Applicable Standards
OSHA was formed in 1970 by the United States Congress with the goal of creating safer environments for workers. OSHA stands for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration . The organiza- tion sets, maintains, and enforces regulations, and funds services for training and guidance to employees and companies. The primary OSHA standards that pertain to Fall Protection equipment and practices are referenced in the 1910 and 1926 standards. OSHA 1910 Subpart D: Walking Working Surfaces According to OSHA, general industry workers are exposed to walking and work surface hazards that can result in slips, trips, falls, and other injuries or fatalities. The requirements under Subpart D, "Walking - Working Surfaces," provided employers with the flexibility to decide which fall protection method or system works best for the work operation. OSHA says that these multiple options, along with required inspections and training, help employers prevent and elimi- nate walking-working surface hazards. OSHA's revisions to Subpart D, "Walking-Working Surfaces," included a reorganization of the existing rule to make it clearer, necessitating a reformat of the entire subpart (29 CFR 1910.21 - .30). The most significant changes covered NEW requirements for a variety of walking-working surfaces throughout Subpart D, as well as introducing additional new requirements under other general industry standards, including Subpart I, "Personal Protective Equipment " (see below). Subpart D required employers to : • Identify and evaluate slip hazards, trip hazards, and fall hazards in the workplace. • Provide appropriate personal protective equipment or fall protection systems • Conduct regular inspections and maintenance of all walking-working surfaces in the workplace • Provide training that enables employees to recognize the hazards of falling and the procedures to be followed to minimize these hazards, including the use of personal fall protection OSHA 1910 Subpart I: Personal Protective Equipment This section deals specifically with PPE. Within the nine subsections, Personal Fall Protection Systems are addressed in section 1910.140. • Section 1910.140(b) provides a comprehensive list of definitions for both equipment and practices specific to Personal Fall Arrest Systems • Section 1910.140(c) provides specific guidelines for employers outlining the requirements that components, systems, and use of Personal Fall Arrest equipment must meet • Section 1910.140(d) provides specific system use criteria and performance standards • Section 1910.140(e) addresses specifics regarding practice, use, and performance of Positioning Systems OSHA 1926 Subpart M: Construction This subpart sets forth requirements and criteria for Fall Protection in construction workplaces covered under 29 CFR part 1926. The provisions of the subpart do not apply when employees are making an in- spection, investigation, or assessment of workplace conditions prior to the actual start of construction work or after all construction work has been completed.
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