Osha Dock Door Fall Protection

When the employer can demonstrate that it is not feasible or creates a greater hazard to use guardrail safety net or personal fall protection systems on residential roofs the employer must develop and implement a fall protection plan that meets the requirements of 29 cfr 1926 502 k and training that meets the requirements of 29 cfr 1926 503 a and c.

Osha dock door fall protection.

When dock doors are open it s sometimes necessary to install a guardrail or a loading dock fall protection barrier. The current osha standard 29 cfr 1910 23 b relating to protection for wall openings and holes states that every wall opening from which there is a. Link door can help with fall protection as required by osha regulations. Osha fall protection requirements.

Standards for loading dock safety. For dock platforms lower than 4 feet it s still recommended to have a visual barrier with a prominently. Air in and you ll add one more step in helping prevent falls off the loading dock. Osha is clear that at this height or higher using only a visual barrier a yellow rope or chain for example won t suffice.

1910 29 b guardrail systems the employer must ensure guardrail systems meet the following requirements. When your existing door goes up pull down the rasco bug blocker or chain link. If the dock door is open dock worker protection is required. The osha 1910 28 standard requires the use of fall protection devices such as a guardrail system a safety net or personal fall protection systems if an employee could fall 4 feet or more from an open or exposed dock door or opening.

Osha 26 cfr2 23 b states that for any wall openings with more than a four foot drop should be equipped with a fall protection barrier. 1910 28 includes unprotected sides and edges. By my calculation 1 3 of the open dock doors were compliant 1 3 had inadequate fall protection and 1 3 had no fall protection at all. The employer must ensure each employee on a walking working surface with an unprotected side or edge that is 4 feet 1 2m or more above a lower level is protected from falling by one or more of the following guardrail systems.

The answer depends on the height of the platform. An overzealous osha inspector could take the same drive i did and rack up fines in the hundreds of thousands without leaving the comfort of his air conditioned prius. 1910 29 b 1 the top edge height of top rails or equivalent guardrail system members are 42 inches 107 cm plus or minus 3 inches 8 cm above the walking working surface the top edge height may exceed 45 inches 114 cm provided the guardrail system. So if the dock door is open when is it necessary to install a guardrail or actual fall protection barrier and when will a visual barrier suffice.

Since most docks are at least 44 tall to serve tractor trailers and flatbeds a majority will be subject to that requirement. The osha fall protection specifics.