Fall protection is required in construction when employees are working at elevated heights. Falls can occur from elevated work surfaces, ladders, stairs, scaffolds, aerial devices, roofs, bridges, trusses, beams, purlins, plates, suspended staging, catwalks, and walkways. [3]

Here are some options for fall protection:

• Guardrail system
• Safety net system
• Personal fall arrest system
• Safety monitor system (if roof is 50 feet or less in width)
• Warning line/safety monitor system
• Warning line/guardrail system
• Warning line/safety net system
• Warning line/personal fall arrest system
• Warning line/fall restraint system [4]

When mechanical equipment is not being used, the warning line should be erected not less than 6 feet (1.8 m) from the roof edge. [1]

When mechanical equipment is being used, the warning line should be erected not less than 6 feet from the roof edge which is parallel to the direction of mechanical equipment operation, and not less than 10 feet from the roof edge which is perpendicular to the direction of mechanical equipment operation. [2]

A personal fall arrest system consists of an anchorage, connectors, a body belt or body harness and may include a lanyard, deceleration device, lifeline, or suitable combinations of these. [6]

As of January 1, 1998, the use of a non-locking snaphook as part of personal fall arrest systems and positioning device systems is prohibited. [5]

Lanyards and vertical lifelines which tie-off one employee must have a minimum breaking strength of 5,000 pounds (22.2 kN). [7]