STSC Fall Protection and Prevention 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: At what height does OSHA's fall protection standard for construction (29 CFR 1926 Subpart M) require fall protection?
- 4 feet
- 6 feet (Correct answer)
- 8 feet
- 10 feet
Correct answer: 6 feet
OSHA requires fall protection for construction workers exposed to falls of 6 feet or more to a lower level.
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.502 requires employers to provide fall protection for workers at heights of 6 feet or more in construction (compared to 4 feet in general industry). This applies to work on scaffolds, during steel erection, at floor openings, at the edges of roofs and floors, and in other elevated work situations. The three acceptable fall protection systems are: guardrail systems, safety net systems, and personal fall arrest systems.
Question 2: The maximum free fall distance allowed when using a personal fall arrest system (PFAS) is:
- 4 feet
- 6 feet (Correct answer)
- 10 feet
- 12 feet
Correct answer: 6 feet
OSHA limits free fall to 6 feet when using a PFAS, and the system must stop the fall before the worker reaches 6 feet below the work surface.
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.502(d)(16) requires that personal fall arrest systems limit maximum arresting force to 1,800 lbs, limit free fall distance to 6 feet, and arrest the fall within 3.5 feet after the free fall, so the worker's total fall does not exceed 6 feet below the work level. The anchor point must be capable of supporting at least 5,000 lbs. Workers must not contact lower levels during fall arrest.
Question 3: When using a safety monitoring system as fall protection, the safety monitor must:
- Be equipped with a safety harness
- Be a competent person who is on the same walking/working surface and within visual range of workers (Correct answer)
- Monitor no more than 20 workers at one time
- Be stationed at the edge of the roof at all times
Correct answer: Be a competent person who is on the same walking/working surface and within visual range of workers
The safety monitor must be a competent person who can see the workers and warn them when they approach the unprotected edge.
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.502(h) permits safety monitoring systems on low-pitched roofs (4:12 or less) when no other system is feasible. The safety monitor must: be a competent person; be on the same walking/working surface; be within visual sighting distance of the workers; be close enough to communicate orally; and not have duties that could distract from monitoring. Workers must comply immediately with warnings. This system is limited to specific roof work situations.
Question 4: A self-retracting lifeline (SRL) provides fall protection by:
- Connecting a worker to a horizontal lifeline at all times
- Automatically locking when fall velocity is detected, limiting free fall distance (Correct answer)
- Providing a fixed-length lanyard that allows controlled descent
- Anchoring to the structure and absorbing shock through a deceleration device
Correct answer: Automatically locking when fall velocity is detected, limiting free fall distance
SRLs use a centrifugal braking mechanism that activates automatically when the line starts to pay out rapidly due to a fall.
Self-retracting lifelines (SRLs) contain a spring-loaded drum that automatically retracts the lifeline during normal movement. When a fall begins and the line pays out faster than normal walking speed, a centrifugal braking mechanism engages, locking the drum and arresting the fall within inches to a few feet. This dramatically reduces free fall distance compared to traditional lanyards with shock absorbers. SRLs must be anchored directly above the worker for best performance.
Question 5: What type of fall protection is required for workers performing leading edge work where traditional fall protection methods are infeasible?
- Warning line systems set back 6 feet from the edge
- A combination of warning lines, safety monitors, or approved alternative fall protection methods (Correct answer)
- Only fall arrest systems are acceptable for leading edge work
- No fall protection is required if work is performed quickly
Correct answer: A combination of warning lines, safety monitors, or approved alternative fall protection methods
For leading edge work where conventional systems are infeasible, a combination approach using warning lines and other approved methods may be used.
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.502(k) allows employers to develop and implement a written fall protection plan if conventional fall protection is not feasible or creates greater hazards. For leading edge work, combinations of warning line systems (set back at least 6 feet from the edge), controlled access zones, and safety monitors may be used. The employer must document why conventional systems are infeasible and ensure all workers are trained.
Question 6: Holes in floors must be covered or protected with guardrails when they are:
- Larger than 2 inches in any dimension
- Large enough for a worker's foot to pass through or any hole in a walking/working surface (Correct answer)
- Wider than 12 inches
- Greater than 18 inches in diameter
Correct answer: Large enough for a worker's foot to pass through or any hole in a walking/working surface
Any hole large enough for a foot, tool, or worker to pass through in a walking/working surface must be covered or guarded.
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.502(i) defines a hole as a gap, void, or opening in a floor, roof, or other walking/working surface that is 2 inches or more in its least dimension. All such holes must either be covered with material that can support at least twice the maximum anticipated load, be guarded by guardrails on all unprotected sides, or both. Covers must be marked 'HOLE' or 'COVER' and secured against displacement.
STSC Fall Protection and Prevention 2
At what height does OSHA's fall protection standard for construction (29 CFR 1926 Subpart M) require fall protection?