FAQS

What is the difference between "Competent and Qualified person" as related to OSHA fall protection regulations?

OSHA fall protection standard uses the terms "competent person" and "qualified person" when designating responsibility for different aspects of a safe, fall protected working environment. Is there a difference ? ......... Absolutely.

A "competent person" is defined by OSHA 29 CFR 1926.32 (f) as someone"... who is capable of identifying existing and predicable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them"

OSHA 29 CFR 1926.32 (m) defines a "qualified person" as someone"... who, by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or who by extensive knowledge, training, and experience, has successfully demonstrated his ability to solve or resolve problems relating to the subject matter, work, or the project"

Remember, A competent person may NOT be qualified !

What are the most frequently cited serious violations of OSHA fall protection provisions?

• 1. Failure to protect workers from falls of 4 feet of more off unprotected sides or edges, e.g. floors and roofs. (1926.501(b)(1); (b)(10); and (b)(11))
• 2. Failure to protect workers from falling into or through holes and openings in floors and walls. (1926.501(b)(4) and (b)(14))
• 3. Failure to provide guardrails on runways and ramps where workers are exposed to falls of 6 feet or more to a lower level. (1926.501(b)(6))

What are some effective control measures that can be used for the serious hazards for which OSHA has most frequently cited employers?

• 1. Determine if any of the work (even a small portion) can be performed at ground level or if a crane can be used to lift assembled portions (e.g., sections of roofing) into place, eliminating or reducing the number of workers exposed to falling.
• 2. Tether or restrain the worker so he or she cannot reach the edge thereby eliminating the fall hazard.
• 3. Consider the use of aerial lifts or elevated platforms to provide better working surfaces rather than walking top plates or beams.
• 4. Erect guardrail systems, warning lines, or control line systems to protect workers from falls off the edges of floors and roofs.
• 5. Place covers over holes as soon as they are created if no work is being done at the hole.
• 6. Use safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems (body harness).

What good work practices can be used to provide protection from falls when conventional systems are not feasible?

• 1. Designate one of the workers as a safety monitor to observe employees and to alert employees of hazards that could cause them to trip or fall.
• 2. Establish a designated area or control zone in which workers when conventional fall protection systems such as guardrails and personal fall arrest systems are not feasible or create a greater hazard.
• 3. Store materials in an area away from where workers are exposed to fall hazards.

What is a Swing Fall?

A Swing Fall increases your risk of striking an object or lower level during the pendulum motion.

Remember this about Swing Falls………..
Fall distances can actually increase during a Swing Fall. The shock load from a Swing Fall can be the same as it would be for a vertical fall. During a Swing Fall you can strike an object or lower level before the fall arrest system stops your fall.

It is important to think about the potential for a swing fall when you connect to a Self Retracting Lifeline (SRL). You increase the risk of a Swing Fall if you do not keep the SRL directly over your head. Moving to a position where the SRL is not directly over your head increases the length of the SRL cord, increasing fall distances.

A case in point. “ A worker recently attached a SRL to a third floor column and moved away from the column, extending the SRL cord 16 feet, creating the possibility of a pendulum motion swing fall. He fell, swinging first onto a lower level and, striking a column on the lower level.”

Single Source Turnkey Responsibility

You receive single source responsibility for the design, engineering, fabrication, installation, training and certification of permanent and temporary fall arrest and fall protection equipment.

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