OSHA
The engineers and industry professionals at Peak Fall Protection are committed to the highest standards of quality and safety. We are proud to provide products and services to our valued customers, as well as education on Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) safety regulations and standards.
OSHA Standards: An Overview
The OSHA is the main federal agency that enforces safety and health legislation in the workplace. OSHA has established an extensive set of laws regarding fall protection. All of Peak Fall Protection’s products are built to meet the OSHA requirements and regulations to ensure employee safety.
In the construction industry in the U.S., falls are the leading cause of worker fatalities. Each year, on average, between 150 and 200 workers are killed and more than 100,000 are injured as a result of falls at construction sites. OSHA recognizes that accidents involving falls are generally complex events frequently involving a variety of factors. Consequently, the standard for fall protection deals with both the human and equipment-related issues in protecting workers from fall hazards. For example, employers and employees need to do the following:
- Where protection is required, select fall protection systems appropriate for given situations.
- Use proper construction and installation of safety systems.
- Supervise employees properly.
- Use safe work procedures.
- Train workers in the proper selection, use and maintenance of all protection systems.
The following are two OSHA standards, OSHA 1920 – General Industry and OSHA 1926 – Construction Industry, which address fall protection. Each standard is different and tailored to its respective industry. Twenty-five states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have OSHA-approved State Plans, which are required to be at least as effective as Federal OSHA. For the most part, these States adopt standards that are identical to Federal OSHA. However, some States have adopted different standards applicable to this topic or may have different enforcement policies. Other federal standards and consensus standards related to fall hazards are included for reference.
OSHA 1926 – Construction Standards
The construction industry is high-hazard, and Peak Fall Protection wants to do all we can to keep the our clients’ construction workplaces safe and secure. With the proper equipment and training, fall injuries and fatalities can be prevented. The following is a list of the most commonly referenced OSHA safety standard sections addressed by our products and services:
This section sets forth requirements for employers to provide fall protection systems.
This standard establishes requirements for guardrail systems. This includes top rail height of 42, plus or minus 3 inches, from the working surface and mid-rail height that is between the top edge of the guardrail and the working surface. This standard also includes spacing requirements, load specifications, and standards for materials such as plastic or synthetic rope.
This standard establishes the guidelines for fall arrest systems. This includes requirements for connectors (D-rings and snap hooks), body harnesses and lanyards, vertical and horizontal lifelines, and specifications for anchorages.
This standard provides information on the requirements for positioning devices such as free fall distance, connection points on a body harness, and specifications for equipment used.
OSHA 1910 – General Industry Standards
In addition to ANSI Construction Standards, Peak Fall Protection products and services also comply to ANSI General Industry Standards. The following is a list of the most commonly referenced sections which are addressed by our products and services, including guardrail systems, anchor points and more:
This standard states that every stairway floor opening shall be guarded by a standard railing. The railing shall be provided on all exposed sides (except at entrance to stairway). For infrequently used stairways where traffic across the opening prevents the use of fixed standard railing (as when located in aisle spaces, etc.), the guard shall consist of a hinged floor opening cover of standard strength and construction and removable standard railings on all exposed sides (except at entrance to stairway). Floor openings are any opening measuring 12 inches or more in its least dimension, in any floor, platform, pavement, or yard through which persons may fall; such as a hatchway, stair or ladder opening, skylight, or large manhole.
This standard establishes requirements for any building that has or is looking to install a system, fixed or transportable, to be used for building maintenance. These systems include powered platforms, transportable outriggers, davits, and other suspended equipment. This standard also covers requirements that apply to affected part of the building which utilize working platforms; such as structural supports, tie-downs, tie-in guides, and anchoring devices.
This standard establishes guidelines for an employer’s managed fall arrest system which includes, designs for system components; system performance criteria; care and use; inspections.
