With OSHA’s new Walking-Working Surfaces and Personal Protective Equipment (Fall Protection Systems) standard comes some new requirements for protecting workers in “hoist areas”. Paragraph (b)(2) establishes fall protection requirements for workers who work in “hoist areas” that are four (4) feet or more above a lower level. The final rule defines a “hoist area” as an elevated access opening to a walking-working surface through which equipment or materials are loaded or received (final § 1910.21(b)). Paragraph (b)(2)(i) requires employers to protect workers in hoist areas from falls by:
- Guardrail systems (paragraph (b)(2)(i)(A));
- Personal fall arrest systems (paragraph (b)(2)(i)(B)); or
- Travel restraint systems (paragraph (b)(2)(i)(C))
The construction fall protection standard includes a similar provision requiring that employers provide guardrail or personal fall arrest systems to protect workers in hoist areas that are six (6) feet or more above a lower level (§ 1926.501(b)(3)). This final rule provides greater control flexibility than the construction standard because it also allows employers to provide travel restraint systems to protect workers.
Paragraph (b)(2)(ii), like the construction rules (§ 1926.501(b)(3)), requires that, if removing any portion of a guardrail system, gate, or chains AND if the worker leans through or over the edge of the access opening to facilitate hoisting, the employer MUST protect the worker from falling by a PERSONAL FALL ARREST SYSTEM.
The proposed rule required that employers provide “grab handles” on each side of a hoist area opening, in addition to a personal fall arrest system, if removing the guardrail, gate, or chains and if the worker leans out the access opening. In addition, where the structure has extension platforms onto which employers may place hoisted materials, the existing rule requires that employers provide side rails or equivalent guards to protect workers (existing § 1910.23(b)(ii)). OSHA notes that it adopted the existing rule in 1971, before personal fall arrest systems were widely available.
After further consideration, OSHA believes it is not necessary for employers to provide grab handles in addition to personal fall arrest systems if removing guardrails, gates, or chains and if workers look through or over the edge of an access opening to facilitate hoisting. OSHA believes that personal fall arrest systems provide adequate worker protection, and better protection than grab handles, therefore, OSHA did not carry forward the proposed requirement on grab handles. Of course, employers are free to provide grab handles or other handholds in addition to personal fall arrest systems in those situations.
Final paragraph (b)(2)(iii), specifies that if grab handles are installed at hoist areas, they must meet the requirements of § 1910.29(l). Employers are not required to install grab handles at hoist areas; however, if they do install grab handles, the handles must meet the criteria specified in § 1910.29(l). Although OSHA believes it is not necessary to install grab handles at hoist areas when workers use a personal fall arrest system, the Agency recognizes grab handles can provide some security when workers must lean out from a hoist area. In those cases, OSHA believes it is important for grab handles to be of a certain size, have sufficient clearance, and be capable of withstanding the forces placed on them.