Page 259 - Safety Memo

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

76 Cal/OSHA Pocket Guide for the Construction Industry | June 2019 Cal/OSHA Pocket Guide for the Construction Industry | June 2019 77