Falls are the most common type of injury accident on construction projects. We typically see temporary guardrails installed at heights or workers wearing fall protection harnesses with lanyards on commercial projects, but how about residential construction? It’s not uncommon to see workers on residential construction and single family home projects working unprotected around fall hazards, so are safety regulations less stringent for residential versus commercial construction? No! Fall protection pertaining to any construction work is mandated by Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 296-155, Part C-1.
Fall protection requirements are not just for hazards above 10 feet high. Floor holes and floor openings regardless of height must be guarded. Fall protection is required at the height of 4 feet or more at open-sided walking/working surfaces as well as ramps. Work activity on high slope roofs (4:12 pitch or greater) where a fall hazard of 4 feet or more exists also requires fall protection. Where employees are exposed to fall hazards of 10 feet or more, fall protection is required, as well as a written fall protection work plan.
The compliant means of fall protection are addressed in WAC 296-155, Part C-1 and include:
Fall arrest systems – Stopped after the fall with a 6 foot maximum free fall distance
Personal fall arrest with full body harness and lanyards
Safety nets
Catch platforms