Personal fall protection guidelines

You should plan anchorage locations during the building design so suitable, strong anchorage points are available later for maintenance work. The Appendix recommends locating suitable anchorage points during construction and planning ahead to ensure later use for tasks like window cleaning; see Appendix C to Subpart I of Part 1910 and 1910.140. Practical steps include identifying load paths, specifying anchor strength and attachment details, and documenting anchor locations for future users.

Choose equipment rated for the environment and avoid materials that will degrade or conduct electricity in that setting. Appendix C says employers should evaluate workplace conditions (acids, moisture, oil, grease, etc.) and select systems suited to those conditions; see Appendix C to Subpart I of Part 1910 and 1910.140(c). Actions to take:

• Specify corrosion‑resistant connectors, coated wire rope, or synthetic lines where chemical or moisture exposure exists.
• Avoid wire rope where electrical hazards may be present (Appendix C guidance).
• Get manufacturer guidance or test data showing the component performance in the expected environment.

Yes — employers should insist on recognized test performance data from the supplier, or otherwise perform their own testing. Appendix C recommends that before purchasing, employers obtain supplier test information showing the equipment meets 1910.140 criteria; if such data are not available, the employer should test the equipment to ensure compliance. Also consult Appendix D test methods where applicable (Appendix C guidance via 1910.140).

Generally no — do not connect a lanyard between a body harness and a self‑retracting decelerator unless the manufacturer specifically allows it. Appendix C warns that interchanging components can change system performance and specifically says a lanyard should not be connected between a harness and a self‑retracting deceleration device unless the manufacturer permits it, because that connection can create additional free fall that the system was not designed to arrest; see Appendix C to Subpart I of Part 1910 and 1910.140. Always follow manufacturer instructions and have a competent person evaluate component swaps.

No — body belts are not acceptable for personal fall arrest unless the system and component meet the applicable strength and performance requirements and the use is specifically permitted. Appendix C cautions that positioning components (like pole straps or rebar hooks) and older body belts should not be used in personal fall arrest systems unless they meet the strength and performance requirements of part 1910, including 1910.140. Where a full‑body harness is required by the equipment design or standard, use a harness that meets the manufacturer's and 1910.140 requirements.

Employers must train employees on the limits, proper anchoring and tie‑off, estimating free fall distance, methods of use, and inspection and storage before they use fall protection. Appendix C lists training elements and states employers must ensure employees are trained as required by 1910.30 and 1910.132; see Appendix C to Subpart I of Part 1910. Training topics include system limits, proper D‑ring use, free fall calculations (including elongation and deceleration), inspection, storage, and site‑specific hazards.

Inspect personal fall protection systems before initial use in each shift and immediately remove from service any component with cuts, tears, abrasions, mold, undue stretching, corrosion, distorted hooks, broken springs, unfitted buckle tongues, loose mountings, non‑functioning parts, or other deterioration. Appendix C requires pre‑shift inspections and lists specific damage conditions that mandate removal from service; see Appendix C to Subpart I of Part 1910 and 1910.140. Tag or destroy removed components to prevent reuse.

Employers must provide for prompt rescue of an employee after a fall and evaluate whether rescue personnel or equipment (or self‑rescue devices) are needed because employees may be unable to self‑rescue. Appendix C stresses that as required by 1910.140(c)(21), employers must plan for prompt rescue, consider availability of ladders or rescue teams, and where appropriate provide devices that allow self‑rescue; see Appendix C to Subpart I of Part 1910. Also consider the OSHA letter on fall protection on low slope roofs for practical examples of when fall protection and rescue planning may be required.

A knot in a lanyard or lifeline can reduce strength by 50% or more, and tying around rough or sharp edges can drastically damage lines; employers should avoid these tie‑offs or compensate by using stronger lines, reducing lanyard length, padding edges, or using engineered tie‑off devices. Appendix C warns that knots and rough/sharp tie‑offs greatly reduce strength and recommends alternatives such as [snaphook/D‑ring connections], steel cable tie‑offs, or abrasion‑resistant straps; see Appendix C to Subpart I of Part 1910 and 1910.140. If knots are used in emergencies, a competent or qualified person must inspect each knot to ensure it meets 1910.140 strength requirements.

Yes — each employee on a vertical lifeline must have a separate lifeline. Appendix C states that, as required by 1910.140(c)(3), each employee must have an individual lifeline when the lifeline is vertical because multiple tie‑offs to a single vertical lifeline can pull others during an arrest and cause falls; see Appendix C to Subpart I of Part 1910.

A qualified person must design, install, and supervise use of horizontal lifelines because geometry and sag can greatly amplify loads and create complex forces. Appendix C explains that horizontal lifelines can be subjected to much larger loads depending on sag angle and elasticity, and therefore "must be designed, installed and used under the supervision of a qualified person"; see Appendix C to Subpart I of Part 1910 and 1910.140(c) Employers should test installed lifelines and anchors prior to use and increase lifeline and anchorage strength when multiple workers tie off to the same line.

Avoid direct connections of snaphooks or carabiners to webbing, rope, or horizontal lifelines; avoid two or more snaphooks on one D‑ring; avoid snaphooks connected to each other; and avoid mismatched dimensions that allow the gate to turn and depress unless the connector is specifically designed for that use. Appendix C lists the prohibited connections from 1910.140(c)(10) because they can cause roll‑out; see Appendix C to Subpart I of Part 1910. Use appropriate locking connectors designed for the intended connection.

Personal fall arrest systems must be rigged so an employee cannot free fall more than 6 feet (1.8 m), and the tie‑off point should be at or above the harness connection to avoid added free fall. Appendix C reiterates the 1910.140(d)(2) requirement that free fall never exceed 6 feet, and explains that tying off to the walking‑working surface or too low will add free fall distance (for example, a 6‑ft lanyard plus harness drop), so locate anchors at or above the harness D‑ring and account for lanyard elongation and deceleration distances; see Appendix C to Subpart I of Part 1910.

Leave a minimum of 12 feet (3.7 m) of lifeline below the securing point of a rope‑grab device (or extend the lifeline to the ground or next work level) to prevent the device from sliding off the end and letting the worker pass the end of the line. Appendix C states the 12‑foot recommendation and suggests terminating the line to prevent the rope‑grab from disengaging; see Appendix C to Subpart I of Part 1910 and consult the rope‑grab manufacturer for exact requirements.

Treat an eye‑bolt as strongest along its axis — its shear strength is much lower — and ensure the eye diameter and shape won't allow snaphook roll‑out. Appendix C warns that eye‑bolt strength is rated along the bolt axis and is greatly reduced when loaded at right angles, and employers should also avoid eye sizes or shapes that permit snaphook accidental disengagement (roll‑out); see Appendix C to Subpart I of Part 1910 and 1910.140. Use properly rated anchor hardware installed to manufacturer or design specifications.

Employers must add lanyard stretch and deceleration device stopping distance to the free fall to calculate total fall distance and maintain enough clearance from lower obstructions so the employee will not strike anything before the fall is arrested. Appendix C explains that elongation and deceleration distance must be included with free fall when determining clearance and required fall‑arrest distance; see Appendix C to Subpart I of Part 1910 and 1910.140(d)(2). Obtain elongation and deceleration values from the manufacturer and add them to the planned free fall to determine safe anchorage height and clearance.