Fall Protection • Regulation 29 CFR 1926.501

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Falls are the leading cause of death in construction. In 2022, nearly 1 in 5 workplace deaths occurred in the construction industry and 38.4 percent of these deaths were due to falls, slips, and trips. The construction industry accounted for close to half, 47.4 percent, of all fatal falls, slips, and trips in 2022. These deaths are preventable.¹

The importance of fall protection cannot be stressed enough. Fall hazards are present at most construction worksites and many workers are exposed to these hazards on a daily basis. A fall hazard is anything that could cause a worker to lose their balance or lose bodily support and result in a fall. Any walking or working surface can be a potential fall hazard. Any time someone is working at a height of four feet or more, they are at risk. Falls from heights are the leading cause of fatalities in construction, while falls on the same level (slips and trips) are one of the leading causes of injuries.

Falls are one OSHA’s Fatal Four – the top four categories of hazards that cause construction industry fatalities. Most construction worker deaths (60+%) can be attributed to the Fatal Four. OSHA is understandably focused on these hazards as a result. More than half of Focus Four fatalities are caused by falls to a lower level, making that the most common cause of death among construction personnel.

OSHA Enforcement from October 2022 through September 2023:

ABOUT THE STANDARD

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Employers must set up the work place to prevent employees from falling off of overhead platforms, elevated work stations or into holes in the floor and walls.

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

1926.501 is a robust standard with many provisions and specifications. Among them:

Personal fall arrest systems, guardrail systems or safety net systems must be used to protect employees who are potentially exposed to falls of six feet or more while they are:

• On ramps, runways, walkways, the edge of excavations, wells, pits, shafts or above dangerous equipment
• Performing overhand bricklaying and related work
• Engaged in roofing activities on low-slope roofs, with unprotected sides and edges (warning line systems may also be used)
• Engaged in residential construction activities
• On a walking/working surface (horizontal and vertical surface) with an unprotected side or edge
• Constructing a leading
• In a hoist area
• Near holes, including skylights (covers may also be used)
• On the face of formwork or reinforcing steel

PREVENTING FALLS

Each year, OSHA partners with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and CPWR-The Center for Construction Research and Training in a National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction. This is held the first week of May, and is aimed at preventing fatal falls from roofs, ladders and scaffolds among residential construction contractors.

A Safety Stand-Down is a voluntary event for employers to talk directly to employees about safety. Any workplace can hold a stand-down by taking a break to focus on fall hazards and reinforcing the importance of fall prevention. It can also be an opportunity for employees to talk to management about fall and other job hazards they see.

Anyone who wants to prevent hazards in the workplace can participate in the Stand-Down. In past years, participants included commercial construction companies of all sizes, residential construction contractors, sub- and independent contractors, highway construction companies, general industry employers, the U.S. Military, other government participants, unions, employer’s trade associations, institutes, employee interest organizations, and safety equipment manufacturers.

Companies can conduct a Safety Stand-Down by taking a break to have a toolbox talk or another safety activity such as conducting safety equipment inspections, developing rescue plans, or discussing job specific hazards. Managers are encouraged to plan a stand-down that works best for their workplace anytime.

For information on how to participate in the National Safety Stand-Down, visit www.osha.gov/stop-falls-stand-down.

Resources

Five Ways to Prevent Workplace Falls (video) https://bit.ly/3AnSZUy WMHS