Q: How long can a person be suspended in a fall arrest harness?
A: The following is the regulation dealing with the rescue time for someone who has fallen and is being suspended by a fall arrest harness:
1926.502(d)(20) The employer shall provide for prompt rescue of employees in the event of a fall or shall assure that employees are able to rescue themselves.
The word “prompt” requires rescue be performed quickly, in time to prevent serious injury to the worker. OSHA does not have a set time in which an employee would need rescued, but recent studies indicate that a person may become unconscious within 5 minutes.
A: The following is the regulation dealing with the rescue time for someone who has fallen and is being suspended by a fall arrest harness:
1926.502(d)(20) The employer shall provide for prompt rescue of employees in the event of a fall or shall assure that employees are able to rescue themselves.
The word “prompt” requires rescue be performed quickly, in time to prevent serious injury to the worker. OSHA does not have a set time in which an employee would need rescued, but recent studies indicate that a person may become unconscious within 5 minutes.
