On guard!

Properly guarding fall hazards can keep workers from going over the edge.

If you look at averages, the construction industry can expect to lose about one worker a day from a deadly fall. From 1995 to 1999, our industry averaged 362 fatalities from falls each year, according to OSHA reports. Of all construction fatalities, a third of them can be attributed to falls on jobsites.

To help reduce falls on construction sites, OSHA has researched the incidents, categorized the hazards and offers options in its standards that can help reduce fall hazards. The following information was derived from that standard; you can read the complete standard on the Internet by going to www.osha.gov and searching for 29 CFR 1926.501.

OSHA requires employers to provide some sort of fall protection anywhere on a construction site where workers are exposed to vertical drops of 6' or more. It can be provided in one of the following ways and must be in place before work begins by:
• placing guardrails around the hazard area;
• deploying safety nets, or
• providing personal fall arrest systems for each employee.

The type of fall protection depends on the nature and location of the work. Typically, guardrails are most appropriate near edges and around stairwells, shafts or where other floor or roof openings occur.

But guardrails can’t be slapped in place. If guardrails are to effectively do their jobs, they must meet several provisions:

The top edge height of the top rails or equivalent guardrail members must be between 39" and 45" above the walking or working level. That means if workers are on stilts, the guardrail top height must be the height of the stilts, plus 39" to 45".

Midrails, mesh, screen, vertical members or equivalent intermediate structures must be used between the top edge and the working surface if there is no wall or other structure that is at least 21" high.

Midrails must be positioned midway between the floor and the top rail, but mesh or screen must reach from the top rail to the floor and from vertical support to vertical support. Any other midrails, architectural panels, balusters or other material that are part of the guard must be positioned so there are no openings any wider than 19".

The system must be strong. The guardrail system must be able to withstand at least 200 pounds of force applied within 2" of the top edge. It must be able to take the force from any direction and at any point along the top edge of the guardrail. It must be able to deflect downward to a height of no less than 39" above the walking/working level.

Midrail materials, whether they are made out of horizontal members, mesh or screens, must also be able to withstand a force of 150 lbs. in any direction and at any point along the midrail or other member.

The guardrails must be smooth. There should be no jagged edges or rough surfaces that could puncture, cut or snag clothing.

The toprails and midrails must be fitted to the terminal posts so they do not create a projection hazard.

Where guardrails are needed
Where are guardrails needed? Just about anywhere there is a 6' drop and a chance that a worker could fall. The standard specifically outlines the need for guarding or some form of fall protection in these areas:
• unprotected sides and edges;
• hoisting areas;
• holes in floors and roofs, such as stairwells and skylights;
• formwork higher than 6';
• ramps; runways and walkways;
• excavations deeper than 6' or those not easily seen because of plant growth or other visual barrier;
• dangerous equipment;
• overhand brick laying and related work (standards for using scaffolds in bricklaying are covered under Subpart L of 29 CFR 1926.501);
• roofs of all types;
• pre-cast concrete erection;
• residential construction; and
• wall openings.

You need toe boards, too
The guarding should also be designed to help prevent tools and supplies from getting dropped and falling off the sides of the walking/working surface. Toe boards must also be in place if the guarding doesn’t have screening that will prevent items from falling over the edge. This does not replace the need for wearing hard hats.

Preserve your personal space
Even with the proper guarding in place, Tim Gibson, executive director at the Institute for Construction Education in Decatur, Illinois, says that workers need to be aware of their need for personal space when working in elevated areas.

“Stick your arms out to your side and in front and back of you. You should maintain a 3' distance for other workers to help prevent any interference,” he says. That’s especially important in areas where guarding is inappropriate and fall arrest systems must be used.

Gibson also emphasizes the importance of the competent person on the jobsite. “This is someone who has been trained in fall protection. It should be a foreman or a lead journeyman who has been trained in the proper use of scaffolding, fall arrest systems, ladder use and in some cases, netting use. This person should be able to train workers on the proper use of the fall protection systems,” he says.

Observe your state’s rules
Although OSHA is rather explicit in its 29 CFR 1926.501 standard, each state has the right to make its own standards more stringent. “Check to make sure your state follows the OSHA guidelines, or if it has developed its own standards. If your state has its own standard, that’s the one you need to follow,” Gibson says.

Published in the May/June 2003 issue of Contractor Tools and Supplies magazine.

back to top