WTC contractor health and safety meeting handouts, January 2002

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

7 y

City of New York Department of Design and Construction

WTC EMERGENCY PROJECT Environmental Health and Safety Protocol January 6,2002

FALL PROTECTION AND AWARENESS The nature of the debris excavation frequently creates fall hazards from void openings, excavation sidewalls, slurry wall and other unprotected elevations. In addition, ladders, scaffolds and work at elevations may also create fall hazards. It shall be requited that all contractors and agencies ensure that fall protection/prevention systems be provided at all locations where fall hazards of 6 feet or greater exist Workers shall not be permitted to work on the top of a wall, excavation or other area with a fall distance of 6 feet or greater.

This protocol will address locations where fixed fall protection systems will be required. These locations include, but are not limited to excavations, holes, wall openings, slurry wall, leading edges of excavations and all other locations and operations with potential fall hazards that can be guarded with permanent / semi-permanent systems. Personal fall arrest systems are not covered in this protocol.

Guardrails 1. Provide guardrail systems, when feasible, at all locations where a fall hazard of 6 feet or greater exists. Where guardrail systems are impractical, an alternative form of fall protection as outlined under “Guardrail Alternatives” must be provided. 2. Require that guardrail systems meet the following criteria: a. Toprails must be installed so that the top edge of the rail is 42 ± 3 inches above the surface and capable of withstanding, without failure, a minimum force of 200 pounds in any outward or downward direction with no more than 3 inches of deflection. b. Midrails must be installed midway between the toprail and the surface and be capable of withstanding, without failure, a minimum force of ISO pounds in any outward or downward direction. c. Posts must be spaced not more than 8 feet apart on centos. 3. Do not use plastic or steel banding as toprail or midrail. 4. Erect guardrails on all sides when using guardrail systems around holes. S. When guardrails are used around holes that are used for access, such as ladderways, provide a gate or offset the guardrail so that a person cannot walk directly into the hole. 6. When guardrails are used at hoisting areas, place a chain, gate, or removable guardrail section across the access point when hoisting operations ate not taking place. Safety Protocols are considered part of the WTC Emergency Project ESH Plan.

Pagel

NYC-WTC_000164106