🧰 SAMEKTRA SERVICES →
Key Talking Points
- Falls are the #1 cause of death in construction. OSHA 29 CFR 1926.501 requires fall protection at 6 feet or more above a lower level on construction sites.
- Three primary fall protection systems: guardrail systems (passive), safety net systems (passive), and personal fall arrest systems (active). Choose based on the work being performed.
- The ABC of fall arrest: Anchorage (rated for 5,000 lbs per worker), Body harness (full-body, not a belt), and Connector (lanyard or self-retracting lifeline connecting the two).
- A personal fall arrest system must limit free fall to 6 feet or less and stop the worker before contacting any lower level. Total fall distance includes lanyard length + deceleration distance + harness stretch + worker height.
- Harnesses and lanyards must be inspected before each use. Look for frayed webbing, cracked D-rings, damaged stitching, corrosion on hardware, and malfunctioning buckles. Remove any damaged equipment from service immediately.
DO
- Inspect your harness, lanyard, and anchorage point before every use
- Ensure anchorages are rated for 5,000 lbs per attached worker
- Always connect your lanyard before reaching the 6-foot threshold
- Plan your work — identify fall hazards before starting the task
- Report damaged fall protection equipment to your supervisor immediately
DON'T
- Use a body belt as fall arrest — full-body harnesses are required
- Tie off to conduit, vents, or other non-rated attachment points
- Share an anchorage point without verifying the load rating for multiple workers
- Continue using equipment that has arrested a fall — it must be removed from service
- Work near unprotected edges or openings without fall protection in place
Discussion Questions
- What fall hazards exist on our current jobsite, and what protection methods are we using for each?
- Walk through the steps to properly don a full-body harness — what are the common mistakes?
- If your lanyard is 6 feet long and you are 6 feet tall, how much clearance do you need below your anchorage point to avoid striking the ground?