Scaffolds (Staging) » Hanging Staging (Marine)
Introduction \| Preparing for Use \| Install/Disassembly \| Use of Staging \| Key Components \| Topic Glossary

Installation/Disassembly: Fall Protection
SWP 1. Implement General Precautions

Installation and disassembly of marine hanging staging poses serious potential fall hazards to workers. The following general precautions should be taken for controlling fall hazards and ensuring that the work can be performed safely.

Minimize Amount of Work Performed at Heights

OSHA recommends that the employer reduce the potential for falls during installation and disassembly by keeping work performed at heights to a minimum. One way to minimize this work is to assemble as many staging components as possible at ground level. For example, attaching wire rope clips and backing rods for the support of struts at predetermined lengths on suspension cable assemblies and tightening them can be performed at ground level.

Photo courtesy of VSRA. This picture shows staging assembly at ground level.

Assemble at ground level if possible.

Photo courtesy of VSRA.

Use Independent Fall Arrest Systems Where Possible

Although in most cases the erecting and dismantling of marine hanging staging is performed from the lowest level upward, certain scaffold configurations or sequences of installation and disassembly may not enable workers to always be restrained from falls by guardrails. Securing fall protection equipment to the scaffold itself, regardless of its size or readiness for use, may compromise the scaffold's designed safety factor.

Personal fall arrest systems must be independent of the marine hanging staging.

Rope walkers install vertical lifelines for operations such as jumping planks, attaching/detaching struts to rope assemblies, and installing/removing guardrails. Scaffold users can be similarly protected by this personal fall protection equipment when they work in areas that cannot be protected by guardrails.

The Qualified Person assigned to the project should plan for the installation of such equipment before the work proceeds.

Photo courtesy of OSHA. This picture shows a rope walker installing lifelines.

Deploy rope walkers as necessary to install lifelines.

Photo courtesy of OSHA.