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Title 29: Labor
PART=20 1926=E2=80=94SAFETY AND HEALTH REGULATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION =
Subpart=20 M=E2=80=94Fall Protection

=C2=A7 1926.502 Fall=20 protection systems criteria and practices.

(a) General. (1) Fall = protection systems required by this part shall comply with the = applicable=20 provisions of this section.

(2) Employers shall provide and install all fall protection = systems=20 required by this subpart for an employee, and shall comply with = all other=20 pertinent requirements of this subpart before that employee begins = the=20 work that necessitates the fall protection.

(b) Guardrail = systems.=20 Guardrail systems and their use shall comply with the following=20 provisions:

(1) Top edge height of top rails, or equivalent guardrail = system=20 members, shall be 42 inches (1.1 m) plus or minus 3 inches (8 cm) = above=20 the walking/working level. When conditions warrant, the height of = the top=20 edge may exceed the 45-inch height, provided the guardrail system = meets=20 all other criteria of this paragraph.

Note: When=20 employees are using stilts, the top edge height of the top rail, = or=20 equivalent member, shall be increased an amount equal to the = height of the=20 stilts.

(2) Midrails, screens, mesh, intermediate vertical members, or=20 equivalent intermediate structural members shall be installed = between the=20 top edge of the guardrail system and the walking/working surface = when=20 there is no wall or parapet wall at least 21 inches (53 cm) = high.

(i) Midrails, when used, shall be installed at a height midway = between=20 the top edge of the guardrail system and the walking/working = level.

(ii) Screens and mesh, when used, shall extend from the top = rail to the=20 walking/working level and along the entire opening between top = rail=20 supports.

(iii) Intermediate members (such as balusters), when used = between=20 posts, shall be not more than 19 inches (48 cm) apart.

(iv) Other structural members (such as additional midrails and=20 architectural panels) shall be installed such that there are no = openings=20 in the guardrail system that are more than 19 inches (.5 m) = wide.

(3) Guardrail systems shall be capable of withstanding, without = failure, a force of at least 200 pounds (890 N) applied within 2 = inches=20 (5.1 cm) of the top edge, in any outward or downward direction, at = any=20 point along the top edge.

(4) When the 200 pound (890 N) test load specified in paragraph = (b)(3)=20 of this section is applied in a downward direction, the top edge = of the=20 guardrail shall not deflect to a height less than 39 inches (1.0 = m) above=20 the walking/working level. Guardrail system components selected = and=20 constructed in accordance with the appendix B to subpart M of this = part=20 will be deemed to meet this requirement.

(5) Midrails, screens, mesh, intermediate vertical members, = solid=20 panels, and equivalent structural members shall be capable of=20 withstanding, without failure, a force of at least 150 pounds (666 = N)=20 applied in any downward or outward direction at any point along = the=20 midrail or other member.

(6) Guardrail systems shall be so surfaced as to prevent injury = to an=20 employee from punctures or lacerations, and to prevent snagging of = clothing.

(7) The ends of all top rails and midrails shall not overhang = the=20 terminal posts, except where such overhang does not constitute a=20 projection hazard.

(8) Steel banding and plastic banding shall not be used as top = rails or=20 midrails.

(9) Top rails and midrails shall be at least one-quarter inch = (0.6 cm)=20 nominal diameter or thickness to prevent cuts and lacerations. If = wire=20 rope is used for top rails, it shall be flagged at not more than = 6-foot=20 (1.8 m) intervals with high-visibility material.

(10) When guardrail systems are used at hoisting areas, a = chain, gate=20 or removable guardrail section shall be placed across the access = opening=20 between guardrail sections when hoisting operations are not taking = place.

(11) When guardrail systems are used at holes, they shall be = erected on=20 all unprotected sides or edges of the hole.

(12) When guardrail systems are used around holes used for the = passage=20 of materials, the hole shall have not more than two sides provided = with=20 removable guardrail sections to allow the passage of materials. = When the=20 hole is not in use, it shall be closed over with a cover, or a = guardrail=20 system shall be provided along all unprotected sides or edges.

(13) When guardrail systems are used around holes which are = used as=20 points of access (such as ladderways), they shall be provided with = a gate,=20 or be so offset that a person cannot walk directly into the = hole.

(14) Guardrail systems used on ramps and runways shall be = erected along=20 each unprotected side or edge.

(15) Manila, plastic or synthetic rope being used for top rails = or=20 midrails shall be inspected as frequently as necessary to ensure = that it=20 continues to meet the strength requirements of paragraph (b)(3) of = this=20 section.

(1) Safety nets shall be installed as close as practicable = under the=20 walking/working surface on which employees are working, but in no = case=20 more than 30 feet (9.1 m) below such level. When nets are used on = bridges,=20 the potential fall area from the walking/working surface to the = net shall=20 be unobstructed.

(2) Safety nets shall extend outward from the outermost = projection of=20 the work surface as follows:

Vertical distance from = working=20 level to horizontal plane of net	Minimum required = horizontal=20 distance of outer edge of net from the edge of the working=20 surface
Up to 5 = feet	8 feet.
More than 5 = feet up to 10=20 feet	10 feet.
More than 10 = feet	13=20 feet.

(3) Safety nets shall be installed with sufficient clearance = under them=20 to prevent contact with the surface or structures below when = subjected to=20 an impact force equal to the drop test specified in paragraph = (c)(4) of=20 this section.

(4) Safety nets and their installations shall be capable of = absorbing=20 an impact force equal to that produced by the drop test specified = in=20 paragraph (c)(4)(i) of this section.

(i) Except as provided in paragraph (c)(4)(ii) of this section, = safety=20 nets and safety net installations shall be drop-tested at the = jobsite=20 after initial installation and before being used as a fall = protection=20 system, whenever relocated, after major repair, and at 6-month = intervals=20 if left in one place. The drop-test shall consist of a 400 pound = (180 kg)=20 bag of sand 30 =C2=B12 inches (76 =C2=B15 cm) in diameter dropped = into the net from=20 the highest walking/working surface at which employees are exposed = to fall=20 hazards, but not from less than 42 inches (1.1 m) above that = level.

(ii) When the employer can demonstrate that it is unreasonable = to=20 perform the drop-test required by paragraph (c)(4)(i) of this = section, the=20 employer (or a designated competent person) shall certify that the = net and=20 net installation is in compliance with the provisions of = paragraphs (c)(3)=20 and (c)(4)(i) of this section by preparing a certification record = prior to=20 the net being used as a fall protection system. The certification = record=20 must include an identification of the net and net installation for = which=20 the certification record is being prepared; the date that it was=20 determined that the identified net and net installation were in = compliance=20 with paragraph (c)(3) of this section and the signature of the = person=20 making the determination and certification. The most recent = certification=20 record for each net and net installation shall be available at the = jobsite=20 for inspection.

(5) Defective nets shall not be used. Safety nets shall be = inspected at=20 least once a week for wear, damage, and other deterioration. = Defective=20 components shall be removed from service. Safety nets shall also = be=20 inspected after any occurrence which could affect the integrity of = the=20 safety net system.

(6) Materials, scrap pieces, equipment, and tools which have = fallen=20 into the safety net shall be removed as soon as possible from the = net and=20 at least before the next work shift.

(7) The maximum size of each safety net mesh opening shall not = exceed=20 36 square inches (230 cm 2 ) nor be = longer=20 than 6 inches (15 cm) on any side, and the opening, measured=20 center-to-center of mesh ropes or webbing, shall not be longer = than 6=20 inches (15 cm). All mesh crossings shall be secured to prevent = enlargement=20 of the mesh opening.

(8) Each safety net (or section of it) shall have a border rope = for=20 webbing with a minimum breaking strength of 5,000 pounds (22.2 = kN).

(9) Connections between safety net panels shall be as strong as = integral net components and shall be spaced not more than 6 inches = (15 cm)=20 apart.

(d) Personal fall arrest=20 systems. Personal fall arrest systems and their use shall = comply=20 with the provisions set forth below. Effective January 1, 1998, = body belts=20 are not acceptable as part of a personal fall arrest system. Note: = The use=20 of a body belt in a positioning device system is acceptable and is = regulated under paragraph (e) of this section.

(1) Connectors shall be drop forged, pressed or formed steel, = or made=20 of equivalent materials.

(2) Connectors shall have a corrosion-resistant finish, and all = surfaces and edges shall be smooth to prevent damage to = interfacing parts=20 of the system.

(3) Dee-rings and snaphooks shall have a minimum tensile = strength of=20 5,000 pounds (22.2 kN).

(4) Dee-rings and snaphooks shall be proof-tested to a minimum = tensile=20 load of 3,600 pounds (16 kN) without cracking, breaking, or taking = permanent deformation.

(5) Snaphooks shall be sized to be compatible with the member = to which=20 they are connected to prevent unintentional disengagement of the = snaphook=20 by depression of the snaphook keeper by the connected member, or = shall be=20 a locking type snaphook designed and used to prevent disengagement = of the=20 snaphook by the contact of the snaphook keeper by the connected = member.=20 Effective January 1, 1998, only locking type snaphooks shall be = used.

(6) Unless the snaphook is a locking type and designed for the=20 following connections, snaphooks shall not be engaged:

(i) directly to webbing, rope or wire rope;

(ii) to each other;

(iii) to a Dee-ring to which another snaphook or other = connector is=20 attached;

(iv) to a horizontal lifeline; or

(v) to any object which is incompatibly shaped or dimensioned = in=20 relation to the snaphook such that unintentional disengagement = could occur=20 by the connected object being able to depress the snaphook keeper = and=20 release itself.

(7) On suspended scaffolds or similar work platforms with = horizontal=20 lifelines which may become vertical lifelines, the devices used to = connect=20 to a horizontal lifeline shall be capable of locking in both = directions on=20 the lifeline.

(8) Horizontal lifelines shall be designed, installed, and = used, under=20 the supervision of a qualified person, as part of a complete = personal fall=20 arrest system, which maintains a safety factor of at least = two.

(9) Lanyards and vertical lifelines shall have a minimum = breaking=20 strength of 5,000 pounds (22.2 kN).

(10) (i) Except as provided in paragraph (d)(10)(ii) of this = section,=20 when vertical lifelines are used, each employee shall be attached = to a=20 separate lifeline.

(ii) During the construction of elevator shafts, two employees = may be=20 attached to the same lifeline in the hoistway, provided both = employees are=20 working atop a false car that is equipped with guardrails; the = strength of=20 the lifeline is 10,000 pounds [5,000 pounds per employee attached] = (44.4=20 kN); and all other criteria specified in this paragraph for = lifelines have=20 been met.

(11) Lifelines shall be protected against being cut or = abraded.

(12) Self-retracting lifelines and lanyards which automatically = limit=20 free fall distance to 2 feet (0.61 m) or less shall be capable of=20 sustaining a minimum tensile load of 3,000 pounds (13.3 kN) = applied to the=20 device with the lifeline or lanyard in the fully extended = position.

(13) Self-retracting lifelines and lanyards which do not limit = free=20 fall distance to 2 feet (0.61 m) or less, ripstitch lanyards, and = tearing=20 and deforming lanyards shall be capable of sustaining a minimum = tensile=20 load of 5,000 pounds (22.2 kN) applied to the device with the = lifeline or=20 lanyard in the fully extended position.

(14) Ropes and straps (webbing) used in lanyards, lifelines, = and=20 strength components of body belts and body harnesses shall be made = from=20 synthetic fibers.

(15) Anchorages used for attachment of personal fall arrest = equipment=20 shall be independent of any anchorage being used to support or = suspend=20 platforms and capable of supporting at least 5,000 pounds (22.2 = kN) per=20 employee attached, or shall be designed, installed, and used as=20 follows:

(i) as part of a complete personal fall arrest system which = maintains a=20 safety factor of at least two; and

(ii) under the supervision of a qualified person.

(16) Personal fall arrest systems, when stopping a fall, = shall:

(i) limit maximum arresting force on an employee to 900 pounds = (4 kN)=20 when used with a body belt;

(ii) limit maximum arresting force on an employee to 1,800 = pounds (8=20 kN) when used with a body harness;

(iii) be rigged such that an employee can neither free fall = more than 6=20 feet (1.8 m), nor contact any lower level;

(iv) bring an employee to a complete stop and limit maximum=20 deceleration distance an employee travels to 3.5 feet (1.07 m); = and,

(v) have sufficient strength to withstand twice the potential = impact=20 energy of an employee free falling a distance of 6 feet (1.8 m), = or the=20 free fall distance permitted by the system, whichever is less.

Note: If the=20 personal fall arrest system meets the criteria and protocols = contained in=20 appendix C to subpart M, and if the system is being used by an = employee=20 having a combined person and tool weight of less than 310 pounds = (140 kg),=20 the system will be considered to be in compliance with the = provisions of=20 paragraph (d)(16) of this section. If the system is used by an = employee=20 having a combined tool and body weight of 310 pounds (140 kg) or = more,=20 then the employer must appropriately modify the criteria and = protocols of=20 the appendix to provide proper protection for such heavier = weights, or the=20 system will not be deemed to be in compliance with the = requirements of=20 paragraph (d)(16) of this section.

(17) The attachment point of the body belt shall be located in = the=20 center of the wearer's back. The attachment point of the body = harness=20 shall be located in the center of the wearer's back near shoulder = level,=20 or above the wearer's head.

(18) Body belts, harnesses, and components shall be used only = for=20 employee protection (as part of a personal fall arrest system or=20 positioning device system) and not to hoist materials.

(19) Personal fall arrest systems and components subjected to = impact=20 loading shall be immediately removed from service and shall not be = used=20 again for employee protection until inspected and determined by a=20 competent person to be undamaged and suitable for reuse.

(20) The employer shall provide for prompt rescue of employees = in the=20 event of a fall or shall assure that employees are able to rescue=20 themselves.

(21) Personal fall arrest systems shall be inspected prior to = each use=20 for wear, damage and other deterioration, and defective components = shall=20 be removed from service.

(22) Body belts shall be at least one and five-eighths (15=E2=81=848 ) inches = (4.1 cm)=20 wide.

(23) Personal fall arrest systems shall not be attached to = guardrail=20 systems, nor shall they be attached to hoists except as specified = in other=20 subparts of this part.

(24) When a personal fall arrest system is used at hoist areas, = it=20 shall be rigged to allow the movement of the employee only as far = as the=20 edge of the walking/working surface.

(e) Positioning device = systems.=20 Positioning device systems and their use shall conform to the = following=20 provisions:

(1) Positioning devices shall be rigged such that an employee = cannot=20 free fall more than 2 feet (.6 m).

(2) Positioning devices shall be secured to an anchorage = capable of=20 supporting at least twice the potential impact load of an = employee's fall=20 or 3,000 pounds (13.3 kN), whichever is greater.

(3) Connectors shall be drop forged, pressed or formed steel, = or made=20 of equivalent materials.

(4) Connectors shall have a corrosion-resistant finish, and all = surfaces and edges shall be smooth to prevent damage to = interfacing parts=20 of this system.

(5) Connecting assemblies shall have a minimum tensile strength = of=20 5,000 pounds (22.2 kN)

(6) Dee-rings and snaphooks shall be proof-tested to a minimum = tensile=20 load of 3,600 pounds (16 kN) without cracking, breaking, or taking = permanent deformation.

(7) Snaphooks shall be sized to be compatible with the member = to which=20 they are connected to prevent unintentional disengagement of the = snaphook=20 by depression of the snaphook keeper by the connected member, or = shall be=20 a locking type snaphook designed and used to prevent disengagement = of the=20 snaphook by the contact of the snaphook keeper by the connected = member. As=20 of January 1, 1998, only locking type snaphooks shall be used.

(8) Unless the snaphook is a locking type and designed for the=20 following connections, snaphooks shall not be engaged:

(i) directly to webbing, rope or wire rope;

(ii) to each other;

(iii) to a Dee-ring to which another snaphook or other = connector is=20 attached;

(iv) to a horizontal lifeline; or

(9) Positioning device systems shall be inspected prior to each = use for=20 wear, damage, and other deterioration, and defective components = shall be=20 removed from service.

(10) Body belts, harnesses, and components shall be used only = for=20 employee protection (as part of a personal fall arrest system or=20 positioning device system) and not to hoist materials.

(f) Warning line = systems.=20 Warning line systems [See =C2=A7 1926.501(b)(10)] and their = use shall=20 comply with the following provisions:

(1) The warning line shall be erected around all sides of the = roof work=20 area.

(i) When mechanical equipment is not being used, the warning = line shall=20 be erected not less than 6 feet (1.8 m) from the roof edge.

(ii) When mechanical equipment is being used, the warning line = shall be=20 erected not less than 6 feet (1.8 m) from the roof edge which is = parallel=20 to the direction of mechanical equipment operation, and not less = than 10=20 feet (3.1 m) from the roof edge which is perpendicular to the = direction of=20 mechanical equipment operation.

(iii) Points of access, materials handling areas, storage = areas, and=20 hoisting areas shall be connected to the work area by an access = path=20 formed by two warning lines.

(iv) When the path to a point of access is not in use, a rope, = wire,=20 chain, or other barricade, equivalent in strength and height to = the=20 warning line, shall be placed across the path at the point where = the path=20 intersects the warning line erected around the work area, or the = path=20 shall be offset such that a person cannot walk directly into the = work=20 area.

(2) Warning lines shall consist of ropes, wires, or chains, and = supporting stanchions erected as follows:

(i) The rope, wire, or chain shall be flagged at not more than = 6-foot=20 (1.8 m) intervals with high-visibility material;

(ii) The rope, wire, or chain shall be rigged and supported in = such a=20 way that its lowest point (including sag) is no less than 34 = inches (.9 m)=20 from the walking/working surface and its highest point is no more = than 39=20 inches (1.0 m) from the walking/working surface;

(iii) After being erected, with the rope, wire, or chain = attached,=20 stanchions shall be capable of resisting, without tipping over, a = force of=20 at least 16 pounds (71 N) applied horizontally against the = stanchion, 30=20 inches (.8 m) above the walking/working surface, perpendicular to = the=20 warning line, and in the direction of the floor, roof, or platform = edge;

(iv) The rope, wire, or chain shall have a minimum tensile = strength of=20 500 pounds (2.22 kN), and after being attached to the stanchions, = shall be=20 capable of supporting, without breaking, the loads applied to the=20 stanchions as prescribed in paragraph (f)(2)(iii) of this section; = and

(v) The line shall be attached at each stanchion in such a way = that=20 pulling on one section of the line between stanchions will not = result in=20 slack being taken up in adjacent sections before the stanchion = tips=20 over.

(3) No employee shall be allowed in the area between a roof = edge and a=20 warning line unless the employee is performing roofing work in = that=20 area.

(4) Mechanical equipment on roofs shall be used or stored only = in areas=20 where employees are protected by a warning line system, guardrail = system,=20 or personal fall arrest system.

(g) Controlled access = zones.=20 Controlled access zones [See =C2=A7 1926.501(b)(9) and = =C2=A7 1926.502(k)]=20 and their use shall conform to the following provisions.

(1) When used to control access to areas where leading edge and = other=20 operations are taking place the controlled access zone shall be = defined by=20 a control line or by any other means that restricts access.

(i) When control lines are used, they shall be erected not less = than 6=20 feet (1.8 m) nor more than 25 feet (7.7 m) from the unprotected or = leading=20 edge, except when erecting precast concrete members.

(ii) When erecting precast concrete members, the control line = shall be=20 erected not less than 6 feet (1.8 m) nor more than 60 feet (18 m) = or half=20 the length of the member being erected, whichever is less, from = the=20 leading edge.

(iii) The control line shall extend along the entire length of = the=20 unprotected or leading edge and shall be approximately parallel to = the=20 unprotected or leading edge.

(iv) The control line shall be connected on each side to a = guardrail=20 system or wall.

(2) When used to control access to areas where overhand = bricklaying and=20 related work are taking place:

(i) The controlled access zone shall be defined by a control = line=20 erected not less than 10 feet (3.1 m) nor more than 15 feet (4.5 = m) from=20 the working edge.

(ii) The control line shall extend for a distance sufficient = for the=20 controlled access zone to enclose all employees performing = overhand=20 bricklaying and related work at the working edge and shall be=20 approximately parallel to the working edge.

(iii) Additional control lines shall be erected at each end to = enclose=20 the controlled access zone.

(iv) Only employees engaged in overhand bricklaying or related = work=20 shall be permitted in the controlled access zone.

(3) Control lines shall consist of ropes, wires, tapes, or = equivalent=20 materials, and supporting stanchions as follows:

(i) Each line shall be flagged or otherwise clearly marked at = not more=20 than 6-foot (1.8 m) intervals with high-visibility material.

(ii) Each line shall be rigged and supported in such a way that = its=20 lowest point (including sag) is not less than 39 inches (1 m) from = the=20 walking/working surface and its highest point is not more than 45 = inches=20 (1.3 m) [50 inches (1.3 m) when overhand bricklaying operations = are being=20 performed] from the walking/working surface.

(iii) Each line shall have a minimum breaking strength of 200 = pounds=20 (.88 kN).

(4) On floors and roofs where guardrail systems are not in = place prior=20 to the beginning of overhand bricklaying operations, controlled = access=20 zones shall be enlarged, as necessary, to enclose all points of = access,=20 material handling areas, and storage areas.

(5) On floors and roofs where guardrail systems are in place, = but need=20 to be removed to allow overhand bricklaying work or leading edge = work to=20 take place, only that portion of the guardrail necessary to = accomplish=20 that day's work shall be removed.

(h) Safety monitoring = systems.=20 Safety monitoring systems [See =C2=A7=C2=A7 1926.501(b)(10) = and 1926.502(k)]=20 and their use shall comply with the following provisions:

(1) The employer shall designate a competent person to monitor = the=20 safety of other employees and the employer shall ensure that the = safety=20 monitor complies with the following requirements:

(i) The safety monitor shall be competent to recognize fall=20 hazards;

(ii) The safety monitor shall warn the employee when it appears = that=20 the employee is unaware of a fall hazard or is acting in an unsafe = manner;

(iii) The safety monitor shall be on the same walking/working = surface=20 and within visual sighting distance of the employee being = monitored;

(iv) The safety monitor shall be close enough to communicate = orally=20 with the employee; and

(v) The safety monitor shall not have other responsibilities = which=20 could take the monitor's attention from the monitoring = function.

(2) Mechanical equipment shall not be used or stored in areas = where=20 safety monitoring systems are being used to monitor employees = engaged in=20 roofing operations on low-slope roofs.

(3) No employee, other than an employee engaged in roofing work = [on=20 low-sloped roofs] or an employee covered by a fall protection = plan, shall=20 be allowed in an area where an employee is being protected by a = safety=20 monitoring system.

(4) Each employee working in a controlled access zone shall be = directed=20 to comply promptly with fall hazard warnings from safety = monitors.

(i) Covers. Covers = for holes in=20 floors, roofs, and other walking/working surfaces shall meet the = following=20 requirements:

(1) Covers located in roadways and vehicular aisles shall be = capable of=20 supporting, without failure, at least twice the maximum axle load = of the=20 largest vehicle expected to cross over the cover.

(2) All other covers shall be capable of supporting, without = failure,=20 at least twice the weight of employees, equipment, and materials = that may=20 be imposed on the cover at any one time.

(3) All covers shall be secured when installed so as to prevent = accidental displacement by the wind, equipment, or employees.

(4) All covers shall be color coded or they shall be marked = with the=20 word =E2=80=9CHOLE=E2=80=9D or =E2=80=9CCOVER=E2=80=9D to provide = warning of the hazard.

Note: This=20 provision does not apply to cast iron manhole covers or steel = grates used=20 on streets or roadways.

(j) Protection from falling=20 objects. Falling object protection shall comply with the = following=20 provisions:

(1) Toeboards, when used as falling object protection, shall be = erected=20 along the edge of the overhead walking/working surface for a = distance=20 sufficient to protect employees below.

(2) Toeboards shall be capable of withstanding, without = failure, a=20 force of at least 50 pounds (222 N) applied in any downward or = outward=20 direction at any point along the toeboard.

(3) Toeboards shall be a minimum of 31=E2=81=842 inches (9 = cm) in=20 vertical height from their top edge to the level of the = walking/working=20 surface. They shall have not more than 1=E2=81=844 inch (0.6 = cm)=20 clearance above the walking/working surface. They shall be solid = or have=20 openings not over 1 inch (2.5 cm) in greatest dimension.

(4) Where tools, equipment, or materials are piled higher than = the top=20 edge of a toeboard, paneling or screening shall be erected from = the=20 walking/working surface or toeboard to the top of a guardrail = system's top=20 rail or midrail, for a distance sufficient to protect employees = below.

(5) Guardrail systems, when used as falling object protection, = shall=20 have all openings small enough to prevent passage of potential = falling=20 objects.

(6) During the performance of overhand bricklaying and related=20 work:

(i) No materials or equipment except masonry and mortar shall = be stored=20 within 4 feet (1.2 m) of the working edge.

(ii) Excess mortar, broken or scattered masonry units, and all = other=20 materials and debris shall be kept clear from the work area by = removal at=20 regular intervals.

(7) During the performance of roofing work:

(i) Materials and equipment shall not be stored within 6 feet = (1.8 m)=20 of a roof edge unless guardrails are erected at the edge.

(ii) Materials which are piled, grouped, or stacked near a roof = edge=20 shall be stable and self-supporting.

(8) Canopies, when used as falling object protection, shall be = strong=20 enough to prevent collapse and to prevent penetration by any = objects which=20 may fall onto the canopy.

(k) Fall protection = plan. This=20 option is available only to employees engaged in leading edge = work,=20 precast concrete erection work, or residential construction work = (See=20 =C2=A7 1926.501(b)(2), (b)(12), and (b)(13)) who can = demonstrate that it=20 is infeasible or it creates a greater hazard to use conventional = fall=20 protection equipment. The fall protection plan must conform to the = following provisions.

(1) The fall protection plan shall be prepared by a qualified = person=20 and developed specifically for the site where the leading edge = work,=20 precast concrete work, or residential construction work is being = performed=20 and the plan must be maintained up to date.

(2) Any changes to the fall protection plan shall be approved = by a=20 qualified person.

(3) A copy of the fall protection plan with all approved = changes shall=20 be maintained at the job site.

(4) The implementation of the fall protection plan shall be = under the=20 supervision of a competent person.

(5) The fall protection plan shall document the reasons why the = use of=20 conventional fall protection systems (guardrail systems, personal = fall=20 arrest systems, or safety nets systems) are infeasible or why = their use=20 would create a greater hazard.

(6) The fall protection plan shall include a written discussion = of=20 other measures that will be taken to reduce or eliminate the fall = hazard=20 for workers who cannot be provided with protection from the = conventional=20 fall protection systems. For example, the employer shall discuss = the=20 extent to which scaffolds, ladders, or vehicle mounted work = platforms can=20 be used to provide a safer working surface and thereby reduce the = hazard=20 of falling.

(7) The fall protection plan shall identify each location where = conventional fall protection methods cannot be used. These = locations shall=20 then be classified as controlled access zones and the employer = must comply=20 with the criteria in paragraph (g) of this section.

(8) Where no other alternative measure has been implemented, = the=20 employer shall implement a safety monitoring system in conformance = with=20 =C2=A7 1926.502(h).

(9) The fall protection plan must include a statement which = provides=20 the name or other method of identification for each employee who = is=20 designated to work in controlled access zones. No other employees = may=20 enter controlled access zones.

(10) In the event an employee falls, or some other related, = serious=20 incident occurs, (e.g., a near miss) the employer shall = investigate the=20 circumstances of the fall or other incident to determine if the = fall=20 protection plan needs to be changed (e.g. new practices, = procedures, or=20 training) and shall implement those changes to prevent similar = types of=20 falls or incidents.

For questions or comments regarding e-CFR = editorial=20 content, features, or design, email ecfr@nara.gov.
For = questions=20 concerning e-CFR programming and delivery issues, email webteam@gpo.gov.

732 North Capitol Street, NW, Washington, DC = 20401-0001=20 202.512.1800

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