Scribd
Upload
957 views3 pages

Hierarchy of Fall Protection

The hierarchy of fall protection is a ranked series of solutions for addressing fall hazards, ranging from best to worst. The preferred solution is hazard elimination, such as relocating equipment away from edges. The next best is passive fall protection like guardrails or covers. Fall restraint systems use harnesses to restrict worker movement from fall hazards. Fall arrest systems allow falls but stop the worker, posing risks of injury. Administrative controls like safety monitors are the least preferred as they do not provide physical protection. The first step is a fall hazard survey to identify hazards and recommend solutions based on this hierarchy.

Uploaded by

Aini Adawiah
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
957 views3 pages

Hierarchy of Fall Protection

The hierarchy of fall protection is a ranked series of solutions for addressing fall hazards, ranging from best to worst. The preferred solution is hazard elimination, such as relocating equipment away from edges. The next best is passive fall protection like guardrails or covers. Fall restraint systems use harnesses to restrict worker movement from fall hazards. Fall arrest systems allow falls but stop the worker, posing risks of injury. Administrative controls like safety monitors are the least preferred as they do not provide physical protection. The first step is a fall hazard survey to identify hazards and recommend solutions based on this hierarchy.

Uploaded by

Aini Adawiah
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

Hierarchy of Fall Protection

The Hierarchy of Fall Protection is the preferred order of control to eliminate


or reduce fall hazards. This methodology mirrors common safety practices
for hazard abatement beginning with elimination and ending with
administrative controls. Using the data collected from the fall hazard
assessments, each solution in the hierarchy can be applied to each hazard.
Definition: Hierarchy of fall protection
A ranked or graded series of fall protection solutions ranging from the best
solution to the worst. In order of best to worst, these solutions are: Hazard
Elimination, Passive Fall Protection, Fall Restraint, Fall Arrest, and
Administrative Controls.
1. Hazard Elimination
The preferred solution to all fall hazards is elimination. The reason for
exposure to the fall hazard is challenged and evaluated to determine if a
change in the procedure, practice, location or equipment will eliminate
exposure to the fall hazard. Specifying HVAC (Heating, Venting and Air
Conditioning) equipment be located on the ground, or in an equipment room
rather than by the edge of the roof, is an example of hazard elimination.
Best Practice
The hierarchy should be applied to any hazard before buying inappropriate
equipment or systems. By evaluating a fall hazard using the hierarchy, the
best solution is often very evident.
2. Passive Fall Protection
Physical barriers like guardrails around unprotected edges and covers over
holes are examples of passive fall protection.
Passive protection is generally considered to provide a higher level of safety
since the opportunity for error is less than using personal protective
equipment (PPE). The initial costs of passive protection, while possibly high,
are often more efficient than the long-term costs of PPE. However, passive
protection may not be warranted if the frequency and duration of exposure to
the fall hazard is limited.
An exhaustive hazard assessment provides the information needed to make
these kinds of decisions to maximize cost-effectiveness.
3. Fall Restraint Systems
Fall restraint systems are erected in such a manner that a fall cannot occur.
Fall restraint systems use PPE to restrict the worker’s range of movement so
they cannot physically travel to the fall hazard.
Fall restraint systems are often underutilized because they are not specifically
mentioned in many regulations, but they are preferred over fall arrest
systems. Free fall distance is not an issue for fall restraint systems, therefore
arresting forces, clearance requirements, secondary injuries, and rescue issues
are virtually eliminated.
Best Practice
Fall restraint is always better than fall arrest. Fall restraint systems prevent
most secondary injuries due to the fall and make rescue easy since the worker
is still accessible.
4. Fall Arrest Systems
Fall arrest systems are erected in such a manner that a fall can occur but the
fall is arrested within acceptable force and clearance margins.
Fall arrest systems have a higher risk associated with them, since we have to
stop the falling worker within an acceptable level of force and prevent
him/her from contacting the surrounding structure or the ground.
Training for both fall restraint and fall arrest systems is key.
ANSI Z359.2-2007 includes a significant amount of information about fall
protection training for authorized persons, competent persons, qualified
persons, rescuers and trainers.
5. Administrative Controls
Administrative controls are work practices or procedures that increase a
worker’s awareness of a fall hazard. It must be noted that administrative
controls are the least preferred method of protection because they do not
provide a physical or positive means of protection.
Administrative controls are preventive measures taken to reduce the
likelihood of a fall. These methods include safety monitors, warning lines,
warning horns, designated areas, or control lines. It must also be noted that
OSHA regulates the use of many administrative controls and it is incumbent
on the fall protection program administrator to understand the jurisdictions
and regulations that apply.
Fall Hazard Survey
The first step for effectively implementing the Hierarchy of Fall Protection is
to perform a Fall Hazard Survey to identify and prioritize fall hazards and
recommend options for abatement based on regulatory requirements and fall
protection standards.

You might also like