The following information is from the OSHA website under the Fall Protection directive for residential construction:
- If an employer is engaged in residential construction, but does not provide guardrail systems, safety net systems, personal fall arrest systems, or other fall protection allowed under 1926.501(b), a citation for violating 1926.501(b)(13) should be issued unless the employer can demonstrate the infeasibility of these protective measures or the existence of a greater hazard. If the employer demonstrates infeasibility or a greater hazard, the CSHO must determine if the employer has implemented a fall protection plan meeting the requirements of 1926.502(k). Part of that determination will be based on whether the employer has instituted alternative measures to reduce or eliminate fall hazards.
- Under STD 03-00-001, the employer was not required to have a fall protection plan that was written and site-specific. With the cancellation of STD 03-00-001, fall protection plans under 1926.502(k) must be written and site-specific. If the fall protection plan is not written, site-specific, or otherwise fails to meet the requirements of 1926.502(k), the violation should be cited as a grouped citation of 1926.501(b)(13) and 1926.502(k). A written plan developed for repetitive use for a particular style/model home will be considered site-specific with respect to a particular site only if it fully addresses all issues related to fall protection at that site.
What does all this mean??? It means, you must have a fall protection plan in place BEFORE construction starts. This plan may be updated throughout construction but it is imperative that a plan is in place. The OSHA inspector will ask for it and if you don’t have one, or it is not acceptable, fines will be issued!!!
Don’t get caught without a fall protection plan in place. Call L.A.W. Construction Safety Consultants today to discuss how your plan can be put together to ensure the safety of all your employees.