Fall Protection Federal and State OSHA Regulations and ANSI Standards

Useful links to Federal and State OSHA fall protection regulations and ANSI standards include:

• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) www.osha.gov
• American National Standards Institute, Inc. (ANSI) www.ansi.org
• CAL/OSHA Regulations - http://www.in.gov/labor/iosha/
• Washington State WAC/DLI/WSHA Regulations - http://lni.wa.gov/
• Oregon State OAR Fall Protection Subdivision M 437-003-0040(1) Regulations - http://www.orosha.org/pdf/rules/division_3/div3m.pdf
• Michigan State OSHA - http://www.michigan.gov/cis/0,1607,7-154-10575---,00.html
• Indiana State OSHA - http://www.in.gov/labor/iosha/

(ANSI Z359.1-1992) 1.1 Scope- This standard establishes requirements for the performance, design, marking, qualification, instruction, training, inspection, use, maintenance and removal from service of connectors, full body harnesses, lanyards, energy absorbers, anchorage connectors, fall arresters, vertical lifelines, and self retracting lanyards comprising personal fall arrest systems for users within the capacity range of 130 to 310 lbs. (59 to 140 kg).

1.2.1 This standard addresses only personal fall arrest systems (PFAS) incorporating full body harnesses. Whenever the term “system” is used in the standard if refers to a personal fall arrest system.

3.1.2 When subjected to tests contained in 4.2, a personal fall arrest system in which a full body harness is used shall produce a maximum arrest force (MAF) of not more than 1,800 pounds (8.0kN) and shall bring the fall to a complete stop with a deceleration distance of not more than 42 inches (1,067 mm). In suspension, after the fall is arrested, the angle at rest which the vertical center line of the test torso makes with the vertical shall not exceed 30 degrees.

3.2.1.4 Snaphooks and carabiners shall be self closing and self locking and shall be capable of being opened only by at least two consecutive deliberate actions.

3.2.2.4 The harness shall provide support for the body across the lower chest, over the shoulders and around the thighs when a tensile load is applied to the fall arrest attachment elements. The harness, when properly fitted and used, shall prevent fall-out. The fall arrest attachment shall be located at the back (dorsal) position.

3.2.4.7 When energy absorbers are dynamically tested in accordance with 4.3.5.2, the maximum arrest force shall not exceed 900 lbs. (4 kN).

3.2.8.7 Static Strength- When tested in accordance with 4.3.7.3, the SRL shall withstand a tensile load of 3,000 pounds (13.3 kN) statically applied directly to the point of SRL line connection to the SRL drum.

3.2.8.9. Dynamic Performance- When tested in accordance with 4.3.7.1, the SRL shall lock and remain locked until released. The arrest distance shall not exceed 54 inches (1,372 mm). Maximum arrest force shall not exceed 1,800 pounds (8kN).

5.1.2 The legibility and attachment of required markings shall endure for the life of the component, subsystem, or system being marked.

5.3.1 Instructions shall be provided to the user, printed in English, and affixed to the equipment at the time of shipment from the manufacturer.

(OSHA 1926.502) (a) General. (1) Fall protection systems required by this part shall comply with the applicable provisions of this section.

(2) Employers shall provide and install all protection systems required by this support for an employee, and shall comply with all other pertinent requirements of this subpart before that employee begins the work that necessitates the fall protection.

(c) Personal fall arrest systems. Personal fall arrest systems and their use shall comply with the provisions set forth below. Effective January 1, 1998, body belts are not acceptable as part of a personal fall arrest system. Note: The use of a body belt in a positioning device system is acceptable and is regulated under paragraph (e) of this section.

(5) Snaphooks shall be sized to be compatible with the member to which they are connected to prevent unintentional disengagement of the snaphook by depression of the snaphook keeper by the connected member, or shall be a locking type snaphook designed and used to prevent disengagement of the snaphook by the contact of the snaphook keeper by the connected member. Effective January 1, 1998, only locking type snaphooks shall be used.

(15) 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 kN) 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 least two; and
• (ii) under the supervision of a qualified person.

(16) Personal fall arrest systems, when stopping a fall, shall:

• (i) limit maximum arresting force on an employee to 900 pounds (4 kN) when used with a body belt;
• (ii) limit maximum arresting force on an employee to 1,800 pounds (8 kN) when used with a body harness;
• (iii) be rigged such that an employee can neither free fall more than 6 feet (1.8m), nor contact any lower level;
• (iv) bring an employee to a complete stop and limit maximum deceleration distance an employee travels to 3.5 feet (1.07m),; and,
• (v) have sufficient strength to withstand twice the potential impact energy of an employee free falling a distance of 6 feet (1.8m), or the free fall distance permitted by the system, whichever is less.

(d) Positioning device system. Positioning device systems and their use shall conform to the following provisions:

• (1) Positioning devices shall be rigged such that an employee cannot free fall more than 2 feet (.9m)
• (2) Positioning devices shall be secured to an anchorage capable of supporting at least twice the potential impact load of an employee’s fall or 3,000 pounds (13.3 kN), whichever is greater.

(OSHA 1926.503)

(a) Training Program.

• (1) The employer shall provide a training program for each employee who might be exposed to fall hazards. The program shall enable each employee to recognize the hazards of falling and shall train each employee in the procedures to be followed in order to minimize these hazards.

(OSHA 1910.27) (d.5) Ladder safety devices may be used on tower, water tank and chimney ladders over 20 feet in unbroken length in place of cage protection. No landing platform is required. All ladder safety devices, such as those that incorporate life belts, friction brakes, and sliding attachments, must meets the design requirements of the ladders they serve.

(ANSI A14.3-1992)

7.1.3 The ladder safety device shall be designed to absorb the impact of a solid object weighing at least 500 pounds in a free fall of 18 inches.

7.1.4 Design and installation of mountings shall not reduce the design safety factors of the fixed ladders.

7.3.1 The safety sleeve shall be of a type which can be operated entirely by the person using the ladder safety device. It shall permit the person using the ladder safety device to ascend or descend without having to continually manipulate the safety sleeve.

7.3.3 The maximum length of the connection between the centerline of the carrier and the point of attachment to the body belt shall not exceed 9 inches.

(OSHA 1910.66) (i) Personal Fall Protection. Employers must provide personal fall arrest systems meeting the requirements outlined. Requirements include the following:

• Anchorages to which personal fall arrest equipment is attached shall be capable of supporting at least 5,000 pounds (22.2kN) per employee attached, or shall be designed, installed and used as part of a complete personal fall arrest system which maintains a safety factor of at least two, under the supervision of a qualified person.
• Personal fall arrest systems shall, when stopping a fall:
  • (1) limit maximum arresting force on an employee to 900 pounds (4kN) when used with a body belt; and
  • 2) limit maximum arresting force on an employee to 1,800 pounds (8kN) when used with a body harness.
• Personal fall arrest systems shall be rigged such that an employee can neither free fall more than 6 feet (1.8m), nor contact any lower level.
• Personal fall arrest systems or components subject to impact loading shall be immediately removed from service and shall not be used again for employee protection unless inspected and determined by a competent person to be undamaged and suitable for reuse.
• Before using a personal fall arrest system, and after any component or system is changed, employees shall be trained in accordance with the requirements of paragraph 1910.66
  • (i)(1), in the safe use of the system.
• Personal fall arrest systems shall be inspected prior to each use for mildew, wear, damage and other deterioration.
• Defective components shall be removed from service if their strength or function may be adversely affected.