Fundamentals of Fall Protection

OSHA’s Fall Prevention Campaign

May 6 – 10, 2024 is Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)’s National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction week, but it is not the only time fall prevention is crucial. Fatalities caused by falls from elevation continue to be a leading cause of death for construction employees, accounting for 395 of the 1,069 construction fatalities recorded in 2022 (BLS data). Those deaths were preventable.

OSHA has partnered with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) – Construction Sector on the fall protection Campaign since 2012. The National Safety Stand-Down raises fall hazard awareness across the country in an effort to prevent fall fatalities and injuries.

Fall Prevention vs Fall Protection

These terms are sometimes used interchangeably, but is there a difference between them?

Fall prevention is any system or process you use to keep an accidental fall from occurring. You are trying to avoid the fall altogether. Examples of prevention include training, installed barriers, stairways, and platforms with guardrails and toe boards. These systems passively protect workers from an unprotected edge.

Fall protection is the equipment used to minimize an injury in the case of an accidental fall. Think of aerial lifts, safety nets, personal fall arrest systems (PFAS) comprised of anchor points, harnesses, and lanyards. This equipment actively protects the worker during/after the fall.

It is easy to use these terms interchangeably. OSHA does in the fall protection standards. OSHA defines fall protection as “any equipment, device, or system that prevents a worker from falling from an elevation or mitigates the effects of such a fall.”

When Is Fall Protection Required by OSHA?

The OSHA rules are different depending on the industry; Maritime, Construction, or General Industry (everyone else). Fall protection is required at the following heights for each industry:

• General Industry: 4 feet
• Maritime: 5 feet
• Construction: 6 feet

The Construction rules are a little different and have a few confusing exceptions where fall protection is not required until:

• 10 feet above the lower level on scaffolding
• 15 feet for anyone involved in steel erection activities
• 24 feet on a fixed ladder or rebar assembly

In addition, OSHA requires that fall protection be provided when working over dangerous equipment and machinery, regardless of the fall distance.

To prevent employees from being injured from falls, employers must:

• Guard every floor hole into which a worker can accidentally walk (using a railing and toe-board or a floor hole cover).
• Provide a guard rail and toe-board around every elevated open sided platform, floor or runway.
• Regardless of height, if a worker can fall into or onto dangerous machines or equipment (such as a vat of acid or a conveyor belt) employers must provide guardrails and toe-boards to prevent workers from falling and getting injured.
• Other means of fall protection that may be required on certain jobs include safety harness and line, safety nets, stair railings, and hand rails.

Fall protection can be used at heights lower than these requirements, but once above the heights listed here, you must protect your workers.

Three Steps to Fall Prevention

Prevention is fundamental in keeping workers safe and stopping a fall before it occurs. Employers can follow these three key steps to fall prevention.

1. Plan Ahead

When working at heights, plan projects so that the job is completed safely. Perform a risk assessment of the job before work begins; review each step or task, the workers involved, training provided, safety equipment needed, the controls/protections already in place, and even the environment – weather conditions must be accounted for when working at heights outdoors.

2. Provide the Right Equipment

Employers must provide workers with fall protection and the right equipment for the job when working at heights. This includes the right kind of ladder, scaffold, and/or safety gear such as PFAS, for the job.

3. Train

Each worker must be trained on the proper and safe use of any equipment used for the job. Employers are also required to train workers on height-related hazards, notify them of the dangers posed by working at heights, and how to remain safe on the job.

How Can ALL4 Help with Fall Protection?

ALL4 can perform compliance and hazard assessments of your Health and Safety programs, including fall protection efforts, make recommendations to improve worker safety, and provide best management practices for keeping workers safe. We would be glad to assist you and your organization with meeting your compliance obligations and creating a safe and healthy environment for your employees. If you have any questions or need assistance, you can contact Victoria Sparks, Managing Consultant, at vsparks@all4inc.com.