3 Fall Protection and Ladder Safety Guidelines

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Safety measures and equipment designed to prevent falls from
Fall Protection
heights or to minimize the risk of injury if a fall occurs.
Falls are the leading cause of fatalities and serious injuries in the
Fall Hazard
construction industry.
Terms related to safety systems designed to prevent or minimize
Fall Protection Terminology
falls in workplaces.
A secure point of attachment for lifelines, lanyards, or deceleration
Anchorage Point
devices used in fall protection systems.
One who is capable of identifying existing and potential hazards
Competent Person
and has the authority to take corrective action.
A strategy that eliminates the risk of falling, such as guardrails or
Fall Prevention
covers over holes.
Free Fall The vertical drop of a worker before fall arrest equipment engages.
The distance a worker falls before the fall arrest system begins to
Free Fall Distance
slow the fall.
A barrier designed to prevent workers from falling off an elevated
Guardrail System
work surface.
A flexible line of rope, wire, or webbing used to connect a worker's
Lanyard
harness to an anchorage point or lifeline.
The edge of a floor, roof, or formwork for a structure where workers
Leading Edge
may be exposed to a fall hazard.
A line that connects a worker's harness to an anchorage point and
Lifeline
helps limit fall distance.
A system including an anchorage, body harness, and a means of
Personal Fall Arrest System
connecting the two, designed to arrest a fall.
A mobile, elevated work platform that moves vertically using a
Scissor Lift
crisscrossing metal support structure.
A fall arrest device that automatically adjusts its length and locks
Self-Retracting Lanyard
when a sudden movement or fall occurs.
A locking connector used to attach a lanyard or lifeline to a harness
Snap Hook / Carabiner
or anchorage point.
A low barrier placed at the edge of an elevated work area to
Toeboard
prevent tools and materials from falling.
A safety measure where a worker secures their fall protection
Webbing Tie Off harness to a designated anchor point using a strap made of strong
webbing.
A full-body system worn by workers that distributes fall arrest
Body Harness
forces across the shoulders, thighs, and pelvis.
Mechanisms, such as shock absorbers, that reduce the force of
Deceleration Devices
impact in a fall arrest system.
Any task performed at a height where fall protection measures are
Elevated Work
required to prevent accidents.
Fall protection must be provided at elevations of four feet in general
OSHA Requirements industry, five feet in shipyards, six feet in construction, and eight
feet in long shoring operations.
Employers must guard every floor hole into which a worker can
Guarding Floor Holes accidentally walk using a railing and toe-board or a floor hole
cover.
Employers must provide a guard rail and toe-board around every
Guard Rail and Toe-board
elevated open-sided platform, floor, or runway.
Safety measures provided by employers to prevent workers from
Guardrails and Toe-boards
falling into or onto dangerous machines or equipment.
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When a person trips, slips, or loses balance and falls onto the
Fall to Work Surface
same level they are working on.
When a person falls and collides with a stationary object, such as
Fall Against an Object
machinery, walls, or barriers.
When a person falls off a vehicle or equipment in motion, like
Fall from Moving Vehicle/Equipment
trucks, forklifts, or cranes.
When a person falls while using stairs, ramps, or ladders due to
Fall from Stairs, Ramps, and Ladders
loss of balance, improper use, or structural failure.
When a person falls off an elevated platform, scaffold, or unguard-
Fall from Edge of Work Level
ed edge.
When a person falls into an open pit, shaft, or hole, or through a
Fall Into/Through an Opening
weak surface such as a fragile roof.
When a person falls from an elevated level to a lower level, such
Fall from One Work Level
as from a scaffold to the ground.
Falls that involve multiple levels or unique circumstances, resulting
Fall to the Other
in unexpected movement between surfaces.
Regulation stating that each employee on a walking/working sur-
OSHA 1926.501(B)(1) face with an unprotected side or edge that is 6 feet (1.8m) or more
above a lower level shall be protected from falling.
Zero Fall Distance No allowable distance for falls onto dangerous equipment.
Fall Protection for Scaffolding Required for scaffolding over 6 feet in height.
Fall Protection for Vertical Ladders Required for vertical ladders without cages over 24 feet.
The best course of action for all fall hazards is to eliminate expo-
Hazard Elimination
sure to the fall hazard.
Any equipment that passively protects workers from an unprotect-
Fall Prevention System
ed edge, such as guardrails and barriers.
A form of fall protection designed to prevent workers from reaching
Travel Restraint System
areas where they could potentially fall.
A system that reduces the chance of injury when a fall takes place,
Personal Fall Arrest Systems
rather than preventing a fall.
The choice of a protection system that ideally removes the risk of
Control Measures
falling entirely.
Measures to ensure good housekeeping practices are instituted at
Surface Protection against Slipping & Tripping Hazards
the workplace.
Must be capable of stopping a worker from proceeding past the
Edge Protection
edge of a work level or into a floor opening.
May be permanent or temporary, depending on the circumstances
Barriers at the workplace like: guardrails, handrails, warning barriers, &
ladder cages.
Is a permanent or portable structural system consisting of a top
rail, mid-rail, and toe board secured to vertical posts intended to
Guardrail
stop a worker from inadvertently stepping off a working level and
falling to a level below.
Is used to indicate to workers that they are approaching a haz-
Warning Barrier
ardous work area, where a potential to fall exists.
On the open side of stairs, ramps and other similar means of
Handrail
access, proper handrail must be provided.
Is a permanent structure attached to a ladder that provides a
Ladder Cage barrier between the worker and the surrounding space. It serves
as a support to a worker, if he needs to rest against the barrier.
Must be protected by guard railing or secured wood or metal
Surface Opening Protection
covers.
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Must be capable of supporting all loads to which it may be sub-
Covering
jected.
Is intended to limit a worker's movement so the worker is unable
Travel Restraint Systems
to reach a location where there is a risk of falling.
It does not prevent a fall, it reduces the chance of injury when a
Fall Arrest Systems
fall takes place.
Shall be located as high as equipment permit it, as it is dangerous
Anchorage point to work above the point of anchorage. Capable supporting of 6,000
lbs, must be corrosion resistant.
Part of the system that is attached to the anchor point and the user
of the system. Must have sufficient strength to support a weight
Lifeline
of 2500lbs. Must be made of good quality material such (1/2 ins.
diameter) nylon rope.
This is a device that automatically locks onto the lifeline when a
Fall Arrestor (rope grab)
fall occurs.
A device made of rope, wire, or nylon strap is used to tether the
Lanyard individual to an anchorage point and stop the individual in the
event of a fall.
This is a device that limits the force applied to the user when a fall
Shock absorber
occurs. Can be a separate device or built into a lanyard design.
This is a device designed to contain the torso and pelvic area of a
Full Body Harness
worker and to support the worker during and after a fall.
Used when it is impractical to provide a fixed barrier or fall arrest
Fall Containment Systems
system, an alternate solution is the provision of safety nets.
Are used most often where it is difficult or impossible to arrange for
Safety Net guard railing or to provide a proper anchoring and lifeline system
for fall arrest.
Safety mesh, which is securely fixed, provides fall protection for
Safety Mesh roof installers and offers long-term protection against falling for
maintenance and repair works.
The practice of ensuring safe use, handling, and maintenance of
Ladder Safety
ladders to prevent accidents.
Common Hazards of Ladder Use Reaching or leaning too far rather than moving the ladder.
Improper Ladder Use Placing the ladder on boxes or pallets to gain height.
Carrying Items on Ladder Climbing the ladder while carrying items.
Standing on the very top step or rung when the ladder is too short
Standing on Top Step
for the task.
Wrong Ladder Angle Placing an extension ladder at the wrong angle.
Worn Ladder Using a worn or damaged ladder.
Throwing Tools Throwing tools to a worker who is on the ladder.
Using metal ladders in areas where it can come in contact with
Metal Ladders and Electricity
electrical wires.
Uneven Surface Placing the ladder on an uneven or unstable surface.
A portable ladder with flat steps and a hinged design that does not
Self-supporting Ladder
require leaning against a surface.
An example of a self-supporting ladder, ideal for light to moderate
Step Ladder
tasks, commonly used indoors or in home improvement.
A ladder that consists of two or more sections that slide and extend
Non Self-supporting Ladder
for height adjustment.
An example of a non self-supporting ladder, often used for ac-
Extension Ladder
cessing tall buildings or roofs.
4:1 rule
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A guideline stating that for every 4 meters in height, the base of
the ladder should be 1 meter from the wall.

Specifications that ladders must meet, including material, length,

Design and Construction Requirements
rungs/steps, load capacity, safety feet, and spreaders or locks.
Ladders must be made of durable materials such as wood, alu-
Material
minum, or fiberglass, free from defects, cracks, or corrosion.
Ladders must extend at least 1 meter (3 feet) above the landing
Length Requirement
surface when used for access to elevated work areas.
Must be slip-resistant and evenly spaced, not exceeding 30 cm
Rungs/Steps (12 inches) apart, with a minimum width of 30 cm (12 inches) for
side rails.
Ladders must be clearly labeled with the maximum working load,
Load Capacity e.g., Type I: Heavy Duty - 113 kg; Type II: Medium Duty - 102 kg;
Type III: Light Duty - 91 kg.
Safety Feet Non-slip bases designed for stability on smooth surfaces.
Spreaders or Locks Required for step ladders to prevent accidental opening.
A check for structural damage, loose rungs, or worn components
Pre-Use Inspection
before using a ladder.
Ladders that are tagged 'Do Not Use' and must be repaired or
Damaged Ladders
replaced immediately.
Includes regular cleaning to remove grease or debris and storing
Maintenance
in a dry, shaded area to prevent weather damage.
Ladders should be positioned at a 75-degree angle and secured
Placement
at the top and bottom to prevent slipping.
Maintain three-point contact while climbing, face the ladder, and
Climbing
do not overreach.
Actions such as exceeding the maximum load capacity, placing
Prohibited Actions
ladders on unstable surfaces, and avoiding electrical hazards.
To provide training on ladder selection, inspection, and safe use,
Employer Responsibilities
and ensure compliance with DOLE OSH Standards.
Records of ladder inspections, repairs, and incidents must be
Documentation
maintained.
Guidelines for selecting the right ladder, inspecting it before use,
Five Rules for Ladder Safety
careful setup, cautious climbing, and safe practices.
A list of actions to avoid and actions to take when using ladders,
Do's and Don'ts of Using Ladders
such as not overreaching and using a toolbelt.

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