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University of Maryland • Safety Fact Sheet • Department of Environmental Safety

Fall Protections

Introduction

The requirements shown below reduce the potential for employee injury related to falling.

Applicable University Policy

UM Fall Protection Program

Applicable Regulations

29 CFR 1926 Subpart M - Fall Protection
29 CFR 1910 Subpart D - Walking and Working Surfaces
29 CFR 1910 Subpart F - Powered Platforms, Manlifts, and Vehicle- Mounted Platforms
29 CFR 1926 Subpart E - Personal Protective and Life Saving Systems
29 CFR 1926 Subpart L - Scaffolding

Summary of Requirements

Stairway/Ladderway floor openings must be guarded with a railing.
All floor openings into which a person could accidentally walk must be appropriately guarded of covered.
Open sided floors or platforms 4 feet or more above adjacent surfaces must be appropriately guarded.
Ladders and scaffolding must be designed, constructed, and used in an appropriate manner.
Elevator doors must not open between floors.
Wall openings must be appropriately guarded.
Employees must be protected from hazards associated with "unprotected" roof surfaces.
Safety harnesses, lifelines, lanyards, and safety nets used for fall protection shall be designed, constructed, and used in compliance with applicable regulations. Only full body harnesses and locking snap hooks are permitted. (29 CFR 1926).
Every floor, working place, and passageway must be kept dry and free of obstructions.

Training

Employees must be trained and equipped to prevent injuries associated with slip, trip, and fall hazards. Employees assigned to train other employees ("competent person") shall be trained through a qualified fall protection training program.

Reporting

In the event of a fatality or incident resulting in the hospitalization of three or more people, MOSH must be notified within 8 hours. Contact DES in all cases of an accident resulting in an injury or property loss.

Inspections

Equipment associated with fall protection (ropes, harnesses, ladders, scaffolding, etc.) must be inspected frequently and removed from use if damaged or defective. Walking and working surfaces must be inspected frequently to identify, correct, and plan protection for potential fall hazards.

Recordkeeping

Training and certification records must be maintained for employees that receive fall protection training.

Inspection certification records must be maintained for power lifts and working platforms.

Written Program

Specific written fall protection plans are required to be prepared by a qualified person for situations in which the requirements of the regulatory standard would not be practical and/or create a more hazardous situation.

University Resources

Department of Environmental Safety (301) 405-3960
DES Fax No. (301) 314-9294
DES Web Site: http://www.des.umd.edu

Written 5/98
Revised 4/02
Reviewed 3/04

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