Fall Hazards in Construction Industry

What is the height at which OSHA requires employers to provide fall protection?

When is fall protection required in the construction industry?

An ironworker standing on a tilt-up concrete wall without being tied off poses a fall hazard.

A worker preparing a second-story roof by removing materials does not present a fall hazard.

To prevent falls, a personal fall arrest system is required at what height?

An unsecured 10-foot ladder does not pose a fall hazard to a worker climbing to a 9-foot landing.

A 10-foot ladder is long enough to reach a landing that is 9 feet above the adjacent floor.

For every 4 feet of ladder height, the base should be ____ foot out from the wall.

How many points of contact should you maintain when climbing a ladder?

Which of the following is a fall prevention system?

Safety net systems must be installed no more than ____ feet below the working surface.

How much weight does a sandbag need to test the proper amount of force in safety nets?

When should an employer inspect a safety net?

Safety nets should be placed no more than how many feet below the working surface?

Fall Protection Requirements

Employers must provide fall protection for construction workers on surfaces with unprotected sides or edges above 6 feet.
Fall protection is mandatory when working over dangerous machinery or equipment, regardless of height.

Fall Hazards in Specific Scenarios

An ironworker on a tilt-up concrete wall wearing a harness but not tied off faces a fall hazard.
Workers preparing a second-story roof after removing roofing materials and skylights are at risk for falls.

Ladder Safety Guidelines

A personal fall arrest system is required at heights of 10 feet or higher to prevent falls.
An unsecured 10-foot ladder used to access a landing 9 feet high presents a fall hazard.
A 10-foot ladder is insufficient to safely reach a 9-foot high landing.

Ladder Specifications

Ladders should extend at least 3 feet above the working surface to ensure safe access.
For every 4 feet of ladder height, the base should be positioned 1 foot away from the wall.
A 10-foot high roof requires a ladder of at least 14 feet, with the base 2.5 feet from the wall.

Points of Contact When Using Ladders

Maintain at least three points of contact (two feet and one hand or two hands and one foot) while ascending or descending a ladder for safety.

Fall Prevention Systems

Guardrails are categorized as a fall prevention system.

Safety Net Systems

Safety nets must be installed as close as possible below the working surface, no more than 30 feet down.
They must be capable of absorbing the impact of a 400-pound sandbag.
The nets should have a border rope with a minimum strength of 5000 pounds.
Regular inspections of safety nets are required weekly and after incidents that could cause damage.

Safety Net Inspection Protocol

Inspect safety nets every week and following any potentially damaging events to ensure effectiveness.

Test your knowledge on fall protection regulations and guidelines required for construction workers. This quiz covers essential details regarding when and how fall protection should be implemented in various situations. Understand the safety measures necessary for working at heights to prevent injuries.