Falls are the leading cause of fatalities in construction. Fall protection is required when working at heights of 4 feet or more, or near fall hazards like unprotected edges, holes, formwork, excavations, and roofs. Effective fall protection includes safety nets, handrails, harnesses, guards, and fall arrest systems, which must be inspected and able to withstand 5,000 pounds of force.

1. CONSTRUCTION SAFETY
TRAINING
TOPIC 1:
FALL PROTECTION

2. FALL PROTECTION
• Falls are the leading cause of fatalities in the
construction industry
• A fall from only 4 feet can cause serious injury,
loss of work, even death

3. When is fall protection needed?
• Walkways & ramps
• Open sides & edges
• Holes
• Concrete forms & rebar
• Excavations
• Roofs
• Residential & commercial construction

4. Fall Protection & Prevention
• Safety nets
• Safety gates
• Hand rails
• Safety Harness (PFAS)
• Equipment guards
• Fall protection systems must be in place
before work starts

5. Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS)
• Must be properly trained
• Key requirements:
– No free fall more than 6 feet
– Must be inspected prior to use
– Safety line must be able to support 5,000 lbs

6. Safety Nets
• Used to catch falling workers
• Placed not more than 30 feet below work area
• Placed not more than 8-13 feet from edge of
working area

7. Falling Objects
• Hardhats are required
• Use of canopies authoritzed
• Barricade the area to prevent unauthorized
entry

8. SUMMARY
• Protection is needed when risk of fall of 4 feet
or more
• Use fall protection on:
– Walkways, ramps, open sides, edges, excacations