When Must You Use Fall Protection Equipment?

Fall protection equipment must be used whenever there is a risk of falling from a height that could result in injury.

Falls are among the most common causes of serious work-related injuries and deaths, this is why employers must set up the workplace to prevent employees from falling off of overhead platforms, elevated workstations, or into holes in the floor and walls.

This can be achieved when fall protection has been put in place.

Fall protection refers to any type of planned system put in place to prevent or minimize falls from heights. When used specifically, the term refers to all measures and devices used to prevent a fall from occurring.

Now, do we need fall protection always or there are specific conditions to be met before fall protection is required?

This is a more elaborate and detailed representation of the question to the question “When Must You Use Fall Protection Equipment“?

Let us delve in to answer the question rightly.

When Must You Use Fall Protection Equipment

Fall protection is required when there is a risk of workers falling from height, either by elevation or depression.

OSHA requires that fall protection be provided at elevations of four feet in general industry workplaces, five feet in shipyards, six feet in the construction industry, and eight feet in long shoring operations. In addition, OSHA requires that fall protection be provided when working over dangerous equipment and machinery, regardless of the fall distance.

When to use fall protection equipment

Here are the key situations when fall protection equipment is required:

1. Working at Heights

• Construction Industry: When working at 6 feet (1.8 meters) or higher above a lower level.
• General Industry: When working at 4 feet (1.2 meters) or higher above a lower level.
• Shipyards: At 5 feet (1.5 meters) or higher.
• Scaffolding Work: Fall protection is needed when working at 10 feet (3 meters) or higher unless guardrails are installed.

2. Working on Unprotected Edges or Openings

• Roofing Work: When working near unprotected roof edges or fragile surfaces.
• Floor Openings: If a hole or opening in the floor, roof, or wall could cause a fall.
• Leading Edges: Work near an uncompleted edge where a fall could occur.

3. Using Ladders or Scaffolds

• Fixed Ladders: If climbing 24 feet (7.3 meters) or higher, a personal fall arrest system or ladder safety system is required.
• Scaffolds: If no guardrails are in place, fall arrest systems must be used.

4. Working on Elevated Platforms and Aerial Lifts

• Boom Lifts & Cherry Pickers: Full-body harness and a lanyard attached to an anchor point are required.
• Powered Platforms: When working on suspended platforms such as window-washing rigs.

5. Working Near Dangerous Equipment

• Fall protection is required at any height if working over machinery, vats, or dangerous substances where a fall could cause serious harm, even if the height is below regulatory thresholds.

6. Confined Spaces and Rescue Situations

• Rescue Operations: Workers performing rescues in confined spaces or high-risk areas must wear fall protection to prevent secondary accidents.

READ: Guardrail Systems Must Be Able To Withstand? Get Answer Here

In situations where falls occur amid the fall preventions put in place, OSHA also states other requirements to prevent employees from getting injured from falls. These requirements include:

• Guard every floor hole into which a worker can accidentally walk (using a railing and toe-board or a floor hole cover).
• Provide a guard rail and toe-board around every elevated open-sided platform, floor, or runway.
• Regardless of height, if a worker can fall into or onto dangerous machines or equipment (such as a vat of acid or a conveyor belt) employers must provide guardrails and toe-boards to prevent workers from falling and getting injured.
• Other means of fall protection that may be required on certain jobs include safety harnesses and lines, safety nets, stair railings, and handrails.

Generally, fall protection can be provided through the use of guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems. OSHA refers to these systems as conventional fall protection. Other systems and methods of fall protection may be used when performing certain activities. For example, when working on formwork, a positioning device system could be used. OSHA encourages employers to select systems that prevent falls of any kind, such as guardrail design.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. At What Height Is Fall Protection Required?

OSHA requires that fall protection be provided at elevations of four feet in general industry workplaces, five feet in shipyards, six feet in the construction industry, and eight feet in long shoring operations.

2. When Is Fall Protection Required In a Construction Industry?

As stated earlier in this article, Fall protection is required when there is a risk of workers falling from height, either by elevation or depression.

READ: What Is The Difference Between Fall Arrest And Fall Restraint?

OSHA requires that fall protection be provided at elevations of six feet in the construction industry. In addition, OSHA requires that fall protection be provided when working over dangerous equipment and machinery, regardless of the fall distance.

3. What Is The Minimum Height To Wear Safety Harness

OSHA requires workers to wear a full-body harness, (one part of a Personal Fall Arrest System) when they are working on a suspended scaffold more than 10 feet above the working surface, or when they are working in a bucket truck or aerial lift.

See many more of OSHA Fall Protection In Construction Standard