Fall Protection

Updated March 2018.

Each employee on a walking/working surface with an unprotected side or edge 6' or more above a lower level shall be protected from falling by the use of a guardrail system, safety net system or personal fall arrest system (PFAS) in construction areas. For general industry, the distance requirement is 4'.

In general requirements, all places of employment, passageways, storerooms, service rooms, and walking-working surfaces are kept in a clean, dry (to the extent possible), orderly, and sanitary condition.

Employees on Walking or Working Surfaces Shall be Protected from:

  • Falling through holes (including skylights) more than 6' (for construction) or 4' (for general industry) above lower levels by PFAS, covers, or guardrail systems erected around such holes.
  • Tripping or stepping into or through holes (including skylights) by covers or guard rails.  
  • Objects falling through holes (including skylights) by covers.

Stairways:

Open sides of stairs with 4 or more risers must be provided with a standard stair railing on each open side. The height of the top rail shall be at least 36” above the stair tread, in-line with the face of the riser, at the forward edge of the stair tread. Stairways with both sides enclosed must have a hand rail 30-37” above the stair tread, in-line with the face of the riser, at the forward edge of the tread.


Excavations during Construction:

  • Each employee at the edge of an excavation 6' or more in depth shall be protected from falling by the use of guardrail systems, fences, or barricades when the excavations are not readily seen because of plant growth or other visual barriers.
  • Use of a warning system, such as barricade, stop log, or signals, must be used when mobile equipment is operated near or approaching the edge of an excavation and the operator does not have clear view of the edge.
  • Walkways constructed to traverse across an excavation 6' or more in depth, must be provided with a standard guard railing on each open side.
  • Each employee at the edge of a well, pit, shaft or similar excavation 6 ft or more in depth shall be protected from falling by a guardrail system, fence, barricade or cover.

Working Above Dangerous Equipment:

  • Similar to the above requirements for “Employees on Walking or Working Surfaces,” employees working above dangerous equipment shall be protected from falling into equipment. Guard rails, travel restraint or other appropriate fall protection method can be used.
  • See “ladder safety” for separate fall protection requirements

Roofing Operations (Construction):

Employees on steep roofs (more than 4/12 pitch) with unprotected sides and edges 6 ft or more above lower levels shall be protected from falling by a guardrail system with toeboards, safety nets or PFAS. Low-slope roofs (up to 4/12 pitch) can use the same as above in combination with a warning line system or a warning line system and safety monitor.


Roofing Operations (General Industry):

Working on roof tops for installation or repair of equipment are part of 29 CFR 1910.22 and .28. The employer must ensure that the employee has safe access and egress to and from the working surfaces. Any ladders used to gain access must meet the requirements for ladder safety.

 

Members! Read the full Fall Protection topic online, including information on:

• Wall Openings

• Protection from Falling Objects

• Hoist Areas