This standard establishes criteria and requirements for an employer’s fall protection program. It includes policies, responsibilities, training, survey and identification of fall hazards, procedures, controlling fall hazards, rescue planning, program implementation, accident investigation and evaluating effectiveness.
Always remember: eliminating the fall hazard completely, or preventing exposure to a fall hazard, is the most effective control measure.
Passive: Stationary and non-dynamic. This type of FP does not move, adapt nor change when it is in or out of use. There is little to no reliance on human behavior/interaction required.
- Aerial lifts and platforms, handrails, safety netting, barricades, covers over holes, and fully decked and guarded scaffolds or platforms
Active: dynamic, contain moving parts and require human interaction to STOP a fall.
- overhead rigid rail, anchorage points, full-body harness, lifelines and lanyards (self-retracting and shock absorbing), connectors (snap hooks and carabiners), and deceleration devices
Fall Restraint: Restrains a worker from reaching a fall hazard leading edge, limiting travel in such a manner that the worker is not exposed to a fall. This is preferred because it is preventative.
- This system could involve a short, fixed-length lanyard attached to a body harness to prevent the worker from getting too close to the edge.
Fall Arrest: It incorporates critical components worn by a worker to safely decelerate and halt a free-falling worker before they impacts the surface below. These are REQUIRED on sites where workers are exposed to a vertical drop of 6 ft or more.
- Include: anchorage, full body harness, lanyard, deceleration devices, horizontal & vertical lifelines, anchorage connectors.
- These allow a fall to occur, increasing the risk of impact forces and contact with obstruction. They should be used in conjunction with other fall protection systems.
Learn more about personal fall arrest systems here.
Browse all fall protection here.
Learn more about conventional fall protection types here.
