Osha defines fall protection positioning device systems as a body belt or body harness system rigged to allow a worker to be supported on an elevated vertical surface such as a wall and work with both hands free while leaning.
Positioning device system fall protection.
As you can probably imagine work positioning systems are quite different from standard fall protection systems and require some specialized equipment and practices and it all begins with the harness.
The fact that a work positioning system wps is not a fall protection system may also be explained by reaching out to the etymology of the words support and protection.
Positioning device systems must be inspected prior to each use for wear damage and other deterioration.
Positioning device systems are briefly mentioned in osha s fall protection standard for construction 29 cfr 1926 502 e under fall protection and osha s shipyard standards 29 cfr 1915 160 under personal protective equipment.
While the former is very straightforward the latter implies existence of safety device equipment system which protects against a hazard.
In some cases a positioning device system may be one of those options.
Body harnesses and components must be used only for employee protection as part of a personal fall arrest system or positioning device system and not hoist materials.
Specifically positioning device systems and their use shall conform to the following provisions 1915 160.