The 11 Types Of Fall Protection Equipment

Falls can happen on the job in a blink of an eye. Whether it’s a brief lapse in concentration, scaffolding that fails, or losing balance, at-height workers can find themselves on the edge of danger in a matter of seconds. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists falls as the second leading cause of workplace fatalities behind transportation accidents. One misstep can cost a life-but you have the power to drastically decrease the danger with the right PPE for fall protection.

The risk of falling is often correlated with the construction industry. However, there are a range of scenarios where fall risk is part of the job; examples include oil and gas, civil engineering, maintenance, scaffolding, and utilities. In this article, we’re covering the different types of fall protection solutions for those who work at-height. Worker safety depends on a combination of risk assessment and sourcing fall protection PPE from reputable brands like ours that comply with OSHA standards.

What Are Fall Protection Equipment and Systems?

According to OSHA, fall protection means “any equipment, device, or system that prevents a worker from falling from an elevation or mitigates the effects of a fall.” It’s the employer’s responsibility to ensure the safety of their workers on the job.

Safety regulations require the worksite to be set up to prevent falls off overhead platforms, elevated areas, or into holes in walls or floors. Two systems are commonly used: fall restraint and fall arrest. Having a fall protection plan that includes both systems is a critical component of workforce safety.

3 Types of Fall Protection Categories

Anytime the safety of your workers is on the line, you must consider the fall protection type that makes sense for the job. The three types of fall protection categories include elimination, prevention, and arrest.

Elimination is simple but rarely practical; this means finding ways to complete tasks on the ground. When working at-height is unavoidable, a good fall prevention plan works in conjunction with handrails, floor hole covers, safety nets, and webbing. Lastly, fall arrest systems use anchors to connect the user to the workplace structure so that, in the event of a fall, it will stop the worker mid-air.

Fall Protection Equipment

Fall protection PPE is used in conjunction with guardrails, hole covers, and webbing which makes the jobsite safer. PPE might include a full body harness, body belt, an energy-absorbing lanyard, d-ring, carabiner, and other items that allow employees to work with both hands while staying safe.

At Premiere Safety, we’ve got all you need on your fall protection equipment list. With safety first (and comfort a close second), our fall protection products are made with strong, flexible, and durable materials. No matter the industry, companies must comply with safety regulations. We’re here to deliver the best products and peace of mind knowing that you’re keeping your workers as safe as possible.

Fall Protection Systems

A potential fall hazard can be addressed with a fall restraint system or a fall arrest system. Think of a fall restraint system like a dog on a leash. This keeps workers within a zone of safety when working near ledges or at-heights. Because the worker can only go so far, this is a way of preventing falls from happening in the first place. Fall restraint systems require 3,000 pounds at anchor points per OSHA to work effectively.

Fall arrest protection systems only spring into action in the event of a fall. Unlike restraint systems that prevent a fall from occurring, these systems are designed to stop a fall that is already happening. More training is required to implement these systems, requiring 5,000 pounds at anchor points per OSHA. This creates the 2:1 safety factor necessary for the fall protection equipment to do its job.

Spaces Where Fall Protection Equipment Should Be Used

• Around holes or pits
• On unstable surfaces
• Near unprotected open edges
• Slopes or slippery surfaces like glazed tiles
• Elevated platforms or portable ladders
• Fragile surfaces like rusty metal roofs or skylights

When it comes to fall elimination, the obvious method is to avoid working near edges when possible. However, this is unavoidable for many jobs. Keep a close eye on the proximity of workers and the lighting quality in unsafe areas to mitigate risk. Double-check the load-bearing capacity of structures and monitor the number of workers on them at any given time.

Active Fall Protection vs. Passive Equipment

When conducting risk assessment, you must decide the type of safety system that best matches the jobsite. Sometimes, things can be altered that allow workers to complete the job on the ground. However, jobs like scaffolding, roofing, and commercial window cleaning have no choice but to work at-height. Equipment fall protection systems are classified into two main categories: active and passive.

Understanding the difference between active and passive fall protection, and what system is appropriate when, is critical. Both have their place in construction, utilities, and heavy industry. A thorough jobsite inspection before your team gets to work will help determine the type of PPE falling protection that is warranted.

The 11 Types of Fall Protection Equipment

With construction in particular, working at-height is common-and unfortunately, so are falls. Quality safety equipment isn’t just necessary to be in compliance with OSHA, it’s critical to keep your workers safe and well. Let’s look at the forms of fall protection equipment in more detail.

Safety Harnesses

Also called a body harness, these straps secure the worker in a way that distributes fall arrest forces over at least the thighs, pelvis, waist, chest, and shoulders. The straps spread out the force of the fall. According to OSHA, safety harnesses must have the capability of being attached to other components of a personal fall protection system.

Lanyards (Shock-Absorbing and Positioning)

Lanyards are flexible lines of rope, wire, or strap with connectors at each end suitable for supporting one person. One end fastens to a safety belt or harness and the other is secured to a safety line. Our lanyard systems, when paired with safety harnesses, allow workers to work with both hands and prevent falls.

Lifelines

Per OSHA, lifelines are ropes capable of supporting one person that attach to a lanyard or safety belt. Once attached, they allow for horizontal or vertical movement along a defined path.

Horizontal Lifelines

Ideal for working on roofs, a horizontal lifeline system is a cable attached to two or more anchor points on an elevated work area. This type of lifeline can be positioned at the base of a structure, overhead, or somewhere in between the two points.

Vertical Lifelines

Designed for jobs that involve upward movement, like climbing ladders or power poles, vertical lifelines are usually attached to a full body harness and lanyard. The anchor point travels with you above the d-ring, allowing for upward and downward movement the entire height of the line.

Self-Retracting Lifelines (SRLs)

This is a vertical, spring-loaded cable that activates in the event of a fall to arrest, or stop, the worker mid-fall. Functioning much like a car seat belt that “brakes” with tension, they are larger in size and stronger than PFLs, or Personal Fall Limiters.

Fall Limiters

Often called Personal Fall Limiters, these are a subtype of Self-Retracting Lifeline. They are shorter in length, usually no more than 8 feet, and smaller in size for more mobility. Unlike SRLs, PFLs are body-mounted and connect directly to the worker’s safety harness.

Carabiners

This recognizable piece of safety equipment is a metal loop with a screwed or sprung gate used to easily connect or disconnect components in a fall protection system. For added safety, our range of carabiners meet OSHA standards and have locking mechanisms to prevent them opening by themselves.

Guardrails and Safety Railings

These safety barriers prevent access to hazardous areas without the need for PPE or worker engagement. They fall under the umbrella of passive protection systems and are particularly suited in situations where technical controls can’t alleviate all hazards.

Safety Nets

A critical piece on your fall protection equipment list, safety nets deflect impact energy and limit the distance that workers can fall. According to OSHA, safety nets should be used in areas where ladders, scaffolds, safety belts, or safety lines are impractical.

Roof Anchors

Roof anchors are used in conjunction with SRLs, lanyards, and other forms of tie-off when securing materials at-height. A d-ring is a form of these anchors. Roofers and maintenance personnel frequently use our roof anchors.

Fall Arrest Extensions

Extensions add an extra length of line between your harness and anchor point for greater freedom of movement. Fall arrest extensions come in shock-absorbing and non-shock absorbing variants and are used in combination with d-rings.

Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS)

A type of personal fall protection, these systems are used to stop workers mid-fall from a walking-working surface. They consist of a body harness, anchors, and connector. Forms of connection may include lanyards, deceleration devices, lifelines, or a combination of the three.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Fall Protection

Personal Protective Equipment, according to OSHA, is equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards that cause serious workplace injuries. Commonly referred to as PPE, examples include items like gloves, safety glasses and shoes, earplugs, hard hats, respirators, vests, and full body suits. PPE is best used in conjunction with PFAS.

Fall Protection Accessories

One accessory you can never have enough of is carabiners. Additional fall protection products include rope grabs, safety traps, ladder extensions, and bungee cords.

How to Choose the Right Fall Protection Equipment

While many job sites are similar, no two are exactly the same. Selecting the right fall protection gear for your workers involves assessing the risk level, the type of job that needs to be done, and the level of mobility required to do it. Consider factors like potential fall distance, load-bearing capacity of work surfaces, and the compatibility of other safety equipment used.

The best decisions are never made in a silo. Developing an effective fall protection plan should be a team effort. Involve your workers to get their insights on the ground (and at-height). Including them ensures they have the equipment they need, that it fits correctly, and that they know how to use it properly. Whether workers are on a rooftop, scaffolding, or a scissor lift, you have to consider every possible scenario so that necessary precautions are in place.

How to Maintain and Inspect Fall Protection Equipment

OSHA requires personal fall arrest systems to be inspected before each use. Every jobsite should implement step-by-step instructions in employee training on proper equipment maintenance procedures. General guidelines for maintaining PPE include storing it in a cool, dry place, keeping it away from sharp or rough surfaces, and hanging wet gear in an area that allows it to dry slowly and naturally.

Your equipment is only as good as the condition it’s in. Regularly inspect PPE for damage and wear that can cause changes in its effectiveness. If you notice scratches, corrosion, rust, dents, bulges, tears, fraying, or wearing away of information tags, it’s time to either repair or replace. Another important aspect is cleanliness. Gear that is covered in dried mud, dirt, or grease may fail to operate as intended.

FAQs:

What is the OSHA Standard for Fall Protection?

OSHA requires that fall protection be provided when working over dangerous equipment or machinery, regardless of fall distance. Current standards require fall protection at four feet in general industry, five feet in shipyards, six feet in construction, and 8 feet in longshoring operations. This required PPE should come at no cost to workers.

What Does Fall Protection Equipment Include?

Fall protection equipment can be worn on your person (active) or utilized in the work environment (passive). This equipment includes safety harnesses, lifelines, safety nets, stair railings, guardrails, and more.

What Are the Two Major Categories of Fall Protection Equipment?

Fall protection equipment can be classified into Active Systems and Passive Systems. Active Systems, like safety harnesses attached to lifelines, require worker interaction to ensure safety. Passive systems, like handrails and webbing, don’t require worker involvement to contribute to safety.

What is the Most Common Fall Protection?

Common and easily installed types of fall protection fall within the prevention method. These involve guardrails, toe boards, and hole covers that help prevent the risk of falling from happening in the first place. When elimination isn’t possible, passive prevention methods should be your next choice.

What Type of Fall Protection is the Most Secure?

While fall restraint systems are used to restrict workers from reaching a fall hazard, fall arrest systems are the most high-tech forms of PPE. Full body harnesses, lifelines, and anchorages used in conjunction with other equipment are designed to stop momentum once a fall has started. Fall arrest systems entail the most risk, but they are as thorough as fall protection equipment gets.

Your Partner in Workplace Safety

While we hope you never have to use it, fall protection systems are critical for workers’ safety across many industries. Everyone has experienced or been around a fall hazard at some point. Whether it's a roofing job or a rescue mission, fall protection isn’t just about being in compliance, it’s about choosing equipment that you trust with your life.

From harnesses to guardrails, Premiere Safety is here with the products and education necessary to help you build a fall protection program that respects the dangers of the job. Our products are a (literal) lifeline that instills confidence in the systems you have in place. Contact us with your questions about this life-saving equipment, and let’s partner together to keep everybody on-site safe.