Topic Overview: Fall Protection in Construction

Implementing a Fall Protection Program

Employers have an obligation to keep their employees aware of fall protection programs and best practices for ensuring safety when falls are a risk. Taking steps to implement a strong program can help maintain compliance with OSHA standards and, most importantly, keep your workforce safe and secure.

Certain industries have specific requirements related to fall protection:

• Construction — working at a level that’s 6 or more feet high.
• Industrial settings — working at a level that’s 4 or more feet high. Also, every open-sided floor or platform that is 4 feet above adjacent ground level shall be guarded by a standard railing on all open sides except where there is entrance to a ramp, stairway or fixed ladder.

NOTE: OSHA allows the use of work positioning systems, travel restricting
systems (fall restraint), fixed ladder climbing systems, hole covers and safety
nets if engineering controls cannot be used. This is acceptable for both
construction and industrial standards.

Below, find a few tips to help your team prevent falls.

Identifying and Eliminating Risks: Identify and eliminate the fall hazard up front. Conduct a walk-around inspection with a checklist and discuss observations at the management level. Address conventional methods of fall protection and alternatives such as:

Control access zone: Typically marked off with ropes, chains or other means,
this is an area designated for control that’s used primarily with overhead brick
laying and pre-cast concrete work.

Warning line systems: A means of clearly identifying fall risks for workers,
this system consists of flags placed every 6 to 10 feet where equipment is used, and at least every 6 feet where equipment is not used. In doing so, remember to:

• Use high-visibility material.
• Rig and support the material so its lowest point is no less than 34 inches
  from the ground.
• Erect the flags around all open sides of a roof work area — no less than 6
  feet from the roof edge (see below).

Safety monitoring program: Charge an individual with warning employees
of the fall hazard. This person must be able to communicate directly with the
employees.

Guardrail systems: Provide guardrail protection when employees are working on or around scaffolds, elevated work platforms, unprotected sides of ramps, stairways, platforms, openings and holes. In doing so, the following specifications are important to keep in mind:

• Top rail should be 42 inches from working surface with a mid-rail located
  halfway between the top rail and the surface.
• Top rail must withstand 200 pounds and the mid-rail, 150 pounds.
• Rail must be smooth to prevent cuts and must not project over support
  posts.
• Chain, gate or removable sections across openings at hoisting areas should be erected around all sides of a hole.

Personal fall arrest systems: These systems help protect individuals who may be at risk for a fall and consist of three basic parts:

• An anchorage structure or component
• A connecting device, such as a lanyard or lifeline
• A full body harness

The key to designing a reliable fall arrest system begins with selection of the anchorage. The point for securing lifelines and lanyards, the anchorage should
be positioned on an independent structure. When selecting an anchorage point:

• The required strength the anchor must withstand will depend on the potential forces and integrity of the anchor.
• Anchor points must remain independent of the working platform.
• Total height must be reviewed to ensure the fall protection will prevent the wearer from coming into contact with the ground or other objects.
• Free fall should be minimized as much as possible.
• Users must be trained on what is acceptable.

Common hazards involving lifelines:

• Insufficient anchorage strength
• Lifeline installed incorrectly
• Sharp edges not protected
• Lines knotted at the anchor points
• Lifelines overloaded with employees

Common hazards involving lanyards:

• Incorrect length
• Incorrectly tying knots to shorten the length
• Sharp edges not protected
• Failure to follow manufacturer’s instructions
• Exposure to solvents, acids, welding, cutting and concrete

Selecting a body harness: Selection of a body harness shall be determined based on anticipated usage, as well as the type of fall arrest system used. A full body harness distributes the force of the fall over the entire body and has a sliding D-ring, designed to eliminate excess whipping of the neck.

If a personal fall system is used for fall protection, it must be able to:

• Limit maximum arresting force to 900 pounds when used with a body belt.
• Limit maximum arresting force to 1,800 pounds when used with a body harness.
• Be rigged to limit the free fall to 6 feet or prevent contact with the lower level.
• Have the strength to withstand twice the potential impact of a 6-foot free
  fall or the free fall distance permitted by the system, whichever is less.

For more information, contact your dedicated Loss Control Consultant.

Visit OSHA.gov for a complete list of guidelines and requirements, and the most up-to-date information.