"Free fall" is defined in the standard as "the vertical displacement of the fall arrest attachment point on the employee's. Second, under §1926.502(d)(16)(iii), a personal fall arrest system must limit an employee's free fall to not more than six feet. Because the lanyard is attached to the body harness at a point that is more than half-way up the body, an additional distance of about 3-4 feet must be added to assure that no part of the employee's body makes contact with the surface. A 6 foot lanyard that incorporates a shock absorbing system may have a total extension of up to about 9½ feet before a fall is completely arrested. First, under §1926.502(d)(16)(iii), a personal fall arrest system must prevent the employee from contacting the level below. Several factors must be considered in determining how much distance will be needed for a fall arrest system to work - to prevent the worker from contacting the next lower level. Using a six foot lanyard, a fall distance as high as approximately 14 feet would result only if the system were anchored at the worker's feet, as explained below. When anchored above the worker, a typical personal fall arrest system will arrest a fall in 6 feet or less. ![]() In your letter you assert that personal fall arrest systems will not arrest a fall from an elevation lower than 15 feet. Personal Fall Arrest Systems can be set up to limit arrested falls to less then 15 feet. You note that a number of general contractors in Georgia "are attempting to require personal fall arrest systems for their subcontractors working on ladders 6 feet or higher." Although the OSHA standards do not require fall protection for workers on fixed ladders below 24 feet or on portable ladders, we encourage employers to provide additional protection. Neither the ladder standard (, subpart X) nor the fall protection standard (, subpart M) requires fall protection for workers while working on portable ladders. Portable ladders: fall protection is not required for employees climbing or working on portable ladders. Also, even if the length of climb is less than 24 feet, under §1926.1053(a)(18), cages, wells, ladder safety devices, or self-retracting lifelines must be provided where the top of the fixed ladder is greater than 24 feet above lower levels. A fixed ladder is "a ladder that cannot be readily moved or carried because it is an integral part of a building or structure" (§1926.1050(b)). 1053(a)(19) states that fall protection must be provided whenever the length of climb on a fixed ladder equals or exceeds 24 feet. We apologize for the lateness of this response.įixed ladders: fall protection must be provided for employees climbing or working on fixed ladders above 24 feet. You specifically ask if OSHA has any requirements for the use of fall protection when working from ladders at heights greater than six feet. ![]() This is in response to your May 26, 1999, letter in which you ask for clarification of several issues relating to the use of fall protection when working from ladders during construction work. Mechanical Contractors Association of America, Inc.
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