Types of Fall Protection

Fall arrest is a type of fall protection required for people working near a fall hazard 6 feet or more above the ground. If the worker falls, their fall arrest system decelerates their fall and stops them from hitting the ground. Equipment used in these systems is designed to absorb shock and distribute force throughout the entire body, reducing the risk of injury caused by the fall arrest itself.

According to OSHA, fall arrest has three essential pieces of gear known as the ABCs of fall protection.

• Anchorage connects to a stable support that can withstand at least twice the anticipated weight of a person free-falling from 6 feet.
• Body support, such as a full-body harness, is worn by the employee to absorb the shock of the fall.
• Connectors, such as lanyards, bridge the gap between anchorage and body support and is the key to arresting the fall.

Though fall restraint involves similar equipment to fall arrest, its function is to stop a fall before it happens. The lanyard between the anchor and body support is short enough to prevent the worker from reaching the edge of the fall hazard, eliminating the risk of an at-height fall. Another difference in a fall restraint system is the inclusion of fixed anchors in addition to portable anchors. If a facility frequently requires employees to work on a roof or at height for small projects, they install fixed anchors with easy connectivity for fall restraint systems.

Despite these differences, OSHA still requires all fall restraint systems to include anchorage, a body harness, and connectors with equally vigorous inspection standards.

A suspension system allows workers to perform tasks suspended in the air without unintentional changes in position. This way, employees can work with both hands and adjust their rigging as needed. Unlike positioning systems, suspension systems allow workers to lower themselves at will. The most common application of a suspension system is window washing, construction, and painting. Additionally, this is not a substitute for standard fall arrest rigging.

A positioning system secures the worker to an elevated vertical surface, allowing them to sit back in their harness and work with both hands. Some systems will hold the position once the worker leans back in their harness. Facilities use this system for ladder-related tasks. However, positioning systems are not a form of fall arrest and should pair with standard fall arrest protection.

Also known as a rescue system, a retrieval system functions after a worker has already fallen. Sometimes, this involves lowering connectors and winching the worker up or lowering down an additional worker to retrieve the fallen employee. These systems apply to uninjured, functioning employees and unresponsive, injured workers. There are no specific OSHA guidelines for a retrieval system, but safety regulations state that all facilities with employees working at height must have one implemented. Additionally, a set retrieval system should only be used for retrieval and rescue, not as a fall arrest system repurposed for retrieval scenarios.

• Helmet: A hard helmet is fundamental for every worker near a fall hazard, helping to prevent serious head injuries from falling. Additionally, it protects employees if they hit their heads on support during a fall arrest or if tools fall.
• Safety goggles: The need for safety goggles depends on the type of work but keeping some with you while working at heights allows you to continue working without needing to ascend or descend.
• Protective gloves: Protective gloves are crucial if you’re working with ropes or pulley systems, protecting your hands from rope burns and splinters.
• Proper footwear: In climbing or at-height work, proper footwear is the difference between falling and making it safely to the top. There are many types of safety shoes, so check that your shoes have a closed toe and tread to prevent slipping.

• Lanyard: A lanyard connects the body harness to the anchor or lifeline with a line of energy-absorbing webbing. They’re shorter in length than a lifeline and sometimes include a pack that explodes when a falling force is applied.
• Self-retracting lifelines (SRLs): Self-retracting lifelines include an automatic belay system that keeps constant tension on the line. The webbing, rope, or cable retracts into the housing unit attached to the anchorage, and this adjustable aspect provides a wide range of work.
• Vertical lifeline systems: For environments that require climbing, consider implementing vertical lifeline systems. They include rope grabs and occasionally specific ladder types to keep employees from falling.
• Carabiners: While lanyards and lifelines often come with their own clipping element, carabiners are ideal for backup systems and extra security. Although screw-gate carabiners work for backups, use a triple-lock carabiner with any primary line or additional support.
• Webbing: Like carabiners, having additional webbing on hand while working at heights reduces potential accidents. You can use it to quickly rig up an extra anchor while working suspended and connect it to your harness.
• Rope grabs: As the name suggests, rope grabs latch onto your lifeline as an additional connection point that you can adjust as needed. If you fall, the grab automatically locks to arrest your fall.

• Harness: A harness consists of straps, webbing, and clips to secure your body should you fall. There are many types of harnesses, including full-body harnesses, chest harnesses, and half-body harnesses. Check safety requirements for your specific project before choosing a harness to ensure you meet standards.
• Body belt: A body belt is a positioning tool that retrains someone working near a fall hazard to reduce the risk of falling. However, they do not function as a fall arrest system.
• Workseat: Using a workseat reduces strain on your hips and legs while suspended, functioning like a stool in mid-air. A workseat is not a method of fall arrest, merely an aid for at-height work.

Often, anchorage consists of a webbing length or steel cable looped around a structurally-sound support like a steel beam or concrete surface. A D-ring then connects to the webbing or steel cable and secures it around the support, allowing you to attach connectors. If someone falls, the anchorage ultimately keeps them from hitting the ground.

There are also options for permanent anchorage connectors installed directly into the structural support. These are ideal options for areas where workers frequently perform tasks, saving time and potential safety errors from reconnecting a temporary anchor every time.