The A-B-Cs of Fall Protection

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If there is no way to eliminate all fall protection hazards, employers must provide employees with a personal fall arrest system. Three key components of the Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS) must be in place and properly used to provide maximum worker protection. Individually these components will not provide protection from a fall. However, when used properly and in conjunction with each other, they form a Personal Fall Arrest System that becomes vitally important for safety on the job site.

Anchorage/Anchorage Connector
Anchorage: Commonly referred to as a tie-off point (Ex: I-beam, rebar, scaffolding, lifeline, etc.)
Anchorage Connector: Used to join the connecting device to the anchorage (Ex: cross-arm strap, beam anchor, D-bolt, hook anchor, etc.)

Anchorages must be capable of supporting 5,000 pounds (22kN) of force per worker.
Must be high enough for a worker to avoid contact with a lower level should a fall occur.
The anchorage connector should be positioned to avoid a “swing fall.”

Body Wear
Body Wear: The personal protective equipment worn by the worker (Ex: full-body harness)

Only form of body wear acceptable for fall arrest is the full-body harness.
Should be selected based on work to be performed and the work environment.
Side and front D-rings are for positioning only.

Connecting Device
Connecting Device: The critical link which joins the body wear to the anchorage/anchorage connector (Ex: shock-absorbing lanyard, fall limiter, self-retracting lifeline, rope grab, etc.)

Potential fall distance must be calculated to determine type of connecting device to be used – typically, under 18-1/2 ft. (5.6m), always use a self-retracting lifeline/fall limiter; over 18-1/2 ft. (5.6m), use a shock-absorbing lanyard or self-retracting lifeline/fall limiter.
Should also be selected based on work to be performed and the work environment.
Shock-absorbing lanyards can expand up to 3-1/2 ft. (1.1m) when arresting a fall; attach lanyards to the harness back D-ring only; never tie a knot in any web lanyard – it reduces the strength by 50%.

If there is no way to eliminate all fall protection hazards, employers must provide employees with a personal fall arrest system.

An early step for every company with employees working in dangerous environments is writing a fall protection plan. Safety Managers are responsible for writing and updating a plan that ensures that their company’s workplaces and practices are structured to prevent employees from falling off of overhead platforms, leading edges, open-sided floors, elevated work stations or into holes in the floor and walls.

The purpose of the plan is to identify, manage and control the fall hazards by eliminating them with fall prevention methods. When this is not possible, employers must install or provide fall protection equipment or systems to guard against falls from elevation. This written program needs to address how the employer will manage and control existing fall hazards.

OSHA provides a Sample Fall Protection Plan that outlines the elements that must be addressed in any fall protection plan. Miller Fall Protection provides guidance on Developing a Fall Protection Program.

Our safety partner, Safety Plus, Inc., has provided an editable fall protection policy (MS Word format) that you may download and use for your business.