Describe in broad terms the requirements of OSHA's fall protection standard (29 CFR 1926: Subpart M)

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Regulations from OSHA regulation 1926 that apply specifically to fall protection in scaffolding work are as follows:
• 1926.451(g)(2) reads: "The employer shall have a competent person determine the feasibility and safety of providing fall protection for employees erecting or dismantling supported scaffolds. Employers are required to provide fall protection for employee erecting or dismantling supported scaffolds where the installation and use of such protection is feasible and does not create a greater hazard."
• 1926.502(d)(15) reads: "Anchorages used for attachment of personal fall arrest equipment shall be independent of any anchorage being used to support or suspend platforms and capable of supporting at least 5,000 pounds (22.2 kilograms) per employee attached, or shall be designed, installed and used as follows:
(i) as part of a complete personal fall arrest system which maintains a safety factor of at lest two; and
(ii) under the supervision of a qualified person."
• 1926.451(d)(16) reads: "Personal fall arrest systems, when stopping a fall, shall:
(iii) limit maximum arresting force on an employee to 900 pounds (4 kg) when used with a body belt;
(iv) limit maximum arresting force on an employee to 1,800 pounds (8 kg) when used with a body harness.
(v) be rigged such that an employee can neither free-fall more than 6 feet (1.8 m); nor contact any lower level.
(vi) bring an employee to a complete stop and limit maximum deceleration distance an employee travels to 3.5 feet (1.07 m); and
(vii) have sufficient strength to withstand twice the potential impact energy of an employee free-falling a distance of 6 feet (1.8 m), or the free fall distance permitted by the system, whichever is less."