Law Department notice on WTC document preservation, Oct 2001

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

Standard Operating Procedure Page 7 of 15 Fall Protection

When the 200 pound (890 N) test load is applied in a downward direction, the top edge of the guardrail shall not deflect to a height less than 39 inches (1.0 m) above the walking/working level. Guardrail system components selected and constructed in accordance with the following specifications are deemed to meet this requirement.

(1) For wood railings: Wood components shall be minimum 1500 lb-ft/in(2) fiber (stress grade) construction grade lumber; the posts shall be at least 2-inch by 4-inch (5 cm x 10 cm) lumber spaced not more than 8 feet (2.4 m) apart on centers; the top rail shall be at least 2-inch by 4-inch (5 cm x 10 cm) lumber, the intermediate rail shall be at least 1-inch by 6-mch (2.5 cm x 15 cm) lumber. All liunber dimensions are nominal sizes as provided by the American Softwood Lumber Standards, dated January 1970. (2) For pipe railings: posts, top rails, and intermediate railings shall be at least one and one-half inches nominal diameter (schedule 40 pipe) with posts spaced not more than 8 feet (2.4 m) apart on centers. (3) For structural steel railings: posts, top rails, and intermediate rails shall be at least 2-inch by 2-inch (5 cm X 10 cm) by 3/8-inch (1.1 cm) angles, with posts spaced not more than 8 feet (2.4 m) apart on centers.

Midrails, screens, mesh, intermediate vertical members, solid panels, and equivalent structural members shall be capable of withstanding, without failure, a force of at least 150 pounds (666 N) applied in any downward or outward direction at any point along the midrail or other member.

Guardrail systems shall be so surfaced as to prevent injury to an employee from punctures or lacerations, and to prevent snagging of clothing. The ends of all top rails and midrails shall not overhang the terminal posts, except where such overhang does not constitute a projection hazard. Steel banding and plastic banding shall not be u^ as top rails or midrails. Top rails and midrails shall be at least one-quarter inch (0.6 cm) nominal diameter or thickness to prevent cuts and lacerations. If wire rope is used for top rails, it shall be flagged at not more than 6-foot intervals with high-visibility material. Manila, plastic or synthetic rope being used for top rails or midrails shall be inspected as frequently as necessary to ensure that it continues to meet strength requirements.

When guardrail systems are used at hoisting areas, a chain, gate or removable guardrail section shall be placed across the access opening between guardrail sections when hoisting operations are not taking place.

When guardrail systems are used at holes, they shall be erected on all unprotected sides or edges of the hole. When guardrail systems are used around holes used for the passage of materials, the hole shall have not more than two sides provided with removable guardrail sections to allow the passage of materials. When the hole is not in use, it shall be closed over with a cover, or a guardrail system shall be provided along all unprotected sides or edges. When guardrail systems are used around holes which are used as points of access (such as ladderways), they shall be provided with a gate, or be so offset that a person cannot walk directly into the hole.

Guardrail systems used on ramps and nmways shall be erected along each improtected side or edge.

53 SAFETY NET SYSTEMS

Safety nets shall be installed as close as practicable trader the walking/working surface on which employees are working, but in no case more than 30 feet (9.1 m) below such level. When nets are used on bridges, the potential fall area from the walking/working surface to the net shall be unobstructed.

Safety nets shall extend outward from the outermost projection of the work surface as follows:

Vertical distance from working level to horizontal plane Minimum required horizontal distance of outer of net edge of net from the edge of the working _______________surface______________ Up to 5 feet 8 feet

NYC-WTC_000145144