Fall Protection
This document will go over Fall Protection background and requirements on campus per OSHA.
Background:
Fall protection includes any equipment, system, or process used to prevent workers from falling or to safely arrest a fall if one occurs.
Falls are the leading cause of fatalities in the construction industry and remain a primary cause of workplace injuries.
Mandatory Training Requirement
If your work requires fall protection equipment, you must attend Workplace Safety’s Fall Protection Training. Only personnel who have successfully completed training are authorized to check out equipment from the tool room.
Roles & Responsibilities
- Workers: Strictly follow established fall protection procedures, inspect gear, and correctly use all assigned safety equipment.
- Supervisors: Ensure compliance with safety standards, oversee daily work, and actively monitor safe work practices.
- Safety Managers: Provide appropriate safety training, conduct regular site inspections, and perform annual equipment inspections.
Common Fall Hazards
- Elevated Work Areas: Roofs, ladders, scaffolds, lifts, or elevated platforms.
- Unprotected Openings: Unprotected sides, edges, floor openings, skylights, or wall holes.
- Surface Conditions: Slippery, cluttered, unstable, or structurally compromised surfaces.
- Equipment Misuse: Incorrect setup, improper fit, or misuse of fall protection equipment.
Types of Fall Protection Systems
- Guardrail Systems: Passive barriers installed along unprotected edges.
- Safety Net Systems: Passive catch systems installed beneath elevated work areas.
- Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS): Anchor point, full-body harness, connectors, and rescue/descent system.
- Positioning Device Systems: Systems that support workers while preventing a fall.
- Warning Line Systems: Perimeter boundaries that alert workers near an unprotected edge.
Fall Prevention vs. Fall Protection
Fall Prevention
Eliminates the hazard or prevents you from reaching the drop edge, such as guardrails or personal fall-restraint systems.
Fall Protection
Safely stops and catches a worker after a fall occurs, such as a Personal Fall Arrest System or safety net.
When is Fall Protection Required?
| Work Environment / Type | Height Threshold Required |
|---|---|
| General Industry Work | 4 feet (1.2 m) or more |
| Construction & Maintenance Work | 6 feet (1.8 m) or more |
| Scaffolding Operations | 10 feet (3.0 m) or more — Guardrails or PFAS |
| Aerial Lifts & Bucket Trucks | Required at all heights for boom lifts and bucket trucks |
Pre-Work Safety Checklist
- Plan Ahead: Identify potential hazards and determine how the work will be completed safely.
- Verify Training: Confirm required fall protection training has been completed.
- Inspect Gear: Inspect harnesses, lanyards, carabiners, and anchor points for wear or damage.
- Confirm Connections: Ensure hooks, latches, and anchorages are secure.
- Report Defective Equipment: Remove damaged equipment from service and notify your supervisor.
- Establish Rescue Plan: Confirm a site-specific rescue plan before elevated work begins.
Before starting work: confirm the hazard assessment, equipment condition, anchor points, training, and rescue plan.