What are the height requirements for fall protection?

Among the most common causes of injuries in the workplace, falls result in both accidents and injuries. It is the responsibility of each employer to arrange fall protection in the workplace. Arrangements must include prevention of falls from such work sites as: overhead platforms, elevated work stations, holes in floors or holes in wall structures.

Reduction of falls from platforms, raised work stations or uneven wall and floor surfaces are required by the Occupational Safety and Health Association. OSHA stipulates that fall protection must exist where the workplace elevation exceeds four feet. In shipyards, fall protection must be in place where elevation exceeds five feet. In the construction industry, if elevation is over six feet, fall protection must be in place. In longshore business, the height elevations cannot exceed eight feet without fall protection.

Whenever workers are using dangerous equipment or operating dangerous machinery at any elevation, fall protection must be in place to prevent injuries or death as a result of falls. Workers must be trained regularly about workplace hazards and reviews held regularly to ensure their understanding and compliance with OSHA standards.