512 EM 385-1-1 Chapters 16-22

Sections

Chapter 21: Fall Protection

This chapter focuses on fall protection, outlining standards, equipment, and training necessary to ensure worker safety at heights.

Worker at elevation with fall protection.

This chapter emphasizes fall Protection, standards, equipment, and training necessary to ensure worker safety at heights.

It covers standards for personal fall protection equipment, including safety requirements for nets, harnesses, lanyards, and systems engineered for fall arrest and prevention.

The chapter emphasizes the importance of a well-managed Fall Protection Program, which includes thorough training for all personnel involved, from program administrators to end-users.

Key components such as active and passive fall protection systems, anchorage requirements, and specific equipment inspections are detailed to prevent falls or minimize the impact should a fall occur.

It also discusses the roles, responsibilities, and training within a fall protection program, including those of a Competent Person for Fall Protection (CP), Qualified Person for Fall Protection (QP), and Authorized Persons (End-Users) to work safely at heights. The chapter underscores the necessity of creating Activity Hazard Analyses (AHAs) and Fall Protection Plans to proactively address potential fall hazards in the workplace.

21-1. References.

EM 385-1-1 Paragraph 21-1.

21-1. References.

a.  ANSI/ASSP A10.11, Safety Requirements for Personnel Nets (https://www.assp.org) (21-1.a)

b.  ANSI/ASSP A10.32, Personal Fall Protection Used in Construction and
Demolition Operations (https://www.assp.org) (21-1.b)

c.  ANSI/ASSP Z359.0, Definitions and Nomenclature Used for Fall Protection and Fall Arrest (https://www.assp.org) (21-1.c)

d.  ANSI/ASSP Z359.1, The Fall Protection Code (https://www.assp.org)  (21-1.d)

e.  ANSI/ASSP Z359.2, Minimum Requirements for a Comprehensive Managed Fall Protection Program (https://www.assp.org)  (21-1.e)

f.  ANSI/ASSP Z359.3, Safety Requirements for Lanyards and Positioning Lanyards (https://www.assp.org) (21-1.f)

g.  ANSI/ASSP Z359.4, Safety Requirements for Assisted-Rescue and Self- Rescue Systems, Subsystems and Components (https://www.assp.org)  (21-1.g)

h.  ANSI/ASSP Z359.6, Specifications and Design Requirements for Active Fall Protection Systems (https://www.assp.org)  (21-1.h)

i.  ANSI/ASSP Z359.7, Qualification and Verification Testing of Fall Protection Products (https://www.assp.org) (21-1.i)

j.  ANSI/ASSP Z359.9-2021, Personal Equipment for Protection Against Falls – Descent Controllers (https://www.assp.org)  (21-1.j)

k.  ANSI/ASSP Z359.11, Safety Requirements for Full Body Harnesses (https://www.assp.org) (21-1.k)

l.  ANSI/ASSP Z359.12, Connecting Components for Personal Fall Arrest Systems (https://www.assp.org) (21-1.l)

m.  ANSI/ASSP Z359.13, Personal Energy Absorbers and Energy Absorbing Lanyards (https://www.assp.org) (21-1.m)

n.  ANSI/ASSP Z359.14, Safety Requirements for Self-Retracting Devices for Personal Fall Arrest and Rescue Systems (https://www.assp.org)  (21-1.n)

o.  ANSI/ASSP Z359.15, Safety Requirements for Single Anchor Lifelines and Fall Arresters for Personal Fall Arrest Systems (https://www.assp.org)  (21-1.o)

p.  ANSI/ASSP Z359.16, Safety Requirements for Climbing Ladder Fall Arrest Systems (https://www.assp.org) (21-1.p)

q.  ANSI/ASSP Z359.18, Safety Requirements for Anchorage Connectors for Active Fall Protection Systems (https://www.assp.org) (21-1.q)

r.  ANSI/ASSP Z490.1, Criteria for Accepted Practices in Safety, Health and Environmental Training (https://webstore.ansi.org/)  (21-1.r)

s.  ANSI/Scaffold and Access Industry Association (SAIA) A92.2, Vehicle-Mounted Elevating and Rotating Aerial Devices (https://webstore.ansi.org/)  (21-1.s)

t.  ANSI/SAIA A92.3, Manually Propelled Elevating Aerial Platforms (https://webstore.ansi.org/)  (21-1.t)

u.  ANSI/SAIA A92.5, Boom-Supported Elevating Work Platforms (https://webstore.ansi.org/)  (21-1.u)

v.  ANSI/SAIA A92.6, Self-Propelled Elevating Work Platforms (https://webstore.ansi.org/)  (21-1.v)

w.  29 CFR 1910 Subpart D, Walking-Working Surfaces (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2022-title29-vol5/pdf/CFR-2022-title29-vol5- part1910-subpartD.pdf)  (21-1.w)

x.  29 CFR 1910 Subpart I, Personal Protective Equipment (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2020-title29-vol5/pdf/CFR-2020-title29-vol5- part1910-subpartI.pdf) (21-1.x)
y.  29 CFR 1926.106, Working Over or Near Water (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2020-title29-vol8/pdf/CFR-2020-title29-vol8- sec1926-106.pdf)  (21-1.y)

z.  29 CFR 1926.453. Aerial Lifts (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2022- title29-vol8/pdf/CFR-2022-title29-vol8-sec1926-453.pdf)  (21-1.z)

aa. 29 CFR 1926.1431, Hoisting Personnel (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2020-title29-vol8/pdf/CFR-2020-title29-vol8- sec1926-1431.pdf)  (21-1.aa)

bb. 29 CFR 1926 Subpart M, Fall Protection (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2020-title29-vol8/pdf/CFR-2020-title29-vol8- part1926-subpartM.pdf)  (21-1.bb)

21-2. Definitions.

EM 385-1-1 Paragraph 21-2.

21-2. Definitions.

a.  Active Fall Protection System.  A personal fall protection system that requires Authorized Persons (that is, End-Users) to wear or use personal fall protection equipment and that requires fall protection training.  Active fall protection systems can include any travel restraint or personal fall arrest systems (PFAS).  (21-2.a)

b.  Anchorage.  A secure connecting point or terminating component of a personal fall protection system that can safely withstand the forces exerted by the activation of
fall protection and rescue equipment.  The anchorage is a secured structure (for example, beam, girder, column, floor).  Anchorage is either engineered or improvised. (21-2.b)

c.  Anchorage Connector.  A component or subsystem by which fall protection or rescue equipment is secured or attached to the anchorage.  This includes any device designed to suspend human loads and capable of withstanding forces generated by a fall (for example, steel cable sling, tie-off adapter (that is, anchor strap), load-rated hoist ring designed for construction applications, tripod, davit arm).  (21-2.c)

d.  Authorized Person (End-User).  A person who has been trained in the use of assigned personal fall protection equipment, including hands-on training and practical demonstrations in a typical fall-hazard situation.  They use personal fall arrest, restraint, or positioning equipment while performing work assignments at heights.  (21-2.d)

e.  Authorized Rescuer.  A person who is trained on rescue procedures and assigned by the employer to rescue Authorized Persons who may require rescue. (21-2.e)

f.  Carrier.  The specified track of a climbing ladder PFAS consisting of a flexible or rigid member upon which the carrier sleeve travels.  The carrier is secured to the
climbing ladder or structure by carrier mounting brackets.  The carrier may be continuous or may contain joints or splices.  (21-2.f)

g.  Certified Anchorage.  An anchorage for personal fall arrest, positioning, restraint, or rescue systems that a QP for Fall Protection  certifies to be capable of supporting the potential fall forces that could be encountered during a fall or that meet the criteria for a certified anchorage.  (21-2.g)

h.  Clearance Requirement.  The distance below the Authorized Person that must remain clear of obstructions to ensure that the Authorized Person does not encounter any object or obstruction during a fall.  (21-2.h)

i.  Competent Person for Fall Protection (CP for Fall Protection).  A person designated in writing by the employer to be responsible for the immediate supervision, implementation, and monitoring of the Fall Protection Program. The CP for Fall Protection, who through training, knowledge, and experience in fall protection and rescue systems and equipment, is capable of identifying, evaluating, and addressing existing and potential fall hazards.   The CP for Fall Protection has the authority to take prompt corrective measures with regard to such hazards.  The term “Competent Person (CP)”, as used in this chapter, refers to “Competent Person for Fall Protection.”  (21-2.i)

j.  Competent Person (CP) or Qualified Person (QP) Trainer.  An individual who by training, knowledge, and experience can conduct CP or QP-level fall protection training (respectively).  (21-2.j)

k.  Competent Rescuer.  An individual, who by training, knowledge, and experience in the safe use of specialized rescue equipment (for example, harness, lanyards, horizontal lifelines (HLL)), is capable of the implementation, supervision, and monitoring of the employer’s rescue plan.  The individual in this role must be designated by the employer.  (21-2.k)

l.  Competent Rescuer Trainer.  An individual who by training, knowledge, and experience specific to fall protection rescue, can conduct rescue training.  (21-2.l)

m.  Fall Protection Program Administrator (also known as, Program Manager).  A person designated by the employer to be responsible for the development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the employer’s Fall Protection Program. The Program Administrator must have training and a working knowledge of current fall protection regulations, standards, equipment, and systems.  (21-2.m)

n.  Free-Fall Distance.  The vertical distance traveled during a fall, measured from the onset of a fall from a walking-working surface to the point at which the fall protection system begins to arrest the fall.  It excludes deceleration distance and the elongation of a lifeline or lanyard.  It includes any distance that a deceleration device slides before engaging or the distance that a self-retracting lifeline or lanyard extends before fall
arrest forces are applied.  The distance is measured using a common reference point, typically the fall arrest attachment point (that is, anchor point).  (21-2.n)

o.  Horizontal Lifeline (HLL) System.  An active fall protection system made of flexible wire, rope, or synthetic cable that is spanned horizontally between two end anchorages or anchorage connectors.  It may include in-line energy absorber, lifeline tensioner, or turnbuckles and may also include intermediate anchorages.  The system is used for attaching a fall arrest or in restraint system applications.  (21-2.o)

p.  Infrequent. A task or job is performed only on occasion, when needed (for example, equipment breakdown), on an occasional basis, or at sporadic or irregular intervals.  Infrequent tasks include work activities such as annual maintenance or servicing of equipment, monthly or quarterly replacement of batteries or HVAC filters, and responding to equipment outage or breakdown.  In these instances, the frequency of exposure to fall hazards is very limited.  By contrast, tasks performed or repeated on a daily, routine, or regular basis are not infrequent activities.  Infrequent tasks also do not include those that workers perform as a primary or routine part of their job or repeatedly at various locations during a work-shift.  A task may be considered infrequent when it is performed once a month, once a year, or when needed.  (21-2.p)

q.  Lower Levels. Areas below the level where the employee is located and to which an employee can fall.  Such areas include but are not limited to, ground levels, floors, roofs, ramps, runways, excavations, pits, tanks, materials, water, and equipment. (21-2.q)

r.  Non-Certified Anchorage.  Unquestionably strong anchorage that a CP can judge to be capable of supporting the predetermined anchorage strength as prescribed by 29 CFR 1926, Subpart M and ANSI/ASSP Z359.1 requirements. Non-certified anchorages are used for fall-arrest, work positioning, travel restraint, or rescue.  (21-2.r)

s.  Passive Fall Protection System.  A system that does not require a worker to use or wear personal fall protection equipment.  Examples include guardrails, safety nets, covers, and compliant parapet walls.  (21-2.s)

t.  Qualified Person for Fall Protection (QP for Fall Protection).  A person with a recognized degree or professional certificate with extensive knowledge, training, and experience in the fall protection and rescue field.  The QP for Fall Protection must be capable of designing, analyzing, evaluating, and specifying fall protection and rescue systems. The term “Qualified Person (QP),” as used in this chapter, refers to “Qualified Person for Fall Protection.”  (21-2.t)

u.  Single Anchor lifeline.  A flexible line along which a fall arrestor travels that is supported by a single anchorage.  A lifeline may be used in vertical, horizontal, or sloped applications.  (21-2.u)

v.  Temporary. Means that the duration of the task the worker performs is brief or short.  Temporary, brief, or short tasks generally include those that a worker is able to perform in less time than it takes to install or set up conventional fall protection. Examples of temporary tasks include changing a filter in a roof-top HVAC system, replacing a part on a satellite dish, caulking or resealing the flashing around a skylight, or sweeping a chimney.  (21-2.v)