Fall Protection

7 Types of Personal Fall Protection Equipment

Employers must ensure that the following personal fall protection system is used to comply with OSHA’s standard 1910.140:

Fall Arrest

A fall arrest system should be used when working at an elevated level and when exposed to a fall hazard. This fall protection equipment gives personnel freedom of movement. It allows them to reach a point where a fall can occur where it safely stops a person from hitting the ground.

Anchorage:	Support structure capable of supporting 5,000lb per employee attached. Should be supervised by a qualified person.
Anchorage Connector:	Anchor sling, I-beam trolley, or other
Body Support:	Full body harness
Connecting Means:	Lanyard, deceleration device, lifeline, fall arrester or a suitable combination of these

Work Positioning

A work positioning system holds a worker in place, allowing them to work hands-free at elevated vertical surfaces such as walls or window sill.

Anchorage:	Ladder or vertical rods
Body Support:	Full body harness or body belt
Connecting Means:	Anchor bolt, trolley, carabiner or rebar assembly

Restraint

A restraint allows workers to reach the work surface safely thus avoiding reaching a location from which a fall hazard exists.

Anchorage:	Support structure
Anchorage Connector:	Anchor sling and roof anchor system
Body Support:	Full body harness or body belt
Connecting Means:	Positioning lanyard

Suspension/Personnel Riding Systems

Suspension systems are designed to lower and support a worker to move vertically allowing a hands-free work environment. This is commonly used in the industry when doing paint work and window washing.

Anchorage:	Support structure
Anchorage Connector:	Anchor sling, tripod or dacit
Body Support:	Full body harness
Connecting Means:	Vertical lifeline ascender/descender and backup vertical lifeline with rope grab

Retrieval/Rescue

A retrieval system or rescue system is used primarily for when working in confined spaces. It is designed to support a worker when entering tanks, manholes, etc. Should an emergency occur, it is used to retrieve the worker from above.

Anchorage:	Support structure
Anchorage Connector:	Tripod or davit
Body Support:	Full body harness
Connecting Means:	Self-retracting lifeline and a personnel rated hoist should a ladder be unavailable or cannot be accessed

Ladder Climbing

A ladder safety system should be in place to eliminate or reduce the possibility of falling off when climbing or descending from a ladder.

For permanent fixed ladders:

Anchorage:	Permanent ladder meeting OSHA’s requirements
Anchorage Connector:	Fixed wire rope lifeline and a mobile fall arrester
Body Support:	Full body harness
Connecting Means:	Locking carabiner, fall arrester, and body support harness

For temporary, portable ladders:

Anchorage:	Overhead structural member of suitable size, shape, and strength
Anchorage Connector:	Vertical lifeline, synthetic rope or wire type, and mobile fall arrester
Body Support:	Full body harness
Connecting Means:	Lanyard

Evacuation/Controlled Descent System

This is used when assisting a rescue via raising or lowering the rescue subject onto a safe working level. This is slightly different from a harness that can be used for ascent or descent because it is meant for very brief periods of use.

Anchorage:	Support structure
Anchorage Connector:	Tie-off sling
Body Support:	Full body harness
Connecting Means:	Controlled descent device

5 Harness Inspection Safety Tips

Inspect the following for fall protection.

1. Inspect labels and tags

   Always check to ensure product labeling and tagging is legible and attached to the lanyard

2. Webbings and stitching

   Webbing should be free from cuts, broken fibers, and other damage. Visually check for damage across the entire length of the equipment

3. Inspect all D-rings and metal parts

   D-rings, buckles, rivets, and grommets should be free from cracks and deformities. Visually and physically check for sharp edges and distortions.

4. Inspect snap hook ends

   Snap Hooks should have no hook and eye distortions. Check for evidence of corrosion or other damage.

5. Check lanyards

   Lanyards should be able to carry standard bodyweight. Inspect rope lanyards for broken strands. Discard lanyards with broken strands.

Technology to Boost Fall Protection Initiatives

Keep teams safe while they do their best work. iAuditor by SafetyCulture is a digital platform dedicated to driving safety, quality, and efficiency in the organization. It enables teams to digitize paper inspection forms and checklists so that teams are able to easily perform checks or inspections through a mobile or tablet device.

Learn how to get started with iAuditor through our collection of 2-minute tutorials or check out this getting started guide.