Fall Protection

Fall hazard recognition

At Virginia Tech, a fall hazard exists whenever there is an unguarded working surface more than 4 feet above the next lower level (regardless of whether the work being conducted falls under general industry or construction). This includes work conducted from ladders, roofs, scaffolds, aerial lifts, work above dangerous equipment or areas which may be hazardous if fallen into, such as pickling or galvanizing tanks, degreasing units, unguarded machinery or electrical equipment, a body of water, or other similar situations.

Generally, a permanent means of protection, such as a guardrail system or parapet wall at least 39 inches high, is installed to provide safe access for personnel who must work above or in the vicinity of such hazards; however, where appropriate fall protection does not exist, or where personnel may need to bypass the installed system, other means of protection must be implemented. The designated competent person is responsible for identifying such hazards, evaluating the situation, requiring a feasible means of protecting personnel, and ensuring that the protective system is effective. For assistance, contact Environmental Health & Safety at 540-231-2341. 

Note: Access on many roofs is restricted due to potential respiratory exposures from chemical fume hood exhausts. For more information, refer to Roof Access.

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Fall hazards

Employers are required to provide protection for each employee exposed to a fall. There are many potential fall hazard situations in the workplace that require the implementation or installation of a fall protection system, whether permanent or temporary. Fall hazards are created when there is a fall distance of 4 feet or more to the next lower level. Common fall hazards on campus are listed below where one or more fall protection options must be implemented.

• Unprotected sides and edges
  • Guardrail System
  • Safety net system
  • Personal Fall Protection System
• Hoist areas
  • Guardrail System
  • Personal Fall Protection System
  • Travel Restraint System
  • Note: When any portion of the guardrail system, gate, or chains is removed, and an employee must lean through or over the edge of the access opening to facilitate hoisting, the employee must be protected from falling by a personal fall arrest system.
• Holes (see definitions)
  • Covers must be capable of supporting at least twice the maximum intended load, without failure, that may be imposed on it at any one time. They must be secured to prevent accidental displacement.
  • Guardrail System
  • Travel Restraint System
  • Personal Fall Protection System
• Openings (see definitions) (including those with a chute attached)
  • Guardrail System
  • Safety Net System
  • Travel Restraint System
  • Personal Fall Protection System
• Fixed ladders (more than 24 feet in height) 
  • Existing fixed ladders installed before Nov. 19, 2018 must be equipped with one of the following:
    • Personal Fall Protection System
    • Ladder Safety System
    • Cage or wells (Note: This option is not permitted after Nov. 18, 2036) 
  • New fixed ladders installed on or after Nov. 19, 2018 must be equipped with one of the following:
    • Personal Fall Protection System
    • Ladder Safety System
  • Note: By Nov. 18, 2036, all fixed ladders must be equipped with one of the following:
    • Personal Fall Protection System
    • Ladder Safety System
• Work on low-sloped roofs (pitch is 4:12 or less and work performed within 6 feet of the roof edge)
  • Guardrail System
  • Safety net system
  • Travel Restraint System
  • Personal Fall Protection System
• Work on low-sloped roofs (pitch is 4:12 or less and work performed at least 6 feet, but less than 15 feet from the roof edge)
  • Guardrail System
  • Safety Net System
  • Travel Restraint System
  • Personal Fall Protection System
  • Designated Area if work is both infrequent and temporary
• Walking-working surfaces Not otherwise addressed
  • Guardrail System
  • Safety net system
  • Personal Fall Protection System

OSHA also defines requirements for dock boards, runways, working above dangerous equipment, repair/service/assembly pits, outdoor advertising, rope descent systems. For more information, visit 29 CFR 1910.28, or contact Environmental Health and Safety at (540) 231-2341.

When selecting a means of fall protection for any given hazard, the hierarchy of controls should be considered in order of elimination first, passive fall protection systems next, then active fall protection systems or administrative controls last. There may be situations where more than one control measure is necessary to reduce the risk of a fall. 

Existing building-specific fall hazard conditions and available fall protection information is available in the Roof Access Program. 

Removing the fall hazard, or the hazardous work practice or task is the most effective control measure for eliminating the risk of falls from heights. It should always be considered first.  Examples include relocating gauges or valves to ground level, installing gutter guards to reduce or eliminate routine maintenance, using extended pole saws, trimmers, or light bulb changers, or the use of drones for inspections of elevated surfaces. 

Passive fall protection options should be considered next, and include those where the hazard is isolated or separated from personnel. Examples include:

Guardrails

OSHA-compliant guardrails or parapet walls of sufficient height (on roofs) provide a permanent means of fall protection, which are sufficiently provided that they are not misused (i.e. leaning through or over guardrails or walls which could result in a fall). Guardrails may be temporarily installed for the length of the project, or permanently installed where access is more frequent. Openings in walls greater than or equal to 30 inches in height and at least 18 inches wide require a guardrail system or other appropriate means of protection. 

Covers

Holes (i.e. a gap or open space in a floor, roof, horizontal walking-working surface, or similar surfact that is at least 2 inches in its least dimension) must be effectively covered.

• Covers must be capable of supporting, without failure, at least two times the maximum intended load (personnel, equipment, materials, etc.) that may be imposed on the cover at any one time.
• Covers used for temporary protection, such as on construction projects, shall be secured in place and marked with the word "Hole" or "Cover" to identify the potential hazard. 
• Close roof hatches (unless guarded on all sides by a guardrail system) when on the roof to eliminate fall hazards. 

Fall restraint

Fall restraint systems involve securing the person to an anchorage using a lanyard short enough to prevent the person's center of gravity from reaching the fall hazard. Examples include:

Travel Restraint Systems

Travel restraint systems consist of an anchorage, anchorage connector, connecting device (ex. lanyard), and the body harness to eliminate the possibility of a person from going over the edge of a walking-working surface. 

Positioning Systems

Positioning systems are used on vertical surfaces, such as window cleaning, climbing poles, or working on rebar to prevent the worker from free-falling more than two feet. 

Ladder Safety Systems

Where Ladder Safety Systems are provided for fixed ladders extending more than 24 feet, or as provided on new installations after November 19, 2018, personnel must be trained on the proper use of the system. 

Fall arrest

Fall arrest systems are designed to stop a person after a fall has begun. Systems must reduce the fall force to less than 1,800 lbs. Determine the fall clearance distance when selecting components and the arrangement of a personal fall arrest system.

Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS)

Personal Fall Arrest Systems consist of an appropriate anchor point, connecting device, and full-body harness. Only trained personnel may use such systems. Anchor point selection is critical, and there are several permanent options available across campus depending on the location. Where anchor points are not provided, certain structural members may be used provided they will support the maximum intended load in the event of a fall. 

Safety nets   

Safety nets may also be used to prevent falls to the next lower level; however, they typically are not a feasible option for fall hazard situations on campus.

Work practices or procedures that signal or warn personnel to avoid approaching a fall hazard include the use of designated areas, warning lines, or safety monitor systems. Personnel using these systems must have training on the requirements of properly implementing the option. Administrative controls are the least desirable option and should be considered only when other passive or active systems are not feasible.

Designated areas (work on low-sloped roofs)

OSHA regulations permit the use of designated areas in general industry applications (e.g. maintenance work/activities) when work is being performed at least 6 feet but less than 15 feet from the roof edge, and guardrail systems, safety net systems, travel restraint systems, or personal fall arrest systems are not available. Work must be both infrequent and temporary. All requirements for establishing a designated area must be met in order to use this control.

Warning lines

Warning lines may be used on flat or low-sloped roofs during construction activities to establish an area where work may be performed without additional fall protection within the area. Where work must be performed outside of the warning line, additional fall protection means must be implemented. 

Safety monitor system

Safety monitor systems shall only be considered when all other fall protection options have been deemed infeasible. Other feasible options may include the use of scaffolding or aerial lifts. 

Regardless of who owns the equipment or tools used by an employee while on the job, it must be in good condition and in proper working order. Good condition would also include any required safety features of the equipment/tool. Departments permitting employee-owned equipment/tools to be used while on the job are responsible for ensuring it is safe. If the person is injured while on the job because of defective, improper, or sub-standard equipment, it is still work-related. It is our goal, and everyone's obligation, to reduce hazardous conditions in the workplace.

PFAS Inspection Form

Weightanka Instruction Manual