How to Choose Fall Protection Equipment

Installing a fall protection system in the workplace can feel like an overwhelming task when you’re unfamiliar with the regulations and vocabulary. And since no two worksites or facilities are alike, neither are the fall protection systems that should be applied there. Since there are so many different factors that can influence the effectiveness of a fall protection system, most worksites need to have a comprehensive examination performed to guide fall protection professionals. Thankfully, there is a step-by-step process that acts as a guide through the preparatory process of deciding on a fall protection system.  

The Fall Protection Program

The Fall Protection Program is a breakdown of the different information that needs to be collected prior to designing and manufacturing a fall protection system.  Fall protection professionals can ensure that they are consistently collecting the most important details about the needs of the facility and workers by adhering to this fall protection program. 

At the beginning of the program, the top priority of safety professionals should be establishing the chain of command within the workplace. Program administrators need to identify which employees will fulfill the role of Competent Person (as complies with OSHA). A Competent Person is selected based upon their amount of experience or training involving fall protection. After an employee has had enough experience or training to qualify as a Competent Person, they will carry out most of the steps of the fall protection program.

The Competent Person will work with a Qualified Person to perform a worksite hazard analysis where they will use the Fall Hazard Hierarchy (as is found in ANSI Z359.2).  The Hierarchy helps safety managers determine what level of fall protection equipment or controls are needed to maximize the effectiveness of worker protection. And once the level and type of fall protection system has been established, then safety managers can collaborate with one another to create a fall rescue plan based upon all of those factors.

Key Questions to Answer during the Fall Hazard Analysis

When a Competent Person is evaluating a workspace for potential fall hazards, there are several very important questions that workers need to ask themselves because the answer to those questions will directly correlate with the type of fall protection equipment that should be used in that location. 

While evaluating a work space, you’ll want to ask yourself the following questions:

Do workers need to access the area at height in order to do their job?
Why we ask this: If it’s possible to eliminate a worker’s exposure to the height, it’s best to pursue that course of action.

How many people will need to access the workspace?
Why we ask this: This helps fall protection professionals determine how many workers will need to be supported on a horizontal lifeline system. This question also helps establish how many people will need to be trained in using the system.  

Can the area be protected with guardrails or another form of passive fall protection?
Why we ask this: If a form of passive fall protection can be used, this reduces the need for people to have fall protection training and it makes the area at height safe for almost anyone to access.

Are there obstructions or other things that could cause a swing fall in the potential fall paths?
Why we ask this: If there are things that a worker might hit if they were to fall, fall protection professionals will make sure that they choose a system that will either eliminate the potential for a swing fall or accommodate the potential obstructions in another way.

Will workers need to have vertical or horizontal movement while working in the area?
Why we ask this: If a worker needs to move vertically (ex: ladders, scaffolding) while they are working, they will need to use a vertical fall protection system. And, if workers need to move horizontally through their space, a horizontal fall protection system will be applied.

Could the support structures potentially support a permanent fall protection system?
Why we ask this: If the area surrounding the workspace can’t support the weight of a rigid track horizontal lifeline fall protection system, then a different solution may need to be used. 

Will rescue be possible?
Why we ask this:  Depending upon the location of the worksite, it’s important to try and put a fall protection system in an area where a worker can be easily accessed by a rescue team after a fall. 

In ANSI Z359.2, there is a list called the Fall Hazard Hierarchy which outlines the different ways that a worker should be protected from a potential workplace fall.  There are different levels of fall protection and equipment. Starting from the least amount of involvement with fall protection equipment up to the highest level of involvement, the hierarchy is listed as follows:

1. Eliminate the hazard or substitute with an alternate solution
2. Passive Fall Protection (ex: guardrails)
3. Active Fall Restraint (ex: using equipment that limits access to dangerous spots)
4. Active Fall Arrest (ex: using equipment that allows for a full range of movement and fall arrest in the event of a fall)
5. Administrative Controls

Please refer to ANSI Z359.2 for full disclosure.

If you’re interested in learning more about creating a fall rescue plan, please refer to this blog.

Thank you for reading! And remember, stay safe up there!