Osha Dock Door Fall Protection

If the dock door is open dock worker protection is required.

Osha dock door fall protection. When the employer can demonstrate that it is not feasible or creates a greater hazard to use guardrail safety net or personal fall protection systems on residential roofs the employer must develop and implement a fall protection plan that meets the requirements of 29 cfr 1926 502 k and training that meets the requirements of 29 cfr 1926 503 a and c. The current osha standard 29 cfr 1910 23 b relating to protection for wall openings and holes states that every wall opening from which there is a. Osha regulations on loading dock safety require fall protection on any dock that is 48 inches or higher. When dock doors are open it s sometimes necessary to install a guardrail or a loading dock fall protection barrier.

By my calculation 1 3 of the open dock doors were compliant 1 3 had inadequate fall protection and 1 3 had no fall protection at all. Since most docks are at least 44 tall to serve tractor trailers and flatbeds a majority will be subject to that requirement. Drive forklifts slowly on docks and dock plates. Osha 26 cfr2 23 b states that for any wall openings with more than a four foot drop should be equipped with a fall protection barrier.

Osha fall protection requirements. Here is a quick review of loading dock fall protection requirements from osha on a federal level. 1910 28 includes unprotected sides and edges. So if the dock door is open when is it necessary to install a guardrail or actual fall protection barrier and when will a visual barrier suffice.

The answer depends on the height of the platform. The osha fall protection specifics. Osha standard 26 cfr 1910 23 b that relates to loading dock fall protection states that each wall opening where there is a drop of more than 4 feet shall be guarded by an actual. 1910 29 b 1 the top edge height of top rails or equivalent guardrail system members are 42 inches 107 cm plus or minus 3 inches 8 cm above the walking working surface the top edge height may exceed 45 inches 114 cm provided the guardrail system.

Or personal fall protection system. Each individual state may have their own individual requirements. Injuries happen here when forklifts run off the dock products fall on employees or equipment strikes a person. Osha is clear that at this height or higher using only a visual barrier a yellow rope or chain for example won t suffice.

Secure dock plates and check to see if the. Occupational safety and health administration occupational safety and health administration docks hazard. The osha standard requires that a physical barrier guard every wall opening that poses a drop of greater than 4 feet.