Fall protection

Overview

Fall protection is what you do to eliminate fall hazards, prevent falls, and ensure that those who do fall do not die. We need fall protection because even if we are experienced working at heights, we can lose our balance or grip. We can slip, trip, or misstep. We can fall at any time. We may think that our reflexes will protect us, but we are falling before we know it. And we do not have to fall far to get hurt.

Fall protection in the construction industry

Falls are the leading cause of death in the construction industry. Oregon OSHA has several rules for construction activities that specify the minimum height at which workers must be protected from falling. These heights are known as “trigger heights.” Learn more…

Fall protection in general industry

Four feet above the ground or a lower level is widely understood among general industry employers as the “trigger height” that requires you to take action to protect your employees from falls. Did you know that some trigger heights in general industry differ from four feet? Learn more…

Publications

Apps-mobile/online
- Fall distance educator
  How far can you fall with a shock-absorbing lanyard? Oregon OSHA's fall distance educator shows you how to calculate your fall distance and your free-fall distance with three different scenerios.
  English
Brochures/Guides
- Fall protection for construction activities
  Provides best practices for fall protection when performing construction activities. Covers the requirements in Division 3, Subdivision M, Fall Protection and highlights fall protection requirements for work on ladders and scaffolds.
  English Order printed copy 08/31/2020
- Fall Protection for setting and bracing wood trusses and rafters
  Describes how to eliminate or minimize fall hazards for workers who set and brace wood trusses and rafters.
  English Order printed copy 06/10/2022
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Hazard Assessment
  Explains how to conduct a PPE hazard assessment and when employees should use PPE.
  English Order printed copy 06/30/2023
- Proteccion contra caidas para actividades de la construccion - guia condensada
  Fall protection for the construction industry
  Proporciona las mejores prácticas para la protección contra caídas cuando se realizan actividades de construcción. Cubre los requisitos de division 3, subdivision M, protección de caídas y recalca los requisitos de protección contra caídas para trabajos en escaleras y andamios.
  Spanish Order printed copy 09/21/2022
- Protección contra caídas para colocar y reforzar las vigas de madera y la estructura del techo
  Fall Protection for setting and bracing wood trusses and rafters
  Describe cómo eliminar o minimizar los riesgos de caídas para los trabajadores que colocan y refuerzan las vigas de madera y las estructuras de techo.
  Spanish Order printed copy 06/10/2022
Checklists
- Elevated surfaces
  Checklist for elevated surfaces.
  English
- Floor and openings self-inspection checklist
  Self-inspection checklist for floor and openings.
  English
- Ladders (portable) self-inspection checklist
  Self-inspection checklist for portable ladders.
  English
Fact sheets
- Alturas de activación para la protección contra caídas en actividades de la construcción
  Fall protection trigger heights for the construction industry
  Proporciona alturas de activación para la protección contra caídas en los trabajos relacionado con la construcción.
  Spanish 02/09/2024
- Andamios en la construcción: requisitos para personas compententes
  Scaffolding in construction: requirements for competent persons
  Describe a una persona competente para andamios en actividades de construcción y explica los requisitos de la División 3, Subdivisión L que se aplican a ellos.
  Spanish 04/13/2018
- Colocación de lonas y protección contra caídas: información para camioneros
  Tarping and fall protection - information for truckers
  Explica cómo protegerse de las caídas si tiene que ajustar, quitar o colocar una lona desde la parte superior de su carga.
  Spanish 05/16/2018
- Como usar líneas de advertencia: Buenas prácticas en la industria de la construcción
  Warning lines - Construction industry best practices
  Describe las mejores prácticas para el uso de líneas de advertencia para avisar a los trabajadores que están acercándose al borde desprotegido de un techo, piso, u otra superficie de trabajo.
  Spanish 03/20/2024
- Control de seguridad en las tareas de techado
  Safety monitoring for roofing work
  Explica los requisitos para usar sistemas de monitoreo de seguridad en lugar de sistemas mecánicos para advertir a los techadores cuando se encuentran a seis pies o más sobre un nivel inferior y están en peligro de caerse.
  Spanish 08/25/2023
- Enumera las alturas de activación de las superficies para caminar o trabajar para los lugares de trabajo de la industria en general
  Fall protection trigger heights for general industry
  Enumera las alturas limites de superficies para caminar o trabajar para los lugares de trabajo de la industria en general.
  Spanish 05/06/2022
- Erección de acero en la construcción: requisitos para personas competentes
  Steel erection in construction: requirements for competent persons
  Describe a una persona competente para el montaje de acero en las actividades de construcción y explica los requisitos de la División 3, Subdivisión R que aplican a ellos.
  Spanish 03/22/2024
- Fall protection in construction: requirements for competent persons
  Describes a competent person for fall protection in construction activities and explains the requirements in Division 3, Subdivision M that apply to them.
  English 04/04/2019
- Fall protection trigger heights for general industry
  Lists fall protection trigger heights for walking and working surfaces at general industry workplaces.
  English 05/06/2022
- Fall protection trigger heights for general industry
  Работа над опасным оборудованием или около него предполагает принятие мер по защите работников от падения на такое оборудование, независимо от высоты.
  Russian 06/06/2022
- Fall protection trigger heights for the construction industry
  Provides fall protection trigger heights for construction related work.
  English 09/19/2019
- Guardrails, stair rails, and handrails in general industry workplaces
  Summarizes the fall protection requirements for guardrails, stair rails and handrails in general industry workplaces.
  English 03/06/2020
- Protección contra caídas en la construcción: requisitos para personas competentes
  Fall protection in construction: requirements for competent persons
  Describe a una persona competente para la protección contra caídas en las actividades de construcción y explica los requisitos en la División 3, Subdivisión M que se aplican a ellos.
  Spanish 03/29/2024
- Safety monitoring for roofing work
  Explains the requirements for using safety monitor systems rather than mechanical systems to warn roofers when they are six feet or more above a lower level and in danger of falling.
  English 12/21/2018
- Scaffolding in construction: requirements for competent persons
  Describes a competent person for scaffolding in construction activities and explains the requirements in Division 3, Subdivision L that apply to them.
  English 03/04/2024
- Sistemas de barandales, sistemas de barandales para escaleras y pasamanos en lugares de trabajo de la industria en general
  Guardrails, stair rails, and handrails in general industry workplaces
  Resume los requisitos de protección contra caídas para barandales, barandales de escaleras y pasamanos en los lugares de trabajo de la industria en general.
  Spanish 03/06/2020
- Steel erection in construction: requirements for competent persons
  Describes a competent person for steel erection in construction activities and explains the requirements in Division 3, Subdivision R that apply to them.
  English 10/09/2018
- Superficies transitables de trabajo: a simple vista
  Walking-working surfaces: At a glance
  Proporciona una descripción general de los requisitos de las superficies para caminar y trabajar en los lugares de trabajo de la industria en general. Destaca las reglas clave de superficies para caminar y trabajar y las reglas que han retrasado las fechas de vigencia.
  Spanish 09/06/2017
- Superficies transitables de trabajo: Áreas designadas
  Walking-working surfaces: Designated areas
  Describe las condiciones que deben cumplirse para que los empleados utilicen las áreas designadas en lugar de protección adicional contra caídas cuando trabajan en techos de poca pendiente.
  Spanish 09/08/2017
- Tarping and fall protection - information for truckers
  Explains how to protect yourself from falling if you have to adjust, remove, or apply a tarp from the top of your load.
  English 05/16/2018
- Walking-working surfaces: At a glance
  Provides an overview of walking-working surface requirements in general industry workplaces.
  English 04/15/2024
- Walking-working surfaces: Designated areas
  Describes conditions that must be met for employees to use designated areas instead of additional fall protection when working on low-slope roofs.
  English 09/08/2017
- Warning lines - Construction industry best practices
  Explains construction-industry best practices for using a warning line to alert workers they are approaching an unprotected edge of a roof, floor, or other work surface.
  English 03/04/2024
Forms
- PPE hazard assessment form (PDF)
  Use this sample form to identify hazards and to certify (document in writing) that you completed the assessment.
  English Word version 06/10/2019
Labels and stickers
- Fall hazard sign
  Fall hazard sign produced by federal OSHA.
  English 01/01/2000
- Peligro de caídas anuncio
  Fall protection sign
  Spanish 01/01/2000
References
- Rules with requirements
  We get many calls and emails from employers asking the same question. It begins: “Which of your rules have requirements for…” You can finish the sentence with words like “recordkeeping,” “employee training,” and “written documents.” To answer those questions, we’ve organized these rules requirements into a filterable, sortable, searchable table.
  English 05/10/2019

Education and training

Online course
- Curso en línea sobre protección contra caídas para techos
  Fall protection in roofing online course
  Este curso está diseñado para garantizar que tenga una base sólida para construir o administrar su propio programa de protección contra caídas para las actividades de techado.
  Spanish Online course
- Fall Protection For Construction online course
  This multimedia course is designed to assist you as an employer or employee working in construction activities to meet the requirements of Oregon OSHA fall protection standards.
  English Online course
- Fall Protection for Roofing online course
  This course is designed to ensure you have a solid foundation to build or manage your own fall protection program for roofing activities. Topics covered are hazard identification, fall protection equipment and systems, safe access, and training.
  English Online course
- Fall Protection Suite
  The online courses that cover fall protection topics
  English Online course
- Fundamentals of Fall Protection online course
  This course is designed to assist you as an employer or employee to meet the requirements of the Oregon OSHA Fall Protection Standards. This is the first course in the fall protection suite.
  English Online course
- Principios fundamentales de la protección contra caídas
  Fall protection fundamentals online course
  Este curso está diseñado para ayudar a los empleadores y empleados a cumplir con los requisitos de los estándares de Protección contra Caídas de Oregon OSHA.
  Spanish Online course
- Protección contra caídas para la construcción
  Fall protection in construction
  Este curso multimedia está diseñado para ayudarlo como empleador o empleado que trabaja en actividades de construcción para cumplir con los requisitos de las normas de protección contra caídas de de Oregon OSHA.
  Spanish Online course
- Suite de protección contra caídas
  Fall protection suite
  Este curso multimedia está diseñado para ayudarlo como empleador o empleado que trabaja en actividades de construcción para cumplir con los requisitos de las normas de protección contra caídas de de Oregon OSHA.
  Spanish Online course
Resources
- Construction Focus Four Training
  English Resources

PESO
- La Construcción Residencial: Trabajo Especializado
  Residential Construction: Specialty Work
  Del programa PESO para la seguridad en la construcción residencial - PESO English-Spanish residential construction safety training
  Training program English Spanish 10/14/2020
- La Construcción Residencial: Techado
  Residential Construction: Roofing
  Del programa PESO para la seguridad en la construcción residencial - PESO English-Spanish residential construction safety training
  Training program English Spanish 10/14/2020
- La Construcción Residencial: Armazón, Sentado de Armaduras, Cabios, y Cubierta de Techo
  Residential Construction: Framing, Setting Trusses, Rafters, And Roof Sheeting
  Del programa PESO para la seguridad en la construcción residencial - PESO English-Spanish residential construction safety training
  Training program English Spanish 10/14/2020
- La Construcción Residencial: Acabado de Interiores
  Residential Construction: Interior Finishing
  Del programa PESO para la seguridad en la construcción residencial - PESO English-Spanish residential construction safety training
  Training program English Spanish 10/14/2020
- La Construcción Residencial: Acabado de Exteriores
  Residential Construction: Exterior Finishing
  Del programa PESO para la seguridad en la construcción residencial - PESO English-Spanish residential construction safety training
  Training program English Spanish 10/14/2020
- Fall Protection (pptx)
  Protección Contra Caídas
  Tailgate English Spanish 11/14/2022
- Fall Protection (pptx)
  Protección Contra Caídas
  Workbook English Spanish 11/14/2022
- Fall Protection (pptx)
  Protección Contra Caídas
  Overhead English Spanish 11/14/2022
Resources
- Public Education Workshop Schedule July-December
  Schedule for workshop classes around the state during July through December. Attending an Oregon OSHA class helps you gain important knowledge and skills.
  English 12/14/2022
- Public Education Workshop Schedule January-June
  Schedule for our workshop classes from January through June. Attending an Oregon OSHA class helps you gain important knowledge and skills.
  English 11/29/2022
Workshop
- Fall Protection
  PowerPoint slides for the introduction to basic fall protection principles and codes related to fall protection used in construction and general industries workshop.
  Overhead English 02/24/2020

Rules and rule-related

Advisory Committee

Fall Protection for Construction

Final Rules
- Division 2, Subdivision D, Walking-Working Surfaces
  2-2017 Word version
- Division 2, Subdivision I, Personal Protective Equipment
  Administrative Order 2-2023 Word version
- Division 3, Subdivision L, Scaffolding
  1-2011 Word version
- Division 3, Subdivision M, Fall Protection
  2-2016 Word version
- Division 3, Subdivision R, Steel Erection
  1-2011 Word version
- Division 4, Subdivision D, Work Surfaces
  9-2006 Word version
- Division 4, Subdivision I, Protective Equipment
  Administrative Order 2-2023 Word version
Interpretations
- Body belts in aerial lifts
  09/01/2000
- Catch platforms
  11/18/1996
- Climbing rebar
  01/19/2017
- Comparing prussik knots to mechanical grab devices
  07/05/2002
- Distance from edge tie off question
  10/02/2018
- Fall protection and return-to-work programs
  06/17/1996
- Fall protection chip trailers
  01/26/2012
- Fall protection exception in Division 3/M, 1926.500(a)(1)
  12/10/2018
- Fall protection from ladders, vehicles, or trailers during construction activities
  04/18/2018
- Fall protection in confined spaces
  10/09/2012
- Fall protection requirements for working on cell phone towers
  07/16/2001
- Fall protection while refueling vehicles
  05/10/2007
- Fall protection: maintenance - vs - construction
  03/21/2018
- Guardrails and alternative barriers such as parapet walls
  07/05/2017
- Testing of rope descent system anchorages on buildings
  02/06/2018
- Walking/working surfaces around fish ponds and runs at fish hatcheries
  A letter of interpretation regarding walking/working surfaces around fish ponds and fish runs (raceways) at fish hatcheries.
  11/15/2023
- Warning lines
  06/04/2007
Program Directives
- Fall Protection: Aerial Lifts Used in Construction
  Purpose: This directive clarifies the requirement for fall protection when employees are using aerial lifts, in construction, as described in the above ANSI/SAI standards, Oregon OSHA rules, and this directive to ensure uniform enforcement of the rules.
  A-242 02/28/2007
- Fall Protection: General Industry
  Purpose: To clarify the applicability of 1910.23(c)(1) and (3), and OAR 437-002-0134(5) where employees are exposed to fall hazards.
  A-197 11/01/2017
- Fall Protection: Hoisting Employees during Communication Tower Work Activities
  Purpose: This instruction establishes the inspection policy and procedures to ensure uniform enforcement of provisions addressing work activities that involve hoisting employees to and from workstations on communication towers using a personnel hoist.
  A-294 03/26/2020
- Focused Inspections In Construction
  Purpose: This directive establishes Oregon OSHA’s policy for conducting focused construction inspections of employers that have been recognized by trade associations within the construction industry for their workplace safety and health programs.
  A-264 07/29/2011
- Guardrail Height in General Industry
  Purpose: This instruction provides guidance for the equitable enforcement of 1910.23(e)(1) as it pertains to the acceptable height of guardrails.
  A-173 03/16/2018
- Local Emphasis Program (LEP): Falls In All Industries
  Purpose: This instruction describes state Local Emphasis Program (LEP) to reduce or eliminate serious injuries and fatalities associated with falls to a lower level while working at heights in all industries covered under Oregon OSHA’s jurisdiction.
  A-239 11/27/2023
Summary of comments and decisions
- Summary of comments and agency decisions regarding the proposed revisions to Division 3, Subdivision M, Fall Protection, Slide Guards
  2-2016 Word version
- Summary of comments and agency decisions regarding the proposed revisions to Subdivision 3/M, general trigger height and falling object protection, and Subdivision 3/E , fall protection
  1-2016 Word version

Video Resources

Borrow from the Resource Center

Fall Protection
See available titles
Borrow DVDs about Fall Protection from the Resource Center
Slips, Trips, and Falls
See available titles
Borrow DVDs about Slips, Trips, and Falls from the Resource Center

Watch Online

English
- Fall Protection for Construction
  Videos from the Fall Protection for Construction online course developed by Oregon OSHA Public Education as part of the Fall Protection Suite of courses.
  Length: English
- Fall Protection for Roofing
  These videos are a series developed by Oregon OSHA Public Education as part of the Fall Protection for Roofing online course.
  Length: English
- Fall Protection Fundamentals
  These videos are a series developed by Oregon OSHA Public Education as part of the Fall Protection Fundamentals online course.
  Length: English
- Preventing falls through skylights
  This video explains the events that led to a roofing supervisor's death after he fell 30 feet through a warehouse roof skylight onto a floor. Fall prevention recommendations are highlighted. The video was produced by the California Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) program in the Occupational Health Branch of the California Department of Public Health.
  Length: English
- Surviving The Fall: Proper Use Of Personal Fall Arrest Equipment (TrainingVideoNow)
  Length: English
Spanish
- Principios fundamentales de la protección contra caídas
  Fall Protection Fundamentals
  Estos videos son una serie desarrollada por Oregon OSHA Public Education como parte de Principios fundamentales de la protección contra caídas.
  Length: Spanish
- Protección contra caídas para la construcción
  Fall Protection in Construction
  Este curso multimedia está diseñado para ayudarlo como empleador o empleado que trabaja en actividades de construcción para cumplir con los requisitos de las normas de protección contra caídas de de Oregon OSHA.
  Length: Spanish
- Sobreviviendo una Caída El Uso Apropiado de su Sistema Personal de Detención de Caídas (TrainingVideoNow)
  Surviving The Fall: Proper Use Of Personal Fall Arrest Equipment (TrainingVideoNow)
  Length: Spanish

Additional Resources

Technical Manual, Section V: Construction Operations,

Chapter 4: Fall Protection in Construction

Highlights

Fall distance educator desktop app

How far can you fall with a shock-absorbing lanyard?

Oregon OSHA's fall distance educator shows you how to calculate your fall distance and your free fall distance.

Go to the desktop app