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Fall Protection
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29 CFR 1926.760 Fall Protection

Connector
In steel erection, a new, very narrow working surface is constantly being created as skeletal steel is erected at various heights. For many steel erectors, especially connectors, the work starts at the top level of the structure. This means that anchor points above foot level are often limited or unavailable. The special circumstances of steel erection can make conventional fall protection very difficult to deploy below 15 feet. For this reason, the following requirements and exceptions in the the steel erection fall protection standard (29 CFR 1926.760) have been made.
General requirements
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  • Employees who are on a walking/working surface with an unprotected edge more than 15 feet above a lower level must be protected by conventional fall protection [29 CFR 1926.760(a)(1)].
  • Perimeter safety cables must be installed at the final interior and exterior perimeters of multi-story structures as soon as the decking has been installed [29 CFR 1926.760(a)(2)].

  • Connectors and employees working in controlled decking zones must be protected from fall hazards as provided below [29 CFR 1926.760(a)(3)]. (See Connectors and Controlled Decking Zone.)
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Note: The perimeter safety cables protect the detail crew that follows the decking crew.



Connectors
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  • Connectors must:

  • While working at heights over 15 and up to 30 feet, connectors must [29 CFR 1926.760(b)(3)]:

    • be provided with a complete personal fall arrest system or other allowable fall protection, and

    • wear the equipment necessary for tying off.
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Controlled Decking Zone (CDZ)
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  • Controlled Decking Zone (CDZ)A CDZ can be established as a substitute for fall protection where metal decking is initially being installed and forms the leading edge of a work area over 15 and up to 30 feet above a lower level [29 CFR 1926.760(c)].

  • Leading-edge workers in a CDZ are required to:

  • Employees who are not engaged in leading-edge work and properly trained in the hazards involved are prohibited from entering the CDZ [29 CFR 1926.760(c)(2)] and [29 CFR 1926.760(c)(4)].

  • The CDZ is required to:

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    Note: Control lines are commonly used as a marker because they create a highly visible boundary.
Safety Deck
  • have safety deck attachments placed from the leading edge back to the control line [29 CFR 1926.760(c)(6)], and

  • have at least two safety deck attachments for each metal decking panel [29 CFR 1926.760(c)(6)].

  • Final deck attachments and the installation of shear connectors are prohibited from being done in the CDZ. [29 CFR 1926.760(c)(7)]


Criteria for Fall Protection Equipment
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Positioning Device



Custody of fall protection
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  • The steel erector may leave fall protection in place so it may be used by other trades only if the controlling contractor [29 CFR 1926.760(e)]:

    • has directed the steel erector to leave the fall protection in place [29 CFR 1926.760(e)(1)], and

    • has inspected and accepted control and responsibility of the fall protection before authorizing other trades to work in the area [29 CFR 1926.760(e)(2)].
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