Falling Hazards
Falling Hazards eab14A fall is considered the primary cause of death in the construction industry. OSHA fall protection regulations apply to PV systems since PV systems can be installed in locations where climbing a ladder, working on roof, or use scaffolds is required.
A training on fall protection should be offered to workers on how to use fall protection systems and devices to avoid injuries that include:
- Personal fall arrest systems (PFAS): Such as anchorages, lifelines, and body harnesses
- Guardrails: For open-sided floors with top rail 39”-45” tall, mid rails, and lower rail at least 3 ½” high.
- Safety nets : Required for work sites 25’ and more above ground to catch falling workers and reduce fall-related injuries.
- Stairways and ladders
: OSHA requires all elevations 19” and more to have stairways or ladders with certain regulations to meet safety requirements.
- Ladder
- Position ladder at an angle such that the horizontal distance from the top support to the foot of the ladder is 1/4 the working length of the ladder
- Ladder rail extension: When using a portable ladder for access to an upper landing surface, the side rails must extend at least 3 feet above the upper landing surface—the ladder must be tied-off and a grab rail provided if the 3-foot extension cannot be achieved. 29CFR1926.1053(b)(1)
- Face the ladder when going up or down when climbing a Ladder
- Use at least one hand to grab the ladder when going up or down
- Do not carry any object or load that could cause you to lose balance
- 29 CFR 1926 1053(b) (20), (21) and (22)
- Ladder
- Warning line systems: A barrier erected on a roof to warn employees that they are approaching an unprotected roof side or edge. They contain an area where roofing work may take place without fall protection systems 1926.500 (b)
- Safety monitors: to warn workers when it appears they are unaware of a fall hazard or are acting in an unsafe manner. A safety monitor must be:
- A competent person
- At same level
- Within sight
- Able to communicate
- Free from other responsibilities that could distract the monitoring
The following video discusses OSHA's fall protection policies for residential construction.
Video: OSHA's Fall Protection Policies for Residential Construction (26:25)
Hello and welcome to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Residential Fall Protection Program Update. My name is Damon Bono, and I am a Safety and Health Specialist in OSHA's Directorate of Construction, Office of Construction Services. I will be your facilitator for today’s presentation. This presentation is intended to provide information about recent policy changes related to OSHA’s residential construction fall protection enforcement. Please note that this presentation itself is not a standard or regulation; it does not create new legal obligations nor alter existing obligations established by OSHA standards or the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
The photographs used throughout this presentation are meant to provide examples of fall protection systems. They do not encompass all possible methods suitable for residential construction and may not be appropriate in every scenario. Employers must ensure that the fall protection methods they use comply with applicable OSHA requirements.
On December 16, 2010, OSHA rescinded policy directive STD 03-00-001 (the plain language revision of STD 3.1, Interim Fall Protection Compliance Guidance for Residential Construction, dated June 18, 1999). That older directive allowed certain alternative methods of fall protection in residential construction. It has now been replaced with STD 03-11-002, Compliance Guidance for Residential Construction. OSHA is also reviewing letters of interpretation referencing the rescinded directive and will revise or withdraw them as necessary. Enforcement of the new directive began on June 16, 2011. OSHA and state compliance officers have received training to ensure consistent enforcement across the country.
The old directive was rescinded because it had not been effective in reducing fatalities. Falls remain a leading cause of death in residential construction. In 2008 and 2009, falls accounted for 34% of construction fatalities, and 35% since 2005. Residential falls made up about 29% of all construction fall fatalities, and roof falls accounted for nearly 35% of those. Given advances in available fall protection equipment, OSHA determined that it was time to implement stronger enforcement of standard protections.
The new directive requires that all employers performing residential construction work at six feet or more above lower levels use conventional fall protection systems—guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest systems—as defined under 29 CFR 1926.501(b). The special alternative procedures once permitted are no longer automatically acceptable; employers must now show that conventional fall protection is infeasible or creates a greater hazard before using other methods like safety monitors or slide guards. These exceptions must be supported by a written, site-specific fall protection plan that meets the requirements of 1926.502(k).
To qualify as residential construction under the directive, two conditions must be met: the structure must be a home or dwelling, and it must be built using traditional wood frame materials and methods. Limited use of steel I-beams or light-gauge steel studs does not disqualify a project. Structures built with masonry or brick are also included. However, extensive use of precast concrete or steel I-beams beyond typical wood frame support disqualifies a structure from being considered residential.
Training is a critical component of any fall protection program. Employers must train workers to recognize and avoid fall hazards, and training must cover applicable standards. Procedures for retraining should be in place, and documentation of the most current certification must be available on-site.
There are three primary types of conventional fall protection systems: guardrails, safety nets, and personal fall arrest systems. Guardrails, defined in 1926.502(b), are passive systems requiring no action by the worker once properly installed. Toe boards must also be installed where there is a risk of falling objects. Guardrails can be mounted in various ways and should be installed following manufacturer or professional engineer instructions.
Safety nets, although less common in residential work, are another passive system. They must be positioned as close as possible under the working surface, with adequate clearance to prevent contact with lower surfaces. Only trained personnel should install or adjust them. They must also be drop-tested or certified for use.
Personal fall arrest systems are the most widely used in residential construction. They consist of an anchorage point, a body harness, and a connector (such as a lanyard). These components—known as the ABCs of fall protection—must meet specific strength requirements. Anchorage points must support at least 5,000 pounds or be designed and used under a qualified person's supervision. The body harness must fit properly and distribute fall forces over the torso. Lanyards and connectors must also meet specific strength and locking requirements to prevent disengagement.
OSHA recognizes that properly rigged personal fall restraint systems, which prevent the worker from reaching the fall hazard, may be used in place of fall arrest systems. However, these systems are typically more suitable for edge work and must be carefully adjusted to prevent slack.
There are many methods and technologies that contractors use to reduce fall risks in residential construction. Ladders, scaffolds, and aerial lifts help reduce falls from height. Platform ladders, interior scaffolding, wall brackets, and pump jack systems all offer greater stability and flexibility. Guardrails can be pre-installed or reused through different construction phases, minimizing fall risks throughout.
Contractors also use area lifts and scaffold enclosures to protect workers during siding and roofing installation. Systems like safety boot-installed guardrails can remain in place through multiple construction stages, protecting workers until permanent handrails are installed.
Whenever possible, components of the building should be assembled on the ground. This reduces the frequency and duration of exposure to fall hazards. Pre-installing guardrails or siding before lifting walls into place is an effective method.
Openings like stairwells and open sides must always be guarded. If employers can demonstrate that conventional fall protection is infeasible or more hazardous, they must implement a site-specific fall protection plan. This plan must meet the requirements of 1926.501(b)(13) and 1926.502(k), be prepared by a qualified person, maintained on-site, and implemented under a competent person’s supervision. It must explain why conventional systems cannot be used, outline alternative practices, and identify controlled access zones. It must also be updated in the event of a fall or near miss.
Safety monitors, if used, must be competent persons with no other duties and must be able to stop unsafe work. All workers in the controlled access zone must follow their instructions.
Appendix E of Subpart M includes a sample fall protection plan to guide employers and employees.
In closing, OSHA believes that conventional fall protection is feasible and does not generally create a greater hazard in residential construction. Significant advancements in available equipment mean employers have more options than ever to protect workers. Employers previously following the old directive had until June 16, 2011, to comply with the current requirements. Every worker has the right to return home safely, and it's our shared responsibility to make that a reality.
Thank you, and please contact your local OSHA office with questions. You can also reach out to your state’s on-site consultation program for free services or contact OSHA directly using the information on the final slide. Be safe.
The following videos cover various falls in construction.
Video: Falls in Construction/Bridge Decking (3:21)
Falls in Construction/Bridge Decking.
More than 800 construction workers die every year while on the job. Falls are the number one cause of fatalities in construction. Falls cause one of every three construction worker deaths. These falls happen in a split second while workers are on roofs, scaffolds, ladders, bridges, and other work surfaces. But these deaths can be prevented.
The video you are about to see shows how quickly falls at construction sites can lead to workers'deaths. The video will also show what employers must do so that the work can be done more safely. Employers have a responsibility to provide a safe workplace and required protective equipment. You'll see that using the right type of fall protection saves lives.
Please be advised. The scenes you are about to see deal with deaths at construction sites and might be disturbing for some people. All scenes are based on true stories.
Two workers were installing deck pans onto a bridge. They were not wearing any personal fall protection and there was no safety net below the bridge. One of the workers was preparing to weld the next deck pan into place.
While walking toward a deck pan that needed to be secured, the worker tripped and fell onto an unsecured deck pan. The deck pan slid away from her, creating an opening. She fell for 75 feet, landing on the ground below. She died instantly from her injuries.
Let's look at the events leading up to this tragic incident, and see how it could have been prevented. The workers had no fall protection, which OSHA requires the employer provide when working at heights of 15 feet and above.
Let's see what happens when these workers use fall protection. Now there is a temporary horizontal lifeline attached along the beams. Each worker wears a full-body harness and connects to the lifeline using a self-retractable lanyard with self rescue capabilities The horizontal lifeline system can use two or more anchors connected to one of the concrete beams. Once attached to the beam, a cable is run between the anchors, and the lanyard is connected to the cable.
As before, while walking toward a deck pan that needed to be secured, the worker tripped and fell onto an unsecured deck pan. The horizontal lifeline stops her from falling to the ground. The worker is lowered slowly to the ground.
Another way to protect these workers is to use a safety net. So now, when the worker trips and falls onto the unsecured deck pan, the net stops her from falling to the ground.
This example shows the importance of employers following OSHA's fall protection standards to ensure that workers are provided with a safe workplace. These types of construction deaths are preventable. The fall protection measures shown here save workers' lives.
Use fall protection on the job: it could be the difference between life and death.
If you would like more information, contact OSHA at www.osha.gov or 1-800-321-OSHA that's 1-800-321-6742.
Video: Falls in Construction/Fixed Scaffolds (2:58)
Falls in Construction/Fixed Scaffolds.
In the U.S., more than 800 construction workers die every year while on the job. Falls are the number one cause of fatalities in construction. Falls cause one of every three construction worker deaths. These falls happen in a split second while workers are on roofs, scaffolds, ladders, bridges, and other work surfaces. But these deaths can be prevented.
The video you are about to see shows how quickly falls at construction sites can lead to workers' deaths. The video will also show what employers must do so that the work can be done more safely. Employers have a responsibility to provide a safe workplace and required protective equipment. You'll see that using the right type of fall protection saves lives.
Please be advised. The scenes you are about to see deal with deaths at construction sites and might be disturbing for some people. All scenes are based on true stories.
A worker was installing vinyl siding on a two-story townhome. He was standing on a ladder that was placed on top of a scaffold. A co-worker was on the scaffold cutting pieces of siding. The scaffold had no guardrails. The workers were not wearing any fall protection.
While standing on the top step of the ladder, the worker putting up siding overreached to one side and the ladder overturned. He fell nearly 20 feet and landed on the driveway below. He died later that day from injuries caused by the fall.
Let's look at the events leading up to this tragic incident, and see how it could have been prevented. Originally, the worker installing siding was standing on a ladder that was placed on top of a scaffold. This is a very serious and dangerous OSHA violation.
Also, there was no fall protection for these workers. OSHA requires employers to provide workers with fall protection when they are working on scaffolds more than 10 feet above a lower level.
Let's look again at the worker installing siding. But now, the worker is standing on a fully-decked pump-jack scaffold. It has guardrails at the top, middle, and ends. So, instead of being at risk from falling while installing siding, this worker is now protected from fall hazards.
This example shows the importance of following OSHA's fall protection standards. These types of construction deaths are preventable. The fall protection measures shown here save workers' lives.
Use fall protection on the job: it could be the difference between life and death.
If you would like more information, contact OSHA at www.osha.gov or 1-800-321-OSHA that's 1-800-321-6742
Video: Falls in Construction/Floor Openings (3:05)
Falls in Construction/Floor Openings.
More than 800 construction workers die every year while on the job. Falls are the number one cause of fatalities in construction. Falls cause one of every three construction worker deaths. These falls happen in a split second while workers are on roofs, scaffolds, ladders, bridges, and other work surfaces. But these deaths can be prevented. The video you are about to see shows how quickly falls at construction sites can lead to workers'deaths. The video will also show what employers must do so that the work can be done more safely. Employers have a responsibility to provide a safe workplace and required protective equipment. You'll see that using the right type of fall protection saves lives.
Please be advised. The scenes you are about to see deal with deaths at construction sites and might be disturbing for some people. All scenes are based on true stories. Two workers were framing the walls of a new two-story house with a basement.
They were working on the second floor near an open stairwell. There was no guardrail or floor cover, and the workers were not wearing personal fall protection. After framing one section of a wall, the workers raised it and moved forward to put it into place. While moving forward, one of the workers stepped towards the unguarded stairwell to hold the side of the wall section.
He fell down the unguarded stairwell opening. He fell 20 feet and landed on the concrete basement floor. He died from fatal head and internal injuries. Let's look at the events leading up to this tragic incident, and see how it could have been prevented. Originally, the workers were nailing in the boards to frame a section of the new wall, and the stairwell was not protected by a guardrail. Now, the stairwell is protected by a guardrail as required by OSHA.
As before, the workers are moving forward to install the completed wall section. This time, as the worker steps toward the stairwell, the guardrail stops him; he continues forward to place the framed section in place. Another way to protect workers is by putting a proper cover over the stairwell opening.
The cover must be secure. As shown here, the worker steps onto the cover and continues to put the section in place.
This example shows the importance of following OSHA's fall protection standards. These types of construction deaths are preventable. The fall protection measures shown here save workers' lives.
Use fall protection on the job: it could be the difference between life and death.
If you would like more information, contact OSHA at www.osha.gov or 1-800-321-OSHA that's 1-800-321-6742.
Video: Falls in Construction/Leading Edge Work (3:01)
Falls in Construction/Leading Edge Work.
More than 800 construction workers die every year while on the job. Falls are the number one cause of fatalities in construction. Falls cause one of every three construction worker deaths. These falls happen in a split second while workers are on roofs, scaffolds, ladders, bridges, and other work surfaces. But these deaths can be prevented.
The video you are about to see shows how quickly falls at construction sites can lead to workers'deaths. The video will also show what employers must do so that the work can be done more safely. Employers have a responsibility to provide a safe workplace and required protective equipment. You'll see that using the right type of fall protection saves lives.
Please be advised. The scenes you are about to see deal with deaths at construction sites and might be disturbing for some people. All scenes are based on true stories.
Four workers were insulating the roof and applying the top layer of sheet metal roof decking on a tall, pre-engineered building. The roof was fairly flat, there was no controlled decking zone, and the workers were not wearing any personal fall protection. The workers were using drills to screw the metal sheets into the purlins.
As one of the workers walked down the roof, he lost his footing. He fell through the space between the purlins, and landed on the floor below. He died the next day from his injuries.
Let's look at the events that led up to this tragic incident, and see how it could have been prevented. Originally, the workers had no fall protection, which OSHA requires the employer to provide when working at heights of 15 feet and above.
Let's look again at the workers installing the metal roofing sheets and see what happens when these workers use fall protection. They are now using a temporary horizontal lifeline. This involves a horizontal cable attached to two or more anchor points on the roof. In this system, the workers connect their harnesses to a horizontal lifeline that is secured to the roof structure instead of individual anchor points.
Again, as the worker loses his footing and falls between the purlins, his lifeline stops him from falling to the floor below. While he is hanging from his fall arrest system, a co-worker brings over a lift and rescues the worker.
This example shows the importance of employers following OSHA's fall protection standards to ensure that workers are provided with a safe workplace. These types of construction deaths are preventable. The fall protection measures shown here save workers' lives.
Use fall protection on the job: it could be the difference between life and death.
If you would like more information, contact OSHA at www.osha.gov or 1-800-321-OSHA that's 1-800-321-6742.
Video: Falls in Construction/Reroofing (3:02)
Falls in Construction/Reroofing.
More than 800 construction workers die every year while on the job. Falls are the number one cause of fatalities in construction. Falls cause one of every three construction worker deaths. These falls happen in a split second while workers are on roofs, scaffolds, ladders, bridges, and other work surfaces. But these deaths can be prevented.
The video you are about to see shows how quickly falls at construction sites can lead to workers'deaths. The video will also show what employers must do so that the work can be done more safely. Employers have a responsibility to provide a safe workplace and required protective equipment. You'll see that using the right type of fall protection saves lives.
Please be advised. The scenes you are about to see deal with deaths at construction sites and might be disturbing for some people. All scenes are based on true stories.
Two workers were reroofing a two-story home with a pitched roof. They were not wearing any personal fall protection. The workers used nail guns to install shingles over an old layer of shingles.
One of the workers was close to the edge of the roof. As she reached to pick up another shingle, she lost her balance. She slipped off the edge of the roof. She fell more than 20 feet and landed on the driveway below. She died instantly from her injuries.
Let's look at the events leading up to this tragic incident, and see how it could have been prevented. Originally, the workers had no fall protection, which OSHA requires when working in residential construction at heights of 6 feet and above.
Let's look again at the workers installing shingles. Now, they are both wearing personal fall arrest systems. Each system has a full-body harness, a rope-grab lifeline, and connectors. Snaphooks connect each worker's rope-grab lifeline to secure roof anchors, which are located higher up on the roof. D-rings connect the workers' safety harnesses to their rope-grab lifelines.
As before, the worker reaches over to pick up a shingle, loses her balance, slips, and falls. But now, because she is wearing a fall arrest system, she only slips 2 feet and doesn't fall off the roof.
This example shows the importance of following OSHA's fall protection standards. These types of construction deaths are preventable. The fall protection measures shown here save workers' lives.
Use fall protection on the job: it could be the difference between life and death.
If you would like more information, contact OSHA at www.osha.gov or 1-800-321-OSHA that's 1-800-321-6742.
Video: Falls in Construction/Skylights (3:08)
Falls in Construction/Skylight.
More than 800 construction workers die every year while on the job. Falls are the number one cause of fatalities in construction. Falls cause one of every three construction worker deaths. These falls happen in a split second while workers are on roofs, scaffolds, ladders, bridges, and other work surfaces. But these deaths can be prevented.
The video you are about to see shows how quickly falls at construction sites can lead to workers' deaths. The video will also show what employers must do so that the work can be done more safely. Employers have a responsibility to provide a safe workplace and required protective equipment. You'll see that using the right type of fall protection saves lives.
Please be advised. The scenes you are about to see deal with deaths at construction sites and might be disturbing for some people. All scenes are based on true stories.
Two workers were reroofing a two-story townhome. They were not wearing any personal fall protection, but guardrails were installed on the roof. The roof of the building was pitched and there was one skylight in the area that the workers were reroofing. One worker was using a nail gun to install new shingles over the single layer of old shingles. He was installing shingles in the center of the roof near an unguarded skylight. A co-worker was setting shingles.
As the worker nailed shingles near the unguarded skylight, he stepped backwards onto it. The skylight was not strong enough to hold his weight, and it broke. He fell through the skylight. He fell 15 feet, and landed on the floor below. He was badly injured and died two days later at the hospital.
Let's look at the events leading up to this tragic incident, and see how it could have been prevented. The roof already had guardrails, so the employer thought his workers were protected from fall hazards. But, he was wrong. Originally, when the worker was installing shingles near the skylight, the skylight was only covered by a translucent plastic dome. Now, the skylight is guarded by a cover that meets OSHA requirements. As before, the worker is nailing in shingles. Now, as he steps backwards, instead of stepping onto the skylight, he bumps into the cover, regains his footing, and continues installing shingles.
This example shows the importance of following OSHA's fall protection standards. These types of construction deaths are preventable. The fall protection measures shown here save workers' lives.
Use fall protection on the job: it could be the difference between life and death.
If you would like more information, contact OSHA at www.osha.gov or 1-800-321-OSHA that's 1-800-321-6742.