# OSHA Fall Protection Standards - 29 CFR 1926.501

## General Requirements

### Coverage
This standard applies to all construction work where employees are exposed to fall hazards.

### Fall Protection Required At:
- **6 feet or more above lower levels** for general construction work
- **4 feet or more** for work on scaffolds
- **8 feet or more** for work on ladders

## Fall Protection Systems

### Primary Systems:
1. **Guardrail Systems**
   - Top rail height: 42 inches (±3 inches)
   - Mid rail height: 21 inches
   - Top rail capable of withstanding 200 lbs force

2. **Safety Net Systems**
   - Must be installed as close as practicable under work surface
   - Maximum 30 feet below work surface
   - Extend 8 feet beyond edge or sufficient to arrest fall

3. **Personal Fall Arrest Systems**
   - Full body harness required
   - Deceleration distance limited to 3.5 feet
   - Total fall distance limited to 6 feet

### Anchorage Requirements:
- Must support 5,000 lbs per employee
- Or designed with safety factor of 2 and under supervision of qualified person

## Specific Industry Applications

### Roofing Work (Low-slope):
- Conventional fall protection required at 6+ feet
- Warning line systems acceptable under certain conditions
- Safety monitoring systems as alternative in limited cases

### Roofing Work (Steep-slope):
- Guardrail systems, safety nets, or personal fall arrest systems required
- No warning line system exceptions

### Excavations:
- Fall protection required for excavations 6+ feet deep
- Walkways and ramps must have guardrails

## Training Requirements

### Employee Training Must Cover:
- Nature of fall hazards in work area
- Correct procedures for installation and use of systems
- Proper construction and loading of systems
- Standards contained in this section

### Retraining Required When:
- Changes in workplace render previous training obsolete
- Inadequacies in employee knowledge or use of systems
- Changes in fall protection systems

## Inspection and Maintenance

### Daily Inspections Required For:
- Personal fall arrest equipment
- Safety nets
- Guardrail systems

### Defective Equipment:
- Must be removed from service immediately
- Cannot be used until repaired and inspected by competent person

## Competent Person Requirements

### Duties Include:
- Identify existing and predictable hazards
- Authority to take prompt corrective measures
- Inspect and maintain fall protection systems
- Stop work when imminent danger exists

### Qualifications:
- Capable of identifying hazards
- Authority to take corrective action
- Training in fall protection systems

## Common Violations and Compliance Tips

### Top OSHA Citations:
1. Inadequate or missing fall protection at 6+ feet
2. Improper personal fall arrest system use
3. Defective or inadequate guardrail systems
4. Lack of proper training

### Best Practices:
- Conduct daily equipment inspections
- Maintain inspection logs
- Provide site-specific training
- Plan fall protection before work begins
- Have rescue procedures in place

## Emergency Procedures

### Rescue Plan Required:
- Procedures for prompt rescue of fallen workers
- Equipment and personnel readily available
- Regular rescue drills conducted

### Suspension Trauma:
- Workers should not remain suspended for extended periods
- Rescue must be initiated immediately after fall
- Medical evaluation required after fall arrest

## Documentation Requirements

### Required Records:
- Training documentation
- Equipment inspection logs
- Incident reports
- Competent person certifications

### Retention Period:
- Training records: Duration of employment + 30 days
- Inspection records: Until equipment replaced
- Incident reports: 5 years minimum