Guide to Fall Protection
Every employee should be trained in safety procedures for their particular industry. In construction, especially when working at high elevations, it is important to understand fall protection regulations. Check out PE Facts to learn about the standards proposed to protect workers from falling on the job!
The goal of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) of 1970 was to accept the already established Federal standards—including the Construction Safety Act—as Occupational Safety and Health Standards. On December 30, 1971, the Safety and Health Regulations for Construction were reassigned as 29 CFR Part 1926. In doing this, OSHA established several regulations concerning Fall Protection. Most of these regulations presently fall under subpart E, Personal Protective Equipment, (including 1926.104—Safety Belts, Lifelines, and Lanyards, and 1926.105—Safety Nets), and under subpart M, Fall Protection. These regulations and systems were implemented to prevent avoidable accidents such as employees falling off, onto or through working levels and to protect them from falling objects.
The following passage from 29 CFR Part 1926 applies to fall protection in construction. While it in no way covers all the aspects of fall protection in construction, it does review the most common areas to give you a general idea of the requirements.
Subpart M—Fall Protection
(1926.500) Scope, application, and definitions applicable to this subpart
(a)(1) This subpart sets forth requirements and criteria for fall protection in construction workplaces covered under 29 CFR part 1926.
(1926.501) Duty to Have Fall Protection
(b)(1) "Unprotected sides and edges." Each employee on a walking/working surface (horizontal and vertical surface) with an unprotected side or edge which is 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above a lower level shall be protected from falling by the use of guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems.
(b)(2) "Leading Edges"
(b)(2)(i) Each employee who is constructing a leading edge 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above lower levels shall be protected from falling by guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems. Exception: When the employer can demonstrate that it is infeasible or creates a greater hazard to use these systems, the employer shall develop and implement a fall protection plan which meets the requirements of paragraph (k) of 1926.502.
(b)(2)(ii) Each employee on a walking/working surface 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above a lower level where leading edges are under construction, but who is not engaged in the leading edge work, shall be protected from falling by a guardrail system, safety net system, or personal fall arrest system. If a guardrail system is chosen to provide the fall protection, and a controlled access zone has already been established for leading edge work, the control line may be used in lieu of a guardrail along the edge that parallels the leading edge.
(b)(3) "Hoist areas." Each employee in a hoist area shall be protected from falling 6 feet (1.8 m) or more to lower levels by guardrail systems or personal fall arrest systems. If guardrail systems, [or chain, gate, or guardrail] or portions thereof, are removed to facilitate the hoisting operation (e.g., during landing of materials), and an employee must lean through the access opening or out over the edge of the access opening (to receive or guide equipment and materials, for example), that employee shall be protected from fall hazards by a personal fall arrest system.
(b)(4) "Holes"
(b)(4)(i) Each employee on walking/working surfaces shall be protected from falling through holes (including skylights) more than 6 feet (1.8 m) above lower levels, by personal fall arrest systems, covers, or guardrail systems erected around such holes.
(b)(4)(ii) Each employee on a walking/working surface shall be protected from tripping in or stepping into or through holes (including skylights) by covers.
(b)(4)(iii) Each employee on a walking/working surface shall be protected from objects falling through holes (including skylights) by covers.
(b)(5) "Formwork and reinforcing steel." Each employee on the face of formwork or reinforcing steel shall be protected from falling 6 feet (1.8 m) or more to lower levels by personal fall arrest systems, safety net systems, or positioning device systems.
(b)(6) "Ramps, runways, and other walkways." Each employee on ramps, runways, and other walkways shall be protected from falling 6 feet (1.8 m) or more to lower levels by guardrail systems.
(b)(7) "Excavations."
(b)(7)(i) Each employee at the edge of an excavation 6 feet (1.8 m) or more in depth shall be protected from falling by guardrail systems, fences, or barricades when the excavations are not readily seen because of plant growth or other visual barrier;
(b)(7)(ii) Each employee at the edge of a well, pit, shaft, and similar excavation 6 feet (1.8 m) or more in depth shall be protected from falling by guardrail systems, fences, barricades, or covers.
(b)(8) "Dangerous equipment."
(b)(8)(i) Each employee less than 6 feet (1.8 m) above dangerous equipment shall be protected from falling into or onto the dangerous equipment by guardrail systems or by equipment guards.
(b)(8)(ii) Each employee 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above dangerous equipment shall be protected from fall hazards by guardrail systems, personal fall arrest systems, or safety net systems.
(b)(9) "Overhand bricklaying and related work."
(b)(9)(i) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b) of this section, each employee performing overhand bricklaying and related work 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above lower levels, shall be protected from falling by guardrail systems, safety net systems, personal fall arrest systems, or shall work in a controlled access zone.
(b)(9)(ii) Each employee reaching more than 10 inches (25 cm) below the level of the walking/working surface on which they are working, shall be protected from falling by a guardrail system, safety net system, or personal fall arrest system.
Note: Bricklaying operations performed on scaffolds are regulated by subpart L - Scaffolds of this part.
(b)(10) "Roofing work on Low-slope roofs." Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b) of this section, each employee engaged in roofing activities on low-slope roofs, with unprotected sides and edges 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above lower levels shall be protected from falling by guardrail systems, safety net systems, personal fall arrest systems, or a combination of warning line system and guardrail system, warning line system and safety net system, or warning line system and personal fall arrest system, or warning line system and safety monitoring system. Or, on roofs 50-feet (15.25 m) or less in width (see Appendix A to subpart M of this part), the use of a safety monitoring system alone [i.e. without the warning line system] is permitted.
(b)(11) "Steep roofs." Each employee on a steep roof with unprotected sides and edges 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above lower levels shall be protected from falling by guardrail systems with toeboards, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems.
(b)(12) "Precast concrete erection." Each employee engaged in the erection of precast concrete members (including, but not limited to the erection of wall panels, columns, beams, and floor and roof "tees") and related operations such as grouting of precast concrete members, who is 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above lower levels shall be protected from falling by guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems, unless another provision in paragraph (b) of this section provides for an alternative fall protection measure. Exception: When the employer can demonstrate that it is infeasible or creates a greater hazard to use these systems, the employer shall develop and implement a fall protection plan which meets the requirements of paragraph (k) of 1926.502.
Note: There is a presumption that it is feasible and will not create a greater hazard to implement at least one of the above-listed fall protection systems. Accordingly, the employer has the burden of establishing that it is appropriate to implement a fall protection plan which complies with 1926.502(k) for a particular workplace situation, in lieu of implementing any of those systems.
(b)(13) "Residential construction." Each employee engaged in residential construction activities 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above lower levels shall be protected by guardrail systems, safety net system, or personal fall arrest system unless another provision in paragraph (b) of this section provides for an alternative fall protection measure. Exception: When the employer can demonstrate that it is infeasible or creates a greater hazard to use these systems, the employer shall develop and implement a fall protection plan which meets the requirements of paragraph (k) of 1926.502.
Note: There is a presumption that it is feasible and will not create a greater hazard to implement at least one of the above-listed fall protection systems. Accordingly, the employer has the burden of establishing that it is appropriate to implement a fall protection plan which complies with 1926.502(k) for a particular workplace situation, in lieu of implementing any of those systems.
(b)(14) "Wall openings." Each employee working on, at, above, or near wall openings (including those with chutes attached) where the outside bottom edge of the wall opening is 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above lower levels and the inside bottom edge of the wall opening is less than 39 inches (1.0 m) above the walking/working surface, shall be protected from falling by the use of a guardrail system, a safety net system, or a personal fall arrest system.
(b)(15) "Walking/working surfaces not otherwise addressed." Except as provided in 1926.500(a)(2) or in 1926.501 (b)(1) through (b)(14), each employee on a walking/working surface 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above lower levels shall be protected from falling by a guardrail system, safety net system, or personal fall arrest system.
Fall Rescue
Fall rescue programs should be as safe and fast as possible when getting a fallen worker out of danger. When a fall occurs, an infinite amount of factors could pose a challenge to effectively rescue of the injured person. Physical obstacles, weather conditions, and the condition of victim can all hinder rescue personnel and effect the time it takes to return to safety.
Regularly review rescue plans to guarantee that procedures are realistic and doable in a reasonably estimated amount of time. It is in the best interest of employees and the company as a whole to establish safe and quick rescue plans, and to practice those plans regularly to ensure their efficiency during a real emergency.
OSHA suggests these basic guidelines:
- Rescue suspended workers as rapidly as possible.
- Be conscious of the potentially fatal risks of orthostatic intolerance and suspension trauma.
- Be able to identify the signs and symptoms of orthostatic intolerance.
- Be aware that workers who are suspended while unconscious or have head injuries are at a significantly higher risk for orthostatic intolerance.
- Understand the factors that can increase the risk of suspension trauma.
- Be aware that some authorities state not to move the injured workers to a horizontal position too quickly.
Training
Employers must train each employee who might be at risk of falling. The training should enable each employee to identify the hazards and risks that could lead to a fall, as well as establish an understanding of the procedures to follow in order to reduce the chance of an accident.
Employers shall guarantee that all employees received the necessary training by a competent person qualified in the following areas:
- The nature of fall hazards in the work area;
- The correct procedures for erecting, maintaining, disassembling, and inspecting the fall protection systems to be used;
- The use and operation of guardrail systems, personal fall arrest systems, safety net systems, warning line systems, safety monitoring systems, controlled access zones, and other protection to be used;
- The role of each employee in the safety monitoring system when this system is used;
- The limitations on the use of mechanical equipment during the performance of roofing work on low-sloped roofs;
- The correct procedures for the handling and storage of equipment and materials and the erection of overhead protection; and
- The role of employees in fall protection plans;
- The standards contained in this subpart.
Training must be provided for all new employees and for all other employees as needed, to make sure they maintain the skills necessary to perform their job safely.
Other Construction Standards Related To Fall Protection
CFR 1926.104 Safety Belts, lifelines and lanyards
(a) Lifelines, lanyard and safety harnesses shall only be used for employee safe guarding. Any of these products that are subject to in service loading shall be immediately removed from service and not be reused again.
(b) Lifelines shall be secured above the point of operation to an anchorage capable of supporting a minimum dead weight of 5400 pounds.
(c) Lifelines used on rock-scaling operations, or in areas where the lifeline may be subjected to cutting or abrasion, shall be a minimum of 7/8-inch wire core manila rope. For all other lifeline applications, a minimum of 3/4-inch manila or equivalent, with a minimum breaking strength of 5,400 pounds, shall be used.
(d) Safety belt lanyards shall be a minimum 1/2" nylon rope or equivalent with a maximum length to allow the user to fall not more than 6 ft. and have a nominal breaking strength of 5400 pounds.
CFR 1926.105 Safety Nets
(a) Safety nets shall be provided when workplaces are higher than 25 feet above ground or water surfaces or other surfaces where the use of ladders, scaffolds, catch platforms, temporary floors, safety lines or safety belts is impractical.
(c)(1) Nets shall extend 8 feet beyond the edge of the work surface where employees are exposed and shall be installed as close under the work surface as practical but in no case more than 25 feet below the work surface. Nets shall be hung with sufficient clearance to prevent user's contact with the surfaces or structures below. Such clearances shall be determined by impact load testing
(d) The mesh size of nets shall not exceed 6 inches by 6 inches. All new nets shall meet accepted performance standards of 17,500 foot-pounds minimum impact resistance as determined and certified by the manufacturers, and shall bear a label of proof test. Edge ropes shall provide a minimum breaking strength of 5,000 pounds.
Definitions pertaining to this section:
(a) Lanyard: a rope, suitable for supporting one person. One end is fastened to a safety belt or harness and the other end is secured to a substantial object or a safety line.
(b) Lifeline: a rope, suitable for supporting one person, to which a lanyard or safety belt (or harness) is attached.
(c) Safety belt: a device, usually worn around the waist which, by reason of its attachment to a lanyard and lifeline or a structure, will prevent a worker from falling.
Please Note: The information contained in this publication is intended for general information purposes only. This publication is not a substitute for review of the applicable government regulations and standards, and should not be construed as legal advice or opinion. Readers with specific questions should refer to the cited regulation or consult with an attorney.
