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Mandatory OSHA Fall Protection Plan for Contractors; 6/16/2011

Posted by Mark Paskell on Sat, Jun 04, 2011 @ 01:54 PM

The new OSHA Fall Protection Standard enforcement date is 6/16/2011. Many of the contractors we have recently trained in our RRP classes were not aware of the OSHA directive. Unfortunately many contractors will find themselves in peril if their job is visited by an OSHA inspector starting 6/16/2011.

To help contractors avoid having a bad day we have set up OSHA Fall Protection Training in Massachusetts. Click here to sign up. 

Note; we provide OSHA trainings for lumberyards, material suppliers and trade associations who want to bring this training to their contractor clients and members.

Here is a synopsis of the details from the OSHA FAQ post;             OSHA

Now that OSHA has rescinded STD 03-00-001, what do residential construction employers have to do to protect employees from fall hazards?

  • Employees working six (6) feet or more above lower levels must be protected by conventional fall protection methods listed in 1926.501(b)(13) ( i.e., guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems ) or alternative fall protection measures allowed by other provisions of 29 CFR 1926.501(b) for particular types of work.
  • Safety Nets                 Figure 7 - An example of a safety net system.
  • Fall Restraints             Figure 9 - Anchors that can be used while performing roof sheathing operations. 
  • Guard Rails                 Figure 10 - An exterior bracket scaffold with guardrails being used to protect workers while weatherproofing.
  • An example of an alternative fall protection measure allowed under 1926.501(b) is the use of warning lines and safety monitoring systems during the performance of roofing work on low-sloped roofs. (4 in 12 pitch or less). (See 1926.501(b)(10)).
  • OSHA allows the use of an effective fall restraint system in lieu of a personal fall arrest system. To be effective, a fall restraint system must be rigged to prevent a worker from reaching a fall hazard and falling over the edge. A fall restraint system may consist of a full body harness or body belt that is connected to an anchor point at the center of a roof by a lanyard of a length that will not allow a worker to physically reach the edge of the roof.
  • When the employer can demonstrate that it is infeasible or creates a greater hazard to use required fall protection systems, a qualified person must develop a written site-specific fall protection plan in accordance with 1926.502(k) that, among other things, specifies the alternative fall protection methods that will be used to protect workers from falls.

When will residential construction employers that were covered by STD 03-00-001 have to start complying with 1926.501(b)(13)?

The effective date of STD 03-11-002 is June 16, 2011.

Why was compliance directive STD 03-00-001 rescinded?

Falls continue to be the leading cause of death among construction workers. Statistics show that fatalities from falls are consistently high for residential construction activities. OSHA considered the comments received in response to the 1999 ANPR and was not persuaded that compliance with 1926.501(b)(13) is infeasible or presents significant safety hazards for most residential construction employers. The recommendations from ACCSH, OSHSPA, and the NAHB, as well as the mounting evidence that has been presented to the ACCSH Residential Fall Protection Work Group showing that conventional fall protection is available and can be used safely for almost all residential construction operations, provide a separate and independent grounds for OSHA's decision to withdraw STD 03-00-001.

What are the training requirements for the use of fall protection systems?

In accordance with 29 CFR 1926.503, the employer must ensure that each employee who might be exposed to fall hazards has been trained by a competent person to recognize the hazards of falling and in the procedures to be followed in order to minimize those hazards. In addition, the employer must verify the training of each employee by preparing a written certification record that contains the name/identity of the employee trained, the date(s) of training, and the signature of the employer or the person who conducted the training. (End of OSHA segment)

Helping contractors with timely training opportunities

The Contractor Coaching Partnership has added this timely training to help contractors navigate the choppy waters caused by OSHA's new focus on our industry. This new directive, on top of other regulatory agencies I have personally with met this year like EPA, DOS, DIA and OCABR is coming at a tough time. We are amazed at all the recent regualtory attention our industry is receiving. All at once government is trying to get the residential construction industry up to the same standards as the commercial construction industry.

With that said we will continue to provide the best guidance and training to help residential contractors avoid the confusion, hassles, fines and unpleasantness of being unprepared if visited by OSHA or other enforcement inspectors.

Fall Protection Training  SIGN UP NOW!

OSHA Respiratory and Medical Monitoring Training  to help contractors comply with the Mass RRP Lead Law. SIGN UP NOW!

mark the coach

"one voice for the residential construction industry"

Tags: fall protection