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Fall Protection Program

Document Type: Program
Version: 1.0
Last Updated: February 2026
Distribute To: All Field Personnel, Supervisors, Safety Director

Purpose​

Establish a comprehensive fall protection program to prevent falls, the leading cause of death in construction, and ensure OSHA compliance.

⚠️ CRITICAL INFORMATION​

Falls Are the #1 Killer in Construction​

  • 33%+ of all construction fatalities
  • Falls from elevation, not ground level
  • Most are preventable with proper protection

The 6-Foot Rule (OSHA Standard)​

Fall protection is REQUIRED when working at heights of 6 feet or more above a lower level.

Some exceptions and variations:

  • Steel erection: 15 feet
  • Scaffolds: 10 feet
  • Residential (limited): 6 feet

Scope​

This program applies to:

  • All employees working at heights of 6 feet or more
  • All work on elevated surfaces (roofs, scaffolds, ladders, aerial lifts)
  • All work near open holes, floor openings, wall openings
  • All work near leading edges

Fall Protection Methods​

1. Guardrail Systems (Preferred)​

Requirements:

  • Top rail: 42 inches (+/- 3 inches)
  • Mid rail: 21 inches
  • Toeboard: 3.5 inches (if needed)
  • Must withstand 200 lbs force

Use When:

  • Permanent or long-term work areas
  • Around floor/roof openings
  • Along leading edges (when feasible)

2. Safety Net Systems​

Requirements:

  • Installed as close as practicable below work (max 30 feet)
  • Extend 8 feet beyond work area
  • Tested: 400 lb drop test

Use When:

  • Work at significant heights
  • PFAS not practical
  • Large open areas

3. Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS)​

Components:

  • Full body harness (NOT body belt)
  • Lanyard or self-retracting lifeline (SRL)
  • Anchor point (5,000 lb capacity or designed by PE)
  • Connectors (D-rings, snap hooks)

Requirements:

  • Limit fall to 6 feet
  • Total fall distance: 6 ft fall + 3.5 ft deceleration + harness stretch + worker height
  • Must not contact lower level

4. Positioning Device Systems​

Requirements:

  • Limit free fall to 2 feet
  • 3,000 lb anchor or designed by PE
  • Secured to independent lifeline

Use When:

  • Working on vertical surfaces (rebar, walls)
  • Need hands-free work positioning

5. Warning Line Systems​

Requirements:

  • 6 feet from edge (15 ft for roofing operations)
  • 34-39 inches high
  • Flagged every 6 feet
  • Must be monitored

Use When:

  • Low-slope roof work
  • Combined with other methods

Anchor Points​

Anchor Point Requirements​

System TypeRequired Strength
Fall Arrest5,000 lbs per employee OR designed by PE
Positioning3,000 lbs per employee OR designed by PE
Travel Restraint1,000 lbs per employee

Acceptable Anchors​

  • Structural steel members
  • Engineered anchor points
  • Roof anchors (installed per manufacturer)
  • Horizontal lifelines (designed by PE)

Unacceptable Anchors​

  • Guardrails
  • Electrical conduit
  • Plumbing pipes
  • Mechanical equipment
  • Anything not rated for fall protection

Equipment Inspection​

Before Each Use (User Inspection)​

Harness:

  • No frayed, cut, or damaged webbing
  • Buckles functional
  • D-rings not cracked or distorted
  • Labels legible
  • No chemical damage
  • No heat damage

Lanyard/SRL:

  • No frayed, cut, or damaged webbing/cable
  • Snap hooks function properly (double-locking)
  • No corrosion
  • SRL retracts and extends smoothly
  • Shock absorber not deployed

Remove from Service If:

  • Any visible damage
  • Involved in a fall
  • Exposed to chemicals/heat
  • Manufacturer defect
  • Past inspection date

Formal Inspection (Competent Person)​

  • Frequency: Per manufacturer (minimum annually)
  • Document inspection
  • Tag or mark inspected equipment
  • Maintain inspection records

Training Requirements​

Initial Training (Before First Use)​

All employees exposed to fall hazards must be trained on:

  1. Nature of fall hazards

    • Identifying fall hazards on site
    • Consequences of falls

  2. Procedures for protection

    • Guardrails, safety nets, PFAS
    • When each is used

  3. Equipment use

    • Proper donning of harness
    • Lanyard/SRL connection
    • Anchor point selection

  4. Equipment inspection

    • Pre-use inspection
    • When to remove from service

  5. Limitations

    • Fall clearance calculations
    • Rescue procedures

Retraining Required When:​

  • Workplace changes create new hazards
  • Equipment changes
  • Employee demonstrates lack of knowledge
  • After a fall or near-miss

Training Documentation​

  • Record date and content
  • Trainer name
  • Employee signature
  • Retain for duration of employment

Specific Applications​

Ladders​

Fall Protection Required:

  • Fixed ladders over 24 feet: Cages or PFAS
  • Portable ladders: Maintain 3-point contact

Ladder Safety Rules:

  • Inspect before use
  • Proper angle (4:1 ratio)
  • Extend 3 feet above landing
  • Secure at top or bottom
  • Don't exceed capacity

Scaffolds​

Fall Protection Required at 10 feet:

  • Guardrails (preferred)
  • PFAS on certain scaffold types

Scaffold Requirements:

  • Fully planked platforms
  • Guardrails on all open sides
  • Access via ladder or stair
  • Competent person inspection

Aerial Lifts (Boom Lifts, Scissor Lifts)​

Requirements:

  • Boom lifts: PFAS required (attached to boom, not basket)
  • Scissor lifts: Guardrails standard, PFAS if guardrails removed
  • Body belt NOT allowed in aerial lifts

Rules:

  • Stand on platform floor only
  • No climbing on guardrails
  • Travel only with platform lowered

Roofing​

Low-Slope Roofs (≤4:12 pitch):

  • Guardrails, OR
  • Warning lines + safety monitor, OR
  • Warning lines + PFAS

Steep Roofs (over 4:12 pitch):

  • Guardrails, OR
  • PFAS

Leading Edges​

Definition: Edge of a floor, roof, or formwork where fall protection is incomplete

Requirements:

  • Controlled access zone (6-25 feet from edge)
  • PFAS for work within 6 feet of edge
  • Warning lines + monitor beyond 6 feet

Fall Rescue Plan​

OSHA Requirement​

Employers must provide for prompt rescue of employees in the event of a fall.

Rescue Options​

1. Self-Rescue

  • Employee can reach stable surface
  • Equipment: Relief straps, stirrups

2. Assisted Rescue

  • Co-workers assist
  • Equipment: Rescue poles, tripods, ladders

3. Professional Rescue

  • Call 911
  • Used when internal rescue not feasible
  • May have delayed response

Suspension Trauma​

What It Is: Blood pooling in legs during suspension can cause unconsciousness and death within minutes.

Prevention:

  • Rescue within 15 minutes
  • Employee use of suspension trauma straps
  • Keep legs moving if suspended

Rescue Plan Elements​

  1. How to contact rescue services
  2. Available rescue equipment
  3. Trained rescue personnel
  4. Communication methods
  5. Equipment on site for rescue

Competent Person Requirements​

Who is the Competent Person?​

A person who:

  • Can identify fall hazards
  • Has authority to take corrective action
  • Has been trained in fall protection

Competent Person Responsibilities​

  • Inspect work areas for hazards
  • Ensure proper equipment selection
  • Inspect equipment and systems
  • Monitor compliance
  • Stop unsafe work
  • Train employees

Fall Protection Plan (When Required)​

When a Written Plan is Required​

  • When conventional fall protection is infeasible
  • Must document alternative methods
  • Must be prepared by qualified person

Plan Contents​

  • Site-specific hazards
  • Why conventional protection infeasible
  • Alternative protection methods
  • Fall protection equipment
  • Training requirements
  • Rescue procedures

Documentation Requirements​

Maintain Records Of:​

  • Equipment inspections
  • Training (dates, content, attendees)
  • Fall incidents and near-misses
  • Competent person designations
  • Rescue plan

Inspection Records​

ItemFrequencyRetain
Harness/LanyardDaily by userLog
Formal inspectionAnnualUntil equipment disposed
Anchor pointsBefore each useProject file
GuardrailsDaily/weeklyProject file

Enforcement​

Progressive Discipline​

OffenseAction
FirstVerbal warning, retraining
SecondWritten warning
ThirdSuspension
FourthTermination

Zero Tolerance​

Immediate removal from jobsite for:

  • Bypassing fall protection
  • Tampering with equipment
  • Falsifying inspection records

Fall Protection Checklist​

Daily Site Walk​

  • All floor openings covered or guarded
  • Guardrails in place where required
  • Workers at height have PFAS
  • Ladders properly set up
  • Scaffolds have guardrails
  • Leading edges protected

Before Elevated Work​

  • Hazards identified
  • Protection method selected
  • Equipment inspected
  • Anchor points verified
  • Workers trained
  • Rescue plan in place
  • JHA Procedure
  • Scaffold Safety Program
  • Ladder Safety Procedure
  • Aerial Lift Procedure
  • Incident Reporting Procedure

OSHA References​

  • 29 CFR 1926.500-503 (Fall Protection)
  • 29 CFR 1926.1053 (Ladders)
  • 29 CFR 1926.451-454 (Scaffolds)
  • 29 CFR 1926.453 (Aerial Lifts)

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