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Fall Protection
Presented by Emile SOB N. , Pet. Eng.
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Falls are the leading cause of deaths in the
construction industry.
Most fatalities occur when employees fall from open-
sided floors and through floor openings.
Falls from as little as 4 to 6 feet can cause serious
lost-time accidents and sometimes death.
Open-sided floors and platforms 6 feet or more in
height must be guarded.
Falls in Construction
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This presentation will discuss:
The working conditions that
prompt use of fall protection
Options that are available to
protect workers from falls
Fall Protection
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At the end of this topic, you will be able to:
List at least four methods of fall
protection available for protecting workers
State the main criteria that prompts use of
fall protection for construction workers
Fall Protection
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Fall-at-the-same-level
When you fall to the
surface you are walking
or standing on, or fall
into or against objects at
or above the surface.
Two types of Falls:
Fall-to-lower-level
When you fall to a level
below the one on which
you are walking,
working, or standing.
Step or stairs
Ladder
Platform
Loading dock
Equipment
Etc.
For example:
Definitions
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Personal Fall
Arrest System
(PFAS)
Guardrails
Safety Net
Fall Protection Options
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Fall protection systems and work practices
must be in place before you start work.
Lanyards and PFAS in use
Fall Protection Planning
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Personal Fall Arrest Systems
You must be trained how to properly use PFAS.
PFAS = anchorage, lifeline and body harness.
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Must be independent of
any platform anchorage
and capable of
supporting at least
5,000 lbs. per worker
Safety Line Anchorages
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Fall Distances using shock-absorbing larnyards
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Top rails between 39 and 45 inches tall
Toeboards at least 3 1/2 inches high
Top Rail
Mid- Rail
Toeboard
Guardrails
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Place as close as possible, but no more than 30
feet below where employees work
Safety Nets
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When Fall Protection is Needed
Walkways & ramps
Open sides & edges
Holes
Concrete forms &
rebar
Excavations
Roofs
Wall openings
Bricklaying
Residential
Construction
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Guard ramps, runways, and other walkways
Walkways and Ramps
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In residential construction, you must be
protected if you can fall more than 6 feet
Fall Protection -
Residential Construction
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Unprotected edge
Unprotected Sides & Edges
Unprotected sides and edges must
have guardrails or equivalent
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Sides & Edges - Improper Guarding
This 1/4" nylon rope alone is not a proper
way to guard this open floor
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Holes more than 6 feet high must be protected
This opening could be made safe by using a
guardrail, or strong cover
Sky Lights and Other Openings
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Cover completely and securely
If no cover, can guard with a guardrail
Floor Holes
Improperly
Covered
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Use PFAS when working on formwork or rebar
Cover or cap protruding rebar
Concrete Forms and Rebar
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Guard excavations
more than 6 feet deep
when they are not
readily seen because
of plant growth or
other visual barriers
Excavations
In addition to needing
guarding, this
excavation is not
properly shored
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If you work on roofs and can fall
more than 6 feet, you must be protected
Roofs
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If you work near wall openings 6 feet or more above
lower levels you must be protected from falling
Wall opening
Wall Openings
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Good Work Practices
Perform work at ground level if possible
Example: building prefab roofs on the
ground and lifting into place with a crane
Tether or restrain workers so they can't
reach the edge
Designate and use safety monitors (This is
less desirable of all the systems)
Use conventional fall protection
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The training is to teach you:
How to recognize hazards
How to minimize hazards
The training must cover:
Fall hazards
Fall protection systems
Use of fall protection devices
Training
Employers must provide fall protection training
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Summary
If you can fall more than 6 feet, you must
be protected
Use fall protection on:
walkways & ramps, open sides & edges,
holes, concrete forms & rebar,
excavations, roofs, wall openings,
bricklaying, residential construction
Protective measures include guardrails,
covers, safety nets, and Personal Fall
Arrest Systems