FALL
PROTECTION
Duty To Have Fall Protection
• Protection at or above 6’ level
• Walking/working surfaces
inspected before work begins
• Employees can only work on
surfaces strong enough to
support them
Protection Required For:
• Unprotected sides and • Hoist areas
edges • Holes
• Leading edges • Formwork & reinforcing
• ramps, runways and other steel
walkways • Roofing work on low slope
• Dangerous equipment roofs
• Overhand bricklaying & • Pre-cast concrete erection
related work • Wall openings
• Steep Roofs • Walking/working surfaces
• Residential construction not otherwise addressed
Falling Object Protection
• Each exposed employee shall wear
a hardhat
• Employer must take steps to
prevent employees from being hit by
falling objects
Guardrails
• Toprail - 42” +/- 3” • No Steel, plastic
• Midrails 21” high banding
• Intermediate • Wire rope toprail -
members/openings - no flagged every 6’
greater than 19” • Manila, plastic or
• Withstand 200 lbs. Of synthetic rope rails -
downward/outward force inspect often
• Midrails 150 lbs. • All rails 1/4” diameter or
greater
Safety Net Systems
• As close as practical, no more than 30’ below
• Bridges - fall area to net unobstructed
• Sufficient clearance to objects below
• Drop tested or certified
Outward extension of safety nets
Vertical Distance Horizontal Distance
up to 5’ 8’
>5 to 10’ 10’
>10’ 13’
Safety Net Systems
(continued)
• No defective nets
• Weekly and after impact inspections
• Removal of objects daily of before next
shift
• No greater than 6” openings on any side
• Border ropes 5,000 lbs. Breaking strength
• Connections not more than 6” apart
Body Belts
• Body belts not allowed
for fall arrest starting
January 1, 1998
Dee-rings & Snaphooks
• 5,000 lbs. tensile strength
• Proof tested to 3,600 lbs.
• Sized or locking type
• Only locking type after
December 31, 1997
Lifelines
• On suspension platforms, horizontal
lifelines which may become vertical,
require locking capability in both directions
• Horizontal lifelines installed by qualified
person
• Safety factor of at least 2
• Lanyards & vertical lifelines 5,000 lbs.
breaking strength
Personal Fall Arrest
• Body belt arresting force 900 lbs. maximum
• Harness arrest force 1,800 lbs. maximum
• Rigged to fall no more than 6’, nor contact
lower level; 3.5’ deceleration maximum
• Provide for prompt rescue
• Inspect prior to each use
Positioning Devices
• No more than 2’ free fall
• Inspected before each use
• Safety belts are okay for use
Warning Lines
• Erected around all sides of roof work area
• No mechanical equipment in use within 6’
from edge
• Mechanical equipment in use - 6’ parallel to
direction of equipment and 10’ on sides
perpendicular to travel direction
• Roof access points to be guarded when not
to use
• Flag with high visibility material
• No lower than 34” or higher than 39”
Controlled Access Zones
• Leading edge work
• Overhand bricklaying
• Pre-cast concrete
• Accessible only to those qualified
employees necessary to perform work
Safety Monitoring
• Competent person to • Only employees
monitor engaged in roofing work
• On same level, in visual or covered by fall
sight of workers protection plan in area
• Close enough to • Employees must comply
communicate orally with warnings from
• No mechanical equipment monitors
to be used or stored in • Monitor can have no
area (roof work only) other duties that interfere
Covers
• Vehicular traffic - 2 times maximum axle
load of the largest vehicle
• Foot traffic - 2 times the weight of the
expected load
• Secured to prevent displacement
• Marked “HOLE,” “COVER” or color
coded
Falling Object Protection
• Screens installed where • Toeboards 4” tall
needed • Canopies must be
• Only masonry equipment strong enough to not
or materials within 4’ of collapse and to
edge prevent penetration of
• No material stored within objects
6’ of edge unless
• Barricade areas and
guardrails have been
installed and material is prohibit entry by
stable & self-supported employees
Fall Protection Plans
• Only available for leading edge work, pre-cast
concrete erection, or residential construction work
• Document reasons for unfeasibility or greater hazard
• Prepared by qualified person for each site
• Maintained up to date at the site
• Can only be changed by a qualified person
• Implemented under the supervision of a competent
person
Fall Protection Plans
(continued)
• Document alternative measures
• Include a written discussion of other ways to
reduce or eliminate hazards
• Identify each location where plan is needed
• Establish controlled access zones
• Implement safety monitoring system at
minimum
• Implement changes to correct deficiencies
Training Requirements
• Must train employees to fall
hazards
• Prepare training certification
• Latest training certification
maintained
• Retraining for changes in system
or workplace
