Page 140 - Forensic Structural Engineering Handbook

CONSTRUCTION SAFETY CODES, STANDARDS, AND REGULATIONS 3.25

The requirements are provided for powered or manually operated aerial lifts. Specific
requirements have been provided for different devices.

Subpart M: Fall Protection

1926.500. This subpart provides fall protection requirements in construction workplaces.
However, certain workplaces are excluded for which requirements are stated in other sub-
parts. The excluded workplaces are
• Employees working on scaffolds—see subpart L
• Employees working on certain cranes and derricks—see subpart N
• Employees working on steel erection—see subpart R
• Employees working on tunneling operation—see subpart S
• Employees working on electric transmission and distribution lines—see subpart V
• Employees working on stairways and ladders—see subpart X

1926.501. The requirements of the general duty of the employers to provide fall protection for
the employees have been provided. The employers must provide one of the three fall protection
systems against fall due to unprotected sides and edges for employees working 6 ft (1.8 m) or
more above a lower level. The three systems are the guardrail systems, safety net systems, and
personal fall arrest systems. Employees working in a hoist area, near holes, near formwork and
reinforcing steel, ramps and runways and other walkways, excavations, dangerous equipment,
overhead bricklaying and related work, roofing work on low-slope or steep roofs, precast con-
crete erection, wall openings, etc., must be provided with necessary fall protection. In addition,
requirements necessary for protection from falling objects have been provided.
1926.502. The criteria for each of the three fall protection systems are given. The
guardrail system’s requirements have been provided, for example, height of the top and
middle rails, screens, intermediate vertical members, and required load-carrying capacity
of the guardrails. The safety net system criteria have been given in regard to the location,
projection beyond the work surfaces, impact load-resisting capacity, etc. Criteria for per-
sonal fall arrest systems are enumerated. Minimum strength of D-rings, snap hooks, lan-
yards and vertical lifelines, and self-retracting lifelines are given. The minimum strength of
anchorage used for attachment of personal fall arrest systems and maximum arresting force
on an employee with a body belt or body harness are provided.
The criteria for use of positioning device systems have been provided. The maximum
free fall, minimum capacity of anchorages of positioning devices, and minimum strength
of connecting assemblies, D-rings, and snap hooks, etc., have been stated. Criteria for the
warning line systems; controlled-access zones; safety monitoring systems; covers over
holes in floors, roofs, and other walking/working surfaces; protection for falling objects;
and fall protection plans have been given.

Subpart N: Cranes, Derricks, Hoists, Elevators, and Conveyors

Presently a new comprehensive standard for cranes and derricks has been proposed by
OSHA as a result of a negotiated rule-making process, with labor and employers and indus-
try representatives participating in the process. Currently, comments have been invited on
the proposed standard. The standard is expected to be adopted in the near future. Provisions
of the current standard are as follows: