The presentation discusses fall protection and prevention methods in construction, emphasizing that falls are the leading cause of fatalities in the industry. Key topics include assessing fall hazards, types of fall protection systems such as personal fall arrest systems, guardrails, and safety nets, along with the criteria for when these systems must be implemented. The importance of training workers to recognize and minimize fall hazards is also highlighted.

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Fall Protection

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This presentation will discuss:
• Types of Fall protection and prevention.
• Key areas where Fall protection/prevention are
commonly used.
• How to assess the Fall Hazard in order to utilize
the proper Fall protection/ prevention methods.
Fall Protection

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•Falls are the leading cause of deaths in the
construction industry.
•Most fatalities occur when employees fall from open-
sided floors and through floor openings.
•Falls from as little as 4 to 6 feet can cause serious
lost-time accidents and sometimes death.
•Open-sided floors and platforms 6 feet or more in
height must be guarded.
Falls in Construction

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At the end of this topic, you will be able to:
• List at least four methods of fall protection
available for protecting workers.
• Understand how to assess a Fall hazard and
whether or not to use Fall prevention or protection
measures.
• State the main criteria that prompts use of fall
protection for construction workers.
Fall Protection

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Personal Fall
Arrest System
(PFAS)
Guardrails Safety Net
Fall Protection Options

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Fall protection systems and work practices
must be in place before you start work.
Fall Protection Planning and
Assessment
Improper use and
assessment of Fall
Prevention!!!

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Personal Fall Arrest Systems
• You must be trained how to
properly use PFAS, through
classroom and hands-on training.
• A Personal Fall Arrest System
includes the following components:
anchorage, lanyard/ retractable and
body harness.

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Must be independent of
any platform anchorage
and capable of supporting
at least 5,000 lbs. per
worker.
Safety Line Anchorages

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• Top rail is set at 42” +/- 3”, allowable range of
39” to 45”
• Toeboards at least 3 1/2 inches high
Top Rail
Mid- Rail
Toeboard
Guardrails

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Place as close as possible, but no more than 30 feet
below where employees work.
Safety Nets

11. Work Positioning Device
• A Work Positioning Device is utilized as a
means of Fall Prevention versus Fall
Protection.
• The components of a Work Positioning
Device are similar to using a PFAS; generally
consisting of an anchorage point, lifeline
and body harness.
• A Work Positioning Device is utilized
horizontally versus vertically as a PFAS.
OSHA Office of Training & Education 11

12. When Fall Protection is Needed
• Walkways & ramps
• Open sides & edges
• Holes
• Concrete forms &
rebar
• Excavations
• Roofs
• Wall openings
• Bricklaying
• Residential
Construction
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Guard ramps,
runways, and
other walkways,
e.g. (Stairways,
walk boards and
access platforms.)
Walkways and Ramps

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In residential construction,
you must be protected if
you can fall more than 6
feet.
Fall Protection - Residential
Construction

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Unprotected Sides & Edges
Unprotected sides and edges must have
guardrails or equivalent.

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Sides & Edges - Improper Guarding
This 1/4" nylon rope
alone is NOT a proper
way to guard this
open floor

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• Where a fall hazard of 6’ or
more exists, Fall Protection
and/or prevention methods
MUST be used.
• This opening could be made
safe by utilizing a Guardrail
system, PFAS or construction
grade OSHA compliant cover.
Sky Lights and Other Openings

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• Any hole 2” or larger
must be covered,
secured and marked with
high visibility material.
•Larger holes that may
also represent a fall
hazard can be guarded
with Guardrails or the
equivalent thereof.
Floor Holes

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• Use PFAS/Guardrail
system when working
on formwork or rebar
• Cover or cap
protruding rebar to
eliminate Impalement
hazards.
Concrete Forms and Rebar

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If you work on roofs and can fall
more than 6 feet, you must be protected.
Roofs

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If you work near wall openings 6 feet or more above lower
levels you must be protected from falling.
Wall Openings

22. Good Work Practices
• Perform work at ground level if possible
Example: building prefab roofs on the ground and
lifting into place with a crane
• Tether or restrain workers so they can't reach the
edge
• Designate and use safety monitors (This is less
desirable of all the systems)
• Use conventional fall protection
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The training is to teach you:
• How to recognize hazards
• How to minimize hazards
The training must cover:
• Fall hazards
• Fall protection systems
• Use of fall protection devices
Training

24. Summary
• If you can fall more than 6 feet, you must be
protected and/or prevented from falling.
• Use fall protection on:
• walkways & ramps, open sides & edges, holes,
concrete forms & rebar, excavations, roofs, wall
openings, bricklaying, residential construction
• Protective measures include guardrails, covers,
safety nets, work positioning device and Personal
Fall Arrest Systems.
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