Framing a multi-story residential building with the guardrail and window rail already in place. (Photo: Jan Thomas)

Many construction framers like to think that they fall into the “residential exemption” at 1926.501(b)(13) and .502(k) where they explain in a written fall protection plan that it is infeasible for them to use conventional fall protection systems.  I’ve seen one too many companies search for excuses instead of finding solutions. 

As I’ve pointed out in the past, there are so many products available today that provide common and leading edge fall protection.  Once the initial expense for this equipment is taken the crew’s production can increase and everyone goes home at the end of the day.

Or, you can do what this company has done and design and fabricate your own portable guardrail system.  I watched this job while 2 men installed lengths of their perimeter guarding system while working from a personnel hoist. Right after it was installed the team of framers came in and deck and set the outer walls.  It was precision, quality and production all based upon planning and design, not excuses.