New safety standards

The new directive for fall protection safety in the residential construction industry requires residential contractors to implement conventional fall protection systems like those that have been in use by the commercial construction industry since 1926. Some examples are:

• Guardrail systems

• Safety net systems

• Personal fall arrest systems that include anchors, a full-body harness and a lanyard connection to prevent a falling worker from reaching the ground

• Personal fall restraint system that ties off workers to prevent them from reaching past the unprotected side or edge

• Scaffolds, ladders or aerial lifts including forklifts with basket attachments

Source: Occupational Safety and Health Administration