Falls
Falls are the number one killer in construction, in both the United States and Canada. Yet, falls are readily preventable.
OSHA has a construction standard and a resource page devoted to fall prevention in construction. Generally, the standard requires an employer to provide one of three kinds of fall prevention/protection – guardrails, safety nets or personal fall arrest systems (harnesses) – to every worker exposed to a possible fall of six feet or more. Fall prevention is required on scaffolds ten feet or taller. All workers on a roof must have warning lines, guardrails or lifelines.
The risk of falls can be lowered by implementing a fall prevention/protection plan in the company safety program. Good housekeeping also reduces the chance of slips, trips and falls. The LHSFNA Occupational Safety and Health Division can conduct worksite audits to develop site-specific programs for fall prevention/protection. The Division has collected a set of other fall prevention/protection resources.
The Construction Roundtable of OSHA’s Alliance Program – unions, employer associations, contractors, insurers and manufacturers – developed the following fall prevention/protection guidelines:
Employers
- Develop a written fall prevention/protection plan.
- Identify potential fall hazards prior to each project and during daily walk-arounds. Pay attention to hazards associated ith routine and non-routine tasks.
- Eliminate the need for fall protection where possible by rescheduling the task, isolating the task or changing the task.
- Ensure that fall protection equipment is appropriate to the task, in good condition and used properly.
- Conduct general fall prevention training on a regular basis.
- Train workers on the specific, identified fall hazards and on the required personal protective equipment.
- Conduct regular inspections of fall protection equipment in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations and OSHA’s requirements.
- Emphasize fall hazards unique to the site, such as open floor holes or shafts, riser penetrations and skylights.
- Team up with other construction employers and employees to identify best practices and share fall prevention solutions.
- Get more information from OSHA or call 800-321-OSHA.
Employees
- Understand your company’s written fall prevention plan.
- Attend and participate in fall prevention training.
- Use fall protection equipment if required for the job. Be sure the equipment is right for the task, fits properly and is in good condition.
- Inspect fall protection equipment and devices before each use.
- Make sure that floor holes, open shafts and riser penetrations are protected by sturdy guardrails or covers.
- Get specialized training before working on scaffolds, lifts or ladders.
- When using scaffolds, make sure there is proper access, full planking, stable footing and stable guardrailing.
- On a boom lift, keep your feet firmly on the platform and tie-off at all times.
- Chose the correct ladder for the task, read the instructions and be sure the ladder is in good condition. Check for surrounding hazards, stable footing and the proper angle.
- Identify skylights and make sure they are properly protected.
- Contact your supervisor if you see fall hazards or have any questions about fall prevention. Do not work until unsafe conditions have been corrected.
- Get more information from OSHA or call 800-321-OSHA.
Falls
Falls are the number one killer in construction, in both the United States and Canada. Yet, falls are readily preventable.
OSHA has a construction standard and a resource page devoted to fall prevention in construction. Generally, the standard requires an employer to provide one of three kinds of fall prevention/protection – guardrails, safety nets or personal fall arrest systems (harnesses) – to every worker exposed to a possible fall of six feet or more. Fall prevention is required on scaffolds ten feet or taller. All workers on a roof must have warning lines, guardrails or lifelines.
The risk of falls can be lowered by implementing a fall prevention/protection plan in the company safety program. Good housekeeping also reduces the chance of slips, trips and falls. The LHSFNA Occupational Safety and Health Division can conduct worksite audits to develop site-specific programs for fall prevention/protection. The Division has collected a set of other fall prevention/protection resources.
The Construction Roundtable of OSHA’s Alliance Program – unions, employer associations, contractors, insurers and manufacturers – developed the following fall prevention/protection guidelines:
Employers
- Develop a written fall prevention/protection plan.
- Identify potential fall hazards prior to each project and during daily walk-arounds. Pay attention to hazards associated ith routine and non-routine tasks.
- Eliminate the need for fall protection where possible by rescheduling the task, isolating the task or changing the task.
- Ensure that fall protection equipment is appropriate to the task, in good condition and used properly.
- Conduct general fall prevention training on a regular basis.
- Train workers on the specific, identified fall hazards and on the required personal protective equipment.
- Conduct regular inspections of fall protection equipment in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations and OSHA’s requirements.
- Emphasize fall hazards unique to the site, such as open floor holes or shafts, riser penetrations and skylights.
- Team up with other construction employers and employees to identify best practices and share fall prevention solutions.
- Get more information from OSHA or call 800-321-OSHA.
Employees
- Understand your company’s written fall prevention plan.
- Attend and participate in fall prevention training.
- Use fall protection equipment if required for the job. Be sure the equipment is right for the task, fits properly and is in good condition.
- Inspect fall protection equipment and devices before each use.
- Make sure that floor holes, open shafts and riser penetrations are protected by sturdy guardrails or covers.
- Get specialized training before working on scaffolds, lifts or ladders.
- When using scaffolds, make sure there is proper access, full planking, stable footing and stable guardrailing.
- On a boom lift, keep your feet firmly on the platform and tie-off at all times.
- Chose the correct ladder for the task, read the instructions and be sure the ladder is in good condition. Check for surrounding hazards, stable footing and the proper angle.
- Identify skylights and make sure they are properly protected.
- Contact your supervisor if you see fall hazards or have any questions about fall prevention. Do not work until unsafe conditions have been corrected.
- Get more information from OSHA or call 800-321-OSHA.
Fall Protection
OSH StaffSun Sense Plus 2020
A Financial Health Checkup for the New Year
As More States Legalize Marijuana, Contradictions Remain
COVID-19 Risk Differs Widely Across Racial and Ethnic Lines
January 2021
Looking into a New Year of Construction Laborer Injury Data
The Root Cause of COVID-19 Outbreaks in Construction
The Top 10 LHSFNA Articles of 2020
Where We Stand with COVID-19 Entering 2021
Coronavirus & COVID-19 Resources
COVID-19’s Disproportionate Impact Across Racial Lines
Feeling Down? You May Have Seasonal Affective Disorder
COVID-19 Deaths Lower in Unionized Nursing Homes
A Decade of Treating LIUNA Members at the World Trade Center Health Program
December 2020
Health & Safety Headlines
Historic Election Brings Victory for Labor, Hope for the Future
Holiday Gatherings During COVID-19
Precision Environmental & ProCut Raising the Bar in Demolition Safety
Fall Prevention Online Resources
LHSFNA
PEST (Photo Enforcement Safety Tip) Sheet Scaffolds
U.S.
American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) SH&E Digest
California Health Department
Preventing Falls through Skylights (video)
Preventing Fall in the Solar Industry
Ladders – Extension; also in Spanish
Ladders – Step; also in Spanish
CPWR
Choosing and Inspecting Ladders
Don't Fall for It! (Video; English; 81MB; high-resolution file to download or view)
Don't Fall for It! (Video; Spanish; 81MB; high-resolution file to download or view)
Don't Fall for It! (Video; English; 27MB; medium-resolution file to download or view)
Don't Fall for It! (Video; Spanish; 27MB; medium-resolution file to download or view)
Fall Protection Harnesses (Spanish)
Construction Roundtable
Prevention of Fall Fatalities and Injuries in Construction
Prevencion de fatalidades y lesiones de caidas en la industrial de la construccion
Fall Protection Resource for New Home Construction
ISEA's Fall Protection Equipment Buying Guide
Labor Occupational Health Program (UC Berkeley)
Fall Protection Training Guide (Spanish), Checklist (Spanish), Case Studies (Spanish)
Guardrails Training Guide (Spanish), Checklist (Spanish)
Portable Ladders Training Guide (Spanish), Checklist (Spanish), Case Study (Spanish)
Scaffolds Training Guide (Spanish), Checklist (Spanish), Case Study (Spanish)
Massachusetts Department of Public Health Ladder Safety for Residential Contractors
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) Portable Skid-Mounted Fall Protection System
NIOSH
Campaign to Prevent Falls in Construction
Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) reports (search Falls in Construction)
NORA Goals on Fall Prevention (see page 15)
National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) Building Design Elements for Enhanced Fall Protection for Construction and Maintenance Personnel
Oregon OSHA
Fall Protection for the Construction Industry
Fall Protection Options for Specialty Contractors (Spanish)
Safe Practices for Setting and Bracing Wood Trusses and Rafters (Spanish)
Safe Practices for Setting Floor Joists, Sheathing/Decking, and Constructing Exterior Walls
OSHA
OSHA's Fall Prevention Campaign
1926 Subpart M - Fall Protection
1926.500 - Scope, application, and definitions applicable to this subpart.
1926.501 - Duty to have fall protection.
1926.502 - Fall protection systems criteria and practices.
1926.503 - Training requirements.
1926 Subpart M App A - Determining Roof Widths - Non-mandatory Guidelines for Complying with 1926.501(b)(10)
1926 Subpart M App B - Guardrail Systems - Non-Mandatory Guidelines for Complying with 1926.502(b)
1926 Subpart M App C - Personal Fall Arrest Systems - Non-Mandatory Guidelines for Complying with 1926.502(d)
1926 Subpart M App D - Positioning Device Systems - Non-Mandatory Guidelines for Complying with 1926.502(e)
1926 Subpart M App E - Sample Fall Protection Plan - Non-Mandatory Guidelines for Complying with 1926.502(k)
OSHA Alliance Program’s Workplace Design Solutions to Prevent Falls in Construction
Washington State Department of Labor and Industries
Canada
Construction Safety Association of Ontario
Fall Protection – Approvals and Inspection
Scaffolds – Structural Components
Special Issue on Falls in Construction (Summer, 2009)
Falls from the Top Plate (WorksafeBC video)
International
British Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
Fall from a Mobile Elevated Work Platform
Fall Hazard Interactive Learning Tool
Fall Whilst Using a Stepladder
Joint Problem Solving: Working at Heights Up to 4.5 Meters
Ladder Exchange Program (HSE podcast)
Preventing Falls from Boom-Type Mobile Elevated Work Platforms
Safe Use of Ladders and Stepladders
Shattered Lives Campaign (Slips and Trips)