This arrangement is covered by §1926.451(g)(3)(iii): When lanyards are connected to horizontal lifelines or structural members on a single-point or two-point adjustable suspension scaffold, the scaffold shall be equipped with additional independent support lines and automatic locking devices capable of stopping the fall of the scaffold in the event one or both of the suspension ropes fail. However, this section allows the lanyard of a personal fall arrest system to be attached to a horizontal lifeline or scaffold structural member. Vertical lifelines shall not be used when overhead components, such as overhead protection or additional platform levels, are part of a single-point or two-point adjustable suspension scaffold.Ī canopy is an example of an "overhead component, such as overhead protection" that cannot be used in conjunction with a vertical lifeline. That fall arrest system must meet the requirements set forth in §1926.451(g)(3), which specifically prohibits the use of vertical lifelines in conjunction with overhead protection such as a canopy: In addition to meeting the requirements of §1926.502(d), personal fall arrest systems used on scaffolds shall be attached by lanyard to a vertical lifeline, horizontal lifeline, or scaffold structural member. Workers on single-point suspension scaffolds must be provided fall protection according to §1926.451(g)(1)(ii), which states: "Each employee on a single-point or two-point adjustable suspension scaffold shall be protected by both a personal fall arrest system and guardrail system". Question 4: Is it possible to use a canopy over a single-point suspension scaffold and still fulfill the requirements of §1926.451(g)(3)?Īnswer 4: Yes. Such a canopy must be designed to prevent injury to the worker from falling objects, or from the canopy itself. Question 3: Would a breakaway canopy satisfy the requirements of §1926.451(h)(1)? If so, what are the performance standards for a breakaway canopy?Īnswer 3: A breakaway canopy is not prohibited under §1926.451(h)(1). Because employees on a scaffold may be engaged in work that exposes workers to falling objects of a wide variety of shapes and sizes, the appropriate falling object protection needs to be determined on a case-by-case basis. This requirement does not necessarily satisfy the requirement of §1926.451(h)(1), because personnel hoists are not designed for the same activities as scaffolds, and would therefore not necessarily be subject to the same types of falling object hazards. Section 1926.552(c)(7) addresses the requirements for the covering that must be provided for the top of every personnel hoist. If none of the methods can achieve this, the hazard must be abated by removing the objects from the area from which they might fall. Thus, whichever protective method is chosen, it must be sufficiently strong to deflect or contain the potential falling objects. When the falling objects are too large, heavy or massive to be contained or deflected by any of the above-listed measures, the employer shall place such potential falling objects away from the edge of the surface from which they could fall and shall secure those materials as necessary to prevent their falling. Section 1926.451(h)(1) requires that: In addition to wearing hardhats each employee on a scaffold shall be provided with additional protection from falling hand tools, debris, and other small objects through the installation of toeboards, screens, or guardrail systems, or through the erection of debris nets, catch platforms, or canopy structures that contain or deflect the falling objects. However, in order to fulfill the requirements of the standard - that is, to abate the struck-by hazard presented by potential falling objects, the falling object protection systems would need to be sufficiently strong to withstand the potential impact of the objects above the scaffold. Question 2: What are the structural (performance) requirements for the following types of falling object protection mentioned in §1926.451(h)(1): canopy structure, debris net, and catch platform? Would this requirement be satisfied by following the requirements of §1926.552(c)(7)?Īnswer 2: OSHA does not set forth specific performance requirements in the scaffolding standard for falling object protection systems. Question 1: What is a "structural member" of a scaffold?Īnswer 1: A "structural member" of a scaffold is any part of the walking/working surface of the scaffold, as well as the supports for the walking/working surface, including but not limited to uprights, suspension ropes, bracing, outrigger beams, access ladders, etc. Re: Single-point suspension scaffold safety.
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