1. Fall Protection for Construction

2. Training objectives Nature of fall hazards in the work area
Subpart M of the construction regulations 1a

3. Training objectives
Procedures for erecting, maintaining, disassembling, and inspecting fall protection systems 1b

4. Training objectives Use and operation of: guardrail systems
personal fall arrest systems
safety net systems
warning line systems
safety monitoring systems
controlled access zones
other protections to be used 1c

5. Training objectives
Role of each employee when a safety monitoring system is used
Role of employees in fall protection plans 1d

6. Training objectives
Limitations on the use of mechanical equipment during roofing work on low-sloped roofs 1e

7. Training objectives
Correct procedures for the handling and storage of equipment and materials and the erection of overhead protection 1f

8. Fall hazards in the work area
Falls are one of the major causes of injuries to construction workers
Working at the leading edge of floors, formwork, or roofs 2a

9. Fall hazards in the work area
Leaning over for overhand bricklaying work
Working near holes or openings
Walking on elevated ramps or runways 2b

10. Standard applicability
The OSHA standard requires construction employers to:
identify and evaluate fall hazards
provide fall protection
train employees
The requirements are performance-oriented 3a

11. Standard applicability
The standard does not cover construction workers who are inspecting, investigating, or assessing workplace conditions:
prior to the actual start of work; or
after all work has been completed 3b

12. Standard applicability
Other OSHA standards also contain fall protection requirements, but they may not outline specific rules for fall protection during all parts of the job 3c

13. Standard applicability
Review:
Subpart L - Scaffolds
Subpart N - Cranes and derricks
Subpart R - Steel erection
Subpart S - Tunneling
Subpart V - Electric transmission and distribution lines and equipment
Subpart X - Stairways and ladders 3d

14. Fall protection measures
All walking and working surfaces must be strong enough to safely support employees
Employees must be protected from fall hazards whenever they are 6 feet or more above a lower level 4a

15. Fall protection measures
Construction workers who are exposed to the hazard of falling onto or into dangerous equipment must be protected at any height
All employees must be protected from falling objects 4b

16. Fall protection measures
Guardrail systems
Safety net systems
Personal fall arrest systems
Positioning device systems 4c

17. Fall protection measures
Warning line systems
Controlled access zones
Safety monitoring systems
Covers 4d

18. Terms Anchorage Body belt (safety belt) Body harness
Controlled access zone (CAZ) 5a

19. Terms Dangerous equipment Deceleration device Deceleration distance
Free fall 5b

20. Terms
Free fall distance
Guardrail system
Lanyard
Leading edge 5c

21. Terms
Lifeline
Low-slope roof
Lower levels
Mechanical equipment 5d

22. Terms Overhand bricklaying and related work
Personal fall arrest system
Positioning device system
Roofing work 5e

23. Terms Safety-monitoring system Self-retracting lifeline/lanyard
Steep roof 5f

24. Terms Unprotected sides and edges Walking/working surface
Warning line system 5g

25. Guardrail systems
The top edge height of top rails must be between 39 inches and 45 inches above the walking/ working level 6a

26. Guardrail systems
Midrails, screens, mesh, or intermediate vertical members are needed when there is no wall or parapet wall at least 21-inches high 6b

27. Guardrail systems
Guardrail systems must be able to withstand the forces specified in OSHA’s standard
Steel or plastic banding cannot be used as top rails or midrails 6c

28. Guardrail systems
Top rails and midrails must have a diameter of at least 1/4-inch
If wire rope is used for top rails, it must be flagged with high-visibility material at least every 6 feet 6d

29. Guardrail systems
Top rails or midrails made from manila, plastic or synthetic rope must be inspected frequently
The guardrail’s surface must be smooth enough so it does not cause lacerations or other injuries, or snag clothing 6e

30. Guardrail systems
The ends of top rails and midrails must not overhang the terminal posts to create a projection hazard 6f

31. Safety net systems
Safety nets must be installed as close as practicable under the walking/working surface, but in no case more than 30 feet below the surface 7a

32. Safety net systems
When nets are used on bridges, the potential fall area from the walking/working surface to the net must be unobstructed 7b

33. Safety net systems
Safety nets are to extend outward from the work surface by a sufficient distance as specified in the standard
Safety nets must have sufficient clearance under them 7c

34. Safety net systems
Safety nets must be capable of absorbing an impact force equal to the standard’s specified drop test
Defective nets must not be used 7d

35. Safety net systems
Inspect safety nets at least once a week for wear, damage, and other deterioration
Safety nets must also be inspected after any occurrence that could affect the integrity of the safety net system 7e

36. Personal fall arrest systems
Effective January 1, 1998, body belts are not acceptable as part of a personal fall arrest system
Connectors, dee-rings, and snaphooks must meet the standard’s design and strength requirements 8a

37. Personal fall arrest systems
Devices used to connect to a horizontal lifeline are to be capable of locking in both directions on the lifeline
Lanyards and vertical lifelines must meet the standard’s minimum breaking strength requirements 8b

38. Personal fall arrest systems
When vertical lifelines are used, each employee must be attached to a separate lifeline
Lifelines must be protected from being cut or abraded 8c

39. Personal fall arrest systems
Self-retracting lifelines and lanyards must meet the standard’s load requirements
Anchorages used for personal fall arrest equipment must be independent of any anchorage being used to support or suspend platforms 8d

40. Personal fall arrest systems - when stopping a fall must
Limit the maximum arresting force on an employee to 1,800 pounds when used with a body harness
Be rigged so that an employee cannot free fall more than 6 feet 8e

41. Personal fall arrest systems - when stopping a fall must
Be rigged so that an employee will not contact any lower level
Bring an employee to a complete stop and limit the employee’s maximum deceleration distance to 3.5 feet 8f

42. Personal fall arrest systems - when stopping a fall must
Have sufficient strength to withstand twice the anticipated potential impact energy 8g

43. Positioning Device Systems
Positioning devices are to be rigged so that an employee cannot free fall more than 2 feet 9a

44. Positioning Device Systems
Positioning devices must be secured to an anchorage capable of supporting:
at least twice the potential impact load of an employee’s fall; or
3,000 pounds, whichever is greater 9b

45. Positioning Device Systems
Connectors, dee-rings, and snaphooks must meet the standard’s design and strength requirements 9c

46. Positioning Device Systems
Positioning device systems must be inspected before each use for:
wear
damage
deterioration
defective components 9d

47. Positioning Device Systems
Body belts and components must only be used as part of a positioning device system—they cannot be used to hoist materials 9e

48. Fall protection systems
Employers have a duty to anticipate fall hazards, and to plan work activities accordingly
Careful planning and preparation lay the necessary groundwork for an accident-free workplace
10a

49. Fall protection systems
Limit work activities to walking/working surfaces that have the strength and structural integrity to safely support employees
10b

50. Fall protection systems
The rule identifies areas or activities where fall protection is needed. These include, but are not limited to:
unprotected sides and edges
hoist areas
holes
wall openings
formwork and reinforcing steel
10c

51. Fall protection systems
The rule identifies areas or activities where fall protection is needed. These include, but are not limited to:
ramps, runways, and other walkways
excavations (protection from falling into excavations greater that 6-feet deep only)
10d

52. Fall protection systems
The rule identifies areas or activities where fall protection is needed. These include, but are not limited to:
dangerous equipment
overhand bricklaying and related work
10e

53. Fall protection systems
The rule identifies areas or activities where fall protection is needed. These include, but are not limited to:
roofing work
leading edge work
precast concrete erection
10f

54. Fall protection systems
The rule identifies areas or activities where fall protection is needed. These include, but are not limited to:
residential construction
other walking and working surfaces
10g

55. Fall protection systems
Employers need to:
give instructions to prevent exposure to unsafe conditions
ensure employees follow the procedures and understand the training
be aware of the safety methods being used by specialty subcontractors
10h

56. Unprotected sides and edges
Employees must be protected when they are exposed to falls from unprotected sides and edges of walking/ working surfaces 6 feet or more above lower levels
11a

57. Unprotected sides and edges
Fall protection options include:
Guardrail systems
Safety net systems
Personal fall arrest systems
11b

58. Protecting hoist areas
Employees in a hoist area must be protected from falling 6 feet or more
Fall protection options include:
guardrail systems
personal fall arrest systems
12a

59. Protecting hoist areas
When guardrail systems are used at hoisting areas, a chain, gate, or removable guardrail section must be placed across the access opening when hoisting operations are not taking place
12b

60. Protection for holes Employees must be protected from:
falling into or through holes
tripping in, or stepping into or through holes
objects falling through holes
13a

61. Protection for holes
Covers located where there is vehicular traffic must be able to support at least twice the maximum axle load of the largest vehicle expected to cross over the cover
13b

62. Protection for holes
All other covers must be able to support at least twice the weight of employees, equipment, and materials that may cross over the cover at any one time
13c

63. Protection for holes Covers must be secured in place
Covers must be color coded or marked with the word “HOLE” or “COVER” to provide a warning
13d

64. Protecting wall openings
Employees must be protected from falling out or or through wall openings
Fall protection options include:
guardrail systems
safety net systems
personal fall arrest systems
14a

65. Formwork and reinforcing steel
Employees working on formwork and reinforcing steel 6 feet or more above lower levels must be protected by one of the following:
Personal fall arrest system
Safety net system
Positioning device system
15a

66. Formwork and reinforcing steel
Fall protection is not required while employees are moving vertically and/or horizontally on the vertical face of rebar assemblies built in place
15b

67. Ramps, runways, and walkways
Ramps, runways, and other walkways have guardrails along each unprotected side or edge when employees could fall 6 feet or more
16a

68. Excavations
If the excavation depth is 6 feet or more, edges of excavations must be protected by:
guardrail systems
fences
barricades
17a

69. Falls into dangerous equipment
Employees working 6 feet or more above dangerous equipment must be protected from falling by one of the following systems:
Guardrail systems
Personal fall arrest systems
Safety net systems
18a

70. Falls into dangerous equipment
Where the walking/working surface is less than 6 feet above the dangerous equipment hazards, guardrails or equipment guards must shield employees from the hazard
18b

71. Overhand bricklaying
Each employee performing overhand bricklaying and related work 6 feet or more above lower levels must be protected by one of the following systems:
19a

72. Overhand bricklaying Guardrail systems Personal fall arrest systems
Safety net systems
Controlled access zones
19b

73. Overhand bricklaying The controlled access zone:
is defined by a control line erected between 10 feet and 15 feet from the working edge
19c

74. Overhand bricklaying The controlled access zone:
must extend far enough to enclose all employees performing overhand bricklaying and related work at the working edge
19d

75. Overhand bricklaying The controlled access zone:
needs additional control lines erected at each end to enclose the controlled access zone
allows only employees engaged in overhand bricklaying or related work in the controlled access zone
19e

76. Overhand bricklaying
Control lines consist of ropes, wires, tapes, or equivalent materials, and supporting stanchions as follows:
Each line is flagged or otherwise clearly marked with high-visibility material at intervals of at least 6 feet
19f

77. Overhand bricklaying
Control lines consist of ropes, wires, tapes, or equivalent materials, and supporting stanchions as follows:
19f

78. Overhand bricklaying Each line is rigged and supported so that:
its lowest point is at least 39 inches from the walking/working surface
its highest point is not more than 50 inches from the walking/working surface
Each line must have a minimum breaking strength of 200 pounds
19g

79. Overhand bricklaying
All employees reaching more than 10 inches below the level of a walking/working surface must be protected from falling
19h

80. Overhand bricklaying Fall protection options include: guardrails
personal fall arrest systems
safety nets
19i

81. Overhand bricklaying
To provide for falling object protection during overhand bricklaying and related work:
no materials or equipment except masonry and mortar can be stored within 4 feet of the working edge
19j

82. Overhand bricklaying
To provide for falling object protection during overhand bricklaying and related work:
excess mortar, broken or scattered masonry units, and all other materials and debris must be removed at regular intervals
19k

83. Roofing on low-slope roofs
Employees engaged in roofing activities on low-slope roofs with unprotected sides and edges 6 feet or more above lower levels must be protected by one of the following methods:
20a

84. Roofing on low-slope roofs
Guardrail systems
Safety net systems
Personal fall arrest systems
20b

85. Roofing on low-slope roofs
A combination of warning line and guardrail systems
A combination of warning line and safety net systems
A combination of warning line and personal fall arrest systems
20c

86. Roofing on low-slope roofs
A combination of warning line and safety monitoring systems
On roofs 50 feet or less in width, the use of a safety monitoring system alone
20d

87. Roofing on low-slope roofs: safety monitoring system
When a safety monitoring system is used:
A designated competent person must monitor employee safety
The safety monitor cannot have other responsibilities that could distract him/her from the monitoring function
20e

88. Roofing on low-slope roofs: safety monitoring system
Mechanical equipment must not be used or stored in areas where safety monitoring systems are being used
20f

89. Roofing on low-slope roofs: safety monitoring system
No employee, other than an employee engaged in roofing work, or an employee covered by a fall protection plan, can be allowed in an area where an employee is being protected by a safety monitoring system
20g

90. Roofing on low-slope roofs: safety monitoring system
Each employee working in a controlled access zone must comply with fall hazard warnings from safety monitors
20h

91. Roofing on low-slope roofs: warning line system
When warning line systems are used:
Warning line systems are to be erected around all sides of the roof work area
20i

92. Roofing on low-slope roofs: warning line system
The warning line must be at least 6 feet from the roof edge when mechanical equipment is not being used
20j

93. Roofing on low-slope roofs: warning line system
The warning line must be farther from the roof edge when mechanical equipment is being used
20k

94. Roofing on low-slope roofs: warning line system
Two warning lines must form an access path to connect points of access, materials handling areas, storage areas, and hoisting areas to the work area
20l

95. Roofing on low-slope roofs: warning line system
When a point of access is not in use, a rope, wire, chain, or other barricade, must be placed across the path
20m

96. Roofing on low-slope roofs: warning line system
Warning line ropes, wires, chains, and supporting stanchions must meet the standard’s design and strength requirements
20n

97. Roofing on low-slope roofs: warning line system
No employee is allowed in the area between a roof edge and a warning line unless the employee is performing roofing work in that area
20o

98. Roofing on low-slope roofs
To provide for falling object protection during roofing work:
materials and equipment must not be stored within 6 feet of a roof edge unless guardrails are erected at the edge
materials that are piled, grouped, or stacked near a roof edge must be stable and self-supporting
20p

99. Roofing on steep roofs
Each employee engaged in roofing activities on steep roofs with unprotected sides and edges 6 feet or more above lower levels must be protected from falling
21a

100. Roofing on steep roofs
A steep roof has slopes greater than 4 in 12 (vertical to horizontal)
21b

101. Roofing on steep roofs Fall protection options include:
Guardrail systems with toeboards
Personal fall arrest systems
Safety net systems
21c

102. Leading edge work
Leading edge work 6 feet or more above lower levels requires one of the following fall protection methods:
Guardrail systems
Safety net systems
Personal fall arrest systems
22a

103. Leading edge work
If these conventional systems cannot be used, a fall protection plan must be in place
22b

104. Leading edge work
When used to control access to areas where leading edge and other operations are taking place, the controlled access zone is defined by a control line that restricts access
22c

105. Leading edge work
When control lines are used, they are to be between 6 feet and 25 feet from the unprotected or leading edge, except when erecting precast concrete members
22d

106. Leading edge work
The control line must extend along the entire length of the unprotected or leading edge
Each side of the control line is to be connected to a guardrail system or wall
22e

107. Leading edge work - control lines
Control lines consist of ropes, wires, tapes, or equivalent materials, and supporting stanchions as follows:
22f

108. Leading edge work - control lines
Each line must be flagged or otherwise clearly marked with high-visibility material at intervals of at least 6 feet
22g

109. Leading edge work - control lines
Each line is to be rigged and supported so that its:
lowest point is at least 39 inches from the walking/working surface
highest point is not more than 45 inches
Each line must have a minimum breaking strength of 200 pounds
22h

110. Precast concrete erection
Erecting precast concrete members 6 feet or more above a lower level requires one of the following fall protection methods:
Guardrail systems
Safety net systems
Personal fall arrest systems
23a

111. Precast concrete erection
If these conventional systems cannot be used, a fall protection plan must be in place
23b

112. Precast concrete erection
A controlled access zone may be used to control access to areas where leading edge and other operations are taking place
23c

113. Precast concrete erection
The controlled access zone is defined by a control line (or other means) that restricts access
23d

114. Precast concrete erection
When erecting precast concrete members, the control line is to be:
between 6 feet and 60 feet; or
half the length of the member being erected, whichever is less, from the leading edge
23e

115. Precast concrete erection
The control line must extend along the entire length of the unprotected or leading edge
Each side of the control line is to be connected to a guardrail system or wall
23f

116. Precast concrete erection - control lines
Control lines consist of ropes, wires, tapes, or equivalent materials, and supporting stanchions as follows:
23g

117. Precast concrete erection - control lines
Each line is to be flagged or otherwise clearly marked with high-visibility material at intervals of at least 6 feet
23h

118. Precast concrete erection - control lines
Each line is to be rigged and supported so that its:
lowest point is at least 39 inches from the walking/working surface
highest point is not more than 45 inches
Each line must have a minimum breaking strength of 200 pounds
23i

119. Residential construction
Employers engaged in residential construction must protect employees from falls of 6 feet or more to lower levels by the use of one of these fall protection systems:
Guardrail systems
Safety net systems
Personal fall arrest systems
24a

120. Residential construction
If it is infeasible or creates a greater hazard to implement these conventional systems, a fall protection plan can be used instead
24b

121. Fall protection plans
The use of a fall protection plan is available only to employees engaged in:
leading edge work
precast concrete erection work
residential construction work
25a

122. Fall protection plans
Fall protection plans must developed by a competent person
25b

123. Other walking/working surfaces
All employees exposed to falls of 6 feet or more to lower levels must be protected by a:
guardrail system
safety net system
personal fall arrest system
26a

124. Protection from falling objects
Employees who may be exposed to falling objects are required to wear hard hats
27a

125. Protection from falling objects
Employers must also do one of the following:
Erect toeboards, screens, or guardrail systems to prevent objects from falling from higher levels
Erect a canopy structure and keep potential falling objects far enough from the edge of the higher level
27b

126. Protection from falling objects
Employers must also do one of the following:
Barricade the area to which objects could fall, and keep employees out of thearea
Keep objects far enough away from the edge of a higher level
27c

127. Protection from falling objects
Falling object protection must meet the standard’s design and strength requirements
27d