This document discusses OSHA regulations regarding fall protection under Subpart M. It provides definitions of key terms related to fall protection systems and criteria. The main requirements outlined include: - Fall protection is required when workers are 6 feet or more above lower levels and exposed to fall hazards. - Employers must select fall protection systems that meet the criteria specified in the regulations, such as guardrail systems that can withstand 200 pounds of outward/downward force. - Training on fall protection systems and fall hazards is mandated.

1. Subpart M, Fall Protection
• 1926.500, Scope, application,
and definitions applicable to this
subpart
• 1926.502, Fall protection
systems criteria and practices
• 1926.503, Training requirements
• Appendix

2. When Is Fall Protection Required?
 If workers are working over dangerous materials, they have to
wear fall protection below 6 feet

3. 690
694
762
878
1145
1240
1351
1409
1585
4301
501(b)(10)
451(e)(1)
453(b)(2)(v)
451(g)(1)
100(a)
102(a)(1)
503(a)(1)
501(b)(1)
1053(b)(1)
501(b)(13)
Most Frequently Cited Serious Violations in
Construction 2014
3
1926OverallMFC
FALL PROTECTION – RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION
PORTABLE LADDERS NOT EXTENDED 3 FEET ABOVE LANDING
FALL PROTECTION – UNPROTECTED SIDES & EDGES
FALL PROTECTION – TRAINING
EYE AND FACE PROTECTION
HEAD PROTECTION
SCAFFOLDS – FALL PROTECTION
AERIAL LIFTS – FALL PROTECTION
SAFE ACCESS
FALL PROTECTION – ROOFING WORK ON LOW-SLOPED ROOFS
M
X
M
M
E
E
L
L
L
M
29CFR1926SUBPARTS

4. 538
690
1351
1409
4301
501(b)(11)
501(b)(10)
503(a)(1)
501(b)(1)
501(b)(13)
Fall Protection [1926.500 – 503]
4
ROOFING WORK ON LOW-SLOPED ROOFS
ROOFING WORK ON STEEP ROOFS
RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION
UNPROTECTED SIDES & EDGES
FALL HAZARD TRAINING
SUBPARTM

5. Scope and Application
• Exception: inspection,
investigation, or assessment of
workplace conditions
1926.500(a)(1)

6. Scope and Application
• Does not apply to
• scaffolds
• working on cranes and derricks
• steel erection work (except for towers
and tanks) are provided in subpart R
of this part.
• certain types of equipment used in
tunneling
• erection of tanks and communication
and broadcast
• construction of electric transmission
or distribution lines or equipment.
• stairways and ladders
1926.500(a)(2)

7. Definitions
• Anchorage
• secure point of attachment for
lifelines, lanyards or deceleration
devices
1926.500(b)

8. Definitions
• Body Belt
• strap with means both for
securing it about the waist
1926.500(b)

9. Definitions
• Body Harness
• straps which distribute the fall
arrest forces
1926.500(b)

10. Definitions
• Connector
• used to connect parts of the
personal fall arrest system and
positioning device systems
together
1926.500(b)

11. Definitions
• Controlled Access Zone
• area in which certain work (e.g.,
overhand bricklaying) may take
place
1926.500(b)

12. Definitions
• Dangerous Equipment
• equipment hazardous to
employees who fall onto or into
such equipment.
1926.500(b)

13. Definitions
• Deceleration Device
• equipment that dissipates a
substantial amount of energy
during a fall arrest
1926.500(b)

14. Definitions
• Deceleration Distance
• distance between the location
of an employee's body belt or
body harness attachment point
at the moment of activation and
the location of that attachment
point after the employee comes
to a full stop.
1926.500(b)

15. Definitions
• Free Fall
• act of falling before a personal
fall arrest system begins to apply
force to arrest the fall
1926.500(b)

16. Definitions
• Guardrail system
• a barrier erected to prevent
employees from falling to lower
levels
1926.500(b)

17. Definitions
• Hole
• a gap or void 2 inches (5.1 cm)
or more in its least dimension
1926.500(b)

18. Definitions
• Infeasible
• impossible to perform the
construction work using a
conventional fall protection
system
1926.500(b)

19. Definitions
• Lanyard
• flexible line of rope, wire rope,
or strap which generally has a
connector at each end
1926.500(b)

20. Definitions
• Leading Edge
• edge which changes location as
additional sections are placed,
formed, or constructed
1926.500(b)

21. Definitions
• Lifeline
• component consisting of a
flexible line for connection to an
anchorage
1926.500(b)

22. Definitions
• Low Slope Roof
• roof having a slope less than or
equal to 4 in 12
1926.500(b)

23. Definitions
• Mechanical equipment
• motor or human propelled
wheeled equipment used for
roofing work, except
wheelbarrows and mopcarts
1926.500(b)

24. Definitions
• Opening
• gap or void 30 inches or more
high and 18 inches or more
wide, in a wall or partition,
through which employees can
fall to a lower level
1926.500(b)

25. Definitions
• Fall Arrest System
• consists of an anchorage,
connectors, a body belt or body
harness
1926.500(b)

26. Definitions
• Positioning Device System
• rigged to allow an employee to
be supported on an elevated
vertical surface and work with
both hands free while leaning.
1926.500(b)

27. Definitions
• Rope Grab
• deceleration device which
travels on a lifeline and
automatically, by friction,
engages the lifeline and locks so
as to arrest the fall of an
employee.
1926.500(b)

28. Definitions
• Roofing work
• hoisting, storage, application,
and removal of roofing materials
1926.500(b)

29. Definitions
• Safety Monitoring System
• safety system in which a
competent person is responsible
for recognizing and warning
employees of fall hazards
1926.500(b)

30. Definitions
• Self-retracting lifeline/lanyard
• deceleration device after onset
of a fall, automatically locks the
drum and arrests the fall
1926.500(b)

31. Definitions
• Snaphook
• connector comprised of a hook-
shaped member with a normally
closed keeper
• Takes two actions to open
1926.500(b)

32. Definitions
• Steep Roof
• roof having a slope greater than
4 in 12
1926.500(b)

33. Definitions
• Toeboard
• low protective barrier that will
prevent the fall of materials and
equipment to lower levels and
provide protection from falls for
personnel
1926.500(b)

34. Definitions
• Unprotected side or edge
• means any side where there is
no wall or guardrail system at
least 39 inches high.
1926.500(b)

35. Definitions
• Walking Working surface
• surface, horizontal or vertical on
which an employee walks or
works
• not include ladders, vehicles, or
trailers
1926.500(b)

36. Duty to Have Fall Protection
• The employer shall determine if
the walking/working surfaces on
which its employees are to work
have the strength and structural
integrity to support employees
safely.
1926.501(a)(2)

37. Duty to Have Fall Protection
• unprotected side or edge which
is 6 feet or more above a lower
level shall be protected from
falling
1926.501(b)(1)

38. Duty to Have Fall Protection
• leading edge 6 feet or more
above lower levels shall be
protected
1926.501(b)(2)(i)

39. Duty to Have Fall Protection
• employee in a hoist area shall be
protected from falling 6 feet or
more to lower levels
1926.501(b)(3)

40. Duty to Have Fall Protection
• protected from falling through
holes (including skylights) more
than 6 feet above lower levels
1926.501(b)(4)(i)

41. Duty to Have Fall Protection
• protected from tripping in or
stepping into or through holes
(including skylights) by covers
1926.501(b)(4)(ii)

42. Duty to Have Fall Protection
• protected from objects falling
through holes
1926.501(b)(4)(iii)

43. Duty to Have Fall Protection
• employee on the face of
formwork or reinforcing steel
shall be protected from falling 6
feet or more to lower levels
1926.501(b)(5)

44. Duty to Have Fall Protection
• employee on ramps, runways,
and other walkways shall be
protected from falling 6 feet or
more to lower levels
1926.501(b)(6)

45. Duty to Have Fall Protection
• employee at the edge of an
excavation 6 feet or more in
depth shall be protected from
falling when the excavations are
not readily seen because of
plant growth or other visual
barrier
1926.501(b)(7)(i)

46. Duty to Have Fall Protection
• employee at the edge of a well,
pit, shaft, and similar excavation
6 feet or more in depth shall be
protected from falling
1926.501(b)(7)(ii)

47. Duty to Have Fall Protection
• employee less than 6 feet above
dangerous equipment shall be
protected from falling
1926.501(b)(8)(i)

48. Duty to Have Fall Protection
• employee performing overhand
bricklaying and related work 6
feet or more above lower levels,
shall be protected from falling’
• employee reaching more than
10 inches below the level of the
walking/working surface on
which they are working, shall be
protected by conventional fall
protection
1926.501(b)(9)(i)

49. Duty to Have Fall Protection
• employee engaged in roofing activities on low-slope
roofs, with unprotected sides and edges 6 feet or
more above lower levels shall be protected from
falling
• Warning line system allowed
1926.501(b)(10)

50. Duty to Have Fall Protection
• Each employee on a steep roof
with unprotected sides and
edges 6 feet or more above
lower levels shall be protected
from falling
1926.501(b)(11)

51. Duty to Have Fall Protection
• employee engaged in the
erection of precast concrete
members who is 6 feet or more
above lower levels shall be
protected from falling
1926.501(b)(12)

52. Duty to Have Fall Protection
• employee engaged in residential
construction activities 6 feet or
more above lower levels shall be
protected
1926.501(b)(13)

53. Duty to Have Fall Protection
• employee working on, at, above,
or near wall openings shall be
protected from falling
• Includes chutes
1926.501(b)(14)

54. Duty to Have Fall Protection
• Walking/working surfaces not
otherwise addressed
1926.501(b)(15)

55. Guardrail Systems
• Top Rail 42 inches +/- 3 inches
1926.502(b)(1)

56. Guardrail Systems
• Midrails installed between top
edge of guardrail and walking
working surface
1926.502(b)(2)(i)

57. Guardrail Systems
• Intermediate members such as
ballusters – 19 inches
1926.502(b)(2)(iii)

58. Guardrail Systems
• Guardrail systems – 200 pounds
outward and downward
1926.502(b)(3)

59. Guardrail Systems
• Midrails – 150 pounds outward
and downward
1926.502(b)(5)
Failure of a midrail

60. Guardrail Systems
• So surfaced to prevent injury to
an employee from puncture or
laceration
1926.502(b)(6)

61. Guardrail Systems
• The ends of top rails and midrails
shall not over hang the terminus
posts
1926.502(b)(7)

62. Guardrail Systems
• If wire rope is used for top rails,
it shall be flagged at not than 6
foot intervals.
1926.502(b)(9)

63. Guardrail Systems
• A chain, gate, or removal
guardrail section shall be places
across the access openings at
hoisting areas
1926.502(b)(10)

64. Guardrail Systems
• Ladderways or points of access
shall be provided with a gate or
offset
1926.502(b)(13)
No gate or offset

65. Safety Net Systems
• See 1926.502(c)
1926.502(c)

66. Personnel Fall Arrest Systems
• Snaphooks not directly
engaged to webbing,
rope, wire rope
• To each other
• With another snaphook
to the same d-ring
• To a horizontal lifeline
• Incompatible shaped
1926.502(d)(6)(i)-
(vi)

67. Personnel Fall Arrest Systems
• Horizontal lifelines maintaining a
safety factor of two
1926.502(d)(8)

68. Personnel Fall Arrest Systems
• Lanyards and lifelines shall have
a minimum braking strength of
5,000 pounds
1926.502(d)(9)

69. Personnel Fall Arrest Systems
• Lifelines shall protected from
being abraded
1926.502(d)(11)

70. Personnel Fall Arrest Systems
• Self-retracting lifelines and
lanyards which limit free fall to 2
feet shall be capable of
supporting 3,000 pounds
1926.502(d)(12)

71. Personnel Fall Arrest Systems
• Self-retracting lifelines and
lanyards which do not limit free
falls to 2 feet shall be capable of
supporting 5,000 pounds
1926.502(d)(13)

72. Personnel Fall Arrest Systems
• Anchorages independent from
equipment suspension
anchorages
1926.502(d)(14)

73. Personnel Fall Arrest Systems
• Anchorages 5,000 pounds or
maintain a safety factor of two
1926.502(d)(15)(i)

74. Personnel Fall Arrest Systems
• Limit fall arrest forces to 1800
pounds with a harness
1926.502(d)(16)(ii)

75. Personnel Fall Arrest Systems
• No free fall more than 6 feet nor
contract and lower level
1926.502(d)(16)(iii)

76. Personnel Fall Arrest Systems
• Limit maximum deceleration
distance to 3.5 feet
1926.502(d)(16)(iv)

77. Personnel Fall Arrest Systems
• Withstand twice the potential
impact energy of an employee
falling 6 feet or the free fall
distance permitted by the system.
1926.502(d)(16)(v)

78. Personnel Fall Arrest Systems
• Remove when subjected to
impact loading
1926.502(d)(19)

79. Personnel Fall Arrest Systems
• The employer shall provide for
prompt rescue
1926.502(d)(20)

80. Personnel Fall Arrest Systems
• Inspected prior to each use
1926.502(d)(21)

81. Personnel Fall Arrest Systems
• Not attached to guardrails
1926.502(d)(23)

82. Personnel Fall Arrest Systems
• When use at hoist areas, rigged
to allow the movement of the
employee only so far as the edge
of the walking/working surface.
1926.502(d)(24)

83. Work Positioning Systems
• Limit free fall to 2 feet
• Anchorage 3000 pounds
1926.502(e)(1)&(2)

84. Warning Line Systems
• Flags 6 feet away when mechanical
equipment not used
• Access path from ladder formed
from two warning lines
1926.502(f)(1)(i)&(iii)

85. Warning Line Systems
• When mechanical equipment is
used
• Flags 6 feet when using parallel
• Flags 10 feet when perpendicular
1926.502(f)(1)(ii)

86. Controlled Access Zones
• Leading Edge
• Overhand Bricklaying
• Precast
1926.502(g)

87. Safety Monitoring System
• Roofing only
• On the same level
• Close to communicate
• No other responsibility
1926.502(h)(1)(iii)-
(v)
Flags too close

88. Covers
• Support twice the weight
• Secured
• Colored coded, or use “Hole,
“Cover”
1926.502(i)(1)-(4)

89. Toeboards
• 50 pounds strength
• 3.5 inches high
1926.502(j)(2)-(3)

90. Fall Protection Plan
• Prepared by qualified person
• Copy at the jobsite
• Document why and where
conventional fall protection
cannot be used
• Names of employees allowed in
the controlled access zone
1926.502(k)(1)-(6)

91. Fall Protection Training
• Employer shall provide a training
program for each employee who
might be exposed to fall hazards.
• The program shall enable each
employee to recognize the
hazards of falling and shall train
each employee in the
procedures to be followed in
order to minimize these hazards.
1926.503(a)(1)