FALL PROTECTION FUNDAMENTALS

Module 1: Introduction
 Disclaimer
Completing this course will help you understand the rules
and some of the hazards related to fall protection.
However, it is your employer’s responsibility to further
your training where it is specific to your organization, such
as permits, policies, and practices. This material should not
be considered a substitute for any provisions of the
Oregon Safe Employment Act, or for any standards issued
by Oregon OSHA. Manufacturers, products, or services
displayed in this material are for informational purposes
only and do not constitute an endorsement by Oregon
OSHA.

Module 1: introduction
 Video: The Russ Youngstrom Story

Module 1: introduction
 Fall Hazards
• Fall hazards are present at almost every
workplace.

• Any walking/working surface can be a

potential fall hazard.

Below are warning signs that can be printed off

and used at your jobsite.
Fall Hazard Sign (English)
Fall Hazard Sign (Spanish)

Module 1: introduction
 Video: Why Falls are Dangerous

Module 1: introduction
 Fall Statistics
Fatal falls to a lower level in private construction
increased from 255 in 2011 to 370 in 2016, a
45% increase.

In all other industries combined, the increase

was 10%. Over the 6-year period, more than half
the fatal falls to a lower level occurred in private
construction.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Module 1: introduction
 Video: What is Fall Protection?

Module 1: introduction
 Video: History of Fall Protection

Module 1: introduction
 Video: Aftermath

Module 1: introduction
 Accepted Claims
In 2017, there were 5,780 resolved claims in
Oregon that were due to slips, trips, and falls.
The average cost for these claims was $23,570.

Oregon Department of Consumer & Business Services

Module 1: introduction
 Accepted Claims
Below are a few categories of accepted disabling
worker’s compensation claims from Oregon in
2018 due to falls to a lower level.

(405) From Ladders

(44) From Roofs
(38) From Scaffold
(128) Down Stairs
Oregon Department of Consumer & Business Services

Module 1: introduction
 Violations
In 2018, fall protection was the most commonly
cited violation for the Oregon construction
industry.

Total number of violations (443)

Total initial penalties ($902,990)
Oregon Department of Consumer & Business Services

Module 1: introduction
 Video: Who Needs Fall Protection?

Module 1: introduction
 Video: Does Fall Protection Work?

Module 1: introduction
FALL PROTECTION FUNDAMENTALS
Module 2: Getting Started
 Video: OSHA Standards

Module 2: getting started

 Oregon OSHA’s
Fall Protection Standards
Click the links below to view the different Oregon OSHA
standards that are related to fall protection.

Construction
Scaffolding, Lifts, and Aerial Platforms
Steel Erection
General Industry
Personal Fall Protection

Module 2: getting started

 Video: Risk Assessment

Module 2: getting started

 Trigger Heights
Click the links below to view the fact sheets. The
fact sheets contain trigger heights for
construction and general industry activities.

Trigger Heights for Construction

Trigger Heights for General Industry

Module 2: getting started

 Video: Competent vs. Qualified

Module 2: getting started

 Competent Persons
Click the button to view the Oregon OSHA
factsheet, “Fall protection in Construction:
Requirements for Competent Persons.”

Competent Person Fact Sheet

Module 2: getting started

 Video: ABC’s of Fall Protection

Module 2: getting started

 Video: Falling Objects

Module 2: getting started

 Falling Objects
Click the link below for more information on
falling objects.

Falling Object Requirements in Division 3, Subdivi

sion M, Fall Protection

Module 2: getting started

FALL PROTECTION FUNDAMENTALS
Module 3: Options
 Video: Overview of Options

Module 3: options
 Video: Eliminate

Module 3: options
 Video: Prevent

Module 3: options
 Guardrail Systems
The benefit of guardrails over control options, is that after
they are installed correctly, they reduce the amount of human
error.
Parts include:
• Top rail
• Midrail
• Intermediate vertical members
Can also be combined with toeboards that prevent materials
from rolling off the walking/working surface.
For more information on guardrails, click the links below:

General Industry (Fact Sheet) Division 2, Subdivision D, Walking-Working Surfaces

Construction (Fact Sheet) Division 3, Subdivision M, Fall Protection

Module 3: options
 Fall-Restraint Systems
Fall restraint systems prevent workers from reaching an
unprotected edge. Thus, prevents a fall from occurring.
Parts include:
Lanyard
Connectors
Body harness or body belt
The anchorage must support at least 3,000 lbs. or be
designed and installed by a qualified person and have a safety
factor of at least 2.
Click the link for more information.

Fall Restraint requirements in Division 3, Subdivision M, Fall Pr

otection

Module 3: options
 Hole Covers
Click the link for more information on hole
covers.

Hole Cover Requirements in Division 3, Subdivision M, Fall Pro

tection

Module 3: options
 Skylights
If you are interested in watching an additional video about a
true story where a man fell through a skylight, click the link
below.

Preventing Falls Through Skylights

Module 3: options
 Video: Control

Module 3: options
 Fall-Arrest Systems
A personal fall-arrest system consists of an anchorage,
connectors, and a full-body harness that work together to
stop a fall and to minimize the arrest force.

Other parts may include:

• Lanyard
• Deceleration device
• Lifeline

The fall arrest system is only effective if you know how all the
components work together to stop a fall.

Fall-Arrest Requirements in Division 3, Subdivision M, Fall Prot

ection

Module 3: options
 Positioning Device Systems
Positioning device systems support a person who needs to
work with both hands free on surfaces such as walls or
windowsills. Also used on formwork, and for placing rebar.

They provide support, and must stop a free fall within 2 feet.

Parts include:
Anchorage
Connectors
Body support

Click the link for more information.

Positioning Device Requirements in Division 3, Subdivision M,

Fall Protection

Module 3: options
 Safety Net System
Safety net systems consist of mesh nets, and connecting
components.
Their openings can’t be more than 6 inches on a side, center to
center.
They must not be installed more than 30 feet below working surface.
They must be able to withstand a drop test consisting of a 400 pound
sandbag, 30 inches in diameter, dropped from the working surface.
They must have a minimum horizontal distance to the net’s outer
edge which depends on how far below the working surface the net is
placed.
Click the link for more information.

Safety Net Requirements in Division 3, Subdivision M, Fall Protection

Module 3: options
 Video: Warn

Module 3: options
 Warning Line System
A warning line system’s purpose is to warn roofers that they
are near an unprotected edge.
They consist of ropes, wires, or chains, and supporting
stanchions that mark off the area where work can be done
without other types of fall protection.
They can only be used for roofing work on roofs that have
slopes of 2:12 or less, vertical to horizontal.
Click the link for more information.

Warning Line Requirements in Division 3, Subdivision M, Fall P

rotection

Module 3: options
 Safety Monitor
Safety-monitoring systems for roofing work can be used only
to protect employees on roofs that have slopes no greater
than 2:12.

They are not permitted on roofs more than 50 feet unless a

warning-line system is also installed to keep employees from
coming too close to an unprotected roof edge.

Click the link for more information.

Safety Monitor Requirements in Division 3, Subdivision M, Fall

Protection

Module 3: options
 Safety Monitor/Warning Lines

Click the links to view our Safety Monitoring for Roofing

Work, and Using Warning Lines Fact Sheets.

Safety Monitor

Warning Lines

Module 3: options
FALL PROTECTION FUNDAMENTALS
Module 4: Demonstrations
 Video: Inspection/Maintenance

Module 4: demonstrations
 Video: Donning a Harness

Module 4: demonstrations
 Video: Anchors

Module 4: demonstrations
Module 4: demonstrations
 Anchor Types
Peak anchors are typically used in the roofing industry, and
are usually left in place after the job is done for future jobs.

Truss anchors and spreaders are used before a structure is

fully framed. Specifically, a spreader is implemented before
trusses are fully sheathed.

Module 4: demonstrations
 Anchor Types
Engineered Clamps are often associated with 4 different
anchor types:
• I-beam clamp, which adjusts to numerous steel beam
sizes.
• Trolley beam anchor, which allows workers greater access
to greater work areas without the need for a longer
lanyard.
• Standing seam metal roof anchor, which clamps to parallel
seams of metal roofs.
• Doorway and window opening clamp, which allows for
anchoring between building framing or window openings.

Module 4: demonstrations
 Anchor Types
Strap Anchors are associated with 3 different anchor types:

• The cable anchorage sling, used around structural steel or

I-beams.

• Drop-through anchorage cable, suitable for concrete or

steel, has an anchor point that drops through a small hole
in an overhead surface.

• Strap anchor, which is used for sturdy horizontal structures

like beams. Keep in mind, sharp or rough edges could lead
to strap damage.

Module 4: demonstrations
 Anchor Types
Concrete Anchors are associated with 3 different anchor
types:
• Concrete anchor strap with d-ring, typically used by
foundation and formwork employees. The strap is
protected with a sleeve or wear-pad from abrasion by the
concrete. It is looped around the rebar during pouring,
and is cut flush with the surface when it is no longer
needed.
• Precast hollow core concrete anchor, which allows one
worker to tie off, and is used for precast hollow concrete
tasks.
• Bolt-on wall anchor, which can be a temporary or
permanent anchor point on a vertical concrete wall.

Module 4: demonstrations
 Anchor Types
The Welded Anchors consists of:

Welded d-ring anchor, which is a single d-ring anchor point

that can be temporary or permanently welded onto vertical
structural steel.

Weld-on anchor post, which is a permanent anchor point that

is welded to an I-beam.

Trench Box Guardrail Anchor is used for performing deep

excavation. It is designed with an anchor point on a post near
the guardrail.

Module 4: demonstrations
 Anchor Types
Anchors not welded, or clamped in place are comprised of:

• Mobile fall protection system, meant for a one employee using a

fall arrest system. This anchor types allows to move quickly from
location to location, and also come in versions that allow for more
than one employee to anchor.

• Rotating retractable anchor mast, which is most often seen used

on sloped residential roofs. It allows the worker a large range of
motion, and helps to elevate the anchor point above the worker.

• Dead weight anchor, which is commonly used when performing

roof work and you can not hammer or drill into the surface. It is
made of concrete, steel, or other similar heavy materials to
provide anchorage.

• Bolt hole anchor, which is used in horizontal steel bolt holes.

Module 4: demonstrations
 Video: Calculating Fall Distance

Module 4: demonstrations
 Fall Distance Educator

Click the link below to view the Oregon

OSHA’s fall distance educator. The educator
will provide you with 3 different scenarios.

Oregon OSHA’s Fall Distance Calculator

Module 4: demonstrations
 Swing Fall

For more information on swing falls click the

link below.

How to Evaluate the Swing Fall Hazard

Module 4: demonstrations
 Video: Rescue

Module 4: demonstrations
 Rescue
For more information on rescue, click the
link below to view the Oregon OSHA’s Safety
and Health newsletter.

Newsletter (Rescue)

Module 4: demonstrations
 Video: Inspection Example

Module 4: demonstrations
FALL PROTECTION FUNDAMENTALS
Module 5: Training
 Video: Purpose of Training

Module 5: training
 Video: Training Topics

Module 5: training
 Video: Train Your Team

Module 5: training
 Training Certification
When talking about certification of the training, the employer
must verify that they are compliant by preparing a written
certification record. This record needs to have the name or
other identity of the employee trained, dates of the training,
and the signature of the person who conducted the training
or the employer. Once all of this is completed, you need to
maintain the latest training certification.

In some instances the employee may have received training

from a previous employer. If the current employer is relying
on this, the record needs to indicate when the current
employer determined the prior training was adequate rather
than the date of the actual training.

Module 5: training
 Retraining
When the employer has a reason to believe that an
employee who has already been trained doesn’t have
the knowledge or skills required they need to retrain the
employee. Examples where retraining is required
include:

• Changes in the workplace or fall protection systems

being used has made the previous training obsolete.

• It is evident that the employee has not retained the

necessary knowledge and skills from the training.

Module 5: training
 Training Requirements
Before any employee is exposed to a fall hazard, the
employer must provide training for each employee who
uses personal fall protection systems or who is required
to be trained as specified by Oregon OSHA.

For more information on Training, click the links below:

• Fall Protection for Construction Activities

• Safety Monitoring for Roofing Work
• Division 3, Subdivision M, Fall Protection
• Walking-Working Surfaces: At a Glance
• Division 2, Subdivision D, Walking-Working Surfaces

Module 5: training
 Additional Resources
There are many places to get training resources you
need. We have provided a list of a few companies that
provide training materials.

Just click the links to view their websites.

• 3M | DBI SALA | PROTECTA

• Guardian Fall Protection
• GRAVITEC
• ACME University
• Honeywell
• OR OSHA Topic Index

Module 5: training
FALL PROTECTION FUNDAMENTALS
Module 6: Conclusion
 Video: Safety Culture

Module 6: conclusion
 Safety Culture
While there isn’t one way to get a safety culture, here are
some factors you can consider to get moving in the right
direction:
Management Values – Management should lead by example. This top
down strategy shows employees that safety is very important and valued
by the company.
Safety Communication – Communication should be on going with
employees. If you see something wrong say something.
Safety Practices – Throughout this training we have gone over several
safety practices. You should always understand your companies safety
policies, and the Oregon OSHA standards as it relates to the tasks you
are doing.
Safety Training – It is crucial that employees using fall protection be
trained to at least meet the standards presented by Oregon OSHA.
Safety Equipment – Use the right equipment for the job or task.
Safety Inspections – Contact Oregon OSHA’s consultation services with
any questions or concerns you might have relating to your work.

Module 6: conclusion
 Video: Getting Started

Module 6: conclusion