OSHA 10 Hour Construction Course Fact Sheet 4 .
Fall Protection
Relevant Regulations
OSHA's Fall Protection safety standards for
construction are included in 29 CFR 1926, Subpart
M.
http://www.osha.gov/.
This deals with both the human and the equipment-
related issues in protecting workers from fall hazards.
According to the criteria set forth in 1926.501, your
employer is required to provide fall protection
systems and equipment whenever you are exposed to
a fall of six feet or more.
Some subparts exist within 29 CFR 1926 aside from
Subpart M (The Fall Protection Rule). The other
subparts apply to circumstances that have fall
protection hazards that need to be addressed
separately. If these subparts do not specifically
address a fall hazard at a work site, Subpart M will
apply.
Rope grap
Double-locking snap hook
Shock absorbing
lanyard
Reasons to Study/Hazards
Slips, trips, and falls are the single largest cause of
injuries and lost time in industry.
Falls can occur at the same level that you are working
on - these are also called slips or trips. The other type
of falls is from a higher level to a lower level. The
second type tends to be more serious because of the
effects of gravity.
Falls are second leading cause of death in the
workplace. The following workplaces have the
highest incidents:
• Structural metal workers
• Roofers and hoist and winch operators
• Electrical power installers and repairers.
Workers most frequently suffer the following types of
injuries from falls:
• Sprain, strain, or tear
• Fractures
• Bruises and contusions
• Soreness and pain.
D-ring
Precautions to Take
To protect workers from falls:
• Recognize when fall protection is required
• Select the appropriate fall protection systems for
the situation
• Properly construct and install safety systems
• Supervise employees in the construction, installa
tion, and use of fall protection systems
• Train workers in the proper selection, use, and
maintenance of all protection systems.
Surface hazards are a leading cause of falls. Take
precautions to protect from inappropriate:
• Surface structures
• Housekeeping
• Obstructions
• Loading considerations.
Some types of fall protection include:
• Guardrail Systems - these consist of toprails,
midrails, and toeboards to prevent people and
loose objects from falling to a lower level
• Canopies
• Personal fall arrest systems - these consist of an
anchorage, connectors, and body harnesses
• Safety nets
• Warning line systems/safety monitoring systems
• Controlled access zones.
Maintenance and inspections of fall protection
equipment is required by the regulations.