Fall Protection: Fall Protection: OSHA C t ti dOSHA C t ti dOSHA Construction and OSHA Construction and Industry working EverIndustry working EverIndustry working Ever Industry working Ever

Closer TogetherCloser TogetherggJ. Nigel Ellis Ph.D., CSP, P.E., CPE; EFSSJ. Nigel Ellis Ph.D., CSP, P.E., CPE; EFSS

Michael Buchet, Esq.; OSHA Office of ConstructionMichael Buchet, Esq.; OSHA Office of Construction

www FallSafety comwww FallSafety com: Educational Site: Educational Sitewww.FallSafety.comwww.FallSafety.com: Educational Site: Educational Site

June 14, 2011

Wh ill ff dWhat we will offer you today:First Nigel – What’s new and what problems are there

‐What you need to know about Fall Prot’n today

Then Mike – The process of OSHA in Fall Protection‐ The Hispanic effect: BLS statistics‐ Residential Construction Fall Protection

Then both – The Future Together; then YOU

The ASSE CD on this FP session is a vital The ASSE CD on this FP session is a vital historical reference document for you!

ASSE 1911 2011 100 YEARSASSE 1911 – 2011 100 YEARS1911 Church Steeples, Chimneys, ship sail rigging, window cleaning, tree trimming 1925 Rose Rope Grab1925 Rose Rope Grab1936 First proposal: belt/lanyard testing due to injuries1952 NSC/ASSE Report: Cadaver and anesthetized dog testing on belts/ropes  1964 Harness test report from Boeing1971 OSHA Construction regs: belts/manila or nylon ropes, 1926.104‐.1071971 OSHA Construction regs: belts/manila or nylon ropes, 1926.104 .1071975 ANSI A10.14 Construction; rev. 19911989 OSHA Exterior Building Maintenance regs  (1910.66 App. C)1991 OSHA Subpart X Stairs and Ladders (1926.1050‐ .1053)1992 ANSI Z359.1 and R1999 Gen. Industry1992 ANSI Z359.1 and R1999 Gen. Industry1994 OSHA Subpart M Construction Fall Protection (1926.500‐.503)(2001 1926.750)1998 Harnesses in OSHA Construction2001 Steel Erection fall protection through SENRAC2004 ANSI A10 322004 ANSI A10.322007 Z359.0, 1, .2, .3, .42009 Z359.6, .12, .132010 OSHA 1910 Sub D & I Proposal #2 (#1 1990) 

Q: Why so many falls even with $Billions Fall Equipment?

2011 Z359 t td2011 Z359 component stdsZ359 7 Certification of Fall Arrest SystemsZ359.7 Certification of Fall Arrest SystemsZ359.8 Rope AccessZ359 9 Descender DevicesZ359.9 Descender DevicesZ359.11 Full Body HarnessesZ359.14 SRD Self‐Retracting DevicesZ359.14 SRD Self Retracting DevicesZ359.15 Vertical LifelinesZ359.16 Fall Arresters: rope/cable/rail359 p / /Z359.17 HLL Packaged PFASZ359.18 Anchorage Connectors359 g

Coming ….. Soon …………..

What’s New in Fall ProtectionThree Point Control – engr’g white paper – horizontal hold*Fast Fall Arrester – SRL sensed and arrested fall in 24” Z359.14Platform Nets (Europe and S. Africa) – walkable accessFabric covers as fall protection for metal building insulationField temporary anchorages for unloading steel, concreteLadder climbing powered assist

( )3600 lbs gates for all snaphooks (connectors)Inspection – Tags with Velcro and e‐tags

*www.FallSafety.com FP education site

What to hold at heights:What to hold at heights:

Rungs -yesyes

Side rails –not reliablenot reliable

Young, Justin G. et al, Biomechanics of Hand/Handhold Coupling and Factors Affecting the Capacity to Hang On. Doctoral Dissertation Department of Industrial and Operations Doctoral Dissertation, Department of Industrial and Operations Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, December 2010.

Hold Ladder Side Rails at your peril

Three Point ControlEngineered Horizontal grab bars, rungs

Ladder is the product  /greatest fall injuries  Stairs highLadder is the product w/greatest fall injuries; Stairs high

Gain 3 ft!

Roof HatchFixed Ladder Two stair rails held

Walk in/outFixed Ladder Horizontal Grab Bar (Rung) Ext’n

Portable Ladder safetyPortable Ladder safetyextension fits to each side rail

F ll f i l l Falls from accessing upper levels with ladders: 3 ft extension solved; no step-around ladder hazardp

UP DOWN

Platform NetsPlatform NetsWalking working surfaceExpect soon in America

eg S. African World Cup stadiums built this way in 2009

Fabric covers as fall protectionFabric covers as fall protectionMetal Building Construction

Drop Test with 400 lbs sandbag as for nets presently

Fabric with high t th d l tstrength and low tear

supports insulation

Fall Incidents of Concern:Ladder Climbing “Fall Back” with harness = free fallLadder and pole climbing “Push Down” = accelerationRope Grab “Drive Down” = free fallY‐lanyard “Star falls” = neck injury as body spinsSnaphook gates 220 lbs still >50% equipment sales* Rise in fatalities of Hispanic workers (#1 in 9 states 2003‐6)Transportation: stationary vehicle fatalities loadingLabels field obliteration now helped with e‐tags & velcro

*Replacement of Equipment is Likely needed

Y‐lanyardY‐lanyard

Brisbane, Aus., 2004Brisbane, Aus., 2004

EliminateGuardSafety Factor*Safety FactorRedundancy

*Y-linkage now 5000 lbs per Z359.1-2007

Snaphook Gates Check Equip’tPost 2007 Gates 3600 lbs min. Pre 2007 Gates 220 lbsGates get bent inward or outward due to incompatibilityEmployers should make  all anchors compatible w/snapsNose of hook problem still to be solved

Weak Weak ?

Weak

Weak t

nosenose?

Strong gate

noseNose opens

gateWeak gate

Z359.1-2007Z359.1-1992(R1999)

Other products of interestOther products of interestTanktruck, truck top and crane boom access systemsM bil   f  h   t  / l  (C lOSHA i )Mobile roof anchor cart w/claw (CalOSHA issues)

Mobile anchor for truck work

Fall Hazard ConcernsNot enough thinking about the elevated access Collapse of structure may be 50% of fall deathsEquipment should not be regarded as fool‐proof

Use 3600 lbs or 5000 lbs snaphook gatesI t f tl  f    d f tInspect frequently for any defect

Follow the updated Hierarchy of Fall Protection:Eliminate firstEliminate firstGuard (Railings and PFAS)Safety Factor – strength and cross‐section increasedSafety Factor  strength and cross section increasedRedundancy – two or more solutions

Industry, Construction & OSHAMike Buchet on the progress of OSHA in Fall Protection and what you may not knowT d     f  A iTowards a safer America

OSHA and Industry Working Ever y gCloser to Improve Construction Fall ProtectionProtection

R id ti l F ll P t tiResidential Fall Protection A Case Studyy

Michael M.X. Buchet, Esq.Senior Occupational Safety and Health SpecialistASSE‐Safety 2011, June 14, 2011ASSE Safety 2011, June 14, 2011Session 678

Residential Fall ProtectionResidential Fall ProtectionEarly History

Construction Safety Act (CSA) [P.L. 91‐54; August 9, 1969] S / H Regs for Construction in 29 CFR Part 1518 ACCSH created to advise Secretary

The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) (84 Stat. 1590; 29 U.S.C. 651 et seq.), 

Adopted various construction standards, May 1971, p , y 97 ,including CSA related standards – 6(a) rulemaking

Re‐designated as Part 1926 in December 1971

Residential Fall ProtectionResidential Fall ProtectionEarly History

29 CFR 1518 relied on American National Standards Institute languagelanguage.

Became 29 CFR 1926 Subpart M (1971)

For example 29 CFR 1926 500For example 29 CFR 1926.500Guardrails, handrails, and coversANSI A12.1 (1967)

ParticipationANSI ‐ ConsensusF d l R i t   P bli  N tiFederal Register – Public Notice

Residential Fall ProtectionResidential Fall Protection29 CFR 1926 Subpart M amended

1972:  skylight openings and runways1972:  skylight openings and runways1980:  low‐pitched roofs – built up roofing work

Subpart M complete review: 1977Subpart M complete review: 1977ACCSH multiple reviews and submitted meeting transcripts to Secretary 

Now in DocketNow in Docket

Docket # OSHA‐S206‐2006‐0699www.regulations.gov – 263 itemsg g 3

Residential Fall ProtectionResidential Fall ProtectionHistory

Agency extended comment periodTo August 1987

Agency held public hearingsMarch 1988

Post hearing briefs / record certifiedPost hearing briefs / record certifiedMay 1988 / August 1988: Judge Williams

Items included“single family” and “residential non‐single family”Feasibility / relied on existing technology

Residential Fall ProtectionResidential Fall ProtectionHistory

1992:  Agency reopened record – 6(b) rulemaking/notice & comment1993 ‐March:  Agency reopened record

ALSO included residential constructionF ibilit  Feasibility 

Roof trussesExterior walls

“Conventional fall protectionGuardrail, Personal Fall Arrest, Safety Net systems

Residential Fall ProtectionResidential Fall ProtectionHistory

Received 28 CommentsComments closed May 28, 1993y 993

Final rule: August 9, 1994Included 1926.501(b)(13) “Residential construction”

STD    D b  8  STD 3.1 – December 8, 19954 Groups: 1‐frame/sheath, 2‐CMU/form/foundation, 3‐HVAC, Plumbing, other specific activities in attics/on roofs, 4‐roofing 

k  work  Definition for purposes of STD application only

Residential Fall ProtectionResidential Fall ProtectionRecent History

STD 3.1a (STD 03‐00‐001)3 ( 3 )June 18, 1999Plain language revision of STD 3.1

Feasibility/Fall protection plan writtenNo determination required / No written plan required

Continues interim enforcement policy

Residential Fall ProtectionDecember 2010

STD 03‐11‐002 ‐ December 16, 2010Scheduled enforcement June 16, 2011Rescinds STD 03‐00‐001

H ?How?ACCSH – recommendationOSHAPA – recommendationOSHAPA  recommendationIndustry – recommendation

R id i l F ll P iResidential Fall ProtectionDecember 2010

STD 03‐11‐002 – cont’dInterprets 1926.501(b)(13)“Residential construction” 

End‐use “residence/dwelling” requirementTraditional wood frame construction materials/methods requirementqLimited use of steel beamExterior brick/block walls over wood framing

M l  d   lMetal studs also

Questions about Fall ProtectionUnderstanding the Federal process and how we inputSnaphook gate strength 3600 lbs Z359 v. 220 lbs A10.32Skylights after 40 years: less than 1% have metal screens to prevent falls through uv‐exposed  domes – why?Sh ld OSHA f       li i i   f h dShould OSHA focus more on elimination of hazards