Safety and Health Program- Fall Upgrade Chapter

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Fall Protection Plan

Policy:

It is the policy of the Company to take all practical measures possible to prevent employees from being injured by falls from heights. The Company will take all necessary steps to eliminate, prevent, and control fall hazards. The Company will comply fully with the OSHA Fall Protection standard (CFR 1926, Subpart M, Fall Protection).

This policy will follow the OSHA standard for potential falls from heights of 4 feet and more. First consideration will be given to the elimination of fall hazards. If a fall hazard cannot be eliminated, effective fall protection will be planned, implemented, and monitored to control the risks of injury due to falling.

All personnel exposed to potential falls from heights will be trained to minimize their exposures. Fall protection equipment will be provided and used by all employees. Managers will be responsible for implementation of a fall protection plan for each job site.

Fall Hazard Identification and Evaluation Responsibilities:

The Manager/foreman on each job site will be responsible for identifying fall hazards on their job site. The Manager/foreman will evaluate each situation or work procedure where employees may be exposed to a fall of 4 feet or more. The Manager/foreman will be responsible for developing a plan to eliminate the exposures, if possible, or to select the appropriate fall protection systems and/or equipment.

Examples of Situations Requiring Fall Protection:

The following are examples of situations were fall protection will be required. This listing is by no means complete, and there are many other situations where a fall of 4 feet or more is possible. It should be noted that ladders and scaffolding are not included in this list. They are covered by other OSHA standards and other requirements of our safety program.

Wall Openings

Any employee working near a wall opening (including those with chutes attached) where the outside bottom edge of the wall opening is 4 feet or more from a lower level, or the wall opening is less than 39 inches (1.0 meter) above the walking/working surface below, will be protected from falling by the use of a guardrail system, a safety net system, or a personal fall arrest system.

Holes- Personal fall arrest systems, covers, or guardrail systems shall be erected around holes (including skylights) that are more than 4 feet above lower levels.

Leading Edges- Each employee who is constructing a leading edge 4 feet or more above lower levels shall be protected by guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems.

Excavations- Each employee at the edge of an excavation 4 feet or more deep shall be protected from falling by guardrail systems, fences, barricades, or covers. Where walkways are provided to permit employees to cross over excavations, guardrails are required on the walkway if it is 4 feet or more above the excavation.