Fall Protection Equipment Mandates

Fall protection equipment is mandated in various circumstances to prevent injuries from falls, especially when working at heights. These circumstances are defined by regulations and industry standards, and they vary depending on the jurisdiction and the specific work environment. A fall protection plan is a general term for the policy and procedures used to identify fall hazards, and the measures taken to prevent injury. Included in this plan is selecting, assembling, maintaining, inspecting, using, and dismantling equipment such as ladders, scaffolds, or platforms used for working at heights as well as any fall protection equipment. Emergency procedures for rescuing fallen workers (including those who are hanging in midair by their harness) are also needed. Fall protection plans must be specific to each site where workers are at heights. There is "no one size fits all" plan. Requirements and equipment used will change from workplace to workplace, site to site, and job to job. [1]

General Requirements

Fall protection is generally required when working at a height of 3 meters (approximately 10 feet) or more above a safe surface, though this height can vary by jurisdiction. Some jurisdictions may require fall protection at lower heights if there is a risk of injury. Most jurisdictions require the use of specific fall protection measures before, or in addition to, personal protective equipment (PPE). These measures generally include the use of some of the following:

• Fixed barriers (e.g., handrails, guardrails)
• Surface opening protection (e.g., covers, guardrails, etc.)
• Warning barriers or control zones
• Fall or travel restraint systems (i.e., a system to prevent a worker from falling from a work position, or from travelling to an unguarded edge from which the worker could fall)
• Fall containment system (e.g., safety nets)
• Fall arrest systems (ie., a system that will stop a worker's fall before the worker hits the surface below) [1]

Specific Height Requirements

In construction, OSHA requires fall protection for employees on walking/working surfaces with an unprotected side or edge that is 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above a lower level. This includes scenarios such as unprotected sides and edges, leading edges, hoist areas, and holes. [2]

Other Fall Hazards

Fall protection is also mandated in the following situations:

• Excavations: At the edge of an excavation 6 feet (1.8 m) or more in depth. 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.
• Dangerous Equipment: When working less than 6 feet (1.8 m) above dangerous equipment, employees must be protected from falling into or onto the equipment by guardrail systems or equipment guards. 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.
• Overhand Bricklaying: 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.
• Precast Concrete Erection: Each employee engaged in the erection 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 provides for an alternative fall protection measure.
• 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 provides for an alternative fall protection measure. [2] [2] [2] [2] [5] [5] [5]

Alternatives to Conventional Fall Protection

In some instances, conventional fall protection systems (guardrail systems, personal fall arrest systems, or safety nets systems) may be infeasible or create a greater hazard. In these cases, employers must develop and implement a fall protection plan that meets specific requirements, including documenting why conventional systems are infeasible and detailing other measures to reduce or eliminate fall hazards. Where no other alternative measure has been implemented, the employer shall implement a safety monitoring system. [3] [3]

Electrical Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution

Employees working in elevated locations more than 1.2 meters (4 feet) above the ground on poles, towers, or similar structures must use a personal fall arrest system, work-positioning equipment, or fall restraint system, as appropriate, if the employer has not provided other fall protection. Until March 31, 2015, a qualified employee climbing or changing location on poles, towers, or similar structures need not use fall protection equipment, unless conditions, such as, but not limited to, ice, high winds, the design of the structure (for example, no provision for holding on with hands), or the presence of contaminants on the structure, could cause the employee to lose his or her grip or footing. On and after April 1, 2015, each qualified employee climbing or changing location on poles, towers, or similar structures must use fall protection equipment unless the employer can demonstrate that climbing or changing location with fall protection is infeasible or creates a greater hazard than climbing or changing location without it. [4] [4]

Training and Inspection

Before using a fall protection system, employees must be trained in its proper use, including the limits of the system, proper anchoring and tie-off techniques, estimating free fall distance, methods of use, and potential hazards. Personal fall protection systems shall be inspected before initial use in each workshift. Any component with damage, such as a cut, tear, abrasion, mold, or evidence of undue stretching, an alteration or addition that might affect its effectiveness, damage due to deterioration, fire, acid, or other corrosive damage, distorted hooks or faulty hook springs, tongues that are unfitted to the shoulder of buckles, loose or damaged mountings, nonfunctioning parts, or wear, or internal deterioration shall be removed from service immediately, and should be tagged or marked as unusable, or destroyed. Any personal fall protection system, including components, subjected to impact loading shall be removed from service immediately and not used until a competent person inspects the system and determines that is not damaged and is safe to use for personal fall protection. [6] [6]

Rescue Considerations

When personal fall arrest systems are used, employers must have a plan for rescuing an employee promptly should a fall occur. The availability of rescue personnel, ladders, or other rescue equipment needs to be evaluated since there may be instances in which employees cannot self-rescue, such as when the employee is unconscious or seriously injured. [6]

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