Hughes Engineering, LLC

We design, test, certify and inspect fall protection systems and anchorages

865.309.5399

OSHA

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has established regulations that require building owners to provide a safe working environment for all workers performing tasks at height. These workers could be performing maintenance on buildings of any height that require the use of suspended access equipment. We provide engineering services focused on the design, certification and annual inspection of fall protection anchorages as part of this OSHA compliance.

Regulations

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has established regulations that require building owners to provide a safe working environment for all workers performing tasks at height. OSHA regulations for fall protection can be found in the following standards:

General Industry Standards

  • Part 1910.21, Subpart D (Walking -Working Surfaces)

  • Standard 1910.27, Scaffolds and rope descent systems

Before any rope descent system is used, the building owner must inform the employer, in writing that the building owner has identified, tested, certified, and maintained each anchorage so it is capable of supporting at least 5,000 pounds (268 kg), in any direction, for each employee attached. The information must be based on an annual inspection by a qualified person and certification of each anchorage by a qualified person, as necessary, and at least every 10 years.

Anchorages to which personal fall arrest equipment is attached shall be capable of supporting at least 5,000 pounds (22.2 kN) per employee attached, or shall be designed, installed, and used as part of a complete personal fall arrest system which maintains a safety factor of at least two, under the supervision of a qualified person.

  • Standard 1910.140, Personal Fall Protection Systems

Anchorages, except window cleaners' belt anchors covered by paragraph (e) of this section, must be: Capable of supporting at least 5,000 pounds (22.2 kN) for each employee attached; or designed, installed, and used, under the supervision of qualified person, as part of a complete personal fall protection system that maintains a safety factor of at least two.

Construction Industry Standards

  • Part 1926.502, Subpart M (Fall Protection)

Anchorages used for attachment of personal fall arrest equipment shall be independent of any anchorage being used to support or suspend platforms and capable of supporting at least 5,000 pounds (22.2 kN) per employee attached, or shall be designed, installed, and used as follows: as part of a complete personal fall arrest system which maintains a safety factor of at least two; and under the supervision of a qualified person.

Building Owners / Managers

To provide a safe working environment for employees that are using suspended access equipment, building owners should maintain the following documentation:

  • Maintenance personnel training and work procedures

  • Design documentation for the suspended access equipment to include the anchorages

  • Equipment certification and annual inspection reports