Employer and Employee Responsibilities
Fall protection safety is a shared responsibility between employers and employees. OSHA places legal duties on both parties to ensure a safe workplace and to prevent injuries and fatalities related to falls. Understanding and fulfilling these responsibilities is critical to compliance and workplace safety culture.
Employer Responsibilities
Employers are responsible for creating and maintaining safe working conditions. OSHA standards require that employers take proactive steps to identify hazards and protect workers from falls.
1. Identify and Evaluate Fall Hazards
- Conduct regular hazard assessments to identify areas where workers may be exposed to fall risks, such as unprotected edges, open holes, ladders, scaffolds, mezzanines, and aerial lifts.
- Review work tasks and processes to determine where fall protection is required based on trigger heights and specific work activities.
- Reassess work areas whenever tasks change, new equipment is introduced, or environmental conditions (like weather) alter hazard conditions.
2. Provide Appropriate Fall Protection Equipment
- Supply OSHA-compliant fall protection systems (e.g., guardrails, safety nets, personal fall arrest systems, positioning devices, warning lines, hole covers).
- Ensure all equipment is rated, inspected, and maintained according to manufacturer instructions and OSHA regulations.
- Provide necessary accessories such as anchors, connectors, lanyards, harnesses, and self-retracting lifelines (SRLs).
3. Training and Education
- General Industry (29 CFR 1910.30): Requires employers to train workers on the nature of fall hazards, correct procedures for using fall protection systems, and proper inspection and maintenance.
- Construction (29 CFR 1926.503): Requires a “competent person” to conduct training covering hazard recognition, equipment use, and fall prevention techniques specific to construction activities.
- Maintain written certification records of who was trained, when, and by whom.
4. Maintain Protective Systems and Enforce Rules
- Regularly inspect fall protection systems, including fixed guardrails, anchors, lifelines, and portable fall arrest equipment.
- Remove defective systems or equipment from service until repaired or replaced.
- Establish and enforce clear work rules requiring fall protection whenever applicable. Disciplinary policies should support compliance and eliminate unsafe practices.
Employee Responsibilities
Employees have a personal and professional obligation to protect themselves and their coworkers from fall hazards.
1. Follow Training and Safe Work Practices
Apply the knowledge gained during fall protection training.
Always use the provided systems correctly and follow safe access routes, designated walkways, and procedures for working near edges or openings.
2. Use Equipment Properly and Inspect Before Use
Conduct a pre-use inspection of all personal fall protection equipment, including harnesses, lanyards, connectors, and lifelines.
Verify proper fit and ensure anchor points are approved before tying off.
Avoid using damaged or improvised equipment.
3. Report Unsafe Conditions and Defective Gear
Notify supervisors immediately of missing guardrails, uncovered holes, unprotected edges, or defective fall protection equipment.
Use established company reporting systems for unsafe conditions, near misses, and equipment concerns.
4. Participate in Safety Programs
Engage in job hazard analyses (JHAs) and pre-task safety meetings.
Provide feedback to improve workplace fall protection practices.
Encourage coworkers to follow safe practices and intervene when unsafe behavior is observed.
REGULATORY CALLOUT
- 29 CFR 1910.30 (General Industry): Requires employers to train each employee who uses personal fall protection systems or is exposed to fall hazards. Training must cover hazard recognition, proper use, and equipment limitations.
- 29 CFR 1926.503 (Construction): Requires a “competent person” to train employees exposed to fall hazards. Training must include fall hazard recognition and the correct procedures for erecting, maintaining, disassembling, and inspecting fall protection systems. Retraining is required when changes in the workplace or equipment render previous training obsolete, or when an employee demonstrates inadequate knowledge or skill.