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?