Fall Protection - General Requirements (1926.501)

In 1970 the Occupational Safety and Health Act was created to prevent workers from being injured or killed while working. Guidelines and standards were created to highlight the dangers of specific industries and regulations were put in place that must be followed to maximize safety while minimizing injuries. These guidelines and standards cover a wide range of industries and safety concerns, with Fall Protection being one of the most critical areas.

Fall Protection – General Requirements (1926.501) is consistently OSHA’s most frequently cited standard. According to Workplace Material Handling & Safety, the enforcement numbers from October 2019 through September 2020:

Industries most often violating the Fall Protection—General Requirements standard include:

• Construction: $24,556,434
• Wholesale Trade: $158,842
• Utilities: $83,100
• Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services: $62,151

Why Fall Protection Matters

Falls are among the most common causes of serious work related injuries and deaths. Employers must set up the workplace 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 four feet in general industry workplaces, five feet in shipyards, six feet in the construction industry and eight feet in longshoring operations. In addition, OSHA requires that fall protection be provided when working over dangerous equipment and machinery, regardless of the fall distance.

Employers can avoid Fall Protection citations and violations by following OSHA standards, such as creating a Job Safety Analysis (JSA) or Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) for working at height jobs. According to OSHA, a job hazard analysis is a technique that focuses on job tasks as a way to identify hazards before they occur. It focuses on the relationship between the worker, the task, the tools, and the work environment. Ideally, after identifying uncontrolled hazards, management should take steps to eliminate or reduce them to an acceptable risk level.

Common Fall Protection Citations

OSHA’s Fall Protection Standard (1926.501) outlines where fall protection is required, which systems are appropriate for given situations, the proper construction and installation of safety systems, and the proper supervision of employees to prevent falls. It is designed to protect employees on walking/working surfaces (horizontal or vertical) with an unprotected side or edge above 6 feet. According to fall protection experts, common construction Fall Protection citations include:

Building a Fall Protection JSA

One of the best ways to determine and establish safe working at height procedures is to complete a JSA/JHA before each job. Consider these safety tips when creating your company’s JSA/JHA (Workplace Material Handling & Safety):

• Provide adequate fall protection to employees who are exposed to fall hazards. According to 29 CFR 1926.501 (b)(1), each employee on a walking/working surface (horizontal and vertical surface) with an unprotected side or edge which is 6 feet (1.8m) or more above a lower level shall be protected from falling by the use of guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems.
• Develop, implement, and enforce a written, comprehensive safety program. 29 CFR 1926 (20)(b)(1),(2) holds employers responsible for developing safety programs that are designed to prevent worker injury. These safety programs provide for frequent and regular inspections of the jobsites, materials and equipment. They are to be done by a competent person designated by the employer.
• Provide training to workers in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions and the required safe work practices that apply to their normal and to any new work environments. 29 CFR 1926 (21)(b)(2) requires employers to instruct each employee in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions and the regulations applicable to the work environment to control or eliminate any hazards or other exposure to injury or illness.
• Ensure that workers who are part of a multilingual workforce comprehend instructions in safe work procedures for the tasks to which they are assigned. Companies that employ workers who do not understand English should identify the languages spoken by their employees, and design, implement and enforce a multi-language safety program.

Employer Recommendations

To minimize the risks associated with working at heights, employers should develop a Job Safety Analysis prior to each job. Industrial Safety and Hygiene News recommends employers should:

• 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 harness and line, safety nets, stair railings and hand rails.

There are a number of ways employers can protect workers from falls, including through the use of conventional means such as guardrail systems, safety net systems and personal fall protection systems, the adoption of safe work practices, and the provision of appropriate training. Whether conducting a job safety analysis or job hazard assessment or developing a comprehensive fall protection plan, thinking about fall hazards before the work begins will help the employer to manage fall hazards and focus attention on prevention efforts.

Related Templates & Analysis

JSA Templates

Industry Templates

Hazard Analysis

OSHA Compliance

Related Resources