Identifying Hazards in the Workplace: Controlled Access Zones

Identifying Hazards in the Workplace: Controlled Access Zones

Ongoing scrutiny of safety in the workplace continues to create the need for economical solutions in both new development and existing work environments.

The Williams-Steiger Occupational Safety and Health Act, commonly known as the "general duty clause", requires employers to "furnish his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees". The general duty clause, although not a specific standard, has been applied by OSHA as a broad regulation to require employers to maintain workplaces that are free of recognized hazards and requiring employees to comply with rules and regulations issued by OSHA. Since then the Agency has been working to update the rules to better reflect current technologies and procedures that have become available for protecting employees from these hazards. Even in instances where no specific OSHA standard can be applied to a hazard, employers are still required to provide conditions or procedures that reduce risk of employee injury.

Newly constructed buildings are being designed with safety systems to protect employees and manage risk. Existing buildings are subject to the same OSHA standards, causing facility managers to seek effective, code compliant solutions to recently detected fall hazard areas.

Per OSHA 1910.23 (c), a fall is considered to be a drop of 4 feet or more. Often, building roof areas are protected by parapet walls a minimum of 42" high. If a parapet wall does not measure 42", OSHA allows several types of fall protection systems. These options vary depending on the maintenance activity, frequency, distance to the fall hazard, and other variables. The system could be as simple as a "Designated Area" as pictured here.

This system is designed for work that is temporary in nature and the warning line should be located no less than 6 feet from the building edge. When employees or contractors are required to work at the building edge a "fall restraint" system should be used. This will allow the worker to access the building edge while restricting his distance from the edge. Fall restraint systems are composed of certified anchorage points, a safety harness and a properly sized lanyard.

Fall protection systems are unique to each building because of building layout, structure, architectural details, and maintenance needs. Licensed fall protection companies provide consultation services to discuss OSHA compliant fall protection solutions that are most appropriate for your building.

Peak Fall Protection offers consultation services, engineered design and specifications, as well as manufacture and installation of turn-key and custom safety systems.

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