FALL PROTECTION Roofing and other work from heights Programs/Fall Protection Program.pdf · FALL PROTECTION Roofing and other work from heights . Foreword . ... (5.1 cm) or more in

Document Reference: Fall Protection Program

Author: Office of Environmental Health & Safety

Date Issued: 5/01 Policy Number: FP 001 Date Last Revised: 7/06 Number of Pages: 31

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FALL PROTECTION

Roofing and other work from heights

Foreword

Section 1. Responsibilities

1.1 Office of Environmental Health and Safety

1.2 Department of Administration 1.3 Individual Employees Working among Fall Hazards 1.4 Contractors

Section 2. Definitions and Scope

2.1 Definitions 2.2 Construction vs. General Industry work 2.3 Scope 2.4 Exceptions

Section 3. General Requirements for Accessing Roofs

Section 4. Traditional Fall Arrest Systems

4.1 Guardrail Systems 4.2 Safety Net Systems 4.3 Personal Fall Arrest Systems

Section 5. Other Fall Protection Systems 5.1 Fall Restraint Systems 5.2 Warning Line Systems 5.3 Safety Monitoring Systems 5.4 Fall Protection Plans 5.5 Residential Construction Fall Protection Alternatives to Conventional Fall

Protection Systems 5.6 Hole Covers, including Skylight Protection 5.7 Fall Protection for Structures That Support Overhead Electric Power Generation,

Transmission, and Distribution Lines and Equipment 5.8 Temporary Measures for Roofs Requiring Installation of Fall Protection Systems




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Section 6. Positioning Device Systems

Section 7. Protection from Falling Objects

Section 8. Employee Training

8.1 Scope and Applicability 8.2 Frequency

Section 9. Scaffolding

Section 10. Ladders

10.1 Portable Ladders 10.2 Fixed Ladders

Section 11. Aerial Lifts

Appendix 1. Report on Fall Protection Systems Recommendations, Ryan-Biggs

Associates, Troy, NY, 12/19/01(hard copy only)

Appendix 2. Fall Protection Recommendations Table, Ryan-Biggs Associates (with

modifications by the Office of Environmental Health and Safety)

Appendix 3. Roof Access Policy/Schedule for Buildings with Chemical or Other Roof

Hazards

Appendix 4. Structural/Design Requirements for Fall Protection Systems

Appendix 5. Fall Protection Plans and Related Information




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Foreword

This program contains the practices and procedures required to comply with the OSHA standards addressing fall protection during work at heights (29 CFR 1926 Subpart M: Fall Protection, 29 CFR 1926 Subpart L: Scaffolds, 29 CFR 1926 Subpart X: Ladders, 29 CFR 1910 Subpart D: Walking-Working Surfaces, and 29 CFR 1910 Subpart R: Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution). Falls from elevation are a major cause of accidents and fatalities in the workplace. The installation of fall protection equipment and its proper maintenance and use, coupled with employee training on recognizing fall hazards, substantially decreases the risk of injury-causing falls from rooftops and other heights. The Office of Environmental Health and Safety contracted a civil engineering firm, Ryan-Biggs Associates of Troy, NY, to conduct a survey of Rensselaer roofs and to recommend fall protection options for Rensselaer buildings. The results of this survey and accompanying recommendations are contained in Appendix 1 and 2. The Office of Environmental Health and Safety will review this program on an annual basis. Changes and/or additions will be made based on experience gained in actual use of the program and on changes to federal or local regulations. Documentation of the annual review of the program and all changes made to it will be maintained for a minimum period of one (1) year. Section 1. Responsibilities

1.1 The Office of Environmental Health and Safety must: 1.1.1 Develop and implement a fall protection program.

1.1.2 Provide training for fall hazard awareness and use and care of fall protection equipment.

1.1.3 Document training. 1.1.4 Review the fall protection program annually and revise as necessary.

1.2 The Department of Administration must:

1.2.1 Provide the Office of Environmental Health and Safety with the names of new employees so that awareness and other training, as required, may be scheduled and provided.

1.2.2 Install fall protection systems where required. 1.2.3 Maintain in working order all required fall protection systems and equipment, scaffolding, ladders, and all other equipment required for safe work from heights. 1.2.4 Provide barriers to be installed during roofing work to protect passers-by from

falling materials or equipment.




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1.2.5 Ensure that contractors are trained in the use of the permanent fall arrest systems installed on Rensselaer's rooftops, and have met all of the contractor responsibilities listed in Section 1.4. 1.2.6 Remove stressed (i.e. used to arrest a fall) fall protection equipment from active use until it has been certified reusable by a qualified person. If the equipment is

deemed unsafe for reuse, the Administration division must destroy and replace the equipment.

1.2.7 Ensure that employees constructing scaffolding or preparing to use ladders or aerial lifts are properly trained.

1.2.8 Ensure that employees engaged in work activities on elevated surfaces are properly trained.

1.2.9 Require that Administration employees comply with the requirements and work practices outlined in the program, and provide for discipline when employees fail to act in accordance with the plan.

1.3 Individual Employees Working Among Fall Hazards must:

1.3.1 Attend and understand training designed for their job description's level of fall hazards before working among the fall hazards.

1.3.2 Properly use all equipment. 1.3.3 Inspect equipment for defects before each use. 1.3.4 Inform a supervisor and remove equipment from active use when it is found to be defective. 1.3.5 Ensure that passers-by are protected from falling equipment/materials while

performing roofing or other work at heights. 1.3.6 Report any near-miss incidents or stresses of fall protection equipment. 1.3.7 Comply with the requirements and work practices outlined in this plan.

1.4 Contractors Hired to do Roofing or Other Work Where Fall Hazards Are Present must:

1.4.1 Be trained in the use of fall protection systems when their use is required. 1.4.2 Properly use their own harnesses, lanyards, and other portable equipment when using

Rensselaer's permanently installed anchorages and lifelines. 1.4.3 Inspect equipment for defects before each use. 1.4.4 Ensure that passers-by are protected from falling equipment/materials while

performing roofing or other work. 1.4.5 Report any near-miss incidents or stresses of Rensselaer-owned fall protection

equipment. 1.4.6 Comply with the requirements and work practices outlined in this plan.




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Section 2.

2.1 Definitions Anchorage: a secure point of attachment for lifelines, lanyards, or deceleration devices. Body belt (safety belt): a strap secured about the waist with means for attaching it to a positioning lanyard. Attaching fall protection/arrest systems to body belts is prohibited; belts are to be used for positioning/restraint operations only.

Body harness: an arrangement of straps used in a fall arrest system to attach lanyards/lifelines to the employee and to distribute forces over the seat and shoulders during fall arrest.

Buckle: any device for holding the body belt or harness closed around the user's body. Connector: a device that is used to couple (connect) parts of a personal fall arrest system or positioning device system together. It may be an independent component of the system, such as a carabiner, or in integral component of part of the system (such as a buckle or d-ring sewn into a harness, or a snaphook spliced or sown to a lanyard). Controlled Access Zone (CAZ): an area in which certain work may take place without the use of guardrail systems, personal fall arrest systems, or safety net systems when access to the zone is controlled and a fall protection plan is in place. See Section 5.4 and Appendix 5 of this document to determine when fall protection plans are permitted. Conventional fall protection system: either a guardrail system, safety net system, or personal fall arrest system; required when work must be performed where fall hazards are present.




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D-ring: a metal ring on a body belt or harness used to attach the employee to a lifeline/lanyard. For personal fall arrest systems, the d-ring in the back of the harness at shoulder level is used. For climbing a fixed climbing protection system, the d-ring towards the front of the harness or on the side is used. Side d-rings are also used for positioning.

Dangerous equipment: equipment, such as tanks, degreasing units, machinery, electrical equipment, and others, that, as a result of form or function, may be hazardous to employees who may fall into or onto such equipment.

Deceleration device: any mechanism, such as a rope grab, rip-stitch lanyard, specially woven lanyard, tearing or deforming lanyards, automatic self-retracting lifelines/lanyards, etc., that serves to dissipate a substantial amount of energy during a fall arrest, or otherwise limits the energy imposed on an employee during a fall arrest.

Deceleration distance: the additional vertical distance a falling employee travels, excluding lifeline elongation and free fall distance, before stopping, from the point at which the deceleration device being to operate. It is measured as the distance between the location of an employee's body harness attachment point at the onset of fall arrest forces during a fall, and the location of that attachment point after the employee comes to a full stop. Equivalent: alternative designs, materials, or methods to protect against a hazard that the employer can demonstrate will provide an equal or greater degree of safety for employees than the methods, materials or designs specified in this fall protection program. Fall protection system: Any equipment or plan designed to prevent falls from heights, including conventional fall arrest systems (personal fall arrest, safety nets, guardrails), warning lines, safety monitors, etc. Fall restraint system: a form of fall protection that uses a lifeline with a shorter length than the distance to the fall hazard, thus preventing the user from approaching and/or falling over the edge. Failure: load refusal, breakage, or separation of component parts. Free fall: the act of falling before a personal fall arrest system begins to apply force to arrest the fall.

Free fall distance: the vertical displacement of the fall arrest attachment point on the employee's body harness between onset of the fall and just before the system beings to apply force to arrest the fall. This distance excludes deceleration distance, and lifeline/lanyard elongation, but




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includes any deceleration device slide distance or self-retracting lifeline/lanyard extension before they operate and fall arrest forces occur.

Guardrail system: a barrier erected to prevent employees from falling to lower levels. High winds: Sustained winds of 30 mph or more, or gusts of 45 mph or more. Hole: a gap or void 2 inches (5.1 cm) or more in its least dimension, in a floor, roof, or other walking/working surface.

Infeasible: the impossibility of performing work using a conventional fall protection system or the technical impossibility of using any one conventional fall protection system to provide fall protection. This program describes alternate methods of fall protection when use of conventional systems is infeasible (an extremely rare occurrence). Lanyard: a flexible line of rope, wire ropes, or strap that generally has a connector at each end for connecting the body harness to a deceleration device, lifeline, or anchorage. Leading edge: the edge of a floor, roof, or formwork for a floor or other walking/working surface (such as a deck) that changes location as additional floor, roof, decking, or formwork sections are placed, formed, or constructed.

Lifeline: a component consisting of a flexible line for connection to an anchorage at one end to hang vertically (vertical lifeline) or for connection to anchorages at both ends to stretch horizontally (horizontal lifeline), and that serves as a means for connecting other components of a personal fall arrest system to the anchorage. Locking snaphook: a connector comprised of a hook-shaped member with a normally closed keeper, or similar arrangement, which may be unlocked and pressed open to permit the hook to receive an object and, when released, automatically closes and locks to retain the object. Use of non-locking snaphooks in personal fall arrest systems and positioning systems is prohibited. Low-slope roof: a roof having a slope less than or equal to 4 in 12 (vertical to horizontal). Lower levels: those areas or surfaces to which an employee may fall, including but not limited to ground levels, floors, platforms, ramps, runways, excavations, pits, tanks, material, water, equipment, structures, or portions thereof.




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Mechanical equipment: all motor or human propelled wheeled equipment used for roofing work, except wheelbarrows and mopcarts.

Opening: a gap or void 30 inches (76 cm) or more high and 18 inches (48 cm) or more wide, in a wall or partition through which employees may fall to a lower level. Overhand bricklaying and related work: the process of laying bricks and masonry units such that the surface of the wall to be jointed is on the opposite side of the wall from the mason, requiring the mason to lean over the wall to complete the work. Related work includes mason tending and electrical installation incorporated into the brick wall during the overhand bricklaying process. Parapet: A low protective wall or railing along the edge of a raised structure such as a roof or balcony. Parapets meeting requirements for guardrail height and strength are considered guardrails for fall protection purposes.

Personal fall arrest system: a system used to arrest an employee in a fall from a working level, consisting of an anchorage, connectors, and body harness and possibly including a lanyard, deceleration device, lifeline, or suitable combinations of these. The use of a body belt for fall arrest is prohibited.

Positioning device system: a body belt or harness rigged to allow an employee to be supported on an elevated vertical surface, such as a wall, and work with both hands while leaning. Qualified person: As used in electrical standards, refers to a person trained and knowledgeable of the construction and operation of equipment or a specific work method, and trained to recognize and avoid electrical hazards that may be present with respect to that equipment or work procedures. Such persons are familiar with the proper use of special precautionary techniques, personal protective equipment, insulating and shielding material, and insulated tools and test equipment. Residential construction: Building construction where the working environment, materials, methods, and procedures are essentially the same as those used in building a typical single family home or townhouse, characterized by use of wood framing (not steel or concrete), wooden floor joists and roof structures, and traditional wood frame construction techniques.

Rope grab (deceleration device)

Lanyard

Lifeline




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Roll-out: the term for when an unlocked snaphook releases itself from its connector due to movement or twisting of the lifeline or lanyard. Rope grab: a deceleration device that travels on a lifeline and automatically, by friction, engages the lifeline and locks so as to arrest the fall of an employee. A rope grab usually employs the principle of inertial locking, cam/level locking, or both.

Roof: the exterior surface on the top of a building.

Roofing work: the hoisting, storage, application, and removal of roofing materials and equipment, including related insulation, sheet metal, and vapor barrier work, but not including the construction of the roof deck. Safety factor: the ratio of the breaking stress of a structure to the estimated maximum stress in ordinary use.

Safety monitoring system: a safety system that is part of a fall protection plan used when it has been determined that use of conventional fall protection systems are infeasible, in which a competent person is responsible for recognizing and warning employees of fall hazards. Safety monitors may also be used under certain circumstances for low-slope roof work outside of a fall protection plan. Self-retracting lifeline/lanyard: a deceleration device containing a drum-wound line that can be slowly extracted from, or retracted onto, the drum under slight tension during normal employee movement, and which, after onset of a fall, automatically locks the drum and arrests the fall. Severe thunderstorm warning: A warning issued by the National Weather Service when a thunderstorm produces hail 3/4 of an inch or larger in diameter and/or winds which equal or exceed 58 mph.

Steep roof: a roof having a slope greater than 4 in 12 (vertical to horizontal)

Toeboard: a low protective vertical barrier erected along exposed edges that will prevent the fall of materials and equipment to lower levels and provide personnel with protection from falls. Tornado warning: A warning issued by the National Weather Service when a tornado has been sighted or indicated by radar. Unprotected sides and edges: any side or edge (except at entrances to points of access) of a walking/working surface (floor, roof, ramp, runway, etc.) where there is no wall or guardrail system at least 39 inches (1.0 m) high.




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Walking/working surfaces: any surface, whether horizontal or vertical on which an employee must be located in order to perform their job duties, including but not limited to floors, roofs, ramps, bridges, runways, formwork, and concrete reinforcing steel. Ladders, vehicles, and trailers are not considered walking/working surfaces. Warning line system: a barrier erected on a roof to warn employees that they are approaching an unprotected roof side or edge, and which designates an area in which roofing work may take place when use of conventional fall protection systems is infeasible and a fall protection plan is in use. Warning lines may also be used under certain conditions for low-slope roof work outside of a fall protection plan.

Wind advisory: A warning issued by the National Weather Service when sustained winds of 30 mph or more are expected to last one hour or more, or when gusts of 45 mph or more are expected for any duration. Work area: that portion of a walking/working surface where job duties are performed. 2.2 Construction vs. General Industry work While OSHA's construction (29 CFR 1926) and general industry (29 CFR 1910) standards both address fall protection, there are some differences in the requirements. OSHA's definition of construction, as found in the scope of the construction standard (29 CFR 1926.10), includes alteration and repair, including painting and decorating. However, OSHA notes that "there are some activities that will be classified as either general industry or construction depending on other activities occurring at the same time or same site." For example, painting can also be considered general industry work if it is general maintenance work (i.e., an anticipated, routine, and periodic task performed to prevent degradation or maintain an original condition) and not related to construction, alteration or repair. The major difference between the standards is that while construction requires fall protection when there is a risk or falling 6 feet or more, general industry work requires fall protection at 4 feet. In many cases (such as on most roofs) both standards would apply, depending upon the type of work performed. While OSHA allows for use of the more detailed construction standard for guidance in general industry work, the construction standard regulations may not be substituted for applicable general industry regulations. To ease implementation and eliminate confusion, Rensselaer's Office of Environmental Health and Safety has elected to require fall protection where there is a risk of falling 4 feet or more for both work categories. However, construction work without fall protection where there is a risk of falling up to 6 feet may be permitted with prior approval from the Office of Environmental Health and Safety. Requests for approval must be submitted before work begins.




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2.3 Scope The fall protection requirements and procedures outlined in this program must be used when employees (or contractors) perform work where there is a risk of a falling 4 feet (1.2 meters) or more to a lower level. The various locations/types of work where fall protection is required and the types of fall protection systems allowed in each case are listed in Table 2.3.1. Table 2.3.1 Fall protection system options for various locations/types of work. One of the checked options must be

in place when there is a fall risk of 4 feet (1.2 meters) or more.

FALL PROTECTION SYSTEMS

LOCATION/WORK1 Guardrails Safety

Nets Personal Fall

Arrest Other

Walking/working surface with an unprotected side or edge

Other systems may be permitted; see Section 5.

Roofing (low-slope roofs with unprotected sides and edges)

See footnote #2

Roofing (steep roofs with unprotected sides and edges)

3

Holes (including skylights, ladderways, hatches, pits)4

5

Covers

Leading edge construction6 7 Fall protection plan8

Precast concrete erection Fall protection plan8 Residential construction Fall protection plan8 or

alternative guidelines Hoist areas

9, 10 10

Formwork/Reinforcing steel11

Positioning device systems11

Ramps, runways, stairways, other open-sided walkways

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Excavations

Fences or barricades

Wells, pits, shafts Fences, covers, or barricades < 6 feet above dangerous equipment (construction)

Equipment guards

> 6 feet above dangerous equipment (construction) ANY DISTANCE above dangerous equipment (general industry)

Toeboards also required.

Overhand bricklaying/related work

Fall Protection Plan with a Controlled Access Zone

Reaching more than 10 in. (25 cm) below the level of the walking/working surface

On, at, above, or near wall openings13,14 Manhole openings OR covered Fixed ladders taller than 20 feet15 Ladder safety devices, or a

cage or well Scaffolding16 Toeboards also required. Walking/working surfaces not otherwise addressed




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1. These locations and/or types of work require ANY of the checked fall protection systems if there is a risk of

falling 4 feet (1.2 meters) or more to a lower level. 2. Other fall protection options for low-slope roofing work are use of a combination of a warning line system with

one of the following: guardrail system, safety net system, personal fall arrest system, or safety monitoring system. For roofs 50 ft or less in width, the use of a safety monitoring system alone (without the warning line system) is permitted.

3 If guardrails are to be installed for fall protection on steep roofs, toeboards are also required. 4. Holes must be covered or surrounded by guardrails to prevent employees from walking or tripping into them, as

well as to protect workers below from falling objects. Skylights constructed of material capable of withstanding 200 lbs. of force are considered covered and do not require further fall protection.

5. Additional requirements:

5.1 When guardrail systems are used, they must be erected on all unprotected sides or edges (and can serve as sufficient fall protection in lieu of a cover). 5.2 If the hole is used for the passage of materials, not more than 2 sides of the hole may be provided with removable guardrail sections. 5.3 If the hole is used as a point of employee access (such as a ladderway), guardrail systems must be provided with a gate or be so offset that a person cannot walk directly into the hole. 5.4 Guardrails used to protect floor opening must include toeboards. 5.5 Covers may be used in lieu of guardrails. When covers are not in place, removable railings must be installed

around the hole. 5.6 Hatchway/chute floor openings may be guarded by a hinged cover along with permanent guardrails on all but

one side (the exposed side must be guarded with removable railings when the cover is open) OR a removable railing with toeboard on not more than 2 sides, with fixed railings with toeboards on the other exposed sides.

6. Both employees constructing the leading edge and employees present on the walking/working surface where the

leading edge work is taking place need to be protected from falling by the listed fall protection options. 7. IF a guardrail system is chosen AND a controlled access zone has already been established for leading edge work,

the control line may be used in lieu of a guardrail along the edge that parallels the leading edge. 8. Exception: For leading edge construction, precast concrete erection, and residential construction, when the

employer can demonstrate that it is infeasible or creates a greater hazard to use these systems, the employer must develop and implement a fall protection plan that meets the requirements of 29 CFR 1926.502, paragraph k. There is a presumption that use of fall protections IS feasible and will not create a greater hazard to implement at least one of the above listed fall protection systems. Accordingly, the employer has the burden of establishing that it is appropriate to implement a fall protection plan that complies with 1926.502(k) for a particular workplace situation, in lieu of implementing any of those systems. See Section 5.5 for further alternate guidelines for residential construction fall protection.

9. A chain, gate, or removable guardrail section must be placed across the access opening between guardrail sections when hoisting operations are not taking place. 10. A personal fall arrest system must be used when guardrail systems (in whole or in potions) must be removed to facilitate the hoisting operation and employees must lean through the access opening or out over the edge of the access opening (such as when receiving or guiding equipment or materials). When a personal fall arrest system is used at hoist areas, it must be rigged to allow the movement of the employee only as far at the edge of the




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walking/working surface.

11. Because rebar assemblies are similar to a fixed ladder, OSHA has allowed workers while constructing rebar

assemblies to climb without fall protection up to 24 feet. Once employees reach their work location, or climb above 24 feet, they must use fall protection as specified. Positioning device systems are not to be used as fall protection, but may be used during rebar assembly construction activities to maintain worker balance and position.

12. Must be erected along every unprotected side or edge, except where there is an entrance to a ramp, stairway, or

fixed ladder. Toeboards must be erected if persons may pass, moving machinery is present, or there is equipment with which falling materials could create a hazard beneath the open sides. Specifications for stairway railings may be found in 29 CFR 1910.23(d).

13. Construction standard: where the outside bottom edge of the wall opening is 6 feet (1.8 meters) or more above the

lower levels and the inside bottom edge of the wall opening is less than 39 inches (1.0 meter) above the walking/working surface (including those wall openings with chutes attached).

14. General Industry standard: applies to wall openings at least 30 inches high and 18 inches wide with a drop of

more than 4 feet, through which a person may fall. An equivalent barrier may be used in place of guardrails. 15. In the construction standard, the fixed ladder height above which fall protection is required is 24 feet. The more

stringent general industry standard is to be used at Rensselaer, since the same fixed ladders are used for both construction and general industry work.

16. See Section 9 of this document for additional requirements and information for scaffolding use.

2.4 Exceptions The fall protection requirements and procedures outlined in Section 2 of this program DO NOT apply to the following: 2.4.1 when employees are making an inspection, investigation, or assessment of workplace conditions prior to the actual start of work or after all work has been completed in the case of construction ONLY.

2.4.2 when employees are working on ladders (See Section 10 of this document).

Section 3. General Requirements for Accessing Roofs

3.1 Due to the hazards encountered when working on roofs, the following requirements must be

met before employees access a roof:

3.1.1 Ensure that the roof is structurally sound and strong enough to safely support the employee(s) and their equipment. Do not access roofs known to be unsound. 3.1.2 Ensure that proper fall protection is in place. Fall protection options include fall

arrest systems, safety nets, guardrails, warning lines, and/or safety monitors. See the




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fall protection table in Appendix 2 for fall protection requirements for individual Rensselaer buildings.

3.1.3 Employees must be trained to recognize fall hazards and trained in the use of fall protection.

3.1.4 If the building contains chemical fume hoods or releases other potentially hazardous materials via the roof, access is limited to scheduled equipment shutdown times. Consult the building coordinator for access to roofs in an emergency or at other times outside the normal access schedule. To ensure that occupants are suitably notified of shutdowns, 48-hour notice is required for non-emergencies. If exposure to chemicals on the roof cannot be avoided, an assessment of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements and the use of appropriate PPE is necessary before initiating work. See Appendix 3 for a list of affected buildings, their scheduled access times, and contact information.

3.1.5 If other hazards, such as microwave transmitters or radiation sources, are present in the areas where work is to be performed, employees must contact the building supervisor to coordinate a shutdown of the equipment before accessing the roof.

3.1.6 Employees must inform their supervisor when they will be accessing roofs and must carry their radio while on the roof.

3.1.7 Roofs should not be accessed during severe thunderstorm warnings, tornado watches, wind advisories, or when visibility is severely limited due to fog, rain, or snow. Personnel must assess the weather conditions with their supervisors before accessing roofs to determine if the conditions allow for safe access.

Section 4. Traditional Fall Arrest Systems

4.1 Guardrail Systems Guardrail systems are considered the fall protection system of choice since they ensure protection for all personnel with roof access and the protection does not require special equipment. A listing of Rensselaer buildings where guardrails are installed or recommended may be found in Appendix 2. Appendix 4 lists the structural requirements for guardrails. 4.2 Safety Net Systems Safety net systems for fall protection are not widely used, but are permitted. Requirements for their use may be found in Appendix 4.




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4.3 Personal Fall Arrest Systems

4.3.1 Permitted Usage

Personal fall arrest systems may be used for fall protection only where proper anchorages have been installed.

4.3.2 Use Requirements

Appendix 4 lists the structural requirements for components of personal fall arrest systems. The following general rules also apply:

4.3.2.1 Design and installation of anchorages and horizontal lifelines must be

performed by qualified individuals. 4.3.2.2 The use of body belts as part of a personal fall arrest system is prohibited. 4.3.2.3 System users must be trained in equipment use and care. 4.3.2.4 All components of personal fall arrest systems must be inspected prior to each use for wear, damage, and other deterioration. Defective components must be removed from service as soon as they are discovered. 4.3.2.5 When more than one employee is using the same anchorage, each

employee must be attached to a separate lifeline and/or lanyard. 4.3.2.6 Harnesses and components must be used only for employee protection as

part of a personal fall arrest system and not to hoist materials. 4.3.2.7 Personal fall arrest systems must be attached ONLY to designated fall

arrest anchorages. Do not attach to guardrail systems, hoists, or other items that have not been verified as capable of resisting the forces generated in a fall.

4.3.2.8 All components of personal fall arrest systems subjected to impact loading must be immediately removed from service and must not be used again for employee protection until inspected and determined by a competent

person to be undamaged and suitable for reuse. Components determined to be unsuitable for reuse must be destroyed and replaced with undamaged equipment.

4.3.2.9 Employees using personal fall arrest systems must have a functioning radio on their persons at all times.

4.3.2.10 The use of a second employee (safety monitor) to oversee the roof access is required when special hazards are present or suspected.




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Section 5. Other Fall Protection Systems

5.1 Fall Restraint Systems OSHA currently had no specific standard for fall restraint systems; however, OSHA interpretive letters permit their use for fall protection. Fall restraint systems prevent users from approaching and/or falling over the edge by utilizing lifelines with a shorter length then the distance to the edge. Fall restraint systems must have the capacity to withstand at least 3,000 pounds of force or twice the maximum expected force that is needed to restrain the person from exposure to the fall hazards. 5.2 Warning Line Systems


Use of warning lines as a fall protection measure is permitted for work on low-slope roofs in combination with guardrail systems, safety net systems, personal fall arrest systems, or safety monitoring systems. Safety monitoring systems are addressed in Section 5.3 of this document. Warning lines are used to define a working area away from the edge of a roof where work can be performed – when employees remain within the warning lines, no other fall protection system is required. If employees must work outside the perimeter of the warning lines, other fall protection must be used. Generally, for low-slope roofs greater than 50 feet wide, safety monitoring is recommended to protect employees working outside the warning line perimeter, but other fall protection options, if available, may be used. Structural/design and safety requirements for warning lines may be found in Appendix 4. 5.2.2 General safety requirements

General safety requirements for warning line system use are as follows:

5.2.2.1 The warning line must be erected around all sides of the roof work area. 5.2.2.2 When mechanical equipment is not being used, the warning line must be erected not less than 6 feet (1.8 m) from the roof edge. 5.2.2.3 When mechanical equipment is being used, the warning line must be erected

not less than 6 feet (1.8 m) from the roof edge that is parallel to the direction of mechanical equipment operation, and not less than 10 feet (3.1 m) from the roof edge that is perpendicular to the direction of mechanical equipment operation.

5.2.2.4 Mechanical equipment on roofs must be used or stored only in areas where employees are protected by a warning line system, guardrail system, or personal fall arrest system.




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5.2.2.5 No employee is permitted into the area between a roof edge and a warning

line unless the employee is performing roofing work in that area and a safety monitor is present.

5.2.3 Verbal Warning Lines Verbal warning lines involve the substitution for training and operational limitations for physical warning lines when general industry work and minor repairs (roofing repairs taking 4 hours or less to complete) on low-slope roofs is to be occasionally performed. The verbal warning line concept is meant to recognize that properly trained personnel performing work such as maintenance of rooftop equipment located in the center of a roof will not put themselves in a position to fall from the edge of the roof. See Appendix 1 for the OSHA directives and interpretive letters used as the basis for this concept. Verbal warning lines may be used for fall protection when all of the circumstances listed below (5.2.3.1.1 and 5.2.3.1.2) are met.

5.2.3.1 Verbal Warning Line Use Requirements

5.2.3.1.1 Verbal warning line use is permitted:

1. ONLY on roofs that are NOT accessed on a "predictable and regular basis", which, as defined by OSHA Directives STD 1-1.3 - Fall Protection in General Industry, is more than once every 2 weeks or for a total of 4 man-hour or more

during any sequential 4 week period (e.g. 2 employees once every 4 weeks for

2 hours = 4 man hours per 4-week period). If roofs are accessed more often,

physical warning lines, guardrails, or other fall protection is required.

2. on low-slope roofs only. 3. when work is to be performed 6 feet or more from the edge.

4. when no items are suspended from the roof edge (i.e. tools being hauled up the side of the building).

5. when no items greater than 16 square feet or that otherwise may act as a sail in the wind are being handled.

6. when sufficient lighting is available (daylight or lit to a minimum of 5 lumens/sq.ft).

5.2.3.1.2 Verbal warning line use is NOT permitted:

1. during major construction activities (including repairs taking more than 4

hours to complete). Construction activities require physical warning lines,

guardrails, or other fall protection.

2. during inclement weather that may cause slip hazards and/or limited visibility (including high winds or a high wind advisory, heavy rain, thunderstorms or a

severe thunderstorm warning, snow/ice storms, fog).




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If all of the above requirements cannot be met, use of physical warning lines or other fall

protection is required. Additionally, physical warning lines or guardrails may be used at

any time in place of verbal warning lines.

5.3 Safety Monitoring Systems


Use of safety monitoring systems as fall protection is permitted only for work on low-slope roofs in combination with a warning line system. When work is required outside the perimeter of the warning lines, the safety monitor must be used. If the low-slope roof is 50 feet or less in width, a safety monitoring system alone may be used for fall protection. 5.3.2 Safety Requirements

5.3.2.1 The person designated as the safety monitor must:

1. be trained to recognize fall hazards. 2. be on the same walking/working surface and within visual sighting

distance of the employees being monitored. 3. be close enough to communicate orally with the employees. 4. warn employees when it appears that they are unaware of a fall hazard or

are acting in an unsafe manner. 5. NOT have other responsibilities that may take the monitor's attention

from the monitoring function.

5.3.2.2 Mechanical equipment (defined here as all motor or human propelled wheeled equipment used for roofing work, except wheelbarrows and mopcarts) must not be used or stored in areas where safety monitoring systems are being used to monitor employees.

5.3.2.3 No employees, other than those engaged in roofing work or covered by a fall protection plan, are permitted to enter an area where an employee is being protected by a safety monitoring system. 5.3.2.4 Employees must promptly comply with fall hazard warnings from safety

monitors.

5.4 Fall Protection Plans

The use of fall protection plans is prohibited without prior approval of the Office of Environmental Health and Safety. Requirements for use of fall protection plans are listed in Appendix 5.




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5.5 Residential Construction Fall Protection Alternatives to Conventional Fall Protection Systems

5.5.1 Basis for Alternative Procedures OSHA Directive STD 3-0.1A – Plain Language Revision of OSHA Instruction STD 3.1, Interim Fall Protection Compliance Guidelines for Residential Construction permits the use of alternative procedures instead of conventional fall protection systems (guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest systems) when certain work is performed on roofs meeting the residential construction definition. No showing of infeasibility of conventional fall protection is needed before using the alternate procedures. A fall protection plan is required, but it does not have to be written nor does it have to be specific to the jobsite.

5.5.2 Specific Requirements There are four groups of residential construction activities for which alternative fall protection procedures are permitted. The first two groups address various building construction activities, while the third and fourth groups address work that may be performed on finished buildings, such as installation of drywall, insulation, HVAC systems, electrical systems, plumbing, or carpentry in attics or on roofs (Group 3), or removal, repair, or installation of weatherproofing and/or roofing materials such as shingles, tile, and tar paper (Group 4). Groups 1 and 2 not further addressed in this document; supervisors or project managers should contact the Office of Environmental Health and Safety for more information if actual building construction activities (installation of floor joists, floor sheathing, roof sheathing, exterior wall erection, setting and bracing roof trusses/rafters, work on concrete and block foundation walls and related formwork) is expected to be performed by Rensselaer employees.

5.5.2.1 Group 3: Installation of Drywall, Iinsulation, HVAC Systems, Electrical Systems (Including Alarms, Telephone Lines, and Cable TV), Plumbing, and Carpentry When Performed in Attics and on Roofs

The following Rensselaer buildings meet the residential construction definition and Group 3 requirements:

Admissions

Bumstead Garage Community Center (Married Students) Greenhouse, wooden attachment Graduate Center/Financial Aid

Grounds Barn

Patroon Manor President’s House, Shed, Gazebo Salt Shed Visitor’s Information Center 11 Eaton Road, House and Garage 2115 Burdett Ave. 2144 Burdett Ave.




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Alternative fall protection procedures for Group 3 work are as follows: 1. Only trained workers are permitted to work in attics and on roofs, and only as

necessary to complete the construction of the system being installed. 2. Materials and equipment for the work must be located conveniently close to

the workers. 3. Materials and other objects that could pose impalement hazardous must be

kept out of the area below where work is being performed, or properly guarded.

4. While attic or roof work is in progress, workers not involved in the work must not stand or walk below or adjacent to any opening in the ceiling where they could be struck by falling objects.

5. When adverse weather (such as high winds, rain, snow, or sleet) creates a hazardous condition in the work area, operations must be suspended until the hazardous condition no longer exists.

5.5.2.2 Group 4: Roofing Work (Removal, Repair, or Installation of Weatherproofing

Roofing Materials such as Shingles, Tile, and Tar Paper)

Alternative fall protection procedures may be used for residential construction buildings that have a roof slope of 8 in 12 or less AND a fall distance, as measured from the eave to the ground level, of 25 feet or less. Work on buildings with a steeper roof slope and/or a higher fall distance requires conventional fall protection systems or a written fall protection plan, if conventional fall protection systems are proven infeasible or would cause a greater hazard. The following Rensselaer buildings meet the residential construction definition and Group 4 requirements; alternate fall protection procedures are listed for each building in Appendix 2:

Admissions Bumstead Garage Community Center (Married Students) Greenhouse, wooden attachment Patroon Manor President’s House, Shed, Gazebo

Salt Shed Visitor’s Information Center 11 Eaton Road, House and Garage 2115 Burdett Ave. 2144 Burdett Ave.

Alternative fall protection procedures for Group 4 work are as follows:

1. Only workers who have been trained to be proficient in the alternative methods of fall protection are permitted onto the roof. Affected employees must be trained to ensure specific awareness of the fall hazards associated with work on roofs with rake edges (inclined roof edges, such as those on the gable end of a building).




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2. Roof surfaces must be inspected for slipping hazards. Slip hazards must be

eliminated. Workers must wear appropriate footwear to reduce the potential for slipping.

3. When adverse weather (such as high winds, rain, snow, or sleet) creates a hazardous condition, roofing operations must be suspended until the hazardous condition no longer exists.

4. Damaged portions of roof decks should be repaired as soon as practicable. 5. Any holes (including skylight openings) must be covered or surrounded by guardrails

that comply with 29 CFR 1926.502 (see Appendix 4 of this document). 6. If ladders or scaffolds are used, they must be erected and maintained in accordance

with the requirements of Subpart X and L of OSHA’s construction standards (29 CFR

1926). Employees must be trained in accordance with training requirements. 7. Workers are not permitted to ascend or descend within 6 feet of the rake edge except

where that limitation would prevent the performance of work. 8. Supplies and materials should not be stored within 6 feet of the rake edge. 9. The area below the eaves and rakes must be kept clear of materials and other objects

that could pose impalement or other hazards, or be properly guarded. 10. For roof slopes of up to 4 in 12, a safety monitoring system must be used, or slide

guards installed. See Appendix 4 for slide guard requirements. 11. For roof slopes of over 4 in 12 and up to 8 in 12, except tile or metal roofs, slide

guards are required. See Appendix 4 for slide guard requirements. 12. For roof slopes up to and including 8 in 12, tile or metal roofs, a safety monitoring

system may be used. 5.6 Hole Covers, Including Skylight Protection

5.6.1 Cover Use

Holes in floors, roofs, and other walking/working surfaces, including skylights and hatches, must be covered to prevent persons and items from falling through them. Covers must meet the requirements listed below.

5.6.2 Cover Requirements

5.6.2.1 All covers must be capable of supporting, without failure, at least twice the weight of employees, equipment, and materials that may be imposed on the cover at any one time. 5.6.2.2 All covers must be secured when installed to prevent accidental displacement by wind, equipment, or employees. 5.6.2.3 All covers must be color-coded or marked with the word "HOLE" or "COVER" to provide warning of the hazard.




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NOTE: This provision does not apply to manholes or steel grates used on streets or roadways.

5.6.2.4 Skylights must be protected to prevent both persons and items falling through them. Skylights may be protected by a standard skylight screen, which must be capable of withstanding of load of at least 200 pounds, and must not deflect downward to break the skylight under ordinary loads or impacts. Grillwork screens may not have openings greater than 4 inches long; slatwork screens may not have openings more than 2 inches wide. Skylights are considered "covered" if they are composed of material capable of withstanding a load of at least 200 pounds. Skylight covers may be permanently or temporarily installed.

5.6.2.5 Roof access hatches must be closed or protected by guardrails when personnel are on the roof.

5.7 Fall Protection for Structures that Support Overhead Electric Power Generation,

Transmission, and Distribution Lines and Equipment

NOTE: This section applies to persons qualified to perform electrical work under 29 CFR 1910 Subpart R and S, as well as NFPA 70, the National Electrical Code.

Fall arrest equipment, work positioning equipment, or travel restricting equipment must be used by employees working at elevated locations more than 4 feet (1.2 meters) above the ground on poles, towers, or similar structures if other fall protection has not been provided.

Fall protection is not required to be used by a qualified employee climbing or changing location on poles, towers, or similar structures, unless conditions such as but not limited to ice, high winds, the design of the structure (for example, no provision for holding on with hands), or the presence of contaminants on the structure, could cause the employee to lose his or her grip or footing. Qualified employees are personnel trained and knowledgeable of the construction and operation of the specific work method and able to recognize electrical hazards.

Unqualified employees, including trainees, are required to use fall protection any time they are more than 4 feet (1.2 meters) above the ground. Lineman's body belts and safety straps used for work positioning must meet the requirements of 29 CFR 1926.959, Lineman's body belts, safety straps, and lanyards. All other personal fall arrest equipment used when accessing structures that support overhead electric power generation, transmission, and distribution lines and equipment must meet the requirements listed in Rensselaer's Fall Protection Program. 5.8 Temporary Measures for Roofs Requiring Installation of Fall Protection Systems




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Because several Rensselaer roofs are currently lacking fall protection (see Appendix 2), temporary fall protection measures must be used until systems are installed. If there is a need to access a roof that does not yet have its recommended fall protection system installed, the following measures are acceptable substitutions:

5.8.1 Use Rensselaer's 80-foot boom lift, if work can be safety accessed and performed from within the lift's basket. See Section 11 of this document for requirements related to the use of aerial lifts – lanyards and body harnesses must be worn when in the lift.

5.8.2 Work at the roof edges may be performed via ladders or scaffolding in accordance with the safety requirements listed in Sections 9 and 10 of this document, if the height of the roof and distance to the work from the roof edge allows for this type of access.

5.8.3 Use of scaffold-mounted guardrails may be used in accordance with guardrail requirements listed in Appendix 4 and scaffolding safety and training requirements listed in Section 10 of this document.

If none of the above temporary measures may be used, roofs lacking fall protection may not be accessed.

Section 6. Positioning Device Systems

While most of the equipment used in positioning device systems are identical to those used in personal fall arrest systems, positioning device systems are not equivalent to personal fall arrest systems and are not acceptable for use as a fall protection system. Positioning device systems may only be used to support an employee on an elevated vertical surface to allow for work requiring both hands. Structural and other requirements of positioning systems may be found in Appendix 4. Section 7. Protection from Falling Objects

7.1 General Requirements When employees may be exposed to objects falling from higher levels, the following is required in order to protect them from injury: 7.1.1 Hard hats must be worn. 7.1.2 One of the following measures must be implemented:

7.1.2.1 Erection of toeboards, screens, or guardrail systems to prevent objects from falling to higher levels.

7.1.2.1.1 Toeboards must be erected along the edge of the overhead




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walking/working surface for a distance sufficient to protect

employees below. 7.1.2.1.2 Where tools, equipment, or materials are piled higher than the top edge of a toeboard, paneling or screening must be erected

from the walking/working surface or toeboard to the top of a guardrail system's top rail or midrail, for a distance sufficient to protect employees below.

7.1.2.1.3 Guardrails, when used as falling object protection, must not have any openings large enough to allow the passage of potential falling objects.

7.1.2.2 Erection of a canopy structure and keeping potential fall objects far

enough from the edge of the higher level so that those objects would not go over the edge if they were accidentally displaced. Canopies, when used as falling object protection, must be strong enough to prevent collapse and to prevent penetration by any objects that may fall onto the canopy.

7.1.2.3 Barricading of the area to which object could fall, prohibiting employees

from entering the barricaded area, and keeping objects that may fall far enough away from the edge of a higher level so that those objects would

not go over the edge if they were accidentally displaced. 7.2 Additional Requirements for Specific Duties Additional requirements for specific duties are as follows: 7.2.1 Overhand bricklaying and related work:

7.2.1.1 No materials or equipment except masonry and mortar is permitted to be stored within 4 feet (1.2 m) of the working edge. 7.2.1.2 Excess mortar, broken or scattered masonry units, and all other materials and debris must be kept clear from the work area by removal at regular intervals.

7.2.2 Roofing:

7.2.2.1 No materials and equipment are permitted to be stored within 6 feet (1.8 m) of a roof edge unless guardrails are erected at the edge.




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7.2.2.2 Materials that are piled, grouped, or stacked near a roof edge must be stable and self-supporting.

Section 8. Employee Training

8.1 Scope and Applicability A training program will be provided for employees who might be exposed to fall hazards as part of their job responsibilities. Rensselaer will keep a written certification record, containing the name of the employee trained, date of training, and the signature of the trainer. Training must cover the following areas:

8.1.1 The nature of fall hazards in the work area. 8.1.2 The correct procedures for erecting, maintaining, disassembling, and inspecting

the fall protection systems to be used. 8.1.3 The use and operation of guardrail systems, personal fall arrest systems, safety net

systems, warning line systems, safety monitoring systems, controlled access zones, and other protection to be used.

8.1.4 The role of each employee in the safety monitoring system, if applicable. 8.1.5 The limitations on the use of mechanical equipment during the performance of

roofing work on low-sloped roofs. 8.1.6 The correct procedures for the handling and storage of equipment and materials

and the erection of overhead protection. 8.1.7 The role of employees in fall protection plans, if applicable. 8.1.8 Applications of and limitations on the use of verbal warning lines.

In addition to fall protection training, scaffold training, ladder safety training and aerial lift training is required when applicable. 8.2 Frequency Training is required before employees begin work at heights or use fall protection systems. Additionally, retraining must occur when changes in the workplace or types of fall protection systems or equipment to be used renders previous training obsolete. Employees, supervisors, and department managers are responsible for notifying the Office of Environmental Health and Safety when they believe that retraining of a specific employee or group is required.




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Section 9. Scaffolding

9.1 Design and Construction Requirements Specific design and construction requirements for scaffolding may be found in 29 CFR 1910.28 and 1910.29 for general industry work, and 29 CFR 1926 Subpart L for construction work. All scaffolding purchased and/or used by Rensselaer must have been designed/manufactured in conformance with the above provisions - scaffolding must be designed by qualified, competent persons and must be constructed and loaded in accordance with that design and all applicable regulations. If an employee, department manager or supervisor believes that scaffolding is in use that does not meet these requirements, immediately contact the Office of Environmental Health and Safety. 9.2 General Safety Requirements General safety requirements for scaffolding use are as follows:

9.2.1 The footing or anchorage for scaffolds must be sound, rigid, and capable of carrying the maximum intended load without settling or displacement. 9.2.2 Scaffolds and their components must be capable of supporting without failure at

least four (4) times the maximum intended load. Scaffolds must not be loaded in excess of the working load for which they are intended.

9.2.3 Unstable objects such as but not limited to barrels, loose brick, or concrete blocks must not be used to support scaffolds or planks. 9.2.4 Ladders and makeshift devices, such as but not limited to barrels and boxes, must not be used on scaffold platforms to increase the working level height of employees. NOTE: Ladders may be used on large area scaffolds (pole, tube and couple, systems, or fabricated form scaffolds erected over a substantially large or entire work area, such as one erected over an entire floor area of a room) only under the following conditions:

1. The scaffold must be secured against the sideways thrust exerted by the ladder if the ladder is placed against a structure that is not part of the scaffold.

2. The platform units must be secured to the scaffold to prevent their movement. 3. All ladder legs must be on the same platform, or other means must be

provided to stabilize the ladder against unequal platform deflection. 4. The ladder legs must be secured to prevent them from slipping or being

pushed off the platform.

9.2.5 For work above 4 feet, scaffolds must be equipped with guardrails, including




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midrails and toeboards. 9.2.6 Scaffolds must be maintained in a safe condition, and inspected for visible defects before each use and after any occurrence that may have affected structural integrity. 9.2.7 Scaffolds must not be altered or moved while they are in use or occupied. 9.2.8 If a scaffold becomes damaged or weakened, it must be tagged “Dangerous, do not use” sign until repair is complete. If damage is not repairable, the scaffolds must be destroyed to prevent use. 9.2.9 An access ladder or equivalent safe access must be provided and used to access

the scaffolding. 9.2.10 Hard hats must be worn on the scaffolding when there is exposure to overhead

hazards. 9.2.11 Employees are not permitted to work on exterior scaffolding during storms or

high winds. If scaffolds are covered with ice or snow, all ice or snow must be removed and the planking sanded before work may begin.

9.2.12 Where persons are required to work or pass under scaffolding, toeboards and a screen between the toeboard and the guardrail must be provided.

9.2.13 Tools, materials, and debris must not be allowed to accumulate in quantities that may cause a hazard.

9.2.14 Scaffolding must not be erected within the following distances of energized power lines:

Voltage Distance

Less than 300 V 3 feet Between 300 V and 50 kV 10 feet More than 50 kV 10 feet, plus 0.4 inches for each 1 kV over 50 kV

NOTE: the above distances apply to insulated lines. If the lines are uninsulated, the minimum distance is 10 feet for voltages less than 50 kV, and 10 feet plus 0.4 inches for each 1 kV over 50 kV for voltages more than 50 kV.

9.2.15 When mobile scaffolding (such as Baker's scaffolds) is in use, the casters/wheels

must be locked in place. 9.2.16 The use of shore scaffolds or lean-to scaffolds is prohibited. 9.2.16 Special precautions must be taken to protect scaffold members when using a

heat-producing process. 9.2.17 Only trained individuals may construct and use scaffolding.

Section 10. Ladders

Specific design requirements for ladders may be found in 29 CFR 1910.25-27. All ladders purchased and/or used by Rensselaer must have been manufactured and tested in conformance




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with applicable provisions. If an employee, department manager, or supervisor believes that a ladder is in use that does not meet these requirements, immediately contact the Office of Environmental Health and Safety. 10.1 Safety Requirements for Portable Ladders

10.1.1 Before Use:

10.1.1.1 Choose the correct ladder for the job – items to consider include height needed, overhead obstructions, conductivity, hazardous substances, uneven surfaces, and congestion in the area. Ensure that work from the ladder will be comfortable and will not require reaching in order to perform the work.

10.1.1.2 Use of ladders taller than the following height limits are not permitted:

Stepladders: 20 feet (painter's stepladders are limited to 12 feet) Single rung ladders: 30 feet Two-section extension ladders: 60 feet (wood); 48 feet (metal) Over two-section extension ladders: 60 feet (metal)

10.1.1.3 The ladder must be in good condition at all times. Inspect the ladder before use and after the ladder falls or is dropped – ensure that hardware and fittings are properly attached, steps and rails are free of protuberances, sharp edges, cracks, dents, bends, splinters, or other damage, moveable parts operate freely, and the metal spreader (stepladder) locks.

10.1.1.4 Defective ladders must be removed from service and tagged with a "Dangerous, do not use" sign. Defective ladders, if they cannot be repaired, should be sawed in half or otherwise destroyed upon disposal to prevent the ladder from being used.

10.1.2 Set-up:

10.1.2.1 Place the ladder on an even surface. If the surface is uneven, use extenders at the feet to equalize the height. 10.1.2.2 Do not use boxes, books, or other materials to even a surface or to add height. 10.1.2.3 Ensure that the side rails have secure footing. Use of rubber feet to

prevent slipping when there is a potential slip hazard is required. If the footing cannot be made secure, the ladder must be lashed in place.

10.1.2.4 If the ladder must be placed in front of a door, lock or guard the door to prevent it from being opened. Place a warning sign or traffic cone on




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the opposite side of the door to indicate work is being performed in the area.

10.1.2.5 The metal spreader must be locked in place before climbing a stepladder.

10.1.2.6 Set up non-self supporting ladders so that the horizontal distance from the top support to the foot of the ladder is one-quarter of the length of the ladder from where it hits the top support to the ground.

10.1.2.7 Non-self supporting ladders must extend at least 3 feet above the point of support. 10.1.2.8 A minimum of 3 feet of overlap between the two sections in an extension ladder is required.

10.1.3 Work Practices:

10.1.3.1 Only one person is permitted to be on the ladder at one time. 10.1.3.2 Face the ladder when ascending/descending. 10.1.3.3 Ensure 3-point contact with the ladder while ascending/descending –

either two feet and one hand or one foot and two hands must be in contact with the rungs at all times.

10.1.3.4 Do not carry any objects or loads that could cause loss of balance or prevent 3-point contact with the ladder.

10.1.3.5 Do not move or walk the ladder while occupied – workers must descend the ladder before attempting to change its position.

10.1.3.6 Do not stand on the highest step. 10.1.3.7 Do not use ladders horizontally as platforms, runways, or scaffolds, or

for other uses than that for which they were intended. 10.1.3.8 Ladders may not be tied or fastened together to provide longer sections. 10.1.3.9 Do not climb on the back bracing of a stepladder. 10.1.3.10 When there is the potential for the employee or the ladder to contact

exposed energized parts, the side rails must be constructed from nonconductive materials.

10.1.4 Care and Storage:

10.1.4.1 Keep the rungs free of grease, oil, and other slip hazards. 10.1.4.2 Metal ladders must be protected against corrosion. 10.1.4.3 Wood ladders may not be painted. 10.1.4.4 Store ladders carefully, in a well ventilated area away from temperature

extremes. Do not store items on top of ladders. 10.1.4.5 Ensure ladders attached to vehicles for transit are secure.




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10.1.4.6 Stepladders may be stored upright; rung ladders should be stored

horizontally. 10.1.4.7 Carry a ladder horizontally, holding it at the midpoint of a side rail. Use

two or more persons to carry longer ladders. 10.2 Safety Requirements for Fixed Ladders

10.2.1 The ladder must be in good condition at all times - inspect the ladder before use. 10.2.2 Ensure that rungs and rails are not corroded or decayed and do not contain sharp edges, burrs, or projections. Additionally, ensure that the ladder is securely attached to its anchorage. 10.2.3 Defective ladders must be tagged with a "Dangerous, do not use" sign or

physically blocked to prevent use until repaired or replaced. 10.2.4 Fall protection must be provided for fixed ladders taller than 20 feet. Protection may consist of cages, wells, or ladder safety devices such as lifebelts, friction brakes, and sliding attachments. Specifications for cage/well installation may be

found in 29 CFR 1910.27(d). 10.2.5 Only one person is permitted to be on the ladder at one time. 10.2.6 Face the ladder when ascending/descending. 10.2.7 Keep the rungs free of grease, oil, and other slip hazards.

Section 11. Aerial Lifts

Two aerial lifts are in use at Rensselaer – the bucket truck, used primarily for electrical work, and the 80-foot boom lift. 11.1 Safety Requirements for Aerial Lifts

11.1.1 Adhere to all safety requirements and recommendations provided by the manufacturer.

11.1.2 Before moving an aerial lift, the boom(s) must be inspected to ensure that is it properly cradled. 11.1.3 Lift controls must be tested prior to each use to determine that they are in safe working condition. 11.1.4 The brakes must be set before work begins once the vehicle has arrived at the work location. 11.1.5 Persons must stand on the floor of the basket, and must not sit or climb on the

edges or outside of the basket. Do not extend any body parts outside of the basket until it has come to a complete stop.

11.1.6 All work must be performed from inside the basket. Use of planks, ladders, or other devices for a work position is prohibited. 11.1.7 Fall protection, consisting of a body harness and lanyard, must be worn by




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employees in the basket at all times.

11.1.8 The lanyard must be attached to the designated connector, and not other parts of the platform. 11.1.9 Tying off to an adjacent pole, structure, or equipment while working from an aerial lift is prohibited. 11.1.10 Load limits may be not exceeded. 11.1.11 The boom lift's lower level controls may not be operated without the permission of the employee in the lift, except in case of an emergency. 11.1.12 The boom lift may be used on level ground only. 11.1.13 If the bucket truck is to be used on an incline, wheel chocks must be installed. 11.1.14 The insulated portion of the bucket truck may not be altered in any manner that might reduce its insulating value. 11.1.15 Controls must be plainly marked to indicate their function. Do not deface or cover control labeling. 11.1.16 When persons unqualified for electrical work are working in an elevated position

near overhead electric power lines, the location must be such that the person and the longest conductive object he/she may contact cannot come closer to any unguarded, energized overhead line than:

for voltages to ground of 50 kV or below: 10 feet for voltages to ground above 50 kV: 10 feet, plus 4 inches for every 10 kV above 50 kV.

11.1.17 Only trained persons may operate an aerial lift.

APPENDIX 1

REPORT ON FALL PROTECTION SYSTEMS

RECOMMENDATIONS ON RENSSELEAR BUILDINGS,

RYAN-BIGGS ASSOCIATES, TROY, NY, 12/19/2001

(HARD COPY ONLY; AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

THROUGH THE OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL

HEALTH AND SAFETY)

APPENDIX 2

FALL PROTECTION RECOMMENDATIONS TABLE,

RYAN-BIGGS ASSOCIATES

(WITH MODIFICATIONS BY THE OFFICE OF

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY)

*See the accompanying drawings at the end of the Appendix for some buildings.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Fall Protection Recommendations

Building Name RPI

Map No.

Roof Data

Fall Protection Recommendations

ID Slope Remarks System (Cost) Temporary System Remarks/Access

Academy Hall 67 A flat One roof. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Provide lift access from ground.

B 3 on 12 Two roofs. Warning lines/safety monitor Warning lines/safety monitor Verbal warning lines acceptable for equipment access and minor repairs (less than 4 hours of work) away from the edge. Existing access from Roof E.

C flat Two roofs. Existing guard rail height and anchorages acceptable. Chain link fence used in lieu of middle rail, but not fastened at bottom. Does not comply with OSHA regulations. Therefore, use safety monitor.

Safety monitor. Existing window access.

D flat Two roofs. Warning lines/safety monitor Warning lines/safety monitor Verbal warning lines acceptable for equipment access and minor repairs (less than 4 hours of work) away from the edge. Existing hatch access.

E 3 on 12 Two roofs. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Existing access from Roof D.

F flat One roof. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Existing access from Roof D.

Admissions 34 Main 5 on 12 Eight roofs. Meets residential construction alternative requirements - use safety monitor. [Personal fall arrest ($11,000) to meet 29 CFR 1926.]

Safety monitor. Limit free fall distance over Entrance Roofs. Existing portable ladder access from ground.

Main Entrance

2 on 12 One roof. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing portable ladder access from ground.

Side Entrance

flat One roof. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing portable ladder access from ground.

Amos Eaton 26 Entire roof pitched Personal fall arrest anchorages in place. Use installed personal fall arrest anchorages with body harness, lifeline, lanyard

Access hatch to peak to first stanchion - parapet in place below hatch.

AS&RC (Armory) Note: Consult a fall protection engineering professional for the best design for the entire building.

37 A flat Two roofs. Equipment on both roofs.

Warning lines/safety monitor Warning lines/safety monitor Verbal warning lines acceptable for equipment access and minor repairs (less than 4 hours of work) away from the edge. Existing fixed ladder access from Roof E.


AS&RC (Armory) B flat One roof. Equipment on roof.

Cage to be installed at fixed ladder; warning lines/safety monitor elsewhere. Provide cover or guardrails for glass skylight.

Warning lines/safety monitor, provide cover or guardrails for glass skylight. Work from a portable ladder or boom lift if work is required near fixed ladder until guardrail is installed.

Verbal warning lines acceptable for equipment access and minor repairs (less than 4 hours of work) away from the edge. Existing fixed ladder access from Roof E.

C 8 on 12 Two roofs. Guard rail along gutters ($23,000), personal fall arrest along gables ($13,000). Fall protection not needed on Mueller Center side, except for far eastern corner.

Do not access. Work from a portable ladder. Working from the aerial lift is not possible.

Existing access from Roofs D and E. Existing low parapet at gutters.

D 3 on 12 Two roofs. Warning lines/safety monitor Warning lines/safety monitor Provide fall protection for existing fixed ladder access from Roof B ($4,000). Installation scheduled for Summer 2002.

E flat Two roofs. Safety monitor, south roof. Fall protection not required on north roof because there is a less than 4 foot fall hazard to other roofs.

Safety monitor, south roof. Fall protection not required on north roof because there is a less than 4 foot fall hazard to other roofs.

Existing door access from B (north roof); existing fixed ladder access from Roof B (south roof).

F 8 on 12 Two roofs. Scaffolding. Scaffolding. If the location of work is greater than 6 feet from the edge, may be able to safely access the roof facing the inside of roof B with a ladder. Use a safety monitor and warning lines (verbal are acceptable) if this option is used.

Access from scaffold or ladder from roof B. Not accessed.

G 8 on 12 Two roofs. Scaffolding. Scaffolding. If the location of work is greater than 6 feet from the edge, may be able to safely access the roof facing the inside of roof B with a ladder. Use a safety monitor and warning lines (verbal are acceptable) if this option is used.

Access from scaffold or ladder from roof B. Not accessed.

H flat One roof. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing window access from B.

I 3 on 12 One roof. Equipment on roof.

Safety monitor. Safety monitor, or work from a portable ladder if possible.

Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing portable ladder access from ground.

AS&RC/ Athletic Garage

37 Main flat East of Armory. One roof.

Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing portable ladder access from ground.

Auxiliary Services/ Student Garage

38 Main 5 on 12 Adjoins Robison Pool. Two roofs.

Personal fall arrest – use anchorages on Robison Pool roof.

Do not access. Work from a portable ladder or aerial lift.

Existing portable ladder access from ground. Aerial lift can also be used.


Barton Hall 73 Entire roof varied pitches

Personal fall arrest installed; anchorages and cables

Use installed personal fall arrest anchorages and cables with body harness, lifeline, lanyard

Beman Park Firehouse

69 All Roofs One at 3 on 12, others at 12 on 12

29 roofs. Personal fall arrest ($18,000). Do not access. Work from a portable ladder or aerial lift.

Existing portable ladder access from ground. Provide scaffold access to cupola roofs. Aerial lift is a good option.

Black Cultural Center

27 Main flat One roof. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing hatch access.

Stairwell flat One roof. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Existing hatch access.

Blaw Knox 1 and 2 29 Upper 5 on 12 Two roofs. Personal fall arrest ($10,000). Do not access. Work from a portable ladder when possible.

Fixed ladder access from Lower Roof ($2,000) is recommended. If a portable lader s used on the lower roof, it must be tied in place to ensure stability. Aerial lift is NOT a good option for this roof.

Lower 5 on 12 Two roofs. Personal fall arrest. Do not access. Work from a portable ladder when possible.

Existing portable ladder access from ground. Use upper roof personal fall arrest system. Aerial lift is NOT a good option for this roof.

Connector 2 on 12 Connects Blaw Knox 1 to Blaw Knox 2. One roof for both buildings.

Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide (15' x 25' horizontal projection). Existing portable ladder access from ground..

Outbuilding flat Adjoins Blaw Knox 1 only. One roof.


Boiler House 5 Upper flat One roof. Equipment on roof.

Warning lines/safety monitor Warning lines/safety monitor Verbal warning lines acceptable for equipment access and minor repairs (less than 4 hours of work) away from the edge. Existing portable ladder access from Middle Roof.

Middle flat One roof. Equipment on roof.

Warning lines/safety monitor Warning lines/safety monitor Verbal warning lines acceptable for equipment access and minor repairs (less than 4 hours of work) away from the edge. Existing portable ladder access from Lower Roof.

Lower flat One roof. Equipment on roof.

Warning lines/safety monitor Warning lines/safety monitor Verbal warning lines acceptable for equipment access and minor repairs (less than 4 hours of work) away from the edge. Existing access from road.


Boiler House Garage flat One roof. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing portable ladder access from ground.

Bray Hall 48 Main flat One roof. Equipment on roof.

Warning lines/safety monitor Warning lines/safety monitor Verbal warning lines acceptable for equipment access and minor repairs (less than 4 hours of work) away from the edge. Existing hatch access.


Warning lines/safety monitor Warning lines/safety monitor Verbal warning lines acceptable for equipment access and minor repairs (less than 4 hours of work) away from the edge. Existing portable ladder access from ground.

Entrance flat One roof. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing portable ladder access from ground.

Bryckwyck A - E 61 Main flat Six roofs. Equipment on all roofs.

Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roofs are low-slope and less than 50 feet wide each. Existing door or fixed ladder access from Stairwells or Stairwell Roofs, respectively.

Stairwells flat Five roofs. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roofs are low-slope and less than 50 feet wide each. Existing hatch or fixed ladder access from Main Roofs.

Balconies flat Four extensions of main roofs over balconies.

Do not access. Do not access or use aerial lift. There is no anticipated need to access these roofs.

Bryckwyck F-G 61 Main flat Three roofs. Equipment on all roofs.

Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roofs are low-slope and less than 50 feet wide each. Existing door or fixed ladder access from Stairwells or Stairwell Roofs, respectively.

Stairwells flat Two roofs. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roofs are low-slope and less than 50 feet wide each. Existing hatch or fixed ladder access from Main Roofs.

Balconies flat Four extensions of main roofs over balconies.

Do not access. Do not access or use aerial lift. There is no anticipated need to access these roofs.

Bumstead Garage N/A Garage 6 on 12 Two roofs. Meets residential construction alternative requirements - install slide guards. [Personal fall arrest ($11,000) to meet 29 CFR 1926].

Install slide guards according to parameters found in OSHA directive STD 3-0.1A, Interim Fall Protection Compliance Guidelines for Residential Construction and Rensselaer's Fall Protection Program, or work from the aerial lift or a ladder.

Existing portable ladder access from ground.

Shed flat Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Existing portable ladder access from ground.


Burdett Residence Hall NOTE: Drawing of BARH provided by Ryan-Biggs is not accurate; see Rensselaer white print and notes in column C.

50 A = A wing, D wing

flat Two roofs. Equipment on both roofs.

Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roofs are low-slope and less than 50 feet wide each. Existing access from Roof B.

B = connector between A & B wings; C & D wings


Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roofs are low-slope and less than 50 feet wide each. Existing hatch access.

C flat One roof. None required; fall hazard is less than 4 feet to the adjacent roof.

None required. Existing access from Roof E.

D flat Two roofs. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing access from Roof E.

E flat One roof. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing door access from G.

F flat One roof. Equipment on roof.

None required; fall hazard is less than 4 feet to the adjacent roof.

None required. Existing door access from G.

G flat One roof. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing fixed ladder access from Roof F.

H = B wing, C wing


Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roofs are low-slope and less than 50 feet wide each. Existing hatch access.

Carnegie Building 3 Entire roof pitched Personal fall arrest installed; anchorages and cables

Use installed personal fall arrest anchorages and cables with body harness, lifeline, lanyard

Fixed ladder cage installed. Handrail at hatch is in need of repair - tilted.

Cary Hall 47 Main flat One roof. Equipment on roof.





Centrex Building N/A flat One roof. Safety monitor Safety monitor Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide.


Cogswell Laboratory

20 Main flat One roof. Equipment on roof.

Warning lines/safety monitor. Use warning lines/safety monitor away from edges. Do not access areas within 6 feet of edges at north and south concrete walls until guardrails are installed. Work from an aerial lift if these areas must be accessed.

Verbal warning lines acceptable for equipment access and minor repairs (less than 4 hours of work) away from the edge. Existing door access from Equipment Penthouse.

Equipment Penthouse

flat One roof. Equipment on roof.

Warning lines/safety monitor. Use safety monitor/warning lines away from north and south edges. Do not access within 6 feet of north and south edges until guardrail is installed. Work from a portable ladder or aerial lift if possible.

Verbal warning lines acceptable for equipment access and minor repairs (less than 4 hours of work) away from the edge. Existing fixed ladder access from Main Roof. Cooling towers are to be moved - place as far from the edge as possible.

Elevator Penthouse

flat One roof. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Fixed ladder access from Main Roof ($2,000) is recommended.

Chiller flat One roof. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Existing portable ladder access from ground.

Chiller Skylight

2 on 12 Four roofs. Do not access - glass roof Do not access; may work from a ladder if necessary.


Chemical Vault

flat One roof. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Existing portable ladder access from ground.

Loading Dock

flat One roof. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Existing portable ladder access from ground.

Colonie Apartments (4 buildings)

66 flat Four roofs. Safety monitor Safety monitor Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide.

Commons Dining Hall

39 A flat One roof. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing portable ladder access from Roof B.

B flat One roof. Equipment on roof.

Warning lines/safety monitor Warning lines/safety monitor Verbal warning lines acceptable for equipment access and minor repairs (less than 4 hours of work) away from the edge. Existing fixed ladder access from Roof A.

C flat One roof. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing portable ladder access from Roof B.

D flat One roof. Equipment on roof.

Warning lines/safety monitor Warning lines/safety monitor Verbal warning lines acceptable for equipment access and minor repairs (less than 4 hours of work) away from the edge. Provide fixed ladder access from Roof B ($3,000).

E (depressed cooling tower area)

flat One roof. Equipment on roof.

No fall hazard in depressed area. Guardrails around top perimeter, on roofs B/D/G, to prevent falls into depressed area.

None required in depressed area. Safety monitor on other roofs near edge of depression.

Existing door access from B..

F flat One roof. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing fixed ladder access from Roof D.

G flat One roof. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing fixed ladder access from Roof B.


Commons Dining Hall

H flat One roof. Warning lines/safety monitor Warning lines/safety monitor Verbal warning lines acceptable for equipment access and minor repairs (less than 4 hours of work) away from the edge). Existing fixed ladder access from Roof B.

I flat One roof. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing portable ladder access from ground.

J flat One roof. None required. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing access from Roof K.

K flat One roof. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing portable ladder access from ground.

L flat One roof. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing portable ladder access from ground.

M flat One roof. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing portable ladder access from ground.

Community Center (Married Student)

N/A Upper 5 on 12 Two roofs. Equipment on rear roof.

Meets residential construction alternative requirements - install slide guards. [Scaffold-mounted guard rail to meet 29 CFR 1926].

Install slide guards according to parameters found in OSHA directive STD 3-0.1A, Interim Fall Protection Compliance Guidelines for Residential Construction and Rensselaer's Fall Protection Program, install a scaffold-mounted guard rail, or work from the aerial lift or a ladder.

Access from portable ladder, aerial lift, or scaffold.

Lower 5 on 12 Two roofs. Equipment on rear roof.


Install slide guards according to parameters found in OSHA directive STD 3-0.1A, Interim Fall Protection Compliance Guidelines for Residential Construction and Rensselaer's Fall Protection Program, install a scaffold-mounted guard rail, or work from the aerial lift or a ladder.


Crockett Hall 40 Main flat One roof. Equipment on roof.




Entrance flat One roof. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing portable ladder access from ground.

Darrin Communications Center



Lg. Facade Projections

flat Two roofs. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing portable ladder access from ground.


Darrin Communications Center

Small Facade Projection


Mechanical flat One roof. Equipment on roof.

Warning lines/safety monitor. Warning lines/safety monitor Existing guardrail height unacceptable. Does not comply with OSHA regulations. Verbal warning lines acceptable for equipment access and minor repairs (less than 4 hours of work) away from the edge. Existing portable ladder access from ground.

Davison Hall 42 Main flat One roof. Equipment on roof.

Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing hatch access.

E Complex 9 Main 3 on 12 Twelve roofs.

Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing hatch access.

Entrances 5 on 12 Two roofs for each entrance.

Do not access. Work from portable ladder on the ground. Able to completely access these roofs from a portable ladder placed on the ground - do not stand on roofs themselves.

Empire State Hall 68 Main flat One roof. Existing regulation-compliant guard rail along north edge; guard rail along Skylight Roof (Empire State Hall AND MRC side) ($12,000) OR provide skylight cover; warning lines/safety monitor elsewhere.

North edge access ok; access other areas using warning lines and safety monitor. Do not access area within 6 feet of skylight roof until guardrail or cover is installed.

Verbal warning lines acceptable for equipment access and minor repairs (less than 4 hours of work) away from the edge. Existing hatch access. Determine if skylight itself meets 200 lb. strength requirement - if so, does not need a cover. If a cover is required, a permanent one is recommended based upon the size of the skylight and difficulties in using a temporary cover.

Skylight (fiberglass)

1 on 1 One roof. Do not access skylight. See main roof section.

Do not access skylight. See main roof section.

Do not stand on skylight.

Entrance arch One roof. Provide cover for skylight when working in adjacent areas. Do not access.

Provide cover for glass skylight when working in adjacent areas. Do not access.

If work must be performed on skylight, use existing portable ladder access from ground - do not stand on skylight itself.

Folsom Library 23 Penthouse flat One roof. Equipment on roof.

Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing fixed ladder access from Main Roof.

Penthouse Stairwell

1 on 1 One roof. Personal fall arrest Do not access. Work from a portable ladder or aerial lift.

Ladder access - fixed ladder not recommended.

Penthouse Toilet Core

flat One roof. Safety monitor Safety monitor Existing access from Penthouse Roof.

Skylight 1 on 1 One roof. Provide cover or guardrail for skylight. Do not access.

Provide cover or guardrail for skylight. Do not work within 6 feet of skylight until protection is installed.

Existing access from Main Roof.


Folsom Library Main flat One roof. Equipment on roof.

Warning lines/safety monitor Warning lines/safety monitor Verbal warning lines acceptable for equipment access and minor repairs (less than 4 hours of work) away from the edge. Existing door access from Penthouse. Existing portable ladder access to equipment on Penthouse wall.

Main Stair Wells

1 on 1 Two roofs. Personal fall arrest ($5,000) or guardrails.


Ladder access - fixed ladder not recommended.

Facade Projections (balcony roofs)

flat Eight roofs. Safety monitor Safety monitor Roofs are low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing window access from building.

Gallagher Health Center

16 Main 4.25 on 12

Two roofs. Equipment on south roof.

Personal fall arrest ($14,000). Do not access. Work from a portable ladder or aerial lift.


Cupola dome One roof. Scaffolding. Scaffolding. Access from scaffolding.

South Entrance

4.25 on 12

One roof. Personal fall arrest ($5,000). Do not access. Work from a portable ladder or aerial lift.

Use Main Roof personal fall arrest system. Existing portable ladder access from ground.

North Entrance

6 on 12 One roof. Personal fall arrest. Do not access. Work from a portable ladder or aerial lift.

Use Main Roof personal fall arrest system. Existing portable ladder access from ground.

Graduate Center/ Financial Aid

33 Main 8 on 12 Seven roofs (one flat and six sloped).

Meets residential construction alternative requirements - a fall protection plan must be written before access is permitted. [Personal fall arrest ($8,000) to meet 29 CFR 1926].

Work from a portable ladder or aerial lift, consult EHS for assistance in writing a fall protection plan, or install personal fall arrest.

Limit free fall distance over entrance. Existing window access from dormer. Most of roof can be accessed with aerial lift.

Dormers 8 on 12 Seven dormers with two roofs each.

Meets residential construction alternative requirements - a fall protection plan must be written before access is permitted. [Personal fall arrest ($8,000) to meet 29 CFR 1926].


Existing access from Main Roof.

Porch flat One roof. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing portable ladder access from ground.

Entrance flat One roof. Replace guard rail ($3,000) if access of this roof is necessary - current guardrail does not meet OSHA regulations.

Work from a portable ladder or aerial lift, or use a safety monitor.

Existing guard rail height unacceptable. Does not meet OSHA regulations. Provide gate in new guard rail ($1,000) for existing portable ladder access from ground. Low priority - roof can be worked on by ladder.

Greene Building 24 Entire roof pitched Personal fall arrest anchorages in place. Provide covers for skylights when working in adjacent areas. Do not stand on skylights.

Use installed personal fall arrest anchorages with body harness, lifeline, lanyard. Provide cover for skylight when working in adjacent areas. Do not stand on skylights.

Horizontal cables should be installed.


Greenhouses 57 Building Main

8 on 12 Adjoins Glass Greenhouse Two roofs.


Do not access. Work from a portable ladder or aerial lift. If access if required, install slide guards.

Access from ladder or scaffold. Working from a ladder expected to be a good option.

Building Entrance

flat One roof. Do not access - roof is too small to stand on.

Do not access. Work from portable ladder on ground.

Glass Greenhouse

6 on 12 Adjoins Building. Two roofs.

Do not access - glass roof Do not access. Work from a portable ladder or aerial lift.


Plastic Greenhouse

8 on 12 Two roofs. Do not access - acrylic roof Do not access. Work from a portable ladder or aerial lift.


Grounds Barn 57 Main 12 on 12

Two roofs. Meets residential construction alternative requirements - a fall protection plan must be written before access is permitted. [Personal fall arrest ($8,000) to meet 29 CFR 1926].



87 Gymnasium 11 Main 6 on 12 Seven roofs.

Personal fall arrest ($27,000). Skylights painted the color of the roof - permanently label as skylights and cover temporarily when roof is accessed or permanently cover/replace with roofing. Do not access skylights.

Do not access. Work from a portable ladder or aerial lift. Do not access skylights.

Existing fixed ladder access from Lower Roof..

Lower flat One roof. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing window access from Main.

Lowest flat One roof. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing window access from Lower.

H Building 31 Main flat One roof. Equipment on roof


Hall Hall 46 Main flat One roof. Equipment on roof.





Harkness Field Light Towers

N/A N/A N/A Six towers. Existing ladder safety device. Upgrade catwalks ($4,000).

None Upgrade catwalks to satisfy Section 29 CFR 1910.23. Existing portable ladder access from ground.


Heffner Alumni House

32 A flat One roof. Equipment on roof.

Guard rail near hatch ($5,000); warning lines/safety monitor elsewhere.

Use safety monitor (edges) and warning lines (away from edges). Work from a portable ladder or aerial lift when possible. Do not enter/exit the hatch from the sides closest to the roof edge.

Verbal warning lines acceptable for equipment access and minor repairs (less than 4 hours of work) away from the edges. Existing hatch access.

B 12 on 12

Two roofs. Personal fall arrest ($11,000); none required along north edge.


Existing access from Roof A. Not accessed.

C 12 on 12

One roof. Provide cover or guardrails for glass roof when accessing the south side of Roof B. Do not access glass roof.

Do not access glass roof. Work from a portable ladder or aerial lift.

Existing portable ladder access from ground. Not accessed.

D 12 on 12

Four pyramids.


Existing access from Roof A. Not accessed.

E 12 on 12


Existing portable ladder access from ground. Not accessed.

F flat One roof. Equipment on roof.

Warning lines/safety monitor. Provide cover or guardrails for acrylic skylight when working in adjacent areas.

Warning lines/safety monitor. Provide cover or guardrails for acrylic skylight when working in adjacent areas.

Verbal warning lines acceptable for equipment access and minor repairs (less than 4 hours of work) away from the edge. Existing portable ladder access from Roof A.

G flat One roof. Personal fall arrest ($5,000). Do not access. Work from a portable ladder or aerial lift.


Houston Field House

52 Main (upper)

flat One roof. Warning lines/safety monitor Warning lines/safety monitor Verbal warning lines acceptable for equipment access and minor repairs (less than 4 hours of work) away from the edge. Provide fixed ladder access from Side Roof ($3,000).

Sides (lower)

flat Two roofs. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Provide lift access from ground.

Main Entrance


Side Entrances

flat Twelve roofs.



J Building 30 Main 1 on 12 One roof. Equipment on roof.

Guard rail near Elevator ($3,000); warning lines/safety monitor elsewhere.

Warning lines/safety monitor. Verbal warning lines acceptable for equipment access and minor repairs (less than 4 hours of work) away from the edge. Existing door access from Elevator is near the edge and is not easy to access (have to crawl over mechanical equipment). Alternate access is available on west side, but the west side hatch door needs to be upgraded with lift aid - hatch door is too heavy to lift now. Making this hatch the preferred roof access point will eliminate the hazards encountered when using the elevator entrance.

Elevator flat One roof. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing portable ladder access from Main Roof.

Entrance 12 on 12


Existing portable ladder access from ground. Installation of personal fall arrest is unnecessary - work can be performed from a ladder on the ground.

Bridge flat One roof. Equipment on roof.


White gutter ledge

flat Narrow ledge just below main roof; encircles building.

Scaffolding Do not access. Work from scaffolding or the aerial lift.

No need to access now, but original tin roofing - may need work in the future.

JEC 18 Upper Main flat One roof. Existing regulation-compliant guard rail. Fall protection installed. Existing door access from Stairwells.

Lower Main flat One roof. Equipment on roof.

Warning lines/safety monitor. Provide cover or guardrails for domed acrylic skylights.

Warning lines/safety monitor; work from an aerial lift for edge work. Provide cover or guardrails for domed acrylic skylights.

Verbal warning lines acceptable for equipment access and minor repairs (less than 4 hours of work) away from the edge. Existing hatch access.

Elevator flat One roof. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Fixed ladder access from Upper Main Roof ($2,000) is recommended.

Stair Wells flat Two roofs. Safety monitor. Safety monitor; edge work on may be performed from a ladder placed on the upper main roof, if possible.

Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing portable ladder access from Upper Main Roof.

Facade Projections

flat Two roofs. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Provide lift access from ground.


JRSC 19 Unit 1 flat South wing. One roof. Equipment on roof.

Existing regulation-compliant guard rail. Fall protection installed. Existing door access from Central Unit.

Unit 2 flat West wing. One roof. Equipment on roof.

Warning lines/safety monitor. Maintain existing cover for glass skylight.


Verbal warning lines acceptable for equipment access and minor repairs (less than 4 hours of work) away from the edge. Existing door access from Central Unit.

Central flat One roof. Safety monitor. Provide cover for glass skylight when working in adjacent areas.

Safety monitor. Roof sections are low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing door access from Central Penthouse.

Central Penthouse

flat One roof. Existing guard rail height unacceptable. Does not comply with OSHA regulations. Therefore, use safety monitor.

Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing stair access from Penthouse.

Observatory flat One roof. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing portable ladder access from Unit 1.

Observatory Dome

dome One roof. Positioning system ($3,000). Work from a portable ladder or aerial lift. Do not access.

Existing access from Observatory Roof. Aerial lift is a good option.

North Projection from west wing


Entrances flat Four roofs. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing portable ladder access from ground.

Lally Hall 25 Main 6 on 12 Four roofs. Personal fall arrest ($10,000). Do not access. Work from a portable ladder or aerial lift.


Entrance 6 on 12 Three roofs. Personal fall arrest ($5,000). Do not access. Work from a portable ladder or aerial lift.

Existing portable ladder access from ground; work can be performed from the ground; installation of fall arrest is unnecessary for entrances.

Linac Facility 58 A 1 on 12 One roof. Equipment on roof.

Warning lines/safety monitor Warning lines/safety monitor Verbal warning lines acceptable for equipment access and minor repairs (less than 4 hours of work) away from the edge. Fixed ladder access from Roof G ($1,000) is recommended.

B flat One roof. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing portable ladder access from ground.

C (small metal awning)

12 on 12

One roof. Scaffold-mounted guard rail. Work from a ladder on the ground. Access from scaffold or work from a ladder on the ground.


Linac Facility D flat One roof. Equipment on roof.

Warning lines/safety monitor Warning lines/safety monitor Verbal warning lines acceptable for equipment access and minor repairs (less than 4 hours of work) away from the edge. Fixed ladder access from Roof G ($1,000) is recommended.

E flat One roof. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing access from Roof D.

F flat One roof. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Fixed ladder access from Roof G ($1,000) is recommended.

G flat One roof. Equipment on roof.

Warning lines/safety monitor Warning lines/safety monitor Verbal warning lines acceptable for equipment access and minor repairs (less than 4 hours of work) away from the edge. Existing door access from F.

H 4 on 12 Two roofs. Warning lines/safety monitor Warning lines/safety monitor Verbal warning lines acceptable for equipment access and minor repairs (less than 4 hours of work) away from the edge. Existing access from Roof G.

I 2 on 12 Two roofs. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing portable ladder access from ground.

Low CII 14 A flat One roof. Equipment on roof.

Existing regulation-compliant guard rail. Fall protection installed. Existing door access from E. Automatic smoke vent/skylight meets coverage requirements as is.

B flat One roof. Equipment on roof.

Existing regulation-compliant guard rail. Fall protection installed. Existing fixed ladder access from Roof A.

C flat One roof. Equipment on roof.

Guard rail along Roof D ($3,000) with gate at fixed ladder; existing code-compliant guard rail elsewhere.

Do not work within 6 feet of Section D until guardrail is installed. Remainder of roof is OK to access.

Existing fixed ladder access from Section D.

D flat Unroofed enclosure for cooling towers.

None required - no fall hazard in depressed area.

None required. Existing door access from Roof A.

E flat One roof. Personal fall arrest ($5,000). Note: Roof size and proximity to seven-story fall creates immediate hazard.

Do not access. If work is required and can be performed more than 6 feet from the edge from a ladder placed on Roof A, work may proceed.

Existing portable ladder access from Roof A. Roof has never needed to be accessed and access is not expected in the future - lower priority.

F 12 on 12

One roof. Do not access - glass roof Do not access - glass roof

G (façade projection above H)

flat One roof. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing door access from A.


Low CII H flat One roof. Do not access. Do not access. Roof is not likely to require access - a permanent fall protection system is not cost-effective.

I flat One roof. Existing regulation-compliant guard rail. Fall protection installed Existing door access from Roof G.

J flat One roof. Existing regulation-compliant guard rail. Fall protection installed Existing door access from K.

K flat One roof. Existing regulation-compliant guard rail. Fall protection installed Existing fixed ladder access from Roof I.

L flat One roof. Do not access. Do not access. Roof is not likely to require access - a permanent fall protection system is not cost-effective.

M flat One roof. Do not access. Do not access or use aerial lift for work. Roof is not likely to require access - a permanent fall protection system is not cost-effective.

N flat One roof. Equipment on roof.

Existing regulation-compliant guard rail. Fall protection installed Existing door access from A.

O flat One roof. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing portable ladder access from ground.

P flat One roof. Existing regulation-compliant guard rail. Fall protection installed Existing fixed ladder access from Roof N.

Q flat One roof. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Existing fixed ladder access from Roof N.

R flat One roof. Equipment on roof.

Existing regulation- compliant guard rail. Provide temporary skylight cover when working in adjacent areas.

Fall protection installed. Provide cover for skylight when working in adjacent areas.

Existing fixed ladder access from Roof N.

Materials Research Center


Warning line/safety monitor. Install guardrail or provide cover at Empire State Hall Skylight.

Warning line/safety monitor. Provide cover or guardrail at Empire State Hall Skylight.


Stack Penthouses

flat Two roofs. None required because there is a less than 4 foot fall hazard.

None required. Existing portable ladder access from Main Roof.

Vented Penthouses

flat Two roofs. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Provide fixed ladder access from Penthouse Roof ($3,000).

Penthouse flat One roof. None required because there is a less than 4 foot fall hazard.

None required. Existing portable ladder access from Main Roof.

Recessed Penthouse

flat One roof. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Existing portable ladder access from Main Roof.

Entrances flat Two roofs. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Existing portable ladder access from ground.

Loading Dock

flat Guardrail around non-loading sides, with a removable chain on the loading side.

None Due to the height of this loading dock, guardrails must be installed on the open non-loading sides.

Mueller Center 72 Main flat One roof. Equipment on roof.

Existing guardrail installed between stair towers; warning lines/safety monitor required elsewhere (away from guardrail/equipment area, east edge, west edge, outside guardrail, north side)

Existing guardrail installed between stair towers; warning lines/safety monitor required elsewhere (away from guardrail/equipment area, east edge, west edge, outside guardrail, north side)

Verbal warning lines acceptable for equipment access and minor repairs (less than 4 hours of work) away from the edge. Existing door access from Stair Towers.


Mueller Center Stair Towers

flat Two roofs. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing fixed ladder access from Main Roof.

Canopy flat One roof. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing portable ladder access from ground.

Nason Hall 41 Main flat One roof. Equipment on roof.





North Hall 8 Main 3 on 12 Four roofs. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing hatch access.

Nuclear Engineering & Science

58 Upper Main flat One roof. Equipment on roof.

Warning lines/safety monitor Warning lines/safety monitor Verbal warning lines acceptable for equipment access and minor repairs (less than 4 hours of work) away from the edge. Existing fixed ladder access from Lower Main Roof.



Lower Extension

flat One roof. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing access from Lower Main Roof.

Nugent Hall 44 Main flat One roof. Equipment on roof.


Patroon Manor 65 Main (upper)

5 on 12 Nine roofs. Meets residential construction alternative requirements - safety monitor may be used. [Personal fall arrest ($11,000) to meet 29 CFR 1926].

Safety monitor Existing access from Dormer Roofs.

Main (lower) 17 on 12

Eight roofs. Meets residential construction alternative requirements - safety monitor may be used. [Personal fall arrest ($10,000) to meet 29 CFR 1926].

Safety monitor Existing portable ladder access from ground.

Main (gable edge)

12 on 12

One roof. Do not access. Use a ladder from the ground to perform work on this roof.

Work from portable ladder on ground.


Patroon Manor Dormers 6 on 12 Nine roofs. Meets residential construction alternative requirements - slide guards may be used. [Personal fall arrest ($10,000) to meet 29 CFR 1926].

Install slide guards according to parameters found in OSHA directive STD 3-0.1A, Interim Fall Protection Compliance Guidelines for Residential Construction and Rensselaer's Fall Protection Program, or work from a ladder on the ground.


Entrance arc One roof. Safety monitor. Safety monitor or work from a ladder on the ground.


Garage Upper

12 on 12

Two roofs. Personal fall arrest ($5,000). Do not access. Work from a portable ladder or aerial lift.


Garage Lower

24 on 12

Two roofs. Scaffold-mounted guard rail along eaves; personal fall arrest along gables.


Use Garage Upper Roof personal fall arrest system, or work from a portable ladder from the ground.

Bay Window 2 on 12 One roof. Scaffold-mounted guard rail. Do not access. Work from a portable ladder or aerial lift.

Access from scaffold or use a portable ladder.

Pittsburgh Building 1 Entire roof pitched Personal fall arrest in place; anchorages and horizontal lines

Use installed personal fall arrest anchorages and cables with body harness, lifeline, lanyard.

Playhouse Note: Consult a fall protection engineering professional for the best design for the entire building.

15 A (upper roof)

6 on 12 Two roofs. Personal fall arrest ($5,000). Do not access. Work from a portable ladder or aerial lift.

Existing portable ladder access from ground. A new roof and wind shields were installed in 2001 and the need to access roof has been eliminated. Installation of a fixed ladder to reach roof A is recommended.

B flat Two roofs. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing access from Roof A.

C 6 on 12 One roof. Personal fall arrest ($5,000). Do not access. Work from a portable ladder or aerial lift.


D flat Two roofs. Equipment on both roofs.

Warning lines/safety monitor. Warning lines/safety monitor. Existing portable ladder access from ground.

E 6 on 12 Two roofs. Scaffold-mounted guard rail along eaves; personal fall arrest along gables ($6,000).


Access from scaffold.

F 6 on 12 Two roofs. Can work on from roof H – no fall protection required.

Can work on from roof H – no fall protection required.

Existing access from Roof H.

G 11 on 12

Two roofs. Can work on from roof H – no fall protection required. Provide cover for glass skylight.

Can work on from roof H – no fall protection required. Provide cover for glass skylight.

Existing access from Roof H.

H flat Two roofs. Depressed area/protected by parapet – no other fall protection required.

Depressed area/protected by parapet – no other fall protection required.

Existing access from Roof D.


Playhouse I flat One roof. Do not access - work from a portable ladder from the ground.

Do not access - work from a portable ladder from the ground.

Work from portable ladder on ground.

President’s House 56 House (Low Sloped)

2 on 12, 3 on 12

Dormers, part of front and rear porch enclosures

Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Existing portable ladder access from ground

House (Steep Sloped)

8 on 12 Many roofs. Meets residential construction alternative requirements - slide guards may be used. [Scaffold-mounted guard rail to meet 29 CFR 1926].



Shed (Low Sloped)

2 on 12 Two roofs. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Existing portable ladder access from ground.

Shed (Steep Sloped)

5 on 12 Two roofs. Meets residential construction alternative requirements - slide guards may be used. [Scaffold-mounted guard rail to meet 29 CFR 1926].



Gazebo 8 on 12 Four roofs. Meets residential construction alternative requirements - slide guards may be used. [Scaffold-mounted guard rail to meet 29 CFR 1926].



Quadrangle Complex

12 Square Buildings

7 on 12 hip, 5 on 12 dormers, dome cupola

Five buildings with 8-10 roofs each

Scaffolding for cupola; personal fall arrest elsewhere ($35,000).


Access cupola from scaffolding. Existing hatch access in Church 6.

Row Buildings

4 on 12 main roofs, 1 on 0.75 mansard roofs, 7 on 12 dormers

14 buildings with 24 roofs each.


Provide hatch access at at least 4 sections of the roof - far south end, just north of the archway, just west of the northwest corner, and far west end.


RAHP A (9 buildings)

53 flat less than 50 feet wide

Safety monitor Safety monitor Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide.

RAHP B (6 buildings)

62 flat less than 50 feet wide

Safety monitor Safety monitor Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide.

Rensselaer Union 35 Main flat One roof. Equipment on roof.

Warning line/safety monitor. Provide cover or guardrail for domed acrylic skylights.

Warning line/safety monitor. Provide cover or guardrails for domed acrylic skylights.


Ricketts Building 10 Entire roof pitched Personal fall arrest in place; anchorages Use installed personal fall arrest anchorages with body harness, lifeline, lanyard.

Robison Pool 38 Main 3 on 12 Two roofs. Personal fall arrest in place. Do not access main skylights.

Use installed personal fall arrest anchorages with body harness, lifeline, lanyard.

Existing portable ladder access from Upper or Lower Roofs. Skylights meet coverage requirements as is.

Lower Main (connector to garage, E side)

5 on 12 Adjoins AS&RC Garage. Two roofs.

Personal fall arrest in place on Robison Pool main roof.

Use installed personal fall arrest anchorages on Robison Pool main roof with body harness, lifeline, lanyard.

Existing portable ladder access from Lower Roof.

Upper flat One roof. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Existing access from Lower Roof. East side of skylight is permanently covered.



Entrance Skylight

4 on 12 Four roofs. Do not access. E end of skylight (section accessible from roof) is permanently covered.

Do not access.

Russell Sage Dining Hall

13 Upper Main 8 on 12 Four roofs. Personal fall arrest ($8,000). Do not access. Work from a portable ladder or aerial lift.

Fixed ladder access from Skylight Roof ($3,000) is recommended.

Towers flat Two roofs. Safety monitor. Safety monitor Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Fixed ladder access from Skylight Roof ($4,000) is recommended.

Skylight flat One roof. Equipment on roof.

Safety monitor. Provide cover or guardrail for skylight.

Safety monitor with skylight protection. Do not work within 6 feet of skylight until protection is installed.

Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing hatch access.

Metal 4 on 12 One roof. Personal fall arrest ($8,000). Do not access. Work from a portable ladder or aerial lift.


Canopy 3 on 12 Two roofs. Do not access. Do not access. Cloth canopy is not designed to support workers.


Russell Sage Laboratory

6 A 8 on 12 Greenhouse.

Replace Greenhouse with access hatch ($10,000).

Do not access greenhouse roof. Remove scaffolding along south side of Greenhouse also. Roofer does not believe that Greenhouse access needs to be replaced with a hatch - will have to be decided by engineering firm contracted to perform installation. Personal fall arrest to be installed Autumn 2002.

B 7 on 12 (18 roofs), flat (2 roofs)

Twenty roofs. Equipment on both flat roofs.

Personal fall arrest ($34,000). Provide cover for skylight when working in adjacent areas.

Do not access. Work from an aerial lift. Access from new Hatch A (or greenhouse). Current guardrails do not meet strength requirements. Personal fall arrest to be installed Autumn 2002.

C flat One roof. Safety monitor; maintain existing skylight cover.

Safety monitor. Do not stand on skylight. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing window access from B.

D flat Two roofs. Equipment on roof.

Safety monitor; provide covers for skylights.

Safety monitor with skylight cover. Do not stand on skylight.

Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing window access from C.

Salt Shed N/A Main 5 on 12 One roof. Meets residential construction alternative requirements - slide guards may be used. [Personal fall arrest ($6,000) to meet 29 CFR 1926].


Existing portable ladder access from ground - working from a ladder is possible.

Schenectady Critical Facility

N/A Shed 1 on 12 One roof. Safety monitor. Safety monitor Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing portable ladder access from ground.


Guard rail near equipment at edges ($4,000) if equipment needs to be accessed; warning lines/safety monitor elsewhere.



Upper Main flat One roof. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing fixed ladder access from Lower Main Roof. [Cage to be installed Summer 2002]


Guard Shack


Service Building 28 Upper flat One roof. Equipment on roof.



Warning lines/safety monitor Warning lines/safety monitor Verbal warning lines acceptable for equipment access and minor repairs (less than 4 hours of work) away from the edge.


Sharp Hall 43 Main flat One roof. Equipment on roof.


Stacwyck 59 Main flat Five buildings with one roof each. Equipment on all roofs.


Troy Building 7 Entire roof pitched Personal fall arrest in place; anchorages and horizontal lines.


Visitors Information Center

36 A 5 on 12 One roof. Meets residential construction alternative requirements - safety monitor may be used. [Guard rail ($4,000) to meet 29 CFR 1926].

Slippery, especially in winter. Work from a ladder or aerial lift.

Existing portable ladder access from ground. Slippery, especially in winter. Primarily accessed to knock off snow/ice - work from a ladder or aerial lift is a good option.

B 4 on 12 Four roofs. Equipment on all roofs.

Meets residential construction alternative requirements - safety monitor may be used. [Personal fall arrest for equipment access ($6,000) to meet 29 CFR 1926].

Safety monitor. Existing portable ladder access from ground.

C 5 on 12 One roof. Meets residential construction alternative requirements - safety monitor may be used. [Personal fall arrest ($6,000) to meet 29 CFR 1926].

Safety monitor. Existing portable ladder access from ground. Slippery, especially in winter. Primarily accessed to knock off snow/ice - work from a ladder or aerial lift is a good option.

D flat One roof. Equipment on roof.

Meets residential construction alternative requirements - safety monitor may be used. [Warning lines/safety monitor to meet 29 CFR 1926]. Implement existing skylight covers.

Safety monitor. Implement existing skylight covers.

Existing access from Roof B.

E flat One roof. Equipment on roof.

Meets residential construction alternative requirements - safety monitor may be used. [Personal fall arrest ($3,000) to meet 29 CFR 1926].

Safety monitor. Existing portable ladder access from ground.

F 5 on 12 One roof. Meets residential construction alternative requirements - safety monitor may be used. [Personal fall arrest ($3,000) to meet 29 CFR 1926].

Safety monitor. Fixed ladder access from Roof D ($3,000) is recommended.

G (guard shack)

4 on 12 Four roofs. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Existing portable ladder access from ground.

Voorhees Computing Center

22 A (main roof)

8 on 12 Eight roofs. Personal fall arrest ($16,000). Do not access. Work from a portable ladder or aerial lift.

Access hatch from attic needs to be installed near anchorage.

B 3 on 12 Two roofs. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing portable ladder access from ground.



C 5 on 12 Two roofs. Personal fall arrest ($8,000). Do not access. Work from a portable ladder or aerial lift.


D flat Three roofs. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing portable ladder access from ground.

E 1 on 1 Three roofs. Personal fall arrest ($11,000). Do not access. Work from a portable ladder or aerial lift.


W2SZ Radio Club 60 Main 1 on 12 Two roofs. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing portable ladder access from ground.

Walker Lab 4 Entire roof pitched Personal fall arrest in place; anchorages and horizontal lines.


Warren Hall 45 Main flat One roof. Equipment on roof.





Watervliet Facility N/A Main flat One roof. Equipment on roof.

Extend existing regulation-compliant guard rail near Penthouse ($5,000); guard rail near equipment at edges ($12,000); warning lines/safety monitor elsewhere. Provide a cover or guardrail for the plastic skylight.

Do not access. Work from a portable ladder or aerial lift when possible. Do not work within 6 feet of the edge until guardrail is installed.

Existing door access from Penthouse.

Penthouse flat One roof. Equipment on roof.

Safety monitor. Maintain existing glass skylight cover.

Safety monitor. Maintain existing cover for glass skylight.

Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Provide fixed ladder access from Main Roof ($3,000).


Loading Dock


Outbuilding (green metal bldg)

flat One roof. Equipment on roof? Roof was not accessible.

Existing guard rail height acceptable. Connections unacceptable. Does not comply with OSHA regulations. Repair railing ($1,000) if roof is to be accessed.


Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing fixed ladder access from ground.


West Hall 2 A 2.75 on 12

Eleven roofs. Equipment on several roofs.

Warning lines/safety monitor; personal fall arrest ($11,000) or guardrail at equipment for maintenance. Provide cover or guardrail for glass skylight.

Warning lines/safety monitor may be used on entire roof. Do not work within 6 feet of skylights until protection is installed.


B 2.75 on 12

Four roofs. Warning lines/safety monitor. Warning lines/safety monitor. Existing access from Roof A.

C 2.75 on 12

Four roofs. Warning line/safety monitor. Provide cover or guardrail for glass skylight when working in adjacent areas.

Warning lines/safety monitor. Provide cover or guardrail for glass skylight when working in adjacent areas. Do not work within 6 feet of skylights until protection is installed.

Existing access from Roof A.

D 4 on 12 Approx. sixty roofs.

Scaffolding. Do not access. Work from an aerial lift. Access from scaffold.

E 4 on 1 Twelve roofs.

Scaffolding. Do not access. Work from an aerial lift. Access from scaffold.

F flat Four roofs. Safety monitor. Provide cover or guardrail for glass skylight.

Safety monitor. Provide cover or guardrail for glass skylight. Do not work within 6 feet of skylight until protection is installed.

Existing portable ladder access from Roof I.

G flat Two roofs. Equipment on one roof.

Guard rail at hatches ($5,000); warning lines/safety monitor elsewhere.

Warning lines/safety monitors may be used on entire roof. Do not enter/exit hatches from sides closest to roof edges.


H 1 on 12 Two roofs. Safety monitor. Safety monitor or work from a ladder on Roof I

Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing portable ladder access from Roof I.

I flat One roof. None required - recessed area None required - recessed area Existing window access from A.

J flat Two roofs. Safety monitor. Safety monitor or work from a ladder on the ground.

Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing portable ladder access from ground.

K flat One roof. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing window access from A.

Gutter system encircling building

flat Scaffolding Do not access - not walkable. Work from aerial lift or scaffolding.

WRPI tower N/A Tower "Safety climb" system Do not access until safety system is installed.

Safety system to be installed Summer 2002.

1 Sunset Terr. (Lambda Chi Alpha)

54 Flat flat One roof. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing portable ladder access from ground.

Sloped 3.75 on 12

Four roofs. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing portable ladder access from ground.

Atrium 3.75 on 12

One roof. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing portable ladder access from ground.

Stair Towers

flat Four roofs. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing portable ladder access from ground.


3 Sunset Terr. (Delta Tau Delta)

71 Lower 2 on 12 Two roofs. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing access from Connector Roof.

Connector flat One roof. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing portable ladder access from ground.

Upper 2 on 12 Two roofs. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing portable ladder access from ground.

Shed flat One roof. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing access from ground.

8 Sherry Rd. (Pi Beta Phi)

70 Lower 2 on 12 Two roofs. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing portable ladder access from ground.

Upper 2 on 12 Two roofs. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing portable ladder access from ground.

Connector Flat One roof. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing portable ladder access from ground.

11 Eaton Rd. N/A Main 8 on 12 Two roofs. Meets residential construction alternative requirements - slide guards may be used. [Personal fall arrest ($6,000) to meet 29 CFR 1926].


Existing portable ladder access from ground or existing access from Front Porch Roof.

Front Porch 4 on 12 One roof. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing portable ladder access from ground.

Dormers 2 on 12 Two roofs. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing access from Main Roofs.

Garage 5 on 12 Two roofs. Meets residential construction alternative requirements - slide guards may be used. [Personal fall arrest along gables ($5,000); scaffold-mounted guard rail along eaves to meet 29 CFR 1926].


Access from ladder or scaffold.

14 Sherry Rd. N/A All 10 on 12, Main; 4 on 12 others

Eight roofs. Personal fall arrest ($10,000). Do not access. Work from a portable ladder or aerial lift.

Existing portable ladder access from ground. Ridge hook ladder use possible. PFA installation is a lower priority.

1991 15th St. (Tau Epsilon Phi)

N/A Main 12 on 12

Eighteen roofs.


Existing portable ladder access from ground. Ridge hook ladder use possible. PFA installation is a lower priority.

Porch flat One roof. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing portable ladder access from ground.


2115 Burdett Ave. N/A Upper Main 12 on 12 Main, 5 on 12 dormers

Six roofs, including dormers.

Meets residential construction alternative requirements - slide guards may be used. [Personal fall arrest ($10,000) to meet 29 CFR 1926].


Existing access from Lower Main Roofs.

Lower Main 4 on 12 Two roofs. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing portable ladder access from ground.

Garage flat One roof. Existing guard-rail height not acceptable. Does not meet OSHA regulations. Therefore use safety monitor.

Safety monitor. Existing door access from Upper Main roof; existing portable ladder access from ground.

2144 Burdett Ave. 51 A 8 on 12 Five roofs. Meets residential construction alternative requirements - slide guards may be used. [Personal fall arrest ($11,000) to meet 29 CFR 1926].


Existing portable ladder access from ground. Ridge hook ladder use possible.

B 1 on 12 Two roofs. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing portable ladder access from ground. Ridge hook ladder use possible.

C varies Two roofs. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing portable ladder access from ground. Ridge hook ladder use possible.

D 8 on 12 Two roofs. Meets residential construction alternative requirements - slide guards may be used. [Scaffold-mounted guard rail to meet 29 CFR 1926].

Install slide guards according to parameters found in OSHA directive STD 3-0.1A, Interim Fall Protection Compliance Guidelines for Residential Construction and Rensselaer's Fall Protection Program, install a scaffold-mounted guardrail, or work from a ladder on the ground.

Access from scaffold.

E flat One roof. Existing guard-rail height acceptable. Anchorage strengths unacceptable. Does not meet OSHA regulations. Therefore use safety monitor.

Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Provide gate in guard rail ($1,000) or remove guardrail for existing portable ladder access from ground OR use available window access.

F flat One roof. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing portable ladder access from ground.

G varies One roof. Safety monitor. Safety monitor. Roof is low-slope and less than 50 feet wide. Existing portable ladder access from ground.

Ryan-Biggs Drawings with Roof Designations as used in the above table Academy Hall

AS & RC

BARH

Commons Dining Hall

Heffner Alumni House

Linac Facility

Low CII

Playhouse

\

Russell Sage Laboratory

Visitors Information Center


West Hall

2144 Burdett Ave.

Revised August 2014

Appendix 3.

Roof Access Policy/Schedule for Buildings with Chemical or Other Roof Hazards

The following policy and roof access schedule was developed to protect maintenance and laboratory

personnel from potential exposure to hazardous materials during the servicing of fume hood exhaust

systems and other roof top work in buildings with chemical, biological and/or radiological discharge

hazards.

Standards and Rationale for Roof Discharge Calculations

The American National Standard, Laboratory Ventilation, ANSI/AIHI Z9.5-2003, as well as the

American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) both

recommend a minimum discharge stack height of 10ft. above adjacent roof lines and building air intakes

and a minimum discharge velocity of 3,000 fpm (15.2 m/s). The purpose of these guidance documents is

to ensure adequate dilution levels for roof top workers/observers to prevent hazardous chemical

exposure. Due to the variability of chemical usage within laboratory facilities, it is very challenging to

establish a single universal design criterion for fume hood exhaust. It is not possible to find a feasible

design that will meet all applicable health and odor thresholds for the wide range of chemicals that could

potentially be used. According to RWDI, a consulting firm that Rensselaer has contracted to assist in the

assessment of roof discharge on campus, a dilution level of 3,000:1 yields acceptable roof top dilution

for about 89% of chemicals commonly shown to be used in research and teaching laboratories and this

level has been found to be reasonably achievable with feasible design recommendations. This dilution

level would allow for unabated roof access in most circumstances. For the other 11% of chemicals used

in the study, required dilutions are significantly higher. It is usually not feasible to design fume hood

exhausts to this level of dilution.

It is important to note that the emission rate used to calculate the roof top exposure impact is related to a

spill, or high emission scenario (i.e., boiling of chemicals). Although this level of emission may not

occur often, even routine operating emissions could be a concern for certain types of roof top exhausts.

Table #1, on the following page contains a summary of the calculated dilution levels on selected

rooftops at Rensselaer.

Buildings which do not model sufficient dilution ratios subsequently require fume hood shutdown

and isolation (Lockout/Tagout) prior to roof access are highlighted in red.

Buildings which do model sufficient dilution ratios thus do not require fume hood shutdown or isolation

prior to roof access are highlighted in green.

Revised August 2014

Table #1: Calculated Dispersion Ratios

Building Calculated Dilution: ANSI/AIHI Target 3,000:1

Biotech Sufficient Dilution-Shutdown/Isolation Not Required

CII Not Sufficient Dilution-Shutdown/Isolation Required

Cogswell Sufficient Dilution-Shutdown/Isolation Not Required

Empire State Hall Not Sufficient Dilution-Shutdown/Isolation Required

Greene Not Sufficient Dilution-Shutdown/Laser Cutter

JEC Not Sufficient Dilution-Shutdown/Isolation Required

JRSC Not Sufficient Dilution-Shutdown/Isolation Required

MRC Not Sufficient Dilution-Shutdown/Isolation Required

Ricketts Not Sufficient Dilution-Shutdown/Isolation Required

Walker Sufficient Dilution-Shutdown/Isolation Not Required

Watervliet Not Sufficient Dilution-Shutdown/Isolation Required

Under extreme and/or emergency conditions, the Office of Environmental Health and Safety can assist

departments in accessing the feasibility of utilizing Personal Protective Equipment for roof access. This

option is generally not feasible and requires Personal Protective Equipment not routinely in use at

Rensselaer.

Table #2 includes a contact list of Building Coordinators who must be notified in the event a shutdown

of laboratory exhaust fans/ fume hoods is required. Building Coordinators are responsible for

disseminating information to building occupants relating to the scheduling and coordination of such

shutdowns. A template notice has been included on the next page of this document which should be

posted on the sash of each affected fume hood/biological safety cabinet (as applicable). Fan motors and

other exhaust equipment must be isolated utilizing the provisions outlined in Rensselaer’s

Lockout/Tagout Program.

Table #2; Building Contact for Fume Hood Shutdown

Building access schedule for roofs with chemical or other hazards

Building Hazards Roof Access

Permitted

Contact/Building Coordinator

Blaw Knox 1&2 chemical As needed Contact/Building Coordinator

Biotech chemical/biological/radiol

ogical

As needed Contact/Building Coordinator

CII chemical Fridays, 6 AM –

12 PM Contact/Building Coordinator

Cogswell chemical/radiological As needed Contact/Building Coordinator

Empire State

Hall

chemical As needed Contact/Building Coordinator

Greene chemical As needed-Laser Contact/Building Coordinator

JEC Chemical/biological Fridays, 12 PM –

5 PM Contact/Building Coordinator

JEC High bay

chemical, electromagnetic

radiation

As needed Contact/Building Coordinator

JRSC chemical/biological As needed Contact/Building Coordinator

MRC chemical As needed Contact/Building Coordinator

Ricketts chemical As needed Contact/Building Coordinator

Walker Chemical/biological As needed Contact/Building Coordinator

Watervliet chemical As needed Contact/Building Coordinator

Revised August 2014

Chemical Fume Hood/BSC Shutdown Notice

This ventilation related engineering control device will not be

operating during the following time period:

Shutdown Date: __________ Time: __________

Start-Up Date: __________ Time: __________

It is important that during this period you:

1. DO NOT USE this device as it will not provide adequate

safety protection for your work.

2. Remove or secure all chemicals, biological, radiological

material and equipment in the hood. All containers should

be capped and sealed.

3. Pull down sashes and post this notice on the hood sash.

Please call the Office of Environmental Health and Safety at extension 6114 if you have

questions or require additional information.

APPENDIX 4

STRUCTURAL/DESIGN REQUIREMENTS FOR

FALL PROTECTION SYSTEMS

Appendix 4: Structural/design requirements for fall protection systems

A. Guardrails

Requirements for guardrail components when used for fall protection are as follows:

1. When installed for fall protection as required for construction, the top edge of top rails must be 42 in. (1.1 m) + 3 in. (8 cm) above the walking/working level. When installed for fall protection as required for general industry, the height of the rail must be 42 inches.

2. Installation of midrails, screens, mesh, intermediate vertical members, or equivalent intermediate structural members is required between the top edge of the guardrail systems and the walking/working surface when there is no wall or parapet wall at least 21 in. (53 cm) high. a. Midrails, when used, must be installed at a height midway between the top edge

of the guardrail system and the walking/working level b. Screens and mesh, when used, must extend from the top rail to the

walking/working level and along the entire opening between top rail supports. c. Intermediate members (i.e. balusters), when used between posts, must be not

more that 19 in. (0.5 m) apart. d. Other structural members must be installed so that there are no openings in the

guardrail system that are more than 19 in. (0.5 m) wide. 3. Guardrail systems must be surfaced so that they will prevent both injuries from

puncture or lacerations and snagging of clothing. 4. The ends of all top rails and midrails must not overhang the terminal posts, except

where such overhang does not constitute a projection hazard. 5. Use of steel banding and plastic banding as top rails or midrails is not permitted. 6. Top rails and midrails must be at least one-quarter inch (0.6 cm) nominal diameter or

thickness to prevent cuts and lacerations. 7. If wire rope is used for top rails, it must be flagged at not more than 6-foot intervals

with high-visibility material. 8. Guardrail systems must be capable of withstanding, without failure, a force of at least

200 lbs (890N) applied within 2 in. (5.1 cm) of the top edge, in any outward or downward direction, at any point along the top edge. a. When this test load is applied, the top edge of the guardrail system must not

deflect to a height less than 39 in. (1.0 m) above the walking/working level. 9. Midrails, screens, mesh, intermediate vertical members, solid panels, and equivalent

structural members must be capable of withstanding, without failure, a force of at least 150 lbs. (666N) applied in any downward or outward direction at any point along the midrail or other member.

NOTE: If manila, plastic, or synthetic rope is used for top rails or midrails, it must be inspected as frequently as necessary to ensure that it continues to meet the strength requirement listed above.

B. Safety Net Systems

Requirements for safety net systems when used for fall protection are as follows:

1. Safety nets must be installed as close as practicable under the walking/working surface on which employees are working.

2. Under no circumstances should the safety net be installed more than 30 feet (9.1 m) below the walking/working surface level.

3. Safety nets must extend outward from the outermost projection of the work surface as follows:

Vertical distance from working level to horizontal plane of the net in feet (meters)

Minimum required horizontal distance of the outer edge of the net from the edge of the working surface in feet (meters)

Up to 5 (1.5) 8 (2.5) 5 – 10 (1.5 – 3.1) 10 (3.1)

More than 10 (3.1) 13 (4.0)

4. The maximum size of each safety net mesh opening must not exceed 36 square inches (230 cm), nor be more than 6 in. (15 cm) in length on any side.

5. Mesh openings, measured center-to-center of mesh ropes or webbing, must not be longer than 6 in. (15 cm).

6. All mesh crossings must be secured to prevent enlargement of the mesh openings. 7. Each safety net must have a border rope for webbing with a minimum breaking

strength of 5000 lbs (22.2 kN). 8. Connections between safety net panels must be as strong as integral net components

and must be spaced no more than 6 in. (15 cm) apart. 9. Safety nets must be drop-tested at the jobsite after initial installation and before being

used as fall protection, whenever relocated, after major repair, and at 6-month intervals if left in one place.

a. Safety nets must be installed with sufficient clearance under them to prevent contact with the surface or structures below when subjected to an impact force equal to that produced by the drop test.

b. The drop test must consist of a 400 lb. (180 kg) bag of sand 30 + 2 in. (76 + 5 cm) in diameter dropped into the net from the highest walking/working surface at which employees are exposed to fall hazards, but not from less than 42 in. (1.1 m) above that level.

NOTE: If the employer can demonstrate that it is unreasonable to perform the drop-test, the employer or a designated competent person must certify that the net and net installation is in compliance with the above clearance and drop test requirements by preparing a certification record prior to the net being used as a fall protection system. The certification record must include an identification of the net and net installation for which the certification record is doing prepared, the date that is was determined that the net/net installation were in compliance with clearance requirements, and the signature of the person making the determination and certification. The most recent certification record for each net/net installation must be available at the jobsite for inspection.

10. Defective nets must not be used. 11. Safety nets must be inspected at least once a week for wear, damage, and other

deterioration. Defective components must be removed from service as soon as defects are discovered. If damage is not repairable, the equipment must be destroyed to prevent use.

12. Components determined to be unsuitable for reuse must be destroyed and replaced with undamaged equipment.

13. Safety nets must be inspected for wear, damage, or other deterioration after any occurrence that may affect the integrity of the safety net system.

14. Materials, scrap pieces, equipment, and tools that have fallen into the safety net must be removed as soon as possible from the net and at least before the next work shift.

C. Personal Fall Arrest Systems

1. General requirements for use of fall arrest systems are as follows:

a. Design and installation of anchorages and horizontal lifelines must be performed by qualified individuals.

b. The use of body belts as part of a personal fall arrest system is prohibited. c. System users must be trained in equipment use and care. d. All components of personal fall arrest systems must be inspected prior to each

use for wear, damage, and other deterioration. Defective components must be removed from service as soon as defects are discovered.

e. When more than one employee are using the same anchorage, each employee must be attached to a separate lifeline and/or lanyard.

f. Harnesses and components must be used only for employee protection as part of a personal fall arrest system and not to hoist materials.

g. Personal fall arrest systems must be attached ONLY to designated fall arrest anchorages. Do not attach to guardrail systems, hoists, or other items that have not been verified as capable of resisting the forces generated in a fall.

h. All components of personal fall arrest systems subjected to impact loading must be immediately removed from service and must not be used again for employee protection until inspected and determined by a competent person to be undamaged and suitable for reuse. Components determined to be unsuitable for reuse must be destroyed and replaced and undamaged equipment.

i. Rensselaer must provide for prompt rescue of employees in the event of a fall or must assure that employees are able to rescue themselves – employees using personal fall arrest systems must have a radio on their persons at all times.

2. Requirements for personal fall arrest system components when used for fall protection are as follows:

a. All connectors: i. must be drop-forged, pressed or formed steel, or made of equivalent

materials. ii. must have a corrosion-resistant finish

iii. must have smooth surfaces and edges to prevent damage to interfacing

parts of the system. b. D-rings:

i. must have a minimal tensile strength of 5000 lbs. (22.2 kN). ii. must be proof-tested to a minimum tensile load of 3600 lbs. (16 kN)

without cracking, breaking, or taking permanent deformation. c. Snaphooks:

i. must have a minimal tensile strength of 5000 lbs. (22.2 kN). ii. must be proof-tested to a minimum tensile load of 3600 lbs. (16 kN)

without cracking, breaking, or taking permanent deformation. iii. must be a locking type to prevent roll-out. iv. When used with horizontal lifelines that may become vertical lifelines, the

devices used to connect to the horizontal lifeline must be capable of locking in both directions on the lifeline.

d. Lifelines: i. must be protected against being cut or abraded.

ii. Horizontal lifelines must be designed, installed and used under the supervision of a qualified person as part of a complete personal fall arrest system that maintains a safety factor of at least two.

iii. Vertical lifelines must have a minimum breaking strength of 5000 lbs. (22.2 kN).

iv. Self-retracting lifelines that automatically limit free fall distance to 2 feet (0.61 m) or less must be capable of sustaining a minimum tensile load of 3000 lbs. (13.3 kN) applied to the device with the lifeline in the fully extended position.

v. Self-retracting lifelines that do not limit free fall distance to 2 feet (0.61 m) or less must be capable of sustaining a minimum tensile load of 5000 lbs. (22.2 kN) applied to the device with the lifeline in the fully extended position.

e. Lanyards: i. must have a minimum breaking strength of 5000 lbs. (22.2 kN)

ii. Self-retracting lanyards that automatically limit free fall distance to 2 feet (0.61 m) or less must be capable of sustaining a minimum tensile load of 3000 lbs. (13.3 kN) applied to the device with the lanyard in the fully extended position.

iii. Self-retracting lanyards that do not limit free fall distance to 2 feet (0.61 m) or less, ripstitch lanyards, and tearing and deforming lanyards must be capable of sustaining a minimum tensile load of 5000 lbs. (22.2 kN) applied to the device with the lanyard in the fully extended position.

f. Ropes, straps, webbing: i. must be constructed from synthetic fibers when used in lanyards, lifelines,

and strength components of body harnesses. g. Anchorages:

i. must be independent of any anchorage being used to support or suspend platforms.

ii. must be capable of supporting at least 5000 lbs. (22.2 kN) per employee attached OR

iii. must be designed, installed, and used under the supervision of a qualified

person and as part of a complete personal fall arrest system which maintains a safety factor of at least two.

h. Body Harnesses i. The attachment point of the body harness must be located in the center of

the wearer's back near shoulder level, or above the wearer's head. 3. Requirements for personal fall arrest systems when stopping a fall are as follows:

a. The personal fall arrest system: i. must limit the maximum arresting force on an employee to 1800 lbs. (8 kN)

ii. must be rigged so that an employee cannot free fall more than 6 feet (1.8 m), or the height of the fall distance, if less than 6 feet.

iii. must be rigged so that an employee cannot contact any lower level. iv. must limit maximum deceleration distance an employee travels to 3.5 feet

(1.07 m). v. must bring an employee to a complete stop.

vi. Must have sufficient strength to withstand twice the potential impact energy of an employee free falling a distance of 6 feet (1.8 m) or the free fall distance permitted by the system, whichever is less.

NOTE: If the personal fall arrest system meets the criteria and protocols contained in 29 CFR 1926 Subpart M Appendix C (see below) and if the system is being used by an employee having a combined person and tool weight of less than 310 lbs (140 kg), the system is considered to be in compliance with this program and applicable OSHA regulations.

4. OSHA Non-Mandatory Guidelines for Complying with 29 CFR 1926.502(d): Personal Fall Arrest Systems OSHA -- Occupational Safety & Health Administration U.S. Department of Labor

Regulations (Standards - 29 CFR) Personal Fall Arrest Systems - Non-Mandatory Guidelines for Complying with 1926.502(d) - 1926 Subpart M App C

• Part Number: 1926 • Part Title: Safety and Health Regulations for Construction • Subpart: M • Subpart Title: Fall Protection • Standard Number: 1926 Subpart M App C • Title: Personal Fall Arrest Systems - Non-Mandatory Guidelines for Complying

with 1926.502(d) I. Test methods for personal fall arrest systems and positioning device systems -

(a) "General." This appendix serves as a non-mandatory guideline to assist employers comply with the

requirements in 1926.502(d). Paragraphs (b), (c), (d) and (e) of this Appendix describe test procedures which may be used to determine compliance with the requirements in 1926.502 (d)(16). As noted in Appendix D of this subpart, the test methods listed here in Appendix C can also be used to assist employers comply with the requirements in 1926.502(e) (3) and (4) for positioning device systems.

(b) "General conditions for all tests in the Appendix to 1926.502(d)."

(1) Lifelines, lanyards and deceleration devices should be attached to an anchorage and connected to the body-belt or body harness in the same manner as they would be when used to protect employees.

(2) The anchorage should be rigid, and should not have a deflection greater than 0.04 inches (1 mm) when a force of 2,250 pounds (10 kN) is applied.

(3) The frequency response of the load measuring instrumentation should be 500 Hz.

(4) The test weight used in the strength and force tests should be a rigid, metal, cylindrical or torso-shaped object with a girth of 38 inches plus or minus 4 inches (96 cm plus or minus 10 cm).

(5) The lanyard or lifeline used to create the free fall distance should be supplied with the system, or in its absence, the least elastic lanyard or lifeline available to be used with the system.

(6) The test weight for each test should be hoisted to the required level and should be quickly released without having any appreciable motion imparted to it.

(7) The system's performance should be evaluated taking into account the range of environmental conditions for which it is designed to be used. (8) Following the test, the system need not be capable of further operation.

(c) "Strength test." (1) During the testing of all systems, a test weight of 300 pounds plus or minus 5 pounds (135 kg plus or minus 2.5 kg) should be used. (See paragraph (b)(4) of this section.)

(2) The test consists of dropping the test weight once. A new unused system should be used for each test.

(3) For lanyard systems, the lanyard length should be 6 feet plus or minus 2 inches (1.83 m plus or minus 5 cm) as measured from the fixed anchorage to the attachment on the body belt or body harness.

(4) For rope-grab-type deceleration systems, the length of the lifeline above the centerline of the grabbing mechanism to the lifeline's anchorage point should not exceed 2 feet (0.61 m).

(5) For lanyard systems, for systems with deceleration devices which do not automatically limit free fall distance to 2 feet (0.61 m ) or less, and for systems with deceleration devices which have a connection distance in excess of 1 foot (0.3 m) (measured between the centerline of the lifeline and the attachment point to the body belt or harness), the test weight should be rigged to free fall a distance of 7.5 feet (2.3 m) from a point that is 1.5 feet (.46 m) above the anchorage point, to its hanging location (6 feet below the anchorage). The test weight should fall without interference, obstruction, or hitting the floor or ground during the test. In some cases a non-elastic wire lanyard of sufficient length may need to be added to the system (for test purposes) to create the necessary free fall distance.

(6) For deceleration device systems with integral lifelines or lanyards which automatically limit free fall distance to 2 feet (0.61 m) or less, the test weight should be rigged to free fall a distance of 4 feet (1.22 m).

(7) Any weight which detaches from the belt or harness has failed the strength test.

(d) "Force test" - (1) "General." The test consists of dropping the respective test weight once as specified in paragraph (d)(2)(i) or (d)(3)(i) of this section. A new, unused system should be used for each test.

(2) "For lanyard systems." (i) A test weight of 220 pounds plus or minus 3 pounds (100 kg plus or minus 1.6 kg) should be used. (See paragraph (b)(4) of this appendix).

(ii) Lanyard length should be 6 feet plus or minus two inches (1.83 m plus or minus 5 cm) as measured from the fixed anchorage to the attachment on the body belt or body harness.

(iii) The test weight should fall free from the anchorage level to its hanging location (a total of 6 feet (1.83 m) free fall distance) without interference, obstruction, or hitting the floor or ground during the test.

(3) "For all other systems." (i) A test weight of 220 pounds plus or minus 3 pounds (100 kg plus or minus 1.6 kg) should be used. (See paragraph (b)(4) of this appendix)

(ii) The free fall distance to be used in the test should be the maximum fall distance physically permitted by the system during normal use conditions, up to a maximum free fall distance for the test weight of 6 feet (1.83 m), except as follows:

(A) For deceleration systems which have a connection link or lanyard, the test weight should free fall a distance equal to the connection distance (measured between the centerline of the lifeline and the attachment point to the body belt or harness).

(B) For deceleration device systems with integral lifelines or lanyards which automatically limit free fall distance to 2 feet (0.61 m) or less, the test weight should free fall a distance equal to that permitted by the system in normal use. (For example, to test a system with a self-retracting lifeline or lanyard, the test weight should be supported and the system allowed to retract the lifeline or lanyard as it would in normal use. The test weight would then be released and the force and deceleration distance measured).

(4) A system fails the force test if the recorded maximum arresting force exceeds 1,260 pounds (5.6 kN) when using a body belt, and/or exceeds 2,520 pounds (11.2 kN) when using a body harness.

(5) The maximum elongation and deceleration distance should be recorded during the force test.

(e) "Deceleration device tests." (1) "General." The device should be evaluated or tested under the environmental conditions, (such as rain, ice, grease, dirt, type of lifeline, etc.), for which the device is designed.

(2) "Rope-grab-type deceleration devices." (i) Devices should be moved on a lifeline 1,000 times over the same length of line a distance of not less than 1 foot (30.5 cm), and the mechanism should lock each time.

(ii) Unless the device is permanently marked to indicate the type(s) of lifeline which must be used, several types (different diameters and different materials), of lifelines should be used to test the device.

(3) "Other self-activating-type deceleration devices." The locking mechanisms of other self-activating-type deceleration devices designed for more than one arrest should lock each of 1,000 times as they would in normal service.

II. Additional non-mandatory guidelines for personal fall arrest systems. The following information constitutes additional guidelines for use in complying with requirements for a personal fall arrest system.

(a) "Selection and use considerations."

(1) The kind of personal fall arrest system selected should match the particular work situation, and any possible free fall distance should be kept to a minimum. Consideration should be given to the particular work environment. For example, the presence of acids, dirt, moisture, oil, grease, etc., and their effect on the system, should be evaluated. Hot or cold environments may also have an adverse effect on the system. Wire rope should not be used where an electrical hazard is anticipated. As required by the standard, the employer must plan to have means available to promptly rescue an employee should a fall occur, since the suspended employee may not be able to reach a work level independently.

(2) Where lanyards, connectors, and lifelines are subject to damage by work operations such as welding, chemical cleaning, and sandblasting, the component should be protected, or other securing systems should be used. The employer should fully evaluate the work conditions and environment (including seasonal weather changes) before selecting the appropriate personal fall protection system. Once in use, the system's effectiveness should be monitored. In some cases, a program for cleaning and maintenance of the system may be necessary.

(b) "Testing considerations." Before purchasing or putting into use a personal fall arrest system, an employer should obtain from the supplier information about the system based on its performance during testing so that the employer can know if the system meets this standard. Testing should be done using recognized test methods. This Appendix contains test methods recognized for evaluating the performance of fall arrest systems. Not all systems may need to be individually tested; the performance of some systems may be based on data and calculations derived from testing of similar systems, provided that enough information is available to demonstrate similarity of function and design.

(c) "Component compatibility considerations." Ideally, a personal fall arrest system is designed, tested, and supplied as a complete system. However, it is common practice for lanyards, connectors, lifelines, deceleration devices, body belts and body harnesses to be interchanged since some components wear out before others. The employer and employee should realize that not all components are interchangeable. For instance, a lanyard should not be connected between a body belt (or harness) and a deceleration device of the self-retracting type since this can result in additional free fall for which the system was not designed. Any substitution or change to a personal fall arrest system should be fully evaluated or tested by a competent person to determine that it meets the standard, before the modified system is put in use.

(d) "Employee training considerations." Thorough employee training in the selection and use of personal fall arrest systems is imperative. Employees must be trained in the safe use of the system. This should include the following: application limits; proper anchoring and tie-off techniques; estimation of free fall distance, including determination of deceleration distance, and total fall distance to prevent striking a lower level; methods of use; and inspection and storage of the system. Careless or improper use of the equipment can result in serious injury or death. Employers and employees should become familiar with the material in this Appendix, as well as manufacturer's recommendations, before a system is used. Of uppermost importance is the reduction in strength caused by certain tie-offs (such as using knots, tying around sharp edges, etc.) and maximum permitted free fall distance. Also, to be stressed are the importance of inspections prior to use, the limitations of the equipment, and unique conditions at the worksite which may be important in determining the type of system to use.

(e) "Instruction considerations." Employers should obtain comprehensive instructions from the supplier as to the system's proper use and application, including, where applicable:

(1) The force measured during the sample force test;

(2) The maximum elongation measured for lanyards during the force test;

(3) The deceleration distance measured for deceleration devices during the force test;

(4) Caution statements on critical use limitations;

(5) Application limits;

(6) Proper hook-up, anchoring and tie-off techniques, including the proper dee-ring or other attachment point to use on the body belt and harness for fall arrest;

(7) Proper climbing techniques;

(8) Methods of inspection, use, cleaning, and storage; and

(9) Specific lifelines which may be used.

This information should be provided to employees during training.

(f) "Rescue considerations." As required by 1926.502(d)(20), when personal fall arrest systems are used, the employer must assure that employees can be promptly rescued or can rescue themselves should a fall occur. The availability of rescue personnel, ladders or other rescue equipment should be evaluated. In some situations, equipment which allows employees to rescue themselves after the fall has been arrested may be desirable, such as devices which have descent capability.

(g) "Inspection considerations." As required by 1926.502(d)(21), personal fall arrest systems must be regularly inspected. Any component with any significant defect, such as cuts, tears, abrasions, mold, or undue stretching; alterations or additions which might affect its efficiency; damage due to deterioration; contact with fire, acids, or other corrosives; distorted hooks or faulty hook springs; tongues unfitted to the shoulder of buckles; loose or damaged mountings; non-functioning parts; or wearing or internal deterioration in the ropes must be withdrawn from service immediately, and should be tagged or marked as unusable, or destroyed.

(h) "Tie-off considerations." (1) One of the most important aspects of personal fall protection systems is fully planning the system before it is put into use. Probably the most overlooked component is planning for suitable anchorage points. Such planning should ideally be done before the structure or building is constructed so that anchorage points can be incorporated during construction for use later for window cleaning or other building maintenance. If properly planned, these anchorage points may be used during construction, as well as afterwards.

(i) Properly planned anchorages should be used if they are available. In some cases, anchorages must be installed immediately prior to use. In such cases, a registered professional engineer with experience in designing fall protection systems, or another qualified person with appropriate education and experience should design an anchor point to be installed.

(ii) In other cases, the Agency recognizes that there will be a need to devise an anchor point from existing structures. Examples of what might be appropriate anchor points are steel members or I-beams if an acceptable strap is available for the connection (do not use a lanyard with a snaphook clipped onto itself); large eye-bolts made of an appropriate grade steel; guardrails or railings if they have been designed for use as an anchor point; or masonry or wood members only if the attachment point is substantial and precautions have been taken to assure that bolts or other connectors will not pull through. A qualified person should be used to evaluate the suitable of these "make shift" anchorages with a focus on proper strength.

(2) Employers and employees should at all times be aware that the strength of a personal fall arrest system is based on its being attached to an anchoring system which does not reduce the strength of the system (such as a properly dimensioned eye-bolt/snap-hook anchorage). Therefore, if a means of attachment is used that will reduce the strength of the system, that component should be replaced by a stronger one, but

one that will also maintain the appropriate maximum arrest force characteristics.

(3) Tie-off using a knot in a rope lanyard or lifeline (at any location) can reduce the lifeline or lanyard strength by 50 percent or more. Therefore, a stronger lanyard or lifeline should be used to compensate for the weakening effect of the knot, or the lanyard length should be reduced (or the tie-off location raised) to minimize free fall distance, or the lanyard or lifeline should be replaced by one which has an appropriately incorporated connector to eliminate the need for a knot.

(4) Tie-off of a rope lanyard or lifeline around an "H" or "I" beam or similar support can reduce its strength as much as 70 percent due to the cutting action of the beam edges. Therefore, use should be made of a webbing lanyard or wire core lifeline around the beam; or the lanyard or lifeline should be protected from the edge; or free fall distance should be greatly minimized.

(5) Tie-off where the line passes over or around rough or sharp surfaces reduces strength drastically. Such a tie-off should be avoided or an alternative tie-off rigging should be used. Such alternatives may include use of a snap-hook/dee ring connection, wire rope tie-off, an effective padding of the surfaces, or an abrasion-resistance strap around or over the problem surface.

(6) Horizontal lifelines may, depending on their geometry and angle of sag, be subjected to greater loads than the impact load imposed by an attached component. When the angle of horizontal lifeline sag is less than 30 degrees, the impact force imparted to the lifeline by an attached lanyard is greatly amplified. For example, with a sag angle of 15 degrees, the force amplification is about 2:1 and at 5 degrees sag, it is about 6:1. Depending on the angle of sag, and the line's elasticity, the strength of the horizontal lifeline and the anchorages to which it is attached should be increased a number of times over that of the lanyard. Extreme care should be taken in considering a horizontal lifeline for multiple tie-offs. The reason for this is that in multiple tie-offs to a horizontal lifeline, if one employee falls, the movement of the falling employee and the horizontal lifeline during arrest of the fall may cause other employees to fall also. Horizontal lifeline and anchorage strength should be increased for each additional employee to be tied off. For these and other reasons, the design of systems using horizontal lifelines must only be done by qualified persons. Testing of installed lifelines and anchors prior to use is recommended.

(7) The strength of an eye-bolt is rated along the axis of the bolt and its strength is greatly reduced if the force is applied at an angle to this axis (in the direction of shear). Also, care should be exercised in selecting the proper diameter of the eye to avoid accidental disengagement of snap-hooks not designed to be compatible for the connection.

(8) Due to the significant reduction in the strength of the lifeline/lanyard (in some cases, as much as a 70 percent reduction), the sliding hitch knot (prusik) should not be used for lifeline/lanyard connections except in emergency situations where no other available system is practical. The "one-and-one" sliding hitch knot should never be used because it is unreliable in stopping a fall. The "two-and-two," or "three-and-three" knot (preferable) may be used in emergency situations; however, care should be taken to limit free fall distance to a minimum because of reduced lifeline/lanyard strength.

(i) "Vertical lifeline considerations." As required by the standard, each employee must have a separate lifeline [except employees engaged in constructing elevator shafts who are permitted to have two employees on one lifeline] when the lifeline is vertical. The reason for this is that in multiple tie-offs to a single lifeline, if one employee falls, the movement of the lifeline during the arrest of the fall may pull other employees' lanyards, causing them to fall as well.

(j) "Snap-hook considerations." (1) Although not required by this standard for all connections until January 1, 1998, locking snaphooks designed for connection to suitable objects (of sufficient strength) are highly recommended in lieu of the nonlocking type. Locking snaphooks incorporate a positive locking mechanism in addition to the spring loaded keeper, which will not allow the keeper to open under moderate pressure without someone first releasing the mechanism. Such a feature, properly designed, effectively prevents roll-

out from occurring.

(2) As required by 1926.502(d)(6), the following connections must be avoided (unless properly designed locking snaphooks are used) because they are conditions which can result in roll-out when a nonlocking snaphook is used:

(i) Direct connection of a snaphook to a horizontal lifeline.

(ii) Two (or more) snaphooks connected to one dee-ring.

(iii) Two snaphooks connected to each other.

(iv) A snaphook connected back on its integral lanyard.

(v) A snaphook connected to a webbing loop or webbing lanyard.

(vi) Improper dimensions of the dee-ring, rebar, or other connection point in relation to the snaphook dimensions which would allow the snaphook keeper to be depressed by a turning motion of the snaphook.

(k) "Free fall considerations." The employer and employee should at all times be aware that a system's maximum arresting force is evaluated under normal use conditions established by the manufacturer, and in no case using a free fall distance in excess of 6 feet (1.8 m). A few extra feet of free fall can significantly increase the arresting force on the employee, possibly to the point of causing injury. Because of this, the free fall distance should be kept at a minimum, and, as required by the standard, in no case greater than 6 feet (1.8 m). To help assure this, the tie-off attachment point to the lifeline or anchor should be located at or above the connection point of the fall arrest equipment to belt or harness. (Since otherwise additional free fall distance is added to the length of the connecting means (i.e. lanyard)). Attaching to the working surface will often result in a free fall greater than 6 feet (1.8 m). For instance, if a 6 foot (1.8 m) lanyard is used, the total free fall distance will be the distance from the working level to the body belt (or harness) attachment point plus the 6 feet (1.8 m) of lanyard length. Another important consideration is that the arresting force which the fall system must withstand also goes up with greater distances of free fall, possibly exceeding the strength of the system.

(l) "Elongation and deceleration distance considerations." Other factors involved in a proper tie-off are elongation and deceleration distance. During the arresting of a fall, a lanyard will experience a length of stretching or elongation, whereas activation of a deceleration device will result in a certain stopping distance. These distances should be available with the lanyard or device's instructions and must be added to the free fall distance to arrive at the total fall distance before an employee is fully stopped. The additional stopping distance may be very significant if the lanyard or deceleration device is attached near or at the end of a long lifeline, which may itself add considerable distance due to its own elongation. As required by the standard, sufficient distance to allow for all of these factors must also be maintained between the employee and obstructions below, to prevent an injury due to impact before the system fully arrests the fall. In addition, a minimum of 12 feet (3.7 m) of lifeline should be allowed below the securing point of a rope grab type deceleration device, and the end terminated to prevent the device from sliding off the lifeline. Alternatively, the lifeline should extend to the ground or the next working level below. These measures are suggested to prevent the worker from inadvertently moving past the end of the lifeline and having the rope grab become disengaged from the lifeline.

(m) "Obstruction considerations." The location of the tie-off should also consider the hazard of obstructions in the potential fall path of the employee. Tie-offs which minimize the possibilities of exaggerated swinging should be considered. In addition, when a body belt is used, the employee's body will go through a horizontal position to a jack-knifed position during the arrest of all falls. Thus, obstructions which might interfere with this motion should be avoided or a severe injury could occur.

(n) "Other considerations." Because of the design of some personal fall arrest systems, additional considerations may be required for proper tie-off. For example, heavy deceleration devices of the self-retracting type should be secured overhead in order to avoid the weight of the device having to be supported by the employee. Also, if self-retracting equipment is connected to a horizontal lifeline, the sag in the lifeline should be minimized to prevent the device from sliding down the lifeline to a position which creates a swing hazard during fall arrest. In all cases, manufacturer's instructions should be followed.

[59 FR 40743, Aug. 9, 1994; 60 FR 5131, Jan. 26, 1995]

D. Warning Lines

Requirements for warning line system use are as follows:

1. The warning line must be erected around all sides of the roof work area. 2. When mechanical equipment is not being used, the warning line must be erected not

less than 6 feet (1.8 m) from the roof edge. 3. When mechanical equipment is being used, the warning line must be erected not less

than 6 feet (1.8 m) from the roof edge that is parallel to the direction of mechanical equipment operation, and not less than 10 feet (3.1 m) from the roof edge that is perpendicular to the direction of mechanical equipment operation.

4. Mechanical equipment on roofs must be used or stored only in areas where employees are protected by a warning line system, guardrail system, or personal fall arrest system.

5. No employee is permitted into the area between a roof edge and a warning line unless the employee is performing roofing work in that area and a safety monitor is present.

6. Warning lines must consist of ropes, wires, or chains, and supporting stanchions, with the rope, wire, or chain rigged and supported so that its lowest point (including sag) is no less than 34 in. (0.9 m) and so that it highest point is no more than 39 in. (1.0 m) from the walking/working surface.

7. The rope, wire, or chain must be flagged at not more than 6 foot (1.8 m) intervals with high visibility material.

8. Stanchions, with the rope, wire, or chain attached, must be capable of resisting, without tipping over, a force of at least 16 lbs. (71 N) applied horizontally against the stanchion, 30 in. (0.8 m) above the walking/working surface, perpendicular to the warning line, and in the direction of the floor, roof, or platform edge.

9. The rope, wire, or chain must have a minimum tensile strength of 500 lbs. (2.22 kN). After being attached to the stanchions, they must be capable of supporting, without breaking, the loads applied to the stanchions as prescribed above.

10. The rope, wire, or chain must be attached at each stanchion in such a way that pulling on one section of the line between the stanchions will not result in slack being taken up in adjacent sections before the stanchion tips over.

11. Points of access, materials handling areas, storage areas, and hoisting areas must be connected to the work area by an access path formed by two warning lines.

NOTE: When the path to a point of access is not in use, a rope, wire, chain, or other barricade, equivalent in strength and height to the warning line, must be placed across the path at the point where the path intersects the warning line erected around the

work area, or the path must be offset so that a person cannot walk directly into the work area.

E. Positioning Device Systems

The following is required of positioning device systems and their components:

1. Positioning devices must be rigged so that an employee cannot free fall more than 2 feet (0.9 m).

2. Positioning devices must be secured to an anchorage capable of supporting at least twice the potential impact load of an employee's fall or 3000 lbs. (13.3 kN), whichever is greater.

3. Positioning device systems must be inspected prior to each use for wear, damage, and other deterioration. Defective components must be removed from service and either repaired by a qualified person or destroyed to prevent use.

4. Body belts, harnesses, and components must be used only as part of a positioning device system and not to hoist materials.

5. Connecting assemblies must have a minimum tensile strength of 5000 lbs. (22.2 kN). 6. All connectors:

a. must be drop forged, pressed or formed steel, or made of equivalent materials. b. must have a corrosion-resistant finish. c. must have smooth surfaces and edges to prevent damage to interfacing parts

of the system. 7. D-rings:

a. must be proof-tested to a minimum tensile load of 3600 lbs. (16 kN) without cracking, breaking, or taking permanent deformations.

8. Snaphooks: a. must be proof-tested to a minimum tensile load of 3600 lbs. (16 kN) without

cracking, breaking, or taking permanent deformations. b. must be a locking type to prevent roll-out.

F. Slide Guards

Installation of slide guards is permitted as an alternative to conventional fall protection systems for some work performed on residential construction buildings. See Section 5.5 for more information on the residential construction alternatives to conventional fall protection. Structural requirements for slide guards are as follows: For roof slopes of 6 in 12

or less

For roof slopes over 6 in 12, up to and

including 8 in 12

Material 2” x 6” (nominal) stock 2” x 6” stock Installation No more than three rows of

roofing material may be applied (installed across the lower eave) before installation of slide guards. Roof jacks (or similar supports) must be installed using nails long enough to withstand an employee sliding into the guard.

No more than three rows of roofing material may be applied (installed across the lower eave) before installation of slide guards. Roof jacks (or similar supports) must be installed using nails long enough to withstand an employee sliding into the guard. Additional slide guards must be installed below each work area at intervals not to exceed 8 feet. Installation procedure: the worker, while standing on the slide guard below, secures the roof jacks for the next slide guard with nails and then installs the planks. The worker then climbs up to the new slide guard to continue the roofing work, and repeats as necessary.

Configuration The face of the slide guard must be perpendicular to the surface of the roof. There must be continuous slide guards along the eave.

The face of the eave slide guard must be perpendicular to the surface of the roof. There must be continuous slide guards along the eave. Additional slide guards need not be continuous, but must be long enough to protect the entire work area.

Removal Only when the roofing job is completed may the eave slide guards be removed.

Once roofing work is complete, the worker is to climb down to the lower slide guard and remove the upper slide guard, and repeat as necessary to remove all slide guards. Only when the roofing job is completed may the eave slide guards be removed.

APPENDIX 5

FALL PROTECTION PLANS AND RELATED

INFORMATION

Appendix 5: Fall Protection Plans and related information

The use of a fall protection plan in lieu of a conventional fall protection systems is permitted only when employees are engaged in leading edge work, pre-cast concrete work, or residential construction AND it has been demonstrated that use of conventional fall protection systems is infeasible or would create a greater hazard. Fall protection plans must be approved by the Office of Environmental Health and Safety before implementation.

A. Requirements for fall protection plans are as follows: 1. The fall protection plan must be prepared by a qualified person and developed

specifically for the site where the work is being performed. 2. The fall protection plan must be kept up to date. 3. The implementation of the fall protection plan must be under the supervision of a

competent person. 4. In the event an employee falls or some other related serious incident occurs (such as

a near miss), the circumstances of the incident must be investigated to determine if the fall protection plan needs to be changed (e.g. new practices, procedures, or training). These changes must be implemented to prevent similar types of incidents from occurring in the future.

5. Any changes to the fall protection plan must be approved by a qualified person. 6. A copy of the fall protection plan with all approved changes must be maintained at

the job site. 7. The fall protection plan must include the following:

Documentation of the reasons why the use of conventional fall protection systems are infeasible or why their use would create a greater hazard. A written discussion of other measures that will be taken to reduce or eliminate the fall hazard for workers who cannot be provided with protection from conventional fall protection systems (where no other alternative measure has been implemented, a safety monitoring systems must be used). Identification of each location where conventional fall protection methods cannot be used. These locations must then be classified as controlled access zones. The name or other method of identification for each employee who is designated to work in controlled access zones.

B. Controlled Access Zones

Controlled access zones may be used for fall protection only when a fall protection plan is in place. The following requirements apply:

1. Controlled access zones must be defined by a control line or by any other means that restricts access.

2. Control lines must consist of ropes, wires, tapes, or equivalent materials and supporting stanchions.

3. Control lines must be flagged or otherwise clearly marked at not more than 6-foot (1.8 m) intervals with high-visibility materials. 4. Control lines must have a minimum breaking strength of 200 lbs. (0.88 kN).

5. Control lines must be rigged and supported so that its lowest point (including sag)

is not less then 39 inches (1 m) and its highest point of not more then 45 inches (1.1 m) from the walking working surface.

EXECPTION: The highest point of the control line for overhand bricklaying operations must be not more than 50 inches (1.3 m).

6. Control lines must be erected not less than 6 feet (1.8 m) and not more than 25 feet (7.7 m) from the unprotected or leading edge.

EXCEPTION: When erecting pre-cast concrete members, control lines must be erected not less than 6 feet (1.8) and not more than 60 feet (18 m), or half the length of the member being erected, whichever is less, from the leading edge.

7. The control line must extend along the entire length of the unprotected or leading

edge and must be approximately parallel to the unprotected or leading edge. 8. The control line must be connected on each side to a guardrail system or wall. 9. When used to control access to areas where overhand bricklaying and related

work is taking place, the following additional requirements apply:

a. The controlled access zone must be defined by a control line erected not less than 10 feet (3.1 m) and not more than 15 feet (4.5 m) from the working edge.

b. The control line must extend for a distance sufficient for the controlled access zone to enclose all employees performing overhand bricklaying and related work at the working edge and must be approximately parallel to the working edge.

c. Additional control lines must be erected at each end to enclose the controlled access zone.

d. On floors and roofs where guardrail systems are not in place prior to the beginning of overhand bricklaying operations, controlled access zones must be enlarged as necessary to enclose all points of access, material handling areas, and storage areas.

e. On floors and roofs where guardrail systems are in place but need to be removed to allow overhand bricklaying work or leading edge work to take place, only that portion of the guardrail necessary to accomplish that day's work must be removed.

f. Only those employees engaged in overhand bricklaying or related work are permitted in the controlled access zone.

Documents

FALL PROTECTION Roofing and other work from heights Programs/Fall Protection Program.pdf · FALL PROTECTION Roofing and other work from heights . Foreword . ... (5.1 cm) or more in