Fall Hazards
60 min · Suggested lesson, discussion and practice time
Objectives
- Know when fall protection is required in construction (6 feet).
- Use guardrails, safety nets and personal fall arrest systems correctly.
- Set up ladders and scaffolds safely.
Key points
- Falls are a leading cause of construction deaths. In construction, protection is generally required at 6 feet or more above a lower level (29 CFR 1926.501).
- Cover or guard holes and skylights. Covers must hold twice the expected load, be secured, and be marked HOLE or COVER.
- Personal fall arrest: full-body harness, connector and an anchor rated 5,000 lb per worker or designed by a qualified person. Inspect before each use.
- Ladders: extend side rails 3 feet above the landing, use a 4-to-1 angle, keep three points of contact, never stand on the top step of a stepladder.
- Scaffolds need a competent person to inspect before each shift, full planking, guardrails and safe access.
Field scenario
Your crew must set trusses on a roof edge 12 feet high. There's no guardrail and the harnesses are in the truck. What do you do before anyone climbs?
Review questions
Practice review only — not a final exam, recorded completion or certificate.