six feet must be protected from falling by guardrails, fences or barricades when excavations are not easily visible.
Workers less than six feet above dangerous equipment must be protected from falling into or onto the equipment by guardrails or equipment guards.
Workers six feet or higher above dangerous equipment must be protected from fall hazards by guardrails, personal fall arrest systems or nets.
Bricklayers performing overhand bricklaying and related work six feet or higher above lower levels must be protected from falling by guardrails, nets, personal fall arrest systems or must work in a controlled access zone.
Bricklayers reaching more than ten inches below the level walking/working surface on which they are working must be protected from falling by guardrails, nets, or personal fall arrest systems.
Workers near wall openings six feet or higher above lower levels and less than 39 inches above the walking/working surface must be protected from falling by guardrails, nets or personal fall arrest systems.
Workers on walking/working surfaces six feet or higher above lower levels which are not otherwise addressed must be protected from falling by guardrails, nets or personal fall arrest systems.
Where workers are exposed to falling objects, the employer must