Fall Protection: Training Guide
Fall Protection: Training Guide
Fall Protection: Training Guide
FALL PROTECTION
2001
Does this topic relate to the work the crew is doing? If not, choose another topic.
Did you read this Training Guide and fill in the blanks where the appears? (To find
the information you need, look over the Safety Walkaround Checklist for this topic.)
Begin: How many times have you heard people make excuses for not tying off or using safety
nets? Maybe you’ve heard comments like this: “Tying off is dangerous, because you can’t move
out from under an incoming load.”
Falls are the leading cause of death in construction. Fall protection may have its problems,
but think of the alternative—a fall without protection. It’s not a risk worth taking.
You or a crew member may want to add a personal story about fall protection.
2. If there are no guardrails, when and where should you tie off with a harness
and lines?
• Cal/OSHA’s main rule is that you should tie off when the drop is 7½ feet or more.
• There are exceptions to the 7½ foot rule for some trades, like roofers and ironworkers.
Explain: Most of the safety measures we’ve talked about are required by Cal/OSHA. We have
to take these precautions—it’s the law. I have a Checklist of the Cal/OSHA regulations on fall
protection. If you’d like to know more, see me after the meeting.
COMPANY RULES
(Only if applicable.) Besides the Cal/OSHA regulations, we have some additional company
rules about fall protection.
Ask: Do you have any other concerns about fall protection? Do you see any problems on our
job? (Let the steward answer first, if there is one.)
What about other jobs you’ve worked on? Have you had any experience with fall protection
that might help us work safer on this job?