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For specific scenarios or additional interpretations, consult OSHA’s website or local office, as requirements can vary depending on the workplace environment and application.

Body harness, lanyard, and lifelines shall be used when the competent person has determined there a fall hazard and guardrails cannot be put in place.

Personal fall arrest system shall be inspected before each use by a competent person, and includes the following, full body harness, lanyard, D ring extension if applicable. The anchor point shall be able to hold the dead weight of 5400 pounds without failure. The lanyard cannot be anchored to a guard rail system. No safety belts are allowed.

Exception is only when the employer can demonstrate the system causes a greater risk Residential construction.

Guard rail systems the top rail shall be 42 inches +- 3 inches from the walking surface and may exceed 45 inches when the situation warrants.

Mid rail shall be mid-way between the top rail and the walking surface.

The guard rail system should be capable of withstanding two hundred pounds of force downward and outward without failure, the top rail should not bend to a height less than 39 inches.

The intermediate vertical structure should be able to withstand an outward downward pull of 150 pounds along any point of the mid-rail.

Top rail deflection not less then 39 inches from walking surface.