Fall Protection in Construction, OSHA 3146, 1995, is a new Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) booklet that clarifies revisions to OSHA's August 9, 1994, construction industry safety standard for prevention of employees from falling and protection of employees from falling objects. Falls are the leading cause of construction workers' fatalities. Each year, an average of 150-200 workers are killed and more than 100,000 workers are injured.

The booklet covers the scope and application of the standard. Also discussed is the employer's duty to have fall protection at various areas while performing a variety of tasks: excavations, formwork and reinforcing steel, hoist areas, holes, leading edges, overhand bricklaying and related work, precast concrete erection and residential construction, ramps, runways and other walkways, roofing, including low-slope roofs and steep roofs and wall openings.

Fall Protection in Construction provides information on fall protection systems such as:

• Guardrails
• Personal fall arrests
• Positioning devices
• Safety monitoring
• Safety nets
• Warning lines

There are sections on roadway and vehicular aisle covers, protection from falling objects (including storage of materials to prevent their falling), and the use of canopies and toeboards. The booklet provides information on other sources of OSHA assistance, such as Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines, State Programs, Voluntary Protection Programs, Consultation Services, and Training and Education.

To obtain a free copy of the booklet, Fall Protection in Construction, send a self-addressed label to the following:

OSHA Publications Office
200 Constitution Avenue, NW
Room N-3101
Washington, DC 20210

Also, you may contact your local regional or area OSHA office that is in the telephone directory under U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Government section.

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