29 CFR PART 1926

Subpart M
FALL PROTECTION

HGS
I. WHY FALL PROTECTION?
 OSHA estimates that at least 68,000 injuries
& 95 fatalities occur each year due to occu-
pational related falls from elevations.

 An OSHA study involving 100 fall related

fatalities suggests that virtually all of those
deaths could have been PREVENTED if a fall
protection system had been in use.

 Most frequently cited “serious violation” by OSHA in

1998 was unprotected sides and edges.
DID YOU KNOW?

 Falls from more than 30 feet

account for 58% of fatalities.

• 22% between 21’ and 30’.

• 20% from 20’ or less.
 Recognizing that fall-related fatalities /
serious injuries were a pertinent safety
problem in the construction industry, OSHA
revised the construction industry safety
standards related to fall protection systems
and procedures.

 OSHA’s revision of subpart M was effective

February 6, 1995.
The revised Fall Protection Standard covers
the below human and equipment related
issues:

 The need to know when protection is

required.

 The types of fall protection equipment /

systems to use to provide protection.

 The proper training in selection, use and

maintenance of fall protection systems.
II. WHEN IS FALL
PROTECTION REQUIRED?

 The employer must provide equipment and

training to employees to protect them from
falling off of, onto, or through working levels
that are 6 FEET OR MORE above lower levels,
and to protect them from falling objects.

 Fall protection must be provided and installed

BEFORE ALLOWING any employee to begin
work or be exposed to a hazardous area that
requires fall protection.
Scope / Application of Fall
Protection Standard
 Not all workplaces, conditions, operations
and circumstances for which fall protection
shall be provided is covered by subpart M.

 Fall protection requirements for employees

working on scaffolds can be found in subpart
L.

 Fall protection requirements for employees

working on certain cranes and derricks can
be found in subpart N.
Scope / Application of Fall
Protection Standard
 Fall protection requirements for employees
performing steel erection work in buildings
can be found subpart R.

 Fall protection requirements for employees

working on certain types of equipment used
in tunneling operations can be found in
subpart S.
 Fall protection requirements for employees
working on stairways and ladders can be
found in subpart X .
Scope / Application of Fall
Protection Standard
 The provisions of this subpart do not apply when
employees are making an inspection, investigation
or assessment of workplace conditions before the
actual start of construction work or after all
construction work has been completed.

 If certain employers can demonstrate that it’s

infeasible or creates a greater hazard to use
standard fall protection measures, they can
develop & implement a written fall protection plan
that meets the provisions of 29 CFR 1926.502 (k).
Scope / Application of Fall
Protection Standard
 This option is available only to employers with
employees engaged in leading edge work ,
precast concrete erection work, and residential
construction work.
 The employer has the burden of proof that the
plan they’re implementing is appropriate and
that another means is infeasible.
 Interim Fall Protection Compliance Guidelines
for residential construction are currently under
review, that would allow the option of using
various non-standard fall protection measures,
without the need to develop a written plan.
III. METHODS OF PROVIDING
FALL PROTECTION ARE
DESCRIBED BELOW:
A. GUARDRAILS:

• A guardrail is defined as a barrier installed to

prevent falls to lower levels.

• Guardrails are used to protect workers from

falls from:
- Unprotected sides and edges.
- Through openings (floor, wall, roof).
- Ramps, runways, and walkways.
- Into excavations or onto dangerous
equipment.
A. GUARDRAILS
• Guardrails are required to have a toprail,
midrail, and toeboards (if personnel are
working underneath).

• Toprail should be at least 1/4” diameter

and be substantially installed between 39
-45” high (preferably 42”).

• Toprails must be capable of withstanding a

200 lb. force.
A. GUARDRAILS
• Midrails should be positioned roughly half way
between floor and toprail (about 21” high) and be
capable of withstanding a 150 lb. force.

• Midrails must extend the entire distance of the top

rail; steel or plastic banding cannot be used as
top or midrail.

• As warranted by pedestrian traffic or workers

below, a standard 4” toeboard must be installed
around the perimeter of the work area.
A. GUARDRAILS
• If wire rope is used for toprails, it must be
flagged at not more than 6’ intervals with
high visibility tape.

• If synthetic rope is used for top or midrails,

it must be inspected frequently for
strength.

• When guardrails are used around holes, all

unprotected sides / edges must be
protected.
B. SAFETY NETS
• Safety nets may be used as protection for:

- Unprotected sides and wall openings.

- Leading edge work.
- Working on the face of formwork or
reinforcing steel.
- Precast concrete work.
- Residential construction.
- Bridge work.
B. SAFETY NETS
• The requirements for the use of safety nets
are:

- The net must be installed as close as

possible under where you’re working,
but never more than 30’ below.

- Safety nets must extend outward from the

edge of your work area as noted on the
following slide:
B. SAFETY NETS
Minimum Distance
Vertical Drop From Net Must Extend From

Working Surface Edge of Work Area

Up to 5 feet 8 feet

>5 to 10 feet 10 feet

More than 10 feet 13 feet

B. SAFETY NETS

• After safety nets are installed they must be

drop tested or certified before use.

• Safety nets must also be drop tested or

certified whenever they’re relocated,
repaired, and every 6 months if the net is in
one location that long.
B. SAFETY NETS
• Safety nets in use must be inspected at
least once/week for wear, damage, and
other deterioration. Defective nets or
components must be replaced before use.

• Materials, scrap, equipment, and tools

which have fallen into the safety net must
be removed as soon as possible and at
least before the next work shift.
C. PERSONAL FALL ARREST
EQUIPMENT (PFAE)
 Personal fall arrest equipment (body harness
and lanyard) protects you from a fall / different
level.

 Personal fall arrest equipment will be used to

protect employees from falls when working 6’ or
higher when other means of fall protection are
not feasible.

 Requirements for Personal Fall Arrest

Equipment and its use are noted on the
following slides.
C. PERSONAL FALL ARREST
EQUIPMENT (PFAE)
• A horizontal lifeline must be designed,
installed and used under the supervision of a
qualified person.

• Lanyards and vertical lifelines must have a

minimum breaking strength of 5,000 lbs.

• Only one worker can attach to a vertical

lifeline.

• The lifeline must be inspected to check for

cuts / abrasions before and during work.
C. PERSONAL FALL ARREST
EQUIPMENT (PFAE)
• Rope straps (webbing) used must be made of
synthetic fibers.

• The attachment point of a full body harness

must be in the center of the back near your
shoulders.

• A Personal Fall Arrest system, when

stopping a fall, should be rigged so a worker:
- Cannot free fall more than 6’, nor;
- Cannot contact any lower level.
C. PERSONAL FALL ARREST
EQUIPMENT (PFAE)
• A rescue plan must be worked out in case
of a fall so the employee can be promptly
rescued.
• Fall arrest equipment must be inspected
prior to each use for damage, wear or other
deterioration; defective equipment must
not be used.
• Personal fall arrest equipment may not be
attached to guardrails, hoists, or anchor-
ages being used to support or suspend
platforms.
C. PERSONAL FALL ARREST
EQUIPMENT (PFAE)
• Anchorages used for attachment of
personal fall arrest equipment shall be
capable of supporting at least 5,000 lbs.
per employee attached.

• Horizontal lifelines must be installed by a

qualified person, as part of a personal fall
arrest system, with a Safety Factor of at
least TWO.
C. PERSONAL FALL ARREST
EQUIPMENT (PFAE)
 COMMON OPERATIONS / AREAS REQUIRING TYING
OFF INCLUDE:

 Open sided floor and roof areas.

 Floor and roof openings.
 Scaffold erection.
 Installation of guardrails.
 Working on ladders near edges / openings.
 Working near protruding reinforcing steel.
 Working in elevator shafts, and on bridges.
C. PERSONAL FALL ARREST
EQUIPMENT (PFAE)
• Body harnesses / lanyards are to be used
for fall protection for employee safety - and
NOT FOR lifting loads, binding loads, etc.

• D-rings and snaphooks shall have a

minimum tensile strength of 5,000 lbs.

• Effective January 1, 1998 only “locking

type” snaphooks shall be used.

• Effective January 1, 1998 body belts not

allowed for fall arrest.
 D. SAFETY MONITORING
SYSTEM
 A SAFETY MONITORING SYSTEM is used in
conjunction with warning lines and must
include appointing a “competent person”
safety monitor to observe, instruct and warn
employees in the work area of fall hazards.

 This method of fall protection is frequently

used by commercial roofers on low sloped
roofs (< or equal to 4 in 12 pitch).

 A SAFETY MONITORING SYSTEM may be used

alone when working on a roof that is 50’ or
less in width.
D . SAFETY MONITORING
SYSTEM
• The person chosen as the safety monitor
MUST:

- Be competent to recognize fall hazards.

- Warn the employee when the employee

is unaware of a fall hazard or is acting in
an unsafe manner.

- Be positioned on the same working sur-

face and within sight of the employees
being monitored.
D . SAFETY MONITORING
SYSTEM
• The person chosen as the safety monitor
MUST: (continued)

- Be able to be heard by employees.

- Have no other responsibilities that could

affect the monitor’s attention.

- Allow only qualified workers necessary to

perform specific duties in the work area.
E. CONTROLLED ACCESS
ZONES
• Leading edge work.
• Overhand brick laying.
• Pre-cast concrete construction.
• Must be segregated by a control line.

• Accessible only to those qualified

employees necessary to perform the work.

• Must utilize “competent person” safety

monitor and have a written fall protection
plan.
F. COVERS
• Covers must be placed over floor and roof
openings, gaps and other holes 2” or more
in their least dimension.
• Covers must be secured to prevent dis-
placement due to wind, equipment or
workers.
• Covers must be capable of supporting two
times the imposed load of workers, eqt.,
tools, materials, etc.
• Hole covers must be clearly marked “Hole”
or “Cover” to provide hazard warning.
G. WARNING LINES
• Warning lines are typically used in con-
junction with a safety monitoring system, but
can also be used with guardrails, safety nets,
and/or PFAE.

• Warning lines are set up near the edge of all

open sides, at least 6’ from the edge.

• Warning lines must be made of ropes, wires,

or chains and supporting stan-chions, and
must have a minimum tensile strength of 500
lbs.
G. WARNING LINES
• Warning lines must be flagged at intervals
of 6’ or less.

• No employee shall be allowed in the area

between an open roof edge and warning
line unless the employee is performing
roofing work in that area.
H. POSITIONING DEVICES
• Positioning devices are typically used on
the face of formwork and reinforcing steel
structures, and other situations where the
employee’s hands must be free to work.

• Positioning device systems must be set up

so that an employee cannot fall more than
two feet.

• Safety belts are OK for use.

I. PROTECTION FROM
FALLING OBJECTS
 Hard hats must be worn at all times to provide
protection from falling objects.

 Employees must also be protected from fall-ing

objects by one or more of the following
methods.

• Toeboards installed along the edge of all

unprotected sides / edges where there is a
possibility of materials, equipment, or tools
being dropped or falling onto workers below.
I. PROTECTION FROM
FALLING OBJECTS
• Guardrails that have openings small
enough to prevent passage of potential
falling objects.

• Proper storage methods.

• Canopies and barricades.

J. FALL PROTECTION FROM
SCISSORS & AERIAL LIFTS

- A key factor is whether the boom mounted

platform can be positioned OUTSIDE THE
WHEEL BASE; if it can (ie aerial lift) then a
body harness system is required.

- Otherwise it falls into the scissors lift

category.
J. FALL PROTECTION FROM
SCISSORS & AERIAL LIFTS

-The reason for requiring a body harness

when using an aerial lift is the possibility
of being bounced out of a basket or off a
platform.

- They are also called extendible or articu-

lating boom supported platforms, aerial
ladders, or bucket trucks.
I. FALL PROTECTION FROM
SCISSORS & AERIAL LIFTS

- A body harness shall be worn and a

lanyard attached to the boom or basket
when working from an aerial lift.
I. FALL PROTECTION FROM
SCISSORS & AERIAL LIFTS
 Employees working on scissors lifts are not
required by OSHA or ANSI standards to wear a
body harness while on platforms equipped with
guardrails, as long as the platform remains
within the wheel base.

 Hard hats must be worn at all times to provide

protection from falling objects.

 If the guardrails are removed or ineffective, then

other means of fall protection must be provided.
 IV. EMPLOYEE TRAINING
 Employees are required to be trained in the proper selection
and use of fall protection equipment by a competent person if
they will be exposed to fall hazards.

The training should include:

- Recognition of fall hazards and how to

minimize exposure.

- Correct procedures for erecting, maintaining,

disassembling and inspecting fall protection
systems and equipment used.
 IV. EMPLOYEE TRAINING

- Proper use of fall protection equipment.

- Understanding of OSHA fall protection

standards.

 All competent person and employee training

needs to be documented.

 Retraining will be conducted at least annually

for “competent persons” and as needed for
employees exposed to falls.
 THE END