CFR 131B - Subpart M; Fall Protection in Construction Elimination of Application to Steel Erection Activities

On August 9, 1994, Federal OSHA promulgated the new occupational safety and health standard for Fall Protection in Construction at Subpart M  of 29 CFR 1926 (Federal Register). The Division of Occupational Safety and Health adopted this standard verbatim with a February 6, 1995, effective date. OSHNC amended this standard, effective July 1, 1995, to require the use of locking snaphooks as part of personal fall arrest systems and positioning device systems. Locking snaphooks must be used in the Construction industry effective July 1, 1995, in North Carolina. The references to and requirements for snaphooks are found at 29 CFR 1926.500(b) - Scope, application, and definitions applicable to this subpart [definition for Snaphook], 1926.502(d)(5), 1926. 502(e)(7) - Fall protection systems criteria and practices and in Appendix C, Part II(j)(1) - Personal Fall Arrest Systems - Non-Mandatory Guidelines for Complying with 1926.502(d).

Federal OSHA has now amended Subpart M, Fall Protection, to eliminate the application of this standard to all steel erection activities and to withdraw amendments to Subpart E so that steel erection may again be cited under Subpart E, Personal Protective and Life Saving Equipment Further, federal OSHA is relying upon a July 10, 1995 Memorandum from James W. Stanley, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor re: Fall. Protection in Steel Erection as the memo restates the interim enforcement policy regarding fall hazards in the steel erection industry. It further defines "steel erection activities," "buildings" and "tiered." These amendments at 29 CFR 1926, Subpart E and Subpart M were adopted verbatim in North Carolina by the Commissioner of Labor with an effective date of October 1, 1995. 

Also reference Field Operations Manual Chapter 12 - Construction, OSHA Technical Manual (TED 01-00-015), STD 03-11-002 - Compliance Guidance for Fall Protection in Residential Construction, SN 65 - The Use of Warning Lines Alone For Fall Protection on Low Sloped Roofs and SN 74 - Fall Protection Requirements for Work Involving Dry Laid Masonry Retaining Walls.  Additional resources and information can be found on the safety and health topic page for Fall Protection.