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Fall Protection in Construction

Fall Protection Systems

There are 2 basic fall protection systems:
• Active Systems- Personal Fall Protection - Safety belts & Body harnesses
• Passive Systems- Fall Prevention - Guardrails, safety nets, floor covers, wall openings, etc.
Guardrails are the preferred system of fall protection before personal fall protection is considered.

Common Active Systems Common Passive Systems

Components of active personal Guardrails are required at 7
fall protection system: ½’ high on open:
 Anchor point – must be  Edges of floors & roofs
adequately strong  Scaffolds
 Harness (or body belt for fall  Runways, ramps
restraint or positioning) must  Elevated platforms
be worn as per manufacturer Major design specifications:
instructions.
 Connector (lanyard) must be  Constructed of wood or equivalent material
rigged so worker does not hit  Top rail at 42” to 45” and a midrail
the ground below.  Wooden posts must be no more than 8’ apart
 Top rail must withstand a 200 lbs load
Types of active personal fall protection systems: Safety nets are good for high
1. Personal Fall Arrest System entry ways and cathedral ceiling
2. Personal Fall Restraint System areas of residential homes.
3. Positioning Devices They must be installed
according to manufacturer’s
Personal Fall Arrest System instructions.

 Use harnesses not body belts Floor covers need to be provided for
 Use shock absorbing lanyard all floor openings including ground
with 2 locking snap hooks floor openings, floor holes, and
 Anchorage point must support skylight openings regardless of the fall
heights. Floor openings can be
5,000 lbs alternatively guarded by guardrails.
 Inspect before use
Wall openings that are greater
 Inspect & document each system at least twice a year than 30” high and 18” wide need
 Plan for a prompt rescue to be protected with guardrails
when the bottom of the opening
Personal Fall Restraint System is less than 36” and the fall is
 Rigged so there is no more than 4’.
free fall over the edge Ladder openings need to be
 A harness or body belt guarded with off-set guardrails or
may be used a swinging gate must be
 Anchor must support 4 provided.
times the intended load

Positioning Devices Contacting Cal/OSHA Consultation Service
Publications: www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/PubOrder.asp
 A harness or body belt may be
used Consultation Programs: www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/consultation.html
 Rigged so there is no more than Toll-free Number: 1-800-963-9424
2’ free fall Onsite Assistance Program Area Offices:
 Anchor must support 2 times Central Valley: 559-454-1295; San Diego/Imperial: 619-767-2060
intended load or 3,000 lbs No. California: 916 263-0704; San Bernardino: 909-383-4567
SF/Bay Area: 510-622-2891; San Fernando Valley: 818-901-5754
whichever is greater. Santa Fe Springs/LA/Orange: 714-562-5525

The information is not neither a substitute for nor legal interpretation of the occupational safety and health regulations. Readers need to refer directly to Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations for detailed
information regarding the regulation’s scope specifications exceptions and for other requirements that may be applicable to their operations

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