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Fall Protection Basics

We have all seen the vintage photo of the steelworkers leisurely sitting to eat lunch on a an L-beam with their feet dangling over 800 feet in the air overlooking the New York skyline. Although the days of workers “walking the steel” without fall protection are long gone, accidents from falls are still a very present hazard in worker safety.

Did you know:

  • The #1 most cited violation in 2019 is Fall Protection-General Requirements. Fall protection has remained the top cited safety violation since 2010.
  • Falls account for approximately 36% of all deaths in the workplace. These include workers who have fallen off ladders, roofs, scaffolding, large skyscraper construction areas, etc., all due to failure to use proper fall protection.
  • More than 1 in 3 fatal falls in the construction industry were from just 15 feet or less, and almost 1 in 4 fatal falls were from ladders.
  • Many of these workplace accidents and violations could have been easily avoided with a proper fall protection system and fall protection training.
  • One of the most consistently cited violations from OSHA is a lack of Fall Protection Training.

Know your ABC’s: Understanding a Fall Protection System.

Using the ABC’s of Fall Protection make it easy to remember the essentials for a Fall Arrest System.

  • Anchor: The anchor / anchorage connection is the secure point of attachment for the fall-arrest system. The appropriate type of anchor varies by industry needs and the application. Anchors may be temporary or permanent.
  • Body Support: Full body harnesses provide a connection point to the fall arrest system. Harnesses are designed to protect workers in the event of a fall by evenly distributing fall forces over your upper thighs, pelvis, chest, and shoulders.
  • Connecting Device:  These connect your full body harness to the anchorage point. Commonly used devices include shock absorbing lanyards and self-retracting lifelines (SRLs).
  • Descent/Rescue: We will also throw in a letter D to the mix. It is imperative to have a rescue plan in place at your job site in the event of a fall. These devices are used to raise or lower a fallen worker to safety. The tools and training for a safe rescue are the last, but most important step in fall protection.