Saturday, July 25, 2009

Regulations for Fall Protection and Prevention at Extreme Heights

In window cleaning and other suspended work industries, there are specific regulations for work at certain heights. The breakpoints are at 130’ and 300’. Read on for additional info ...


At 130’ intermittent stabilization anchors are required for powered platforms and some form of station stabilization is required for boatswain chair.

At 300’ no mobile outriggers are allowed which means permanently installed davits or other means are required, however the powered platform may be ground-rigged or roof launched, depending on the type of permanently installed equipment on the roof and the type of stabilization employed.

In certain instances, mobile or transportable structural outriggers may be used at heights exceeding 300’, but certain conditions must be adhered to.

Apparently, no OSHA-specific height restrictions exist for the usage of Controlled Boatswain’s Chairs, but the use of workstation stabilization is required at heights over 130’ and above.


CERTAIN OSHA REGULATIONS and CONCENSUS STANDARDS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

OSHA Regulations for Working at Heights

OSHA Concensus Standard Codes from ANSI / IWCA I-14.1


The following OSHA Interpretation Letters apply to 1910.66 and the I-14.1 ...

OSHA INTERPRETATION LETTER October 1, 1998
OSHA INTERPRETATION LETTER March 28, 2005

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