GOING BEYOND OSHA FALL PROTECTION STANDARDS
There is no denying that answering the call for security and fall protection is an issue that cannot be taken lightly. We don’t have to go very far to review the most recent fatality statistics available from the US Department of Labor.
Apart from grief, liability, and downtime associated with a fatal accident, most companies look to fall protection as a response to comply and avoid steep OSHA penalties that can result in upwards of hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines.
The good news is that Ferco-Gard was originally designed for a fortune 100 company with one of the highest safety standards around the world. Ferco-Gard was tested under real life – roof membrane and dirty concrete surface - situations. If Ferco-Gard meets and fully satisfies their highest demands, then you can rest assured Ferco-Gard will meet or exceed any safety standards in North America where fall protection is a must.
Ferco-Gard is certified by a specialized engineering firm as meeting and surpassing all OSHA standards.
FALL PROTECTION SYSTEMS CRITERIA AND PRACTICES. -1926.502
Item Subtitle
1926.502(B)(1)
Top edge height of top rails, or equivalent guardrail system members, shall be 42 inches (1.1m) plus or minus 3 inches (8 cm) above the walking/working level. When conditions warrant, the height of the top edge may exceed the 45-inch height, provided the guardrail system meets all other criteria of this paragraph.
Item Subtitle
1926.502(B)(2)
Midrails, screens, mesh, intermediate vertical members, or equivalent intermediate structural members shall be installed between the top edge of the guardrail system and the walking/working surface when there is no wall or parapet wall at least 21 inches (53 cm) high.
Item Subtitle
1926.502(B)(2)(I)
Midrails, when used, shall be installed at a height midway between the top edge of the guardrail system and the walking/working level.
Item Subtitle
1926.502(B)(2)(IV)
Other structural members (such as additional midrails and architectural panels) shall be installed such that there are no openings in the guardrail system that are more than 19 inches (.5 m) wide.
Item Subtitle
1926.502(B)(3)
Guardrail systems shall be capable of withstanding, without failure, a force of at least 200 pounds (890 N) applied within 2 inches (5.1 cm) of the top edge, in any outward or downward direction, at any point along the top edge.
Item Subtitle
1926.502(B)(4)
When the 200 pound (890 N) test load specified in paragraph (b)(3) of this section is applied in a downward direction, the top edge of the guardrail shall not deflect to a height less than 39 inches (1.0 m) above the walking/working level. Guardrail system components selected and constructed in accordance with the Appendix B to subpart M of this part will be deemed to meet this requirement.
Item Subtitle
1926.502(B)(5)
Midrails, screens, mesh, intermediate vertical members, solid panels, and equivalent structural members shall be capable of withstanding, without failure, a force of at least 150 pounds (666 N) applied in any downward or outward direction at any point along the midrail or other member.
Item Subtitle
1926.502(B)(6)
Guardrail systems shall be so surfaced as to prevent injury to an employee from punctures or lacerations, and to prevent snagging of clothing.
Item Subtitle
1926.502(B)(7)
The ends of all top rails and midrails shall not overhang the terminal posts, except where such overhang does not constitute a projection hazard.
Item Subtitle
1926.502(B)(8)
Steel banding and plastic banding shall not be used as top rails or midrails.
Item Subtitle
1926.502(B)(9)
Top rails and midrails shall be at least one-quarter inch (0.6 cm) nominal diameter or thickness to prevent cuts and lacerations. If wire rope is used for top rails, it shall be flagged at not more than 60foot intervals with high visibility material.
Item Subtitle
1926.502(B)(10)
When guardrail systems are used at hoisting areas, a chain, gate or removable guardrail section shall be placed across the access opening between guardrail sections when hoisting operations are not taking place.
Item Subtitle
1926.502(B)(11)
When guardrail systems are used at holes, they shall be erected on all unprotected sides or edges of the hole.
Item Subtitle
1926.502(B)(12)
When guardrail systems are used around holes used for the passage of materials, the hole shall have not more than two sides provided with removable guardrail sections to allow the passage of materials. When the hole is not in use, it shall be closed over with a cover, or a guardrail system shall be provided along all unprotected sides or edges.
Item Subtitle
1926.502(B)(13)
When guardrail systems are used around holes which ae used as points of access (such as ladderways), they shall be provided with a gate, or be so offset that a person cannot walk directly into the hole.
Item Subtitle
1926.502(B)(14)
Guardrail systems used on ramps and runways shall be erected along each unprotected side or edge.
Subchapter 7. General Industry Safety OrdersGroup 1. General Physical Conditions and structures OrdersArticle 2. Standard Specifications
3209. STANDARD GUARDRAILS.
(b) All guardrails and other permissible types, including their connections and anchorage, shall be designed for a live load of 20 pounds per linear foot applied either horizontally or vertically downward at the top rail. Dimensional details of railing members of a few types of construction which comply with this strength requirement are given hereinafter in subsection (c)
(2) If constructed of standard metal pipe, the top rails and single midrail, where permitted, to be 1 1/2–inch outside diameter or larger. The posts to be 1 ½-inch outside diameter or larger, the spacing not to exceed 8 feet.