Fall Protection - Safety Walkaround Checklist

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Labor Occupational Health Program

Summary Statement

A checklist to be used when looking for fall hazards and making sure that proper preventative measures, such as fall protection, are in place. Part of a collection. Click on the 'collection' button to access the other items.

These tailgate/toolbox talks were developed for use under California OSHA regulations. The complete set is available from the Labor Occupational Health Program at UC Berkeley. For ordering information, visit the website (www.lohp.org) The American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) has adapted these talks to apply to federal OSHA regulations. To contact ACGIH, visit its web site (www.acgih.org).

Date Prepared:_________________________ By:____________________
Project Name/No.______________________ Location:_______________

  • Use this Checklist if the amount of lead exposure on the job is known. If not, use Checklist B.

  • Check the box if the statement is true.

  • Fill in the blanks where the Pencil Graphicappears.

  • Citations in brackets are from Title 8 of the California Administrative Code.


HAZARD IDENTIFICATION

  • The company has a written Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) that meets all Cal/OSHA requirements. It includes identification of hazards on the site that could cause falls, as well as regular inspections, accident investigation, and correction of hazardous conditions. [1509]
  • Workers potentially exposed to a fall hazard receive training before they start work in elevated locations. [1509]
  • Training includes an explanation of the company's fall protection policies and systems, selection and proper use of protective devices, and equipment maintenance. [1509]

PERSONAL FALL PROTECTION

  • Personal fall protection is used both to prevent workers from falling and to break falls. [1670]

    Fall protection is in place:

  • When workers could fall more than 6 feet placing or tying rebar. [1712(e)]
  • When workers could fall more than 7 1/2 feet from the edge of a structure or through an opening. [1670(a)] When workers could fall more than 7 1/2 feet from a platform, catwalk, walkway, scaffold, or sloped or roof surface steeper than 7:12. [1670(a)]
  • When workers could fall more than 15 feet doing structural wood framing or working on a tower crane. [1716.1(c)(1) and 4966(a)]
  • When workers could fall more than 15 feet doing most iron work (bolting steel, welding, etc.). [1710(g)(2)]
  • When workers could fall more than 20 feet doing roofing. [1730(b)]
  • When workers could fall more than 30 feet connecting structural steel beams. [1710(g)(1)]
  • Guardrails are provided in the above locations where feasible. Otherwise, one or more of the following are used: personal fall arrest systems, personal fall restraint systems, positioning device systems, or safety nets. (Guardrails are covered in a separate Checklist.) [1670]
  • The fall protection measures above are required but not used on the site because they are impractical or create a greater hazard than they prevent. In this case, there is a written Fall Protection Plan describing alternative measures that will be used. [1671.1(a)]
PERSONAL FALL ARREST SYSTEMS
  • Personal fall arrest systems are used to stop workers in a free-fall. They consist of an anchorage, connectors, and a body harness. They may also include a lanyard, lifeline, and deceleration device. [1670(b)]
  • The system prevents workers from falling over 4 feet or hitting any lower level. [1670(b)(11)(B)]
  • The system is inspected by a competent person at least twice a year, and whenever it has sustained an impact. [1670(b)(19)]
  • Lanyards, anchorages, and lifelines can support 5,000 pounds. [1670(b)(3) and 1670(j)]
  • The system is not attached to a guardrail that cannot sustain the load, or to a hoist. [1670(b)(18)]
  • All personal fall arrest systems are of an approved type and are used in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. [1670(f)]
  • Each worker must have a separate lifeline. [1670(b)(4)]
  • Lifelines are protected from cuts and abrasion. If subjected to fraying or rock damage, they have a wire rope center. Worn or damaged rope is removed from service. [1670(b)(6) and 1670(k)
  • Body belts or safety belts are not used as part of a fall arrest system. [1670(b)]
PERSONAL FALL RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
  • Personal fall restraint systems are used to prevent falling. They consist of an anchorage, connectors, and a body harness or body belt. They may also include a lanyard, lifeline, and rope grab. [1670(d)]
  • The system is rigged to allow workers to move only as far as the sides of the work area. [1670(d)(4)]
  • Anchorage points support four times the intended load. [1670(d)(3)]
POSITIONING DEVICE SYSTEMS
  • Positioning device systems are used so a worker on an elevated surface can have both hands free. They consist of a body belt or body harness. [1670(c)]
  • The system prevents workers from falling over 2 feet. [1670(c)(1)]
  • The system is inspected before each use, and defective components are removed from service. [1670(c)(2)]
SAFETY NETS
  • Safety nets are used in place of other fall protection systems. (Allowed if the nets are installed properly.) [1671]
  • Nets are an approved type and are used in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. [1671(c)]
  • The integrity of each net is checked on a regular basis.
  • Nets extend horizontally from 8 to 13 feet out from the perimeter, depending on the vertical distance from the work area to the net. [1671(a)]
  • Nets are never more than 30 feet below the work area. [1671(a)]
  • There are no obstructions between the work area and the net.
FALL PROTECTION PLAN
  • Conventional fall protection measures are required but not used on this site because they are impractical or create a greater hazard than they prevent. In this case, a written Fall Protection Plan has been implemented under the supervision of a "competent person." [1671.1(a)]

    Pencil GraphicName of competent person:__________________________

  • The Fall Protection Plan identifies locations where conventional fall protection measures are infeasible or create a greater hazard. It explains why and discusses what alternative measures have been taken. [1671.1(a)]
  • A copy of the plan is present at the jobsite. [1671.1(a)(3)]
  • Where a Fall Protection Plan is used, it establishes a controlled access zone for each location where conventional fall protection cannot be used. Only certain trained workers are allowed in the zone. [1671.2]
  • There is a control line (ropes, wires, or tape) to restrict access to the zone, and signs are posted. [1671.2(a)(1)]
  • Where required, there is a designated safety monitor for the zone, and this person is in communication with anyone working in the zone at all times. [1671.1(a)(8) and 1671.2(b)]