Construction sites pose many safety risks to your crew, especially when they’re working at heights. As a small business owner or safety manager, ensuring your workers have access to the best fall protection equipment is a top priority. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), falls are one of the leading causes of injuries and fatalities in the construction industry. Mitigate the risk by following OSHA’s guidelines for fall protection equipment.
In this article, we’ll discuss some of the most common types of fall protection equipment required on today’s construction sites, along with the relevant OSHA standards that owners of small construction businesses need to know.
What Are the OSHA Guidelines for Fall Protection?
In construction, OSHA’s Subpart M articulates the requirements of when fall protection is needed. It stipulates that when personnel are working at 6 feet or more above a lower level, fall protection is required. Employers also must provide fall protection at heights less than 6 feet if crew members are working above dangerous machinery such as gears or above vats of harmful liquids such as acid.
To learn more about OSHA’s policies on fall protection for non-construction work, you can visit the OSHA website.
What Are Some Common Types of Fall Protection?
The fall protection equipment your building site requires depends on what you’re building. However, here are some general types of fall protection found on many jobsites today.
Guardrails
Guardrails are put in place to prevent workers from falling from an upper level to the level below. OSHA has specific criteria when using guardrails as a means of fall protection. For example, if a wire rope is used as a top rail, it must be flagged every 6 feet with a high-visibility material. Many guardrail systems are fully customizable and portable to suit your needs from one job to the next.
Safety Nets
Whether your crew is working on a bridge or construction site, safety nets can be an effective way to prevent serious injury, death, and tool drop. OSHA has exact specifications that must be followed when equipping your worksite with safety nets. For example, safety nets must be installed as close as practicable to the walking area above and allow for the right amount of clearance so that workers do not hit a hard surface below if they fall onto the net.
Fall Arrest Systems
Fall arrest systems consist of what’s known as the ABCs of personal fall arrest—they feature an Anchorage point, Body harness, and Connectors. Fall arrest systems stop a crew member from continuing to fall. As with guardrails and safety nets, OSHA has specific criteria for compliant fall arrest systems. For example, workers can free-fall a maximum of 6 feet before their fall is arrested, and their fall must be stopped before hitting a lower level. Common components of fall arrest systems may include safety harnesses, locking snap hooks, vertical or horizontal lanyards and lifelines, and anchorage points.
Fall Restraint Systems
While not covered in OSHA’s Subpart M, many workers use fall restraint systems while working at height. These systems utilize anchor points, body belts or safety harnesses, connectors, and other safety equipment to prevent personnel from falling any distance. Typical positions that require fall restraint systems are crane installers, oil rig drillers, roofers, utility workers, and many others.
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Product Compliance and Suitability
The product statements contained in this guide are intended for general informational purposes only. Such product statements do not constitute a product recommendation or representation as to the appropriateness, accuracy, completeness, correctness or currentness of the information provided. Information provided in this guide does not replace the use by you of any manufacturer instructions, technical product manual, or other professional resource or adviser available to you. Always read, understand and follow all manufacturer instructions.