Fall Protection Standards in the USA: OSHA Requirements for Every Industry

Fall Protection Standards in the USA: OSHA Requirements for Every Industry

Falls are the leading cause of workplace fatalities in the United States, accounting for hundreds of deaths and tens of thousands of injuries every year. OSHA has established comprehensive fall protection standards for every major industry. Here is what you need to know.

General Industry Fall Protection (29 CFR 1910 Subpart D)

In general industry, fall protection is required at heights of 4 feet or more. Key requirements include:

• Guardrail systems on all open-sided floors and platforms 4 feet or more above the adjacent floor
• Safety net systems or personal fall arrest systems (PFAS) where guardrails are not feasible
• Floor hole covers for openings that workers could fall through
• Stairway and ladder safety requirements

Construction Fall Protection (29 CFR 1926 Subpart M)

In construction, fall protection is required at heights of 6 feet or more. Requirements include:

• Guardrail systems, safety net systems, or PFAS for all work at 6 feet or more
• Specific requirements for roofing work, scaffolding, and leading edge work
• Fall protection plans for certain activities where conventional systems are infeasible

Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS)

A PFAS consists of three components:

• Anchorage: Must support at least 5,000 pounds per worker attached
• Body harness: Full-body harness required (body belts are no longer acceptable for fall arrest)
• Connecting device: Lanyard, self-retracting lifeline (SRL), or rope grab

Inspection and Maintenance

All fall protection equipment must be inspected before each use. Remove from service any equipment that shows signs of damage, wear, or has been subjected to a fall arrest load.

Training Requirements

OSHA requires employers to train workers who might be exposed to fall hazards. Training must cover recognition of fall hazards and the procedures to minimize them.

Conclusion

Fall protection is a life-safety issue. RANOVA USA carries full-body harnesses, lanyards, self-retracting lifelines, and anchorage equipment to support your fall protection program.