Walking and working surfaces

1. FHM TRAINING TOOLS
This training presentation is part of FHM’s
commitment to creating and keeping safe
workplaces.
Be sure to check out all the training programs
that are specific to your industry.

2. Walking and WorkingWalking and Working
SurfacesSurfaces
Special emphasis on Fall ProtectionSpecial emphasis on Fall Protection

3. The RegulationsThe Regulations
• 1910.21 - Definitions.
• 1910.22 - General
requirements.
• 1910.23 - Guarding
floor and wall openings
and holes.
• 1910.24 - Fixed
industrial stairs.
• 1910.25 - Portable
wood ladders.
• 1910.26 - Portable
metal ladders.
• 1910.27 - Fixed ladders.
• 1910.28 - Safety
requirements for
scaffolding.
• 1910.29 - Manually
propelled mobile ladder
stands and scaffolds
(towers).
• 1910.30 - Other working
surfaces.
• 1910 Subpart D -
Authority for 1910
Subpart D.

4. General RequirementsGeneral Requirements
HousekeepingHousekeeping
• All places of employment, passageways, storerooms,
and service rooms shall be kept clean and orderly
and in a sanitary condition.
• The floor of every workroom shall be maintained in a
clean and, so far as possible, a dry condition. Where
wet processes are used, drainage shall be
maintained and gratings, mats, or raised platforms
shall be provided.
• Every floor, working place and passageway shall be
kept free from protruding nails, splinters, holes, or
loose boards.

5. General RequirementsGeneral Requirements
Aisles & PassagewaysAisles & Passageways
• Aisles and passageways shall be kept clear and in good
repair with no obstruction across or in aisles that could
create a hazard.
• Permanent aisles and passageways shall be
appropriately marked.
• Where mechanical handling equipment is used, aisles
shall be sufficiently wide. Improper aisle widths coupled
with poor housekeeping and vehicle traffic can cause
injury to employees, damage the equipment and
material, and can limit egress in emergencies.

6. General RequirementsGeneral Requirements
Covers & GuardrailsCovers & Guardrails
• Covers and/or guardrails shall be provided to
protect personnel from the hazards of open
pits, tanks, vats, ditches, and the like.
• Skylights shall also be protected to prevent
accidental falling through.

7. General RequirementsGeneral Requirements
Floor Loading ProtectionFloor Loading Protection
• Load rating limits shall be marked on plates
and conspicuously posted.
• It shall be unlawful to place, or cause, or
permit to be placed, on any floor or roof of a
building or other structure, a load greater than
that for which such floor or roof is approved.

8. Determining an OpeningDetermining an Opening
• Floor hole. An opening measuring less than 12 inches but more
than 1 inch in its least dimension, in any floor, platform, pavement
or yard, through which materials but not persons may fall.
• Floor opening. An opening measuring 12 inches or more in its
least dimension, in any floor, platform, pavement, or yard, through
which persons may fall.
• Platform. A working space for persons, elevated above the
surrounding floor or ground.
• Wall hole. An opening less than 30 inches but more than 1 inch
high, of unrestricted width, in any wall or partition.
• Wall opening. An opening at least 30 inches high and 18 inches
wide, in any wall or partition, through which persons may fall.

9. Protection for Floor OpeningsProtection for Floor Openings
• Standard railings shall be provided on all
exposed sides of a stairway opening, except
at the stairway entrance.
• For infrequently used stairways, where traffic
across the opening prevents the use of a
fixed standard railing, the guard shall consist
of a hinged floor opening cover of standard
strength and construction along with
removable standard railings on all exposed
sides, except at the stairway entrance.

10. Protection for Floor OpeningsProtection for Floor Openings
• A "standard railing" consists of top rail, mid
rail, and posts, and shall have a vertical
height of 42 inches nominal from the upper
surface of top rail to floor, platform, runway,
or ramp level. Nominal height of mid rail is 21
inches.
• A "standard toeboard" is 4 inches nominal in
vertical height, with not more than ¼-inch
clearance above floor level.

11. Protection for Floor OpeningsProtection for Floor Openings
• Floor openings may be covered rather than
guarded with rails.
• When the floor opening cover is removed:
– a temporary guardrail shall be in place, or
– an attendant shall be stationed at the opening to
warn personnel.
• Every floor hole into which persons can
accidentally walk shall be guarded by either:
– A standard railing with toeboard, or
– A floor hole cover of standard strength and
construction.

12. Protection of Open-SidedProtection of Open-Sided
Floors & PlatformsFloors & Platforms
• Every open-sided floor or platform 4 feet or more above
adjacent floor or ground level shall be guarded by a
standard railing on all open sides.
– Except where there is an entrance to a ramp, stairway, or fixed
ladder.
• The railing shall be provided with a toeboard wherever,
beneath the open sides:
– Persons can pass,
– There is moving machinery, or
– There is equipment with which falling materials could create a
hazard.

13. Protection of Open-SidedProtection of Open-Sided
Floors & PlatformsFloors & Platforms
• Regardless of height, open-sided floors,
walkways, platforms, or runways above
or adjacent to dangerous equipment,
pickling or galvanizing tanks,
degreasing units, and similar hazards
shall be guarded with a standard railing
and toeboard.

14. Stairway Railings & GuardsStairway Railings & Guards
• Every flight of stairs with four or more risers shall have
standard stair railings or standard handrails.
• On stairways less than 44 inches wide having both sides
enclosed, at least one handrail shall be affixed, preferably on
the right side descending.
• On stairways less than 44 inches wide with one open side,
at least one stair rail shall be affixed on the open side.
• On stairways less than 44 inches wide having both sides
open, two stair rails shall be provided, one for each side.
• On stairways more than 44 inches wide, but less than 88
inches, one handrail shall be provided on each enclosed
side and one stair rail on each open side.
• On stairways 88 inches or more in width, one handrail shall
be provided on each enclosed side, one stair rail on each
open side, and one intermediate stair rail placed
approximately in the middle of the stairs.

15. Standard Stair RailingStandard Stair Railing
• The vertical height shall be not more than 34 inches nor
less than 30 inches from the upper surface of the top rail
to the surface of the tread.
• The lengthwise member shall be mounted directly on a
wall or partition by means of brackets attached to the
lower side of the handrail in order to keep a smooth,
unobstructed surface along the top and both sides of the
handrail.
• The supports for the rail shall be 3 inches from the wall
and be no more than 8 feet apart.
• The height of handrails shall be no more than 34 inches
nor less than 30 inches from the upper surface of the
handrail to the surface of the tread

16. Fixed Industrial StairsFixed Industrial Stairs
• Fixed Industrial Stairs shall be provided for access to
and from places of work where operations necessitate
regular travel between levels.
• OSHA requirements include:
– Fixed industrial stairs shall be strong enough to carry five times
the normal anticipated live load.
– At the very minimum, any fixed stairway shall be able to carry
safely a moving concentrated load of 1000 pounds.
– All fixed stairways shall have a minimum width of 22 inches.
– Fixed stairs shall be installed at angles to the horizontal of
between 30 degrees and 50 degrees.
– Vertical clearance above any stair tread to an overhead
obstruction shall be at least 7 feet measured from the leading
edge of the tread.

17. Inspecting StairsInspecting Stairs
• Handrails and Stair rails:
A. Lack of
B. Placement
C. Smoothness of surface
D. Strength
E. Clearance between rail and wall or other object
• Treads:
A. Strength
B. Slip resistance
C. Dimensions
D. Evenness of surface
E. Visibility of leading edge
• Improper/inadequate design, construction or location of staircases.
• Wet, slippery, or damaged walking or grasping surfaces.
• Improper illumination...there is no general OSHA standard for illumination
levels. The Illuminating Engineering Society publications should be
consulted for recommendations.
• Poor Housekeeping.

18. Use of LaddersUse of Ladders
• Ladders shall be placed with a secure footing, or
they shall be lashed, or held in position.
• Ladders used to gain access to a roof or other
area shall extend at least 3 feet above the point
of support.
• The top of a regular stepladder shall not be
used as a step.
• Use both hands when climbing or descending
ladders.
• Metal ladders shall never be used near electrical
equipment.

19. Use of LaddersUse of Ladders
• The foot of a ladder shall,
where possible, be used at
such a pitch that the horizontal
distance from the top support
to the foot of the ladder is one-
quarter of the working length
of the ladder (the length along
the ladder between the foot
and the support).

20. Use of LaddersUse of Ladders
• The worker shall always face the ladder
when climbing up or down.
• Short ladders shall not be spliced
together to make long ladders.
• Ladders shall never be used in the
horizontal position as scaffolds or work
platforms.

21. Introduction To Fall ProtectionIntroduction To Fall Protection
A Basic Introduction to FallA Basic Introduction to Fall
ProtectionProtection

22. Fall Protection Standard inFall Protection Standard in
General IndustryGeneral Industry
• 1910.23, Guarding floor and wall openings and holes.
• 1910.66, Powered platforms for building
maintenance.
• App A, Guidelines (Advisory).
• App C, Personal Fall Arrest System (Section I - Mandatory;
Sections II and III - Non-Mandatory).
• 1910.132, General Requirements (Personal
Protective Equipment).
• 1910.269, Electric Power Generation, Transmission,
and Distribution.
• References 1926 Subpart M and contains
additional requirements for fall protection.

23. Frequently Cited ViolationsFrequently Cited Violations
• Failure to protect workers from falls of 6 feet
or more off unprotected sides or edges, e.g.
floors and roofs. (1926.501(b)(1); (b)(10); and
(b)(11))
• Failure to protect workers from falling into or
through holes and openings in floors and
walls. (1926.501(b)(4) and (b)(14))
• Failure to provide guardrails on runways and
ramps where workers are exposed to falls of
6 feet or more to a lower level. (1926.501(b)
(6))

24. Work Positioning SystemsWork Positioning Systems
• These systems are designed to hold and
sustain the user at a work location and limit
the free-fall to two feet or less, as in rebar
work or tree trimming.
• These are examples of typical components
of a work positioning system.
– Body Support: Full Body Harness
– Connecting Component: Chain or web rebar
assembly, rope or web lanyard
– Anchorage Connector: Carabiner or snap hook
– Anchorage: Rebar or Support Structure

25. Restraint SystemsRestraint Systems
• These are systems designed to prevent
the user from reaching an area where
free-fall could occur so no free-fall is
possible, as in leading edge roof work.
• Here are some elements and examples
of restraint systems.
– Body Support: Full Body Harness or Body
Belt
– Connecting Component: Rope or web
lanyard
– Anchorage Connector: Carabiner, Tie-Off
Adapter, Roof Anchor
– Anchorage: Beam or Support Structure

26. Rescue SystemsRescue Systems
• These systems which are designed to
raise or lower a user to safety in the
event of an emergency, so no free-fall is
possible (i.e. confined space work).
• The following are the four elements of a
rescue system and examples of each:
– Body Support: Full Body Harness
– Connecting Component: Lifeline (winch, self
retracting lifeline) and Y-Lanyard
– Anchorage Connector: Tripod, Davit Arm
– Anchorage: Support Structure or Surface

27. Fall ArrestFall Arrest
• These systems are designed to stop a free-
fall of up to 6 feet, and limit the maximum
forces of a user to 1800 pounds or less, as in
steel erection or elevated maintenance work.
• The following are the four elements of a fall
arrest system and some examples.
– Body Support: Full Body Harness
– Connecting Component: Shock Absorbing
Lanyard, Self-Retracting-Lifeline, RopeGrab
– Anchorage Connector: Carabiner, Tie-Off
Adapter, Trolly, Roof Anchor
– Anchorage: Beam or Support Structure

28. Suspension SystemSuspension System
• These systems support and suspend the
user while being transported up or down
vertically and will not allow a free fall.
• Here are some elements and examples of
suspension systems.
– Body Support: Full Body Harness and a
Botswain's Chair
– Connecting Component: Lifeline (rope,
rescue positioning device) rope or web
lanyard
– Anchorage Connector: Carabiner, Tripod,
Davit Arm Tie-off Adapter
– Anchorage: Beam or Support Structure or
Surface

29. Common Pieces of EquipmentCommon Pieces of Equipment
Shock Absorbing
Lanyard
Self Retracting
Lifelines
Rope & Cable
Grabs
Carabiners
Full Body
Harness
Cross-Arm
Strap

30. A Typical FallA Typical Fall
Arrest ArrangementArrest Arrangement
• Consists of:
– Anchorage Connector
– Shock Absorbing Lanyard
– Full Body Harness
• The anchorage connector
must be attached to a
suitable and strong
attachment point

31. Requirements for PersonalRequirements for Personal
Fall Arrest SystemFall Arrest System
• Limit maximum arresting force on an employee to 900 pounds (4
KiloNewtons) when used with a body belt;
• Limit maximum arresting force on an employee to 1,800 pounds (8
KiloNewtons) when used with a body harness;
• Be rigged so that an employee can neither free fall more than 6 feet
(1.8 meters) nor contact any lower level;
• Bring an employee to a complete stop and limit maximum
deceleration distance an employee travels to 3.5 feet (1.07 meters);
and
• Have sufficient strength to withstand twice the potential impact
energy of an employee free falling a distance of 6 feet (1.8 meters)
or the free fall distance permitted by the system, whichever is less.

32. Use of Body BeltsUse of Body Belts
• Effective January 1, 1998, body belts
are prohibited as a fall arrest device.
• Body belts can still be used as a
positioning device.

33. Dee-rings and Snap HooksDee-rings and Snap Hooks
• Dee-rings and snaphooks must have a
minimum tensile strength of 5,000
pounds (22.2 KiloNewtons).
• Dee-rings and snaphooks shall be
proof-tested to a minimum tensile load
of 3,600 pounds (16 KiloNewtons)
without cracking, breaking, or suffering
permanent deformation.

34. Additional TrainingAdditional Training
• Extensive training is needed to fully
understand and utilize much of the fall
protection equipment available.
• A competent person must evaluate
work conditions to insure safety when
working in elevated locations.
• Most manufacturers provide very
extensive programs in fall protection.