Fall Protection Policy

Work activities where employees may be subject to falls and/or falling objects shall be conducted
safely with associated hazards eliminated and/or controlled.

This policy covers minimum performance standards applicable to all COMPANY NAME HERE
employees and locations. Local practices requiring more detailed or stringent rules, or local,
state or other federal requirements regarding this subject can and should be added as an
addendum to this procedure as applicable.

Purpose

To ensure that employees are protected from the hazards associated falls and falling objects.

Scope

Applies to all COMPANY NAME HERE work sites, i.e., COMPANY NAME HERE offices, client job
sites, etc., where field construction related activities involve exposure to heights greater than or
equal to six (6) feet and/or falling objects exist. In general industry (e.g. offices, shops,
warehouses, etc.) exposure to heights greater than or equal to four (4) feet shall be in place of
all references to the construction six (6) foot reference.

Definitions

Anchorage means a secure point of attachment for lifelines, lanyards, or deceleration devices
that is capable of supporting 5,000 lbs. per employee or two times the intended impact load,
whichever is greater, or for a positioning system, 3,000 lbs. without failure.

Approved means, for the purpose of this section, authorized by the Safety Officer, tested and
certified by the manufacturer or any recognized national testing laboratory to possess the
strength requirements specified in this section.

Catenary Line – see Horizontal Lifeline.

Competent Person means an individual knowledgeable (through experience and/or training) of

fall protection equipment, including the manufacturer’s recommendations and instructions for
the proper use, inspection, and maintenance; who is capable of identifying existing and potential
fall hazards; who has the authority to take prompt corrective action to eliminate those hazards;
and who is knowledgeable of the rules contained in this section regarding the erection, use,
inspection, and maintenance of fall protection equipment and systems.

Controlled Access Zone means an area in which certain work may take place without the use of
guardrail systems, personal fall arrest systems, or safety net systems and access to the zone is
controlled.
Deceleration Device means a device manufactured (fall) shock-absorbing device whereby the
forces of the fall are rapidly reduced to meet acceptable levels.

Drop Line means a vertical lifeline secured to an upper anchorage for the purpose of attaching a
lanyard or device.

Employee means every laborer regardless of title or contractual relationship.

Fall Arrest System (Personal) means the use of multiple, approved safety equipment components
such as body harnesses, shock absorbing lanyards, deceleration devices, droplines, horizontal
and/or vertical lifelines and anchorages, interconnected and rigged to ones body as to arrest a
free fall.

Fall Protection Work Plan means a written planning document in which the employer identifies
areas in the work area where a fall hazard of 6 feet or greater exists, whereby conventional Fall
Restraint and Fall Arrest Systems cannot be utilized.

Fall Restraint System means an approved device and any necessary components that function
together to restrain an employee in such a manner as to prevent that employee from falling to a
lower level.

Fall Distance means the actual distance from the employee’s work platform (area) to the level
where a fall would stop (ground level or otherwise).

Full Body Harness means a configuration of connection straps to distribute a fall arresting force
over at least the thighs, shoulders and pelvis, with provisions for attaching a lanyard, lifeline,
positioning rings, or deceleration devices.

Full Body Harness System means a Class III full body harness and shock absorbing lanyard
attached to an anchorage or attached to a horizontal or vertical lifeline which is properly secured
to an anchorage(s) capable of withstanding the forces specified in the applicable sections.

Hardware means snap hooks, D-rings, buckles, carabiniers, and adjusters used to attach the
components of a fall protection system together.

Holes (floor, roof or walking surface) means any opening in the floor greater than two inches
whereby falling objects or an employee fall equal to, or greater than six foot is possible.

Holes (wall) – see Wall Opening.

Horizontal Lifeline means an approved rail, rope, or synthetic cable installed in a horizontal plane
between two anchorages and used for attachment of a employee’s lanyard or lifeline device
while moving horizontally.
Lanyard means a flexible line of webbing, rope or cable (usually in two, four or six foot lengths)
used to secure a harness to a lifeline or an anchorage point.

Leading Edge means the advancing edge of a floor or roof, where a fall of more than six foot is
possible to the ground or to another level.

Lifeline (vertical or horizontal) means an approved vertical line from a fixed overhead anchorage
or horizontal line between two horizontal anchorages, independent of walking or working
surfaces, to which a lanyard or device is secured.

Restraint Line means a line from a fixed anchorage or between two anchorages to which an
employee is secured in such a way as to restrict the employee from reaching a point where falling
to a lower level is possible.

Safety Line – see Lifeline.

Shock Absorbing Lanyard means a flexible line of webbing or rope used to secure a harness to a
lifeline or anchorage point that has an integral shock absorber of either a rip-stitch or retractable
configuration.

Snaphook – means a ‘locking’ hook at the end of a lanyard or restraining/positioning line that has
a double-action locking mechanism intended to eliminate unintentional unhooking from the D-
ring of a body harness. Non-locking snaphooks are prohibited.

Standard Guardrail means a toprail at 42 inches high (plus or minus three inches), a midrail
installed midway the top edge of the guardrail system and the surface.

Static Line – see Lifeline.

Toeboard means a barrier at the base of the guardrail system to prevent material and objects
from falling off the surface. They are at least four (4) inches of nominal height with no less than
one (1) inch clearance from the surface.

Unprotected Sides and Edges means any side or edge (except at entrances to points of access) of
a floor, roof, ramp, or runway where there is no wall or guardrail system.

Walking/Working Surface means for the purpose of this section, any area whose dimensions are
45 inches or greater in all directions through which employees pass or conduct work, and can
include scaffolding and aerial lifts regardless of surface dimensions.

Wall Opening means a gap in a wall where the outside bottom edge is 6 feet or more above
lower levels, and the inside bottom edge (e.g. parapit wall) is less than 39 inches above the
walking/working surface.
Work Area means that portion of a walking/working surface where work activities are being
performed.

Requirements

Training

Fall Protection training requirements shall include:

 New employees with work responsibilities requiring the use of fall protection will be
oriented to COMPANY NAME HERE) Fall Protection Program (and any local addendums)
as part of the ‘new employee orientation program’.
 At new worksites, i.e., office, client job sites, etc., during the pre-job meeting to describe
specific fall protection requirements of the job.
 Thereafter, every foreseeably exposed employee will be trained at least annually, and
include the following:

o The nature of fall hazards in the typical work area

o The correct procedures for erecting, maintaining, disassembling, and inspecting fall
protection systems
o The use and operation of conventional and non-conventional fall protection systems
o The role of each employee in the safety monitoring system when such a system is in
use
o The limitations on the use of mechanical equipment during the performance of roof
work on low-slope roofs
o The correct procedures for equipment and materials handling and storage, and the
erection of overhead protection
o The correct fit, maintenance and use of (personal) fall arrest system components, as
determined by the manufacturer(s)
o Rescue procedures in the event an individual falls
o All other details in this section (and local addendums)

Toolbox talks for related issues of this manual section shall be covered periodically.
Retraining shall also occur whenever deficiencies in the training program are identified,
standard requirements change or are modified or new fall protection systems are
introduced. Any employee who has not received orientation or annual training (as
previously outlined) shall not be allowed to work at heights identified by this section.
Training provided shall be documented and maintained in a training file at the Branch
Office. Training will include dates of training, instructor’s name, toAvetta / material covered
and attendee names.

Conventional Fall Arrest and Fall Restraints Systems

Conventional Fall Arrest and Fall Restraint Systems shall be utilized where the exposure to
falls greater than 6 foot and from falling objects as is reasonably foreseen. The following
systems shall be utilized:

Guardrail System (fall restraint and potentially from falling objects)

 Toprails and midrails of guardrail systems constructed of wood shall be at least ¼

inch diameter or thickness to prevent cuts and lacerations.
 If wire rope is used for toprails, it shall be flagged at not more 6 feet intervals with
high-visibility material. Steel and plastic banding are prohibited for use as toprails or
midrails.
 The top edge height of toprails, or (equivalent) guardrails shall be 42 inches, plus or
minus 3 inches, above the walking/working level.
 When employees are using ladders in distance proximity equivilent to the maximum
use-length of the ladder, the top edge height of the top rail, or equivalent member,
shall be increased an amount equal to the maximum use-length height of the ladder,
or see Special Control Procedures portion (for ladders) of this manual section for
other options.
 Screens, midrails, mesh, intermediate vertical members, or equivalent intermediate
structural members shall be installed between the top edge of the guardrail system
and the walking/working surface when there are no walls or parapet walls at least
21 inches high. When midrails are used, they shall be installed at a height midway
between the top edge of the guardrail system and the walking/working level. When
screens and mesh are used, they shall extend from the top rail to the
walking/working level. Intermediate members, such as balusters, when used
between posts, will not be more than 19 inches apart.
 The guardrail system shall be capable of withstanding a force of at least 200 pounds
of force applied within 2 inches of the top edge in any outward or downward
direction. When the 200 pounds is applied in a down-ward direction, the top edge of
the guardrail shall not deflect to a height less than 39 inches above the
walking/working level.
 Midrails, screens, mesh, intermediate vertical members, solid panels, and equivalent
structural members will be capable of withstanding a force of at least 150 pounds of
force applied in any downward or outward direction at any point along the midrail
or other member.
 Guardrail systems shall be free of sharp edges and burrs to protect against
punctures or lacerations and to prevent clothing from snagging.
 The ends of top rails and midrails shall not overhang terminal posts, except where
such an overhang does not constitute a projection hazard.
 When guardrail systems are used at hoisting areas, a chain, gate or removable
guardrail section shall be placed across the access opening between guardrail
sections when hoisting operations are not taking place.
 At uncovered holes, guardrail systems shall be set up on unprotected sides or edges.
When holes are used for the passage of materials, the hole shall have not more than
 two sides with removable guardrail sections. When the hole is not in use, it shall be
covered or provided with guardrails along unprotected sides/edges.
 If guardrail systems are used around uncovered holes that are used as access points
(such as ladderways), gates shall be used or the guardrail shall be offset at a 45
degree angle to prevent accidental walking into the hole. Toeboards shall be utilized
around the edges not utilized as the actual access point.
 If guardrails are used at unprotected sides or edges of ramps and runways, they shall
be erected on each unprotected side/edge.
 When guardrail systems, in combination with netting, is used to prevent materials
from falling from one level to another, openings shall be small enough to prevent
passage of potential falling objects.

Covers for Holes (fall restraint and from falling objects)

 Covers (or a guardrail system with toe boards…see Guardrail Systems within this
section) shall be installed over holes equal to or greater then 2” in floors, roofs and
walkways that are more than 6 feet above lower levels.
 Hole covering material shall support at least two times the potential weight that will
cross over it. If plywood is chosen as the cover material, it shall be of at least ¾ inch
in thickness.
 Hole covers shall be secured in place in such a manner as to not easily be displaced.
Examples of securing methods include, but are not limited to: nailing, attached
cleats, wire, etc.
 Such covers shall have the word ‘HOLE’ or ‘COVER’ predominately marked on the
top surface. Where covers are too small for such marking, they shall be painted or
significantly marked in the color orange.

Restraining/Positioning System (fall restraint)

 Only full body harness systems with positioning rings are to be utilized with any
restraining/positioning system.
 Restraint line (rope) length shall not exceed the distance to fall exposure, and shall
be secured to an anchorage capable of supporting at least twice the potential impact
load of an employee’s fall or 3,000 pounds, whichever is greater.
 Requirements for body harness systems, snaphooks, D-rings, and other connectors
used with positioning device systems shall meet the same criteria as those for fall
arrest systems of this section.
 No makeshift fall protection equipment may be utilized.

Body belts are prohibited.

(Personal) Fall Arrest System (fall arrest)

(Personal) Fall Arrest Systems shall do all of the following:

 Limit maximum arresting force on an employee to 1,800 pounds. Note: total

body weight including tools cannot exceed 310 lbs. to stay under arresting force
limit
 Be rigged so that an employee can neither free fall more than 6 feet nor
contact any lower level
 Bring an employee to a complete stop and limit maximum deceleration
distance an employee travels to 3.5 feet
 Have sufficient strength to withstand 5000 lbs. (excluding horizontal
lifelines which require a safety factor of at least two times the potential impact
energy)
 All components of the (personal) fall arrest system (lanyards, body
harness and attached hardware, and shock-absorbing devices) shall meet the design
specifications of OSHA 1926.502 Subpart M

The following items/actions are prohibited for use with (personal) fall arrest systems:

 body belts
 non-locking snaphooks
 lanyards without shock absorbers
 tying back to the lanyard (once around another object) for a means of
an anchorage point, unless the lanyard was designed for this purpose by the
manufacturer, the object tied around can support the anticipated fall force and the
object does not have sharp edges or burrs

(Personal) fall arrest systems shall be utilized in the following manner:

Pre-Use Inspection

All components shall be inspected prior to each use for wear damage, and other
deterioration in accordance with manufacturer’s requirements (see equipment
inspection and maintenance procedures of this section).

General Proper Body Harness Fit Guidelines

 Two employees are usually required to completely fit each other

 The body harness type and size shall meet the physical needs of its user
(male/female or small, medium, large, etc.).
 Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines on proper fit.
 Shoulder, thigh, button and chest straps shall be fit snugly whereas it is slightly
difficult to slide the hand underneath.
 Loose straps ends shall be folded back under.
 D-ring placement should be between the shoulder-blades.
 Chest straps should be positioned across the mid-chest area.

Sufficient Anchorage Points Utilized

Anchorages shall be used under the supervision of a competent person, as part of a

complete (personal) fall arrest system that maintains a safety factor of at least two
(i.e., capable of supporting at least twice the weight expected to be imposed upon
it).

Anchorages used to attach (personal) fall arrest systems will be independent of any
anchorage being used to support or suspend platforms and shall be capable of
supporting at least 5,000 pounds of force per person attached.

Anchorage points can include:

 Lifelines (horizontal and vertical)

 Designed anchorage points on aerial lifts
 Eye-bolts listed for use by the manufacturer
 Specially designed anchorage tools specifically designed to meet fall force
requirements, including:
 Wrap-around lanyards as approved by the manufacturer
 I-beam clamps designed specifically as an anchorage point

Prohibited anchorage points include, but are not limited to:

 Standard guardrails and railing

 Ladders/rungs
 Scaffolding, unless approved by the manufacturer for/with anchorage points
 Light fixtures, ductwork, conduit, pipe vents, wiring/duct/piping harnesses, other
roof stacks, vents or fans
 C-clamps
 Piping (unless capable of meeting the criteria of an anchorage point)
 To a lanyard (around a solid object), unless the lanyard and hardware is
manufactured for that purpose
 Lifeline/Lanyard Applications

Lanyards shall only be attached to anchorage points sufficient to meet the fall force
requirements.
Shock-absorbing lanyards are required to limit the fall force to less than 1800
pounds.

Self-retracting lanyards (retractables) capable of withstanding the tensile load of

3,000 lbs. that limit the free fall distance to two (2) feet or less are always
recommended and are required when the fall distance is less than ninteen and
one-half (19.5) feet.

Lanyards that do not limit free fall distance to 2 feet or less, such as ripstitch
lanyards and tearing/deforming lanyards will be capable of sustaining a minimum
tensile load of 5,000 pounds applied to the device with the lifeline or lanyard in the
fully extended position.

Horizontal lifelines will be designed, installed, and used under the supervision of a
Competent Person, as part of a complete (personal) fall arrest system. Lifelines shall
be protected against being cut or abraded. Horizontal lifelines cannot exceed sixty
feet in length.

Vertical lifelines shall be utilized with leading edge work, shall reach the ground, and
the method of anchorage attachment shall be of proper design (i.e. no knots).

Safety Net System (fall arrest and potentially from falling objects)

When utilized, safety nets shall be installed as close as practicable under the
walking/working surface on which employees are working and never more than 30 feet
below such levels.

Safety nets will be inspected at least once a week for wear, damage, and other
deterioration. The maximum size of each safety net mesh opening will not exceed 36
square inches nor be longer than 6 inches on any side, and the openings, measured
center-to-center, of mesh ropes or webbing, will not exceed 6 inches.
Defective/unfit nets are not to be used and are to be taken from service and
immediately destroyed by cutting into unuseful sizes and properly disposed.

Mesh crossings will be secured to prevent enlargement of the mesh opening. Each
safety net or section will have a border rope for webbing with a minimum breaking
strength of 5,000 pounds. Connections between safety net panels will be as strong as
integral net components and be spaced no more than 6 inches apart.
Safety nets shall extend outward from the outermost projection of the work surface as
follows:
 Vertical distance from working Minimum required horizontal
level to horizontal plane of net distance of outer edge of net from
surface edge of working surface
Up to 5 feet 8 feet
More than 5 feet up to 10 feet 10 feet
More than 10 feet 13 feet

Safety nets shall be tested at the beginning of each workday and shall be capable of
absorbing an impact force of a drop test consisting of a 400-pound bag of sand 30 inches
in diameter dropped from the highest walking/working surface at which workers are
exposed, but not from less than 42 inches above that level. Employees shall not be
allowed in work areas controlled with safety nets until this test is complete.

If safety nets are utilized for the dual purpose of employee fall protection and the
protection of other workers from fall objects, the net webbing opening shall be small
enough to prevent passage of potential falling objects.

Items that have fallen into safety nets, such as materials, scrap, equipment, and tools,
shall be removed as soon as possible and at least before the next work shift.

Non-conventional Methods

Where conventional fall restraint and fall arrest methods cannot be utilized (or utilized
safely), the following non-conventional methods can be utilized:

 A written work plan shall be developed when a project or task possesses a fall exposure
whereby these systems are utilized. A sample written plan format can be found in 29
CFR 1926 Subpart M Appendix E.
 A Competent Person will develop and implement a written Fall Protection Work Plan
including each area of the work place where the employees are assigned and where fall
hazards of 6 feet or more will exist. The Risk Assessment for this project/task should be
reviewed for this document.

The written Fall Protection Work Plan shall include:

 Identification of fall hazards in the work area

 Describe the non-conventional method (or in combination with conventional
method) of fall protection to be provided
 Describe the correct procedures for the assembly, maintenance, inspection,
and disassembly of any fall protection system to be used
 Describe the correct procedures for the handling, storage, and securing of
tools and materials
 Describe the method of providing overhead protection for workers who may
be in or pass through the area below the work site
 Describe the method for prompt, safe removal of injured workers
 Describe the method for destruction of personal fall arrest system
equipment subjected to the forces of any fall
 Be available at all times on the jobsite

Controlled Access Zone System

Controlled access zone systems shall be set up as follows:

 Zone shall be established no closer than six (6) feet or further than twenty-five (25)
feet from any leading edge
 Control line shall extend parallel along the entire length of the unprotected or
leading edge
 Only trained employees are allowed in the Zone
 The Zone shall have signage marking it as a ‘Controlled Access Zone’

Warning Line System (pitches of <4:12 and flat surfaces only)

Warning line systems consist of ropes, wires, or chains, and supporting stanchions and
are set up as follows:

 Flagged at not more than 6-foot intervals with high-visibility material

 Rigged and supported so that the lowest point including sag is no less than 34 inches
from the walking/working surface and its highest point is no more than 39 inches
from the walking/working surface
 Stanchions, after being rigged with warning lines, will be capable of resisting,
without tipping over, a force of at least 16 pounds applied horizontally against the
stanchion, 30 inches above the walking/working surface, perpendicular to the
warning line and in the direction of the floor, roof, or platform edge
 The rope, wire, or chain will have a minimum tensile strength of 500 pounds, and
after being attached to the stanchions, shall support without breaking the load
applied to the stanchions as prescribed above
 Line will be attached to each stanchion in such a way that pulling on one section of
the line between stanchions will not result in slack being taken up in the adjacent
section before the stanchion tips over
 Warning lines will be erected around all sides of roof work areas. When mechanical
equipment is being used, the warning line will be erected not less than 6 feet from
the roof edge parallel to the direction of mechanical equipment operation, and not
less than 10 feet from the roof edge perpendicular to the direction of mechanical
equipment operation
When mechanical equipment is not being used, the warning line shall be erected not
less than 6 feet from the roof edge.

The warning line system shall be used in conjuction with one of the following:

 safety monitoring system (most common); or

 (personal) fall arrest system; or
 safety net system; or
 guardrails

Safety Monitoring System

A competent person will appoint the ‘safety monitor’ and will ensure that the safety monitor:

 Is competent in the recognition of fall hazards

 Is capable of warning workers of fall hazard dangers and in detecting unsafe work
practices
 Is operating on the same walking/working surfaces of the employees and can see them
 Is close enough to work operations to communicate orally with the employees and has
no other duties but the monitoring function
 Has the authority to stop work

Only employees engaged in roof/surface work and the safety monitor shall be allowed in an
area where an employee is being protected by a safety monitoring system.

Specific Fall Hazard Procedures

Aerial Personnel Lifts

Employees utilizing aerial personnel lifts (e.g. scissor lifts, genie lifts, cherry-pickers,
boom-lifts, etc.) shall use a restraint/positioning system or (personal) fall arrest system,
even though a guardrail system is in place.

Attachment points for these systems shall be capable of withstanding 5,000 pounds and
shall be maintained in the floor of the lift or where designed by the manufacturer.

Rails of such lifts shall not to be used as attachment points unless designed for that
purpose by the manufacturer.

Excavations

Employees who work at the edge of an excavation 6 feet or more deep will be protected
from falling into the excavation by guardrail systems or covers.
Where walk-ways are provided to permit employees to cross over excavations,
guardrails are required on the walkway if the fall would be 6 feet or more to the lower
level.

Hoist Areas

Each employee in a hoist area will be protected from falling 6 feet or more by guardrail,
restraint/positioning or (personal) fall arrest systems.

If guardrail systems (or chain gate or guardrail), or portions thereof, must be removed to
facilitate hoisting operations, as during the landing of materials, and a worker shall lean
through the access opening or out over the edge of the access opening to receive or
guide equipment and materials, that employee shall be protected by a (personal) fall
arrest system.

Falling Objects (additional protection from)

Except for scaffolding and aerial lifts, no materials or equipment shall be stored within 6
feet of working edges.
When canopies are used as protection from falling objects, canopies shall be strong
enough to prevent collapse and to prevent penetration by any objects that may fall onto
them.

When toeboards are used as protection from falling objects, they shall be erected along
the edges of the overhead walking or working surface for a distance sufficient to protect
persons working below. Toeboards will be capable of withstanding a force of at least 50
pounds of force applied in any downward or outward direction at any point along the
toeboard. Toeboards will be a minimum of four (4) inches tall from their top edge to the
level of the walking/working surface, have no more than one (1) inch clearance between
its bottom and the surface.

Ladders

(where work height (due to leaning out) exposure is equal to, or exceeds six foot and/or
the maximum ladder height is within the distance to a leading edge)

If work is performed outside the rails of a ladder equal to, or exceeding 6’ ; or if three-
point contact on the ladder cannot be maintained, a (Personal) Fall Arrest Systems shall
be utilized if anchorage points are available.

If anchorage points are not available or other traditional fall control systems are not
feasible, a non-conventional system can be utilized.
Leading Edge Work

Employees working near a leading edge 6 feet or more above lower levels shall be
protected by guardrail, safety net, restraint/positioning, or (personal) fall arrest systems.

Roadway/Vehicular Passage Covers

Covers located in roadways and vehicular aisles shall be able to support at least twice
the maximum axle load of the largest vehicle to which the cover might be subjected,
and secured/marked.

Roofs (work from or on)

Low-sloped (<4:12 pitch)

Employees engaged in roof activities on low-slope roofs with unprotected sides and
edges 6 feet or more above lower levels will be protected from falling by guardrail
systems, safety net systems, (personal) fall arrest systems or a combination of a
warning line system and guard-rail system, warning line system and safety net system,
warning line system and (personal) fall arrest system, or warning line system and
safety monitoring system.

Steep Roofs (>4:12 pitch)

Employees on a steep roof with unprotected sides and edges 6 feet or more above
lower levels will be protected by either guardrail systems with toeboards, a safety net
system, or a (personal) fall arrest systems.

Wall Openings

Employee working on, at, above, or near wall openings (including those with chutes
attached) shall be protected from falling by the use of either a guardrail system, a safety
net system, or a (personal) fall arrest system.

Equipment Inspection and Maintenance Procedures

Inspection, Replacement and Destruction

All equipment hereafter noted shall be visually inspected before each use, replaced
immediately if any of the defective conditions are found, tagged ‘out of service’ and
sent back to the Branch for destruction.

Body Harness Inspection

Beginning at one end, holding the body side of the harness toward you, grasp one area of
the harness with your hands six to eight inches apart. Bend the strap in an inverted “U”.
Follow this procedure the entire length of the belt or harness. Watch for frayed edges,
broken fibers, pulled stitches, cuts, burn marks or chemical damage. Special attention
should be given to the attachment of buckles and D-rings to strap webbing. Inspect for
frayed or broken strands. Broken webbing strands generally appear as tufts on the
webbing surface.

Rivets should be tight and unmovable with fingers. Body-side rivet base and outside rivet
burr should be flat against the material. Bent rivets will fail under stress. Especially note
condition of D-ring rivets and D-ring metal wear pads (if applicable). Discolored, pitted, or
cracked rivets indicate chemical corrosion.

The tongue or billet of bolts receives heavy wear from repeated buckling and unbuckling.
Inspect for loose, distorted, or broken grommets. Harnesses using punched holes without
grommets should be checked for torn or elongated holes causing slippage of the tongue
buckle.

Hardware (Buckles, D-Rings, Snaps and Thimbles)

Buckle tongues should be free of distortion in shape and motion. They should overlap
the buckle frame and move freely back and forth in their socket. Roller should turn
freely on frame. Check for distortion or sharp edges.

Inspect the friction buckle for distortion. The outer bars and center bars must be
straight. Pay special attention to corners and attachment points of the center bar.

Inspect the sliding bar buckle frame and sliding bar for cracks, distortion, or sharp edges.
The sliding bar should move freely. Knurled edge will slip if worn smooth. Pay special
attention to corners and ends of sliding bar.

Inspect the forged steel D-ring for cracks or other defects. Inspect the assembly of the
D-ring to the body pad or D-saddle. If the D-ring can be moved vertically independent of
the body pad or D-saddle, the harness should be replaced. Check D-Rings and D-Ring
metal wear pad (if any) for distortion, cracks, breaks, and rough or sharp edges. The D-
Ring bar should be at a 90 degree angle with the long axis of the belt and should pivot
freely.

Inspect closely for hook and eye distortions, cracks, corrosion, or pitted surfaces. The
keeper (latch) should seal into the nose without binding and should not be distorted or
obstructed. The keeper spring should exert sufficient force to firmly close the keeper.

The thimble must be unmovable in the eyes of the splice, and the splice should have no
loose or cut strands. The edges must be free of sharp edges, distortion, or cracks.
 Lanyard (shock-absorbing)

Begin at one end and work to the opposite end. Slowly rotate the lanyard so the entire
circumference is checked. Factory spliced ends require particular attention.

Lanyard (Webbing) Retractable

Bend the webbing over a non-lacerating edge, observe each side of the webbed lanyard.
This will reveal any cuts or breaks. Swelling, discoloration, cracks, and charring are
obvious signs of chemical or heat damage. Closely observe for any breaks in the
stitching.

Rope

Rotation of the rope lanyard while inspecting from end to end will bring to light any
fuzzy, worn, broken, or cut fibers. Areas weakened by extreme loads will appear as
noticeable change in original diameter. The rope diameter should be uniform
throughout, following a short break-in period. Strands should be separated and
inspected since the rope may wear on the inside if grit or moisture becomes embedded.

Storage/Cleaning

Storage areas shall be maintained as clean, dry and free of exposure to fumes or
corrosive elements.
Cleaning methods established by the manufacturer shall be followed for all
components. Generally, the following applies for body harnesses:

 Wipe off surface dirt with a sponge dampened in plain water. Squeeze the sponge
dry. Dip the sponge in a mild solution of water and commercial soap or detergent.
Work up a thick lather with a vigorous back and forth motion
 Wipe the belt dry with a clean cloth. Hang freely to dry but away from excessive
heat
 Bolts and other equipment should dry thoroughly without close exposure to heat,
steam, or long periods of sunlight
 Mildly dirty cotton may be cleaned normally. For heavy dirt or grease, soak belts in a
solution of one tablespoon of grease cutter to one gallon of water. DO NOT USE A
STRONGER SOLUTION. After soaking, rinse again, then hang to dry
 Fall protection, which is not in the original package, shall be stored in a clean, dry
area

Post-Fall or Near-Miss Incidents

Fall incidents and near-misses shall be thoroughly investigated to determine root causes
and facilitate corrective measures to prevent reoccurences.
 Employees involved in a fall equal to, or greater then 6’ shall be required to receive an
immediate medical evaluation.

All components of a (personal) fall arrest system involved in any fall with a fall distance of
over six feet shall be immediately and completely replaced. Such equipment shall be tagged
‘out of service’ and sent back to the Branch for destruction.

References
OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart M
OSHA 29 CFR 1910 Subpart D