Page 91 - Safety Memo

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4. The top rail or mid-rail on scaffolding platforms may be 4. Falsework: Guardrails are required as soon as falsework-
substituted by the X-braces (see the Scaffolds section in supporting members are in place. 1717(d)(4)
this guide). 1644(a)(6)
5. Demolition: Wall openings must be guard-railed during
5. The ends of the rails shall not overhang the terminal demolition except on the floor being demolished and on
posts, except where such overhang does not constitute a the ground floor. 1735(k)
projection hazard. 1620(f)
6. Roofing operations: Provisions must be made during
6. Railings shall be so surfaced as to prevent injury to an roofing operations to prevent workers from falling off roofs
employee from punctures or lacerations and to prevent 20 ft. or higher. 1730(b)(1)
snagging of clothing. 1620(g)
7. Skeleton steel building: A single 3/8-in. wire rope, in lieu
B. Guardrailing applications of standard railing, may be used to guard openings and
exposed edges of temporary floors or planking in skeleton
1. Floor and roof openings: 1632(b)(3)
steel buildings. The 3/8-in. wire rope must have a breaking
a. Floor, roof, and skylights openings in any work surface strength of 13,500 lbs. (min.) and be placed at 42 in. to 45
must be guarded by railings and toeboards or by in. above the finished floor. 1710(l)(3)
covers.
b. The cover must be able to support 400 lbs. or twice the Hazard Communication Program
weight of the employees, equipment, and material, and
be securely fastened. (HAZCOM)
c. Covers must bear a sign with minimum 1 in. letters
stating— OPENING— DO NOT REMOVE. A Hazardous chemical is any chemical which is classified as
a physical hazard or a health hazard, a simple asphyxiant,
d. Employees within 6 ft. of any skylight shall be protected combustible dust, pyrophoric gas, a hazard not otherwise
from falling through the skylight opening by any one of classified, or is included in the List of Hazardous Substances
the following methods: prepared by the Director pursuant to Labor Code section
01. Guardrails. 3209 6382. These chemicals may include solvents, paints, thinners,
cleaning agents, fresh concrete, and fuels. Employers whose
02. Skylight screens. 3212 employees may be exposed to hazardous chemicals are
03. Personal fall protection system. 1670 required to have a HAZCOM program. 5194
04. Covers installed over the skylights. 1632 A. Employers must develop, implement, and maintain at the
workplace a written HAZCOM program which includes
05. Fall protection plan. 1671.1 information on labels, warning, safety data sheets, training
Exception: When the work is of short duration and requirements, and other relevant information as per 5194.
exposure is limited. 3212(e) B. The program must include the following:
e. Access to surfaces glazed with transparent or 1. A list of the hazardous chemicals that are used or stored
translucent materials are not permitted unless an in the workplace. It must include any chemicals listed in
engineer certifies that the surface will sustain all the following:
anticipated loads. 3212(f)
a. The Hazardous Substances List. 339
2. Wall openings: Wall openings must be guarded if there is
a drop of more than 4 ft. and the bottom of the opening is b. The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR, Part 1910,
less than 3 ft. above the working surface. 1632(j) Subpart Z).
3. Elevators: Guardrails are required for elevator shaft c. Threshold Limit Values for Chemical Substances in the
openings that are not enclosed or do not have cages. 1633 Work Environment (ACGIH) latest edition.

70 Cal/OSHA Pocket Guide for the Construction Industry | June 2015 Cal/OSHA Pocket Guide for the Construction Industry | June 2015 71