Reference:	Hardhats and possibly other personal protective equipment has to be used to protect employees exposed to overhead hazards.
	1. Those requirements are found in the safety and health core rules, chapter 296-800 WAC.
	2. Go to personal protective equipment (PPE), WAC 296-800-160.

(1) You must protect employees from being struck by tools, materials, or equipment falling from a scaffold by doing one or more of the following:

(a) Use a barricade to keep employees out of the area where falling objects could be a hazard.

(b) Install a toeboard along the edge of the platform anywhere an object could fall on an employee below.

(c) Install paneling or screening that covers from the top of the guardrail to the toeboard or platform anywhere the toeboard is not high enough to keep objects from falling off the platform.

(d) Install a guardrail system with openings small enough to keep potential falling objects from passing through.

(e) Erect a canopy structure, debris net, or catch platform over employees that does all of the following:

(i) Will contain or deflect falling objects;

(ii) Is strong enough to withstand the impact forces;

(iii) Is installed between the falling object hazard and the employees.

(2) You must make sure potential falling objects that are too large or heavy to be contained or deflected by the falling object protection you are using are:

(a) Moved away from the edge of the surface they could fall from; and

(b) Secured, as necessary, to prevent falling.

PDFWAC 296-874-20066

Provide falling object protection.