Hierarchy of Fall Protection

Governing bodies generally recognize the hierarchy of fall protection as the foundation for determining the appropriate fall protection system. This hierarchy prioritizes eliminating risks, guarding hazards, and ultimately protecting workers when working at height.

1. Eliminate the Risk

Whenever possible, avoid working at height by locating equipment and plant machinery in safe, ground-level locations where there is no risk of falling.

2. Guard the Hazard

If working at height is unavoidable, ensure that workers are not exposed to unnecessary risks. This can be achieved by installing parapets or guardrails to eliminate fall hazards.

3. Protect the Worker

When eliminating the risk of falling is not feasible, a suitable fall protection system must be implemented to mitigate the consequences of a fall. This can be accomplished through either a fall restraint or a fall arrest system—each serving distinct purposes.

Fall Restraint System: Prevents workers from reaching a hazardous area.
Fall Arrest System: Allows workers to access hazardous areas while ensuring their safety if a fall occurs.

Fall Restraint Systems

Fall restraint systems enable workers to perform their tasks without reaching a point where a fall is possible. These systems are ideal for scenarios where work must be conducted near fall hazards, such as gutter maintenance on a roof.

When installing a fall restraint system, it is advisable to test it against fall arrest loads to ensure safety in case of misuse. For instance, a worker using an overly long lanyard may inadvertently bypass the system’s intended function.

Best practices dictate that restraint systems should be positioned at least 2 meters from the hazard, with workers typically connected to the system via a fixed-length 1.5-meter lanyard.

Fall Arrest Systems

A fall arrest system provides workers with maximum mobility while allowing them to reach potential fall hazards, such as roof edges during maintenance. However, should a fall occur, the system will arrest the descent, enabling the worker to either self-rescue or be rescued by others.

Rescue Planning

In the event of a fall, a comprehensive rescue plan must be in place to ensure worker safety. Legal regulations mandate that employers establish a well-documented rescue procedure before allowing workers to operate at height. A swift and effective rescue plan minimizes the risk of injury and ensures compliance with safety regulations.

A Breakdown of Each Level Within the Hierarchy of Fall Protection

Workplace safety is a critical concern, particularly when it comes to fall protection. Understanding the hierarchy of fall protection provides a structured approach to minimizing risks associated with working at heights. This hierarchy prioritizes the most effective methods first, ensuring that workers are protected to the greatest extent possible. Below is a breakdown of each level within the hierarchy, starting from the most effective measures and progressing to the least.

1. Eliminate the Hazard

The most effective method of fall protection is eliminating the hazard entirely. This involves redesigning the work environment, altering processes, or implementing engineering solutions that remove the need for employees to work at height. By eliminating the risk, the need for additional protective measures becomes unnecessary. This is the most desirable and proactive approach in the hierarchy, as it ensures worker safety at the source rather than relying on secondary protective measures.

Examples of hazard elimination include:

Relocating equipment to ground level to eliminate the need for elevated work.
Using extendable tools to perform tasks from a safe location.
Designing structures in a way that removes the requirement for working at height.

2. Passive Fall Protection

When eliminating the hazard is not feasible, passive fall protection systems provide the next best solution. These systems create a physical barrier between workers and fall hazards without requiring active participation from the worker. Since passive systems do not rely on user intervention, they offer consistent and reliable protection.

Common passive fall protection measures include:

Guardrails – Installed along edges of elevated surfaces to prevent accidental falls.
Skylight Screens – Cover fragile skylights to prevent workers from falling through them.
Safety Net Systems – Placed below elevated work areas to catch workers in case of a fall.

Passive fall protection is highly effective because it continuously safeguards employees, reducing the risk of human error.

3. Active Travel Restraint

If passive protection is not a viable option, active travel restraint systems serve as an effective alternative. These systems prevent workers from reaching fall hazards by using a harness and tether attached to a secure anchor point. Unlike passive protection, active travel restraint requires worker involvement, making training and proper use essential.

Key components of active travel restraint systems include:

Full-body harnesses – Worn by workers to distribute forces evenly in case of a fall.
Fixed-length lanyards – Keep workers at a safe distance from edges.
Anchor points – Secure attachment locations that support the worker's weight.

These systems are best suited for scenarios where workers need access to an area near a fall hazard but must be prevented from reaching a point where a fall could occur, such as rooftop maintenance or working near fragile surfaces.

4. Active Fall Arrest

When fall hazards cannot be eliminated or mitigated through passive or travel restraint systems, active fall arrest systems are necessary. Unlike restraint systems, which prevent falls from occurring, fall arrest systems are designed to stop a worker mid-fall, minimizing the risk of serious injury.

Fall arrest systems include:

Shock-absorbing lanyards – Reduce impact forces on the body during a fall.
Retractable lifelines – Automatically adjust slack to minimize fall distance.
Anchor points – Must be capable of withstanding at least 5,000 pounds of force per worker.

While fall arrest systems provide crucial protection, they come with inherent risks, such as suspension trauma. For this reason, workers using these systems must be trained in self-rescue or assisted rescue procedures to ensure timely recovery after a fall.

5. Administrative Controls

Administrative controls are the least effective form of fall protection because they rely heavily on worker compliance and behavior rather than physical barriers or mechanical systems. However, they still play a crucial role in enhancing safety when combined with other protective measures.

Examples of administrative controls include:

Safety training – Educating workers on proper use of fall protection equipment and hazard recognition.
Signage and warnings – Clearly marking hazardous areas to alert workers.
Work schedules – Limiting exposure to fall hazards by adjusting work assignments.

Since administrative controls depend on human behavior, they should always be used alongside more robust fall protection measures.

The hierarchy of fall protection provides a structured approach to minimizing risks associated with working at heights. By prioritizing hazard elimination and passive protection over active systems and administrative controls, workplaces can significantly reduce fall-related injuries and fatalities. Employers should always aim to implement the highest level of protection possible while ensuring proper training and compliance to maintain a safe work environment.

Please Note:

The content in this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only. This publication is not a substitute for review of the applicable government regulations and standards, and should not be construed as legal advice or opinion. Readers with specific compliance questions should refer to the cited regulation or consult with an attorney.

Post by Indian Safety Association

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