1926.451(h) Falling Objects

To protect employees from falling hand tools, debris, and other small objects, install toe-boards, screens, guardrail systems, debris nets, catch platforms, canopy structures, or barricades. In addition, employees must wear hard hats.

When the falling objects are too large, heavy, or massive to be contained or deflected by any of the above-listed measures, the employer shall place such potential falling objects away from the edge of the surface from which they could fall and shall secure those materials as necessary to prevent their falling.

The area below the scaffold to which objects can fall shall be barricaded, and employees shall not be permitted to enter the hazard area.
A toe-board shall be erected along the edge of platforms more than 10 feet (3.1 m) above lower levels for a distance sufficient to protect employees below, except on float (ship) scaffolds where an edging of 3/4 x 1 1/2-inch (2 x 4 cm) wood or equivalent may be used in lieu of toe-boards.

Where tools, materials, or equipment are piled to a height higher than the top edge of the toe-board, paneling or screening extending from the toe-board or platform to the top of the guardrail shall be erected for a distance sufficient to protect employees below.

A guardrail system shall be installed with openings small enough to prevent passage of potential falling objects.
Canopy structure, debris net, or catch platform strong enough to withstand the impact forces of the potential falling objects shall be erected over the employees below.

Canopies shall be installed between the falling object hazard and the employees.

When canopies are used on suspension scaffolds for falling object protection, the scaffold shall be equipped with additional independent support lines equal in number to the number of points supported, and equivalent in strength to the strength of the suspension ropes.

Independent support lines and suspension ropes shall not be attached to the same points of anchorage.

Capable of withstanding, without failure, a force of at least 50 pounds (222 n) applied in any downward or horizontal direction at any point along the toe-board.

At least three and one-half inches (9 cm) high from the top edge of the toe-board to the level of the walking/working surface.

Toe-boards shall be securely fastened in place at the outermost edge of the platform and have not more than 1/4-inch (0.7 cm) clearance above the walking/working surface. Toe-boards shall be solid or with openings not over one inch (2.5 cm) in the greatest dimension.

To protect employees from falling hand tools, debris, and other small objects, install toe-boards, screens, guardrail systems, debris nets, catch platforms, canopy structures, or barricades. In addition, employees must wear hard hats.

A guardrail system shall be installed with openings small enough to prevent passage of potential falling objects.

Canopy structure, debris net, or catch platform strong enough to withstand the impact forces of the potential falling objects shall be erected over the employees below.

Canopies shall be installed between the falling object hazard and the employees.

When canopies are used on suspension scaffolds for falling object protection, the scaffold shall be equipped with additional independent support lines equal in number to the number of points supported, and equivalent in strength to the strength of the suspension ropes.

Independent support lines and suspension ropes shall not be attached to the same points of anchorage.

When the falling objects are too large, heavy, or massive to be contained or deflected by any of the above-listed measures, the employer shall place such potential falling objects away from the edge of the surface from which they could fall and shall secure those materials as necessary to prevent their falling.

The area below the scaffold to which objects can fall shall be barricaded, and employees shall not be permitted to enter the hazard area.

A toe-board shall be erected along the edge of platforms more than 10 feet (3.1 m) above lower levels for a distance sufficient to protect employees below, except on float (ship) scaffolds where an edging of 3/4 x 1 1/2-inch (2 x 4 cm) wood or equivalent may be used in lieu of toe-boards.

Where tools, materials, or equipment are piled to a height higher than the top edge of the toe-board, paneling or screening extending from the toe-board or platform to the top of the guardrail shall be erected for a distance sufficient to protect employees below.

Capable of withstanding, without failure, a force of at least 50 pounds (222 n) applied in any downward or horizontal direction at any point along the toe-board.

At least three and one-half inches (9 cm) high from the top edge of the toe-board to the level of the walking/working surface.

Toe-boards shall be securely fastened in place at the outermost edge of the platform and have not more than 1/4-inch (0.7 cm) clearance above the walking/working surface. Toe-boards shall be solid or with openings not over one inch (2.5 cm) in the greatest dimension.

Capable of withstanding, without failure, a force of at least 50 pounds (222 n) applied in any downward or horizontal direction at any point along the toe-board.

At least three and one-half inches (9 cm) high from the top edge of the toe-board to the level of the walking/working surface.

Toe-boards shall be securely fastened in place at the outermost edge of the platform and have not more than 1/4-inch (0.7 cm) clearance above the walking/working surface. Toe-boards shall be solid or with openings not over one inch (2.5 cm) in the greatest dimension.

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