What OSHA 1926.502 covers
29 CFR 1926.502 sets the criteria and work practices for the fall protection systems construction employers use to meet Subpart M. When fall protection is required, generally at 6 feet or more above a lower level, is set by 1926.501, and training requirements are in 1926.503. Personal fall protection in general industry is covered by 29 CFR 1910.140.
Guardrail systems
- Top rails must be 42 inches, plus or minus 3 inches, above the walking/working level (1926.502(b)(1)).
- Midrails, screens or mesh are required between the top rail and the walking/working surface when there is no wall or parapet at least 21 inches high (1926.502(b)(2)).
- Guardrails must withstand at least 200 pounds applied within 2 inches of the top edge in any outward or downward direction (1926.502(b)(3)).
Safety net systems
- Nets must be installed as close as practicable under the working surface, and never more than 30 feet below it (1926.502(c)(1)).
- Mesh openings must not exceed 36 square inches or be longer than 6 inches on any side (1926.502(c)(7)).
Personal fall arrest systems
- Connectors must be drop forged, pressed or formed steel, or equivalent materials, and D-rings and snaphooks must have a minimum tensile strength of 5,000 pounds (1926.502(d)(1)–(3)).
- Only locking snaphooks may be used (1926.502(d)(5)).
- Anchorages must support at least 5,000 pounds per employee attached, or be designed as part of a complete system with a safety factor of at least two under the supervision of a qualified person (1926.502(d)(15)).
- The system must limit the maximum arresting force to 1,800 pounds with a body harness, stop the employee within a deceleration distance of 3.5 feet, withstand twice the potential impact energy of a 6-foot free fall, and be rigged so the employee can neither free fall more than 6 feet nor contact a lower level (1926.502(d)(16)).
- Body belts have not been acceptable as part of a personal fall arrest system since January 1, 1998.
- Systems subjected to impact loading must be removed from service until a competent person inspects them (1926.502(d)(19)), employers must provide for prompt rescue (1926.502(d)(20)), and systems must be inspected before each use for wear, damage and deterioration (1926.502(d)(21)).
Other systems
The section also covers positioning device systems, warning line systems on roofs (erected at least 6 feet from the roof edge), controlled access zones, safety monitoring systems, and covers for holes, which must support at least twice the weight of the employees, equipment and materials that may be placed on them (1926.502(e)–(i)).
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