Why is fall protection important?

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 workstations or into holes in the floor and walls.

What can be done to reduce falls?

Employers must set up the workplace to prevent employees from falling off of overhead platforms, elevated workstations or into holes in the floor and walls. OSHA requires that fall protection be provided at elevations of four feet in general industry workplaces, and six feet in the construction industry. In addition, OSHA requires that fall protection be provided when working over dangerous equipment and machinery, regardless of the fall distance.

To prevent employees from being injured from falls, employers must:

• 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 harnesses and lines, safety nets, stair railings, and handrails.

OSHA requires employers to:

• Provide working conditions that are free of known dangers.
  
  
• Keep floors in work areas in a clean and as far as possible, dry condition.
  
  
• Select and provide required personal protective equipment at no cost to workers.
  
  
• Train workers about job hazards in a language that they can understand.