Alternate Fall Protection Plan for Residential Builders

NOTICE

The following four groups of Alternative Fall Protection Plans for Residential Construction may be reproduced for the sole purpose of providing educational information about OSHA's Interim Fall Protection Compliance Guidelines for Residential Construction.

Permission granted by Hilton Hilliard & Associates, L.L.C., The Publisher (888) 237-7163

"This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional service. If legal or other professional advise is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought."

OSHA INTERIM RESIDENTIAL FALL PROTECTION PLAN

Notice: This explanation is presented from a Builder – Independent Contractor contractual relationship (for the residential builder who subcontracts all construction work to others). OSHA Regulations (including Subpart M – Fall Protection) are directed to an Employer – Employee Relationship.

GROUP I – ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURES
Installation of Floor Joists, Floor Sheathing, and Roof Sheathing; Erecting Exterior Walls; Setting and Bracing Roof Trusses and Rafters

Location of the RESIDENTIAL BUILDER'S Community or Project

Fall Protection Systems (Conventional or Alternative) are required for all residential construction activity six feet or more above lower levels.

Each Alternative Fall Protection Plan is Designed to be Used in the Field. The construction manager ("Competent Person") must refer to each fall protection plan and determine which part of the alternative procedure plan is to be put in place by the builder and which part of the alternative procedure plan is the responsibility of the Independent Contractor ("Competent Person").

A. General Requirements For Group 1 Activities.

Training, Implementation/ Supervision by Designated Individuals, Controlled Access Zones, Plan Administration (required for all Group 1 activities).

The builder and each independent contractor must have their own "Competent Person" employee in charge of each project and a "Qualified Person" in charge of each plan.

B. Implementation of the Alternative Procedures – Group I

A fall protection plan is required. It does not have to be written to use the alternative procedures in Group I Activities.

However, the plan (written or not) must be implemented using the following procedures and OSHA regulations.

1. Training — Group I

Each employer is responsible for the safety training and education of their own employees. (1926.21)

The "Competent Person" of the employer must identify each entrant (their employee) performing alternative procedures activities as an authorized entrant after the employee has successfully completed the training from his/her employer.

The Independent Contractor must ensure that its employees (and its subcontractors employees):

understand the procedures and follow the instructions of the Independent Contractor’s "Competent Person";
are able to recognize unsafe/hazardous conditions and are to report them to their employer (the Independent Contractor);
can recognize when compliance with the plan would create a greater hazard and are instructed to inform the Independent Contractor’s "Competent Person" before proceeding when that occurs.

Note: Any concerns raised by the Independent Contractor’s employees (or its subcontractor’s employees) at any time during construction must be addressed (determined to be valid or not) before work proceeds.

Important Notice: Subsection 1926.503 Training Requirements (b) Certification of Training no longer applies to residential construction. (This provision requires the employer to maintain a written list containing the name of each employee and the date training was completed.)

2. Supervision of the Alternative Procedures – Group I

a. The Builder and the Independent Contractor must each designate a "Competent Person", who will be charged with implementing each plan. The "Competent Person" must continually monitor compliance with each plan, including the provision of training and the proper use of Controlled Access Zones.

"Competent Person" means one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.

b. The Builder and the Independent Contractor must designate a "Qualified Person" to approve any changes to a plan.

"Qualified Person" means one who, by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or who by extensive knowledge, training, and experience, has successfully demonstrated his/her ability to solve or resolve problems relating to the subject matter, the work or the project.

c. Crew Supervisor/Foreman — The Independent Contractor must designate a crew supervisor or foreman and charge him/her with the responsibility of immediately correcting any unsafe practice or condition.

Each employer shall determine if the walking/working surfaces on which its employees are to work have the strength and structural integrity to support employees safely.
Employees shall be allowed to work (by their own employers) on these surfaces only when the surfaces have the requisite strength and structural integrity.
Each employee on a walking/working surface, six (6) feet or more above lower levels shall be protected from falling by a guardrail system, safety net system, or personal fall arrest system.

d. Walking/Working Surface means any surface, whether horizontal or vertical on which a worker walks or works, including but not limited to, floors, roofs, ramps, bridges, runways, form work and concrete reinforcing steel, but not including ladders, vehicles, or trailers, on which workers must be located in order to perform their job duties.

3. A Controlled Access Zone will be used six feet or more above lower levels, where Group I activities are taking place.

A Controlled Access Zone. (CAZ) restricts access to a clearly designated area where a Group One activity (installation of floor joists, floor sheathing, roof sheathing; erecting exterior walls; setting and bracing roof trusses and rafters) is taking place. The CAZ must meet the following requirements:

a. Boundaries. The Builder’s competent person and the Independent Contractor’s competent person shall determine the boundaries of the CAZ and clearly mark them with signs, wires, tapes, ropes or chains.

b. Monitor. The Independent Contractor’s crew supervisor/foreman shall monitor their workers in the CAZ to ensure that they do not engage in unsafe practices.

c. Restricted Access. Access to the CAZ must be restricted to authorized entrants. An authorized entrant is a worker of the Independent Contractor who has received the training described above. The Independent Contractor’s competent person must identify each entrant as an authorized entrant after the employee has successfully completed their training.

The builder’s competent person(s) is the only other authorized entrant(s).

d. Final Check. Before work begins in the CAZ, the Independent Contractor’s competent person must ensure that all protective measures in the plan have been implemented.

C. Plan Administration of the Alternative Procedures – Group I

1. Employer Enforcement —. The Builder and the Independent Contractor are required to enforce each plan. The Independent Contractor’s crew supervisor/foreman, as well as individuals in the Safety and Personnel Department, must have the right to issue disciplinary warnings to their own employees, up to and including termination, for failure to follow the requirements of a plan. Unsafe practices or conditions must be corrected immediately.

2. Changes To A Plan.—Designation of qualified person: the Builder and the Independent Contractor must designate a qualified person to approve changes to a plan.

-- Approval required: changes to a plan may not be made unless approved by the qualified person.

- Plan Review: the qualified person must review the plan as the job progresses to determine if additional practices, procedures or training need to be implemented. Each employer shall notify and, if necessary, train their own workers in the new procedures.

Accident Investigations/Plan Review —. All accidents resulting in injury to workers shall be reported and investigated. To help prevent further accidents, the investigation must be documented so that the cause and means of prevention can be identified. In the event of a fall or other serious incident, the plan shall be reviewed to determine if additional practices, procedures, or training need to be implemented.

D. Additional Requirements for Specific Group 1 Activities

1. Installations of Floor Joists and Floor Sheathing.

Designated, Trained Workers. The employer (Independent Contractor) must designate the trained workers who will do this work.

Staging of Materials. To minimize exposure to fall hazards, materials must be staged so that workers have quick and safe access to them.

Restricted Access. While this work is taking place, workers not directly assisting in it shall not be permitted within six (6) feet of the leading edge.

a. Installation Process: Floor Joists/Trusses.

The first floor joist or truss must be rolled into position and
secured by workers on the ground, ladders, or sawhorse scaffolds.
Successive joists/trusses must be rolled into place.

The floor joists/trusses are then to be secured from a platform.
The platform is to be built from a sheet of plywood
laid over the previously secured floor joists or trusses.

b. Installation Process: Floor Sheathing.

The first row of floor sheathing must be installed by workers on the ground, ladders, or sawhorse scaffolds.
After the first row of sheathing has been installed,
workers shall work from the established deck.

NOTE: Wall openings (more than six feet above the lower level), floor holes and roof holes:

As soon as sheathing has been installed around a floor hole, roof hole, or wall opening
that is not going to be sheathed
(such as a hole for a doorway, stairwell or skylight),
it must be covered or protected by a guardrail.

2. Erection of Exterior Walls.

a. Designated, Trained Workers. The employer (Independent Contractor) must designate the trained workers who will do this work.

b. Warning Line. A painted warning line six (6) feet from the perimeter will be clearly marked before any wall erection activities take place.

NOTE: As discussed above, this work must be done within a CAZ.

A crew supervisor/foreman (of the Independent Contractor) is required to monitor this work and warn anyone who approaches the unprotected edge.
The warning line does not replace the monitor; it is an additional safety measure.

c. Staging of Materials. To minimize exposure to fall hazards, materials must be staged so that workers have quick and safe access to them.

d. Limit Fall Hazard Exposure. Workers constructing exterior walls shall complete as much cutting of materials and other preparatory work as possible away from the edge of the deck.

3. Installing Roof Trusses and Erecting Rafters.

a. Walls Up To 8 Feet. Interior scaffolds must be installed along the interior wall, below the area where the trusses/rafters will be located.

This can often be accomplished with "sawhorse" scaffolds constructed of 46 inch sawhorses and 2 x 10 planks.

b. Walls Over 8 Feet. If using scaffolds and ladders throughout the process would create a greater hazard, the following general requirements and specific procedures apply.

(1) Walls over 8 feet. General requirements.

(a) Falling Objects/Restricted Access .Once truss/rafter installation begins,
workers not involved in that activity shall not stand or walk below or adjacent to the roof opening or exterior walls in any area where they could be struck by falling objects.

(b) Bracing. Trusses/rafters must be adequately braced before any worker may use them as a support.

(c) Designated, Trained Workers. The employer (Independent Contractor) must designate the trained workers who will work on the top plate, and those who will work on the peak.

(d) Restricted Duties. Top plate workers shall have no other duties during truss/rafter erection.

(2) Procedures for working on the top plate.

(a) Installing The First Two Trusses.

The first two trusses/rafters must be set from ladders.
The ladders must lean on side walls at points where the walls can support the load imposed by the ladder and worker.
After the first two trusses/rafters have been set,
a worker will climb a ladder onto the interior top plate to secure their peaks.

(b) Remain On The Top Plate. Workers will remain on the top plate and use the previously stabilized trusses/rafters as support while the other trusses/rafters are erected.

(3) Procedures for working at the peak.

(a) When Workers May Work On Peaks/Ridge Beam.

Workers detaching trusses from cranes or securing trusses at the peaks may be positioned at the peak of the trusses/rafters.
Workers may be stationed on the top of the ridge beam where that is the only feasible way to secure rafters to the ridge beam.

(b) Stable Work Position

Workers at the peak, in the web of trusses, or on top of the ridge beam shall work from a stable position.
They must either sit on a ridge seat (or the equivalent) or
position themselves in previously stabilized trusses/rafters and lean into, and reach through, the trusses/rafters.

Limited Fall Hazard Exposure. Workers must not remain on or in the peak/ridge any longer than necessary to complete the task safely.

4. Roof Sheathing Operations. The competent person (of the Independent Contractor) must determine when the roof system is stable enough to support a conventional fall protection system anchorage.

The following provisions apply until the roof system can be used as an anchorage point.

at that time personal fall arrest systems must be used.

a. Qualified Workers. Only qualified workers of the Independent Contractor shall install roof sheathing.

b. Secure Footing/Weather.

The employer must ensure that workers remove slip hazards before walking on sheathing.
Such measures include removing mud from shoes or boots.
When wet weather is present, roof sheathing shall be suspended
unless safe footing can be assured.
If winds exceed 40 miles per hour, sheathing operations are to be suspended,
unless wind breakers are erected.

c. Staging of Materials. To minimize exposure to fall hazards, materials must be staged so that workers on the roof have quick and safe access to them.

d. Falling Objects/Restricted Access.

Workers not involved in roof sheathing shall not stand or walk below or adjacent to the roof opening or exterior walls where they could be struck by falling objects.
The competent person (of the Independent Contractor) shall clearly designate the restricted area before placement of the first piece of sheathing.
The competent person (of the Independent Contractor) may order a brief halt to the sheathing work to allow other workers to pass through the restricted area,
as long as suspending work does not create a greater hazard.

e. Slide Guards for Roof Sheathing Operations.

(1) Bottom Row:

The bottom row of roof sheathing may be installed by workers standing in truss webs and leaning over the sheathing.
After the bottom row is installed,
a slide guard of at least four (4) inches nominal in height shall be securely attached to the roof.

It must extend across the full width of the roof.

(2) Slide Guard Intervals: Roof Pitch Up To (and including) 9 in12:
Additional slide guards are required at 13 foot intervals as successive rows of sheathing are installed.

(3) Slide Guard Intervals: Roof Pitch Over 9 in 12:
Additional slide guards are required at four foot intervals.

NOTE: These slide guard requirements, which come from Appendix E, differ from those for Group 4 Activities (roofing work).

OSHA INTERIM RESIDENTIAL FALL PROTECTION PLAN

Notice: This explanation is presented from a Builder – Independent Contractor contractual relationship (for the residential builder who subcontracts all construction work to others). OSHA Regulations (including Subpart M – Fall Protection) are directed to an Employer – Employee Relationship.

GROUP 2 – ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURES

WORKING ON CONCRETE AND BLOCK FOUNDATION WALLS AND RELATED FORM WORK.

1. This specifies the alternative procedures for protecting employees (of the Independent Contractor) working from the top surface of block foundation walls, concrete foundation walls, and related form work. These procedures are:

a. Trained Workers Only.

Only trained workers shall be allowed to work on the top of the foundation wall/form work, and
only as necessary to complete the construction of the wall.

b. Adequate Support. All form work shall be adequately supported before any worker may work on top of the form work.

c. Bad Weather. When adverse weather (such as high winds, rain, snow, or sleet) creates a hazardous condition, operations shall be suspended until the hazardous condition no longer exists.

d. Staging of Materials/Equipment. Materials and equipment for the work shall be conveniently located to the workers on the top of the foundation/form work.

e. Impalement Hazards.

Materials and other objects which could pose impalement hazards
shall be kept out of the area below where workers are working or
shall be properly guarded.

Ends of all protruding metal, lumber or plastic must be guarded. Mushroom caps are suitable for anchor bolts, rebars, and other objects located on the same surface as the workers.

If workers are on an upper level above the protruding materials mushroom caps are inadequate protection and 2X lumber must be used to cover all protruding objects.

2. Erection of Masonry Walls

Whenever a masonry wall is being constructed, a Limited Access Zone and a Controlled Access Zone shall be established prior to the start of construction.

A Limited Access Zone means an area along the unscaffolded side of the wall, which must be barricaded to limit access.

The builder’s competent person and the Independent Contractor’s competent person must ensure that the Limited Access Zone is clearly marked and controlled by the Independent Contractor

a. The Limited Access Zone (LAZ) must meet the following requirements:

Entry shall be restricted to the (Independent contractor’s) employees (or its subcontractor’s employees) who are actively constructing the masonry wall.
It must be protected either through warning tapes, ropes, wires or chains. The entryway must have a warning sign posted.
It must be equal to the height of the wall plus four (4) feet and must run the entire length of the wall.
It shall remain in place until the wall is adequately supported to prevent overturning and to prevent collapse.

When the height of the wall is over eight (8) feet, it must be adequately braced. The bracing shall remain in place until permanent supporting elements of the structure are in place.

b. The Controlled Access Zone (CAZ)

(1) This means an area in which certain work (e.g., overhand bricklaying) may take place without the use of guardrail systems, personal fall arrest systems, or safety net systems and access to the zone is controlled (Subpart M, Fall Protection 1926.500 (b) Definitions)

Overhand bricklaying means the process of laying bricks and masonry units such that the surface of the wall to be jointed is on the opposite side of the wall from the mason, requiring the mason to lean over the wall to complete the work.

Related work includes mason tending and electrical installation incorporated into the brick wall during the overhand bricklaying process.

(2) If a worker reaches more than 10 inches below the level of the walking/working surface on which they are working, the worker shall be protected from falling by:

A guardrail system; or
Safety net system; or
Personal fall arrest system.

(3) When the CAZ is used to control access to areas where overhead brick laying and related work are taking place:

The CAZ shall be defined by a control line erected not less than 10 feet nor more than 15 feet from the working edge.
The control line shall extend for a distance sufficient for the CAZ to enclose all employees (of the Independent Contractor) performing overhand bricklaying and related work and shall be approximately parallel to the working edge.
Only employees engaged in overhand bricklaying or related work shall be permitted in the CAZ.
On floors and roofs where guardrail systems are not in place prior to the beginning of overhead bricklaying operations, controlled access zones shall be enlarged, as necessary, to enclose all points or access, material handling areas, and storage areas.
On roofs and floors where guardrails systems are in place, but need to be removed to allow overhead bricklaying work or leading edge work to take place.

Only that portion of the guardrail necessary to accomplish that day’s work shall be removed.

OSHA INTERIM RESIDENTIAL FALL PROTECTION PLAN

Notice: This explanation is presented from a Builder – Independent Contractor contractual relationship (for the residential builder who subcontracts all construction work to others). OSHA Regulations (including Subpart M – Fall Protection) are directed to an Employer – Employee Relationship.

GROUP 3 – ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURES

THIS GROUP CONSISTS OF THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES WHEN PERFORMED IN ATTICS AND ON ROOFS: INSTALLING DRYWALL, INSULATION, HVAC SYSTEMS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS (INCLUDING ALARMS, TELEPHONE LINES, AND CABLE TV), PLUMBING AND CARPENTRY.

1. Trained Workers Only. Only trained workers (of the various Independent Contractor’s employees and their subcontractor’s employees) shall be allowed to work in attics and on roofs, and only as necessary to complete the construction of the system being installed.

2. Staging of Materials. Materials and equipment for the work shall be located conveniently close to the workers.

3. Impalement Hazards. Materials and other objects which could pose impalement hazards shall be keep out of the area below where workers are working, or properly guarded.

4. Restricted Access.

While attic or roof work is in progress,
workers not involved in such work
shall not stand or walk below or adjacent to any openings in the ceiling
where they could be struck by falling objects.

5. Bad Weather. When adverse weather (such as high winds, rain, snow, or sleet) creates a hazardous condition, operations shall be suspended until the hazardous condition no longer exists.

NOTE: The provisions of this STD 3-0 1A do not apply to interior finishing work when work outside of attics or roofs areas is finished.
Subpart M applies to such work with respect to stairways, stairway openings, walkways, floor or window openings, floor holes or other elevated openings or open sides.

OSHA INTERIM RESIDENTIAL FALL PROTECTION PLAN

Notice: This explanation is presented from a Builder – Independent Contractor contractual relationship (for the residential builder who subcontracts all construction work to others). OSHA Regulations (including Subpart M – Fall Protection) are directed to an Employer – Employee Relationship.

GROUP 4 – ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURES

ROOFING WORK (REMOVAL, REPAIR, OR INSTALLATION OF WEATHERPROOFING ROOFING MATERIALS SUCH AS SHINGLES, TILE AND TARPAPER).

Restrictions Apply to Group 4, Roofing Work.

The alternative procedures may only be used for this work where:

(a) the roof slope is 8 in 12 or less,
and

(b) the fall distance, measured from the eave to the ground level, is 25 feet or less.

1. General Requirements.

a. Trained Workers Only.

Only workers (of the Independent Contractor) who have been trained to be proficient in the alternative methods of fall protection
shall be allowed onto the roof.

In addition,

each affected employee shall be trained to ensure specific awareness
of the fall hazards associated with work on roofs with rake edges
("rake edges" are inclined roof edges, such as those on the gable end of a building).

b. Slip Hazards The roof surfaces shall be inspected for slipping hazards.

The employer (the Independent Contractor) shall either eliminate any such hazards or
take effective measures to have workers avoid them.

The employer shall have workers wear appropriate footwear to reduce the potential for slipping.

c. Bad Weather. When adverse weather (such as high winds, rain, snow, or sleet) creates a hazardous condition, roofing operations shall be suspended until the hazardous condition no longer exists.

d. Roof Holes/Openings.

The employer (the builder) shall have any damaged portions of the roof deck repaired as soon as practicable.
Any holes (including skylight openings) or other areas where employees (of the builder and/or the Independent Contractor) would not have safe footing
shall be covered or surrounded by
guardrails that comply with the requirements of 1926.502.

e. Ladders/Scaffolds. If ladders or scaffolds are used,

they shall be erected and maintained in accordance with the requirements of Subparts X and L of OSHA’s construction standards.
In addition, employees shall be trained in accordance with the requirements of Subparts X & L.

f. Access To Roof. Employers shall not allow workers to ascend or descend the roof’s slope within 6 feet of the rake edge except where that limitation would prevent the performance of work.

g. Location of Materials. Supplies and materials shall not be stored within 6 feet of the rake edge, or three feet where tile roof systems are being installed.

h. Impalement Hazards.

The area below the eaves and rakes shall be kept clear of materials and other objects
which could pose impalement or other hazards,
or properly guarded.

When workers are on an upper level above protruding materials, mushroom caps are inadequate protection and 2x lumber must be used to cover all protruding objects.

2. For Roofs with an Eave Height Of Up To and Including 25 Feet;
Roofing Slide Guards and
Safety Monitors (of the Independent Contractor)
Will Be Used.

a. Roof Slope (Any Roof Type): Up to 4 in 12.

The employer must use either
a safety monitoring system that complies with §1926.502, or
roofing slide guards.

If roofing slide guards are used, they must be built and installed in accordance with the requirements set out below.

b. Roof Slope: Over 4 in 12 (and up to and including 8 in 12): Roofing Slide Guards are required. (Except Tile or Metal Roofs)

c. Roof Slope: Tile or Metal Roofs - Over 4 in 12 (and up to and including 8 in 12) The safety monitoring system may be used instead of slide guards.

3. Roof slopes over 8 in 12, and over 25 feet

a. Roof Slope (Any Roof Type): Over 8 in 12 - RESTRICTIONS APPLY. Conventional fall protection must be used, either personal fall arrest systems, safety net systems or guardrail systems. Alternative procedures are not available.

b. Eave Height Over 25 feet (Any Slope, Any Roof Type): - RESTRICTIONS APPLY. Conventional fall protection must be used, either personal fall arrest systems, safety net systems, or guardrail systems. Alternative procedures are not available.

4. Roofing Slide Guards: Requirements for Material Configuration and Installation.

a. Employers (Independent Contractors) who use roofing slide guards as fall protection during roofing operations work shall comply with the following requirements:

(1) Materials:

Roof jacks or equivalent supports

Nails – long enough and strong enough to withstand an employee (of the Independent Contractor) sliding down the roof onto the guard.

All slide guards must be constructed of 2X6 (nominal) lumber stock (planks).

(2) Installation instructions

(a) On steep roofs with slopes greater than 4 in 12,up to and including 6 in 12.

Roofing slide guards shall be installed continuously along the eave.

To accomplish this:

No more than three (3) rows of roofing material shall be installed across the lower eave before installing slide guards.
The roof jacks (or equivalent supports) shall be installed using nails long enough to withstand an employee (of the Independent contractor) sliding into the slide guard.
The face of the 2X6 plank must be perpendicular (about 90°) to the surface of the roof.

(b) On steep roofs with slopes greater than 6 in 12 up to and including 8 in 12.

(i) Continuous slide guards must be installed across all lower eaves.

(ii) Additional slide guards shall be installed below each work area at intervals not to exceed eight feet.

To install the additional slide guards:

The employee, while standing on the plank below, shall secure the roof jacks above with nails and then install the 2X6 planks.

The employee then can climb up to the new slide guard and continue to install the roofing work.

This procedure is repeated as work proceeds up the roof.

higher slide guards only need to be long enough to provide protection below the area of the roof where work is being performed.
The face of the slide guard does not have to be at 90° to the roof surface.

(3) Removal Instructions:

Once the roof is installed to the ridge, the employee will go down to the next lower plank and remove the planks and roof jacks from the upper level.

The employee repeats this process down the roof until all 2X6 planks and roof jacks are removed.

When the roofing job is completed the 2X6 planks and roof jacks along the eave can be removed.

5. Exceptions: (OSHA – Interpretations and Clarifications Subpart M, February 1995)

Once on the roof, the vendor’s employees will receive the roofing products (from a conveyor belt, lift truck or similar equipment) and then distribute the products onto the roof at various locations. During this distribution process, the vendor’s employees are not required to install an anchorage point for fall protection equipment regardless of the slope of the roof or the fall distance.

6. Safety Monitoring System must comply with Subpart M – Fall Protection 1926.502.

a. For residential construction, the Safety Monitoring System is applicable only to certain roofing operations.

(1) Roofing work on low-slope roofs 4 in 12 or less.
On roofs 50 feet or less in width, the use of a safety monitoring system alone (i.e., without the warning line system) is permitted. (or use roofing slide guards)

(2) Tile or Metal Roofs installed on steep roofs up to (and including) 8 in 12.
The Safety Monitoring system may be used instead of slide guards.

b. Safety monitoring systems and their use shall comply with the following provisions.

(1) Safety monitoring system means a safety system in which a competent person (of the Independent Contractor is responsible for recognizing and warning employees of fall hazards.

A Safety–Monitoring System used in the roofing operation must be in place before any work may begin.

If the workers are not all in the same area, additional monitors must be assigned:

The Independent Contractor’s crew supervisor/foreman shall direct each employee to comply with the fall hazard warnings from their safety monitor and shall emphasize that the safety monitor has the authority to take prompt corrective measures.

(2) The Safety Monitor’s duties and responsibilities include:

The safety monitor must not have any other work activities that could take the monitor’s attention from the monitoring function.

No work may begin until the safety monitor is in position at the assigned work area.

The safety monitor must also be on the same surface and within visual sighting distance and close enough to communicate orally with the monitored employees.

The safety monitor is required to warn an employee who appears to be unaware of a fall hazard or is acting in an unsafe manner.

The safety monitor must take prompt corrective measures by having the affected employees move away from the unprotected side or edge or use other work procedures to avoid fall hazards.

The safety monitor may order work to be suspended for brief periods as necessary to allow other Independent Contractor’s workers to pass through such areas when this would not create a greater hazard.

(3) No employee (or another Independent Contractor’s employee) other than an employee (of the Independent Contractor) engaged in roofing work, shall be allowed in an area where an employee (of the Independent Contractor) is being protected by a safety monitoring system.

(4) Mechanical equipment shall not be used or stored in areas where safety monitoring systems are being used to monitor employees (of the Independent contractor) engaged in roofing operations on low sloped roofs.

END of the Four Alternative Fall Protection Plans