Fall Protection Systems
Ron C. McKinnon · 2025
For a number of years, fall protection has been rated as one of the most citable of OSHA’s (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) regulations, and in many instances has been cited more than any other regulation, making it the number one transgression in the US. This chapter describes a comprehensive fall protection program. Each department should conduct a survey or risk assessment to determine where personal fall arrest systems are required. A personal fall arrest system means a system used to arrest an employee in a fall from a working level. It consists of an anchorage, connectors, body harness, and includes a deceleration device (shock absorbing lanyard), lifeline, or suitable combination of these. Responsible persons should be responsible for ensuring that employees (and contractors in their area) use personal fall arrest systems when required. All personal fall arrest systems should be inspected and recorded monthly by the persons responsible or their deputies.