The construction of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge began on January 5, 1933 and took 4 years and 5 months to complete. Since this all took place decades before OSHA, you won’t be surprised to find out that there were 11 fatalities over the course of that project.
What might surprise you, however, is that all those fatalities resulted from only two incidents. One of these claimed ten lives in one fell swoop when a scaffold collapsed and broke through the safety net below.
Here’s another surprising fact: these fatal incidents took place in October of 1936 and February of 1937. In other words, nearly four years into the project.
How is that possible? How could such a massive construction project go four entire years without a single fatality? And without the benefit of modern safety regulations and self-retracting lifelines (SRLs), no less.
Simple. It’s all thanks to fall protection.
Before those fatalities, 19 more workers fell from the bridge. But all of them survived because there were safety nets in place to catch them.
Leading edge work is inherently dangerous. That makes fall protection essential. It saved the lives of 19 people who helped build the Golden Gate Bridge, and it will save countless more – but only when used properly.
So with that in mind, let’s go over fall protection for leading edge work. We’ll cover when you need it, how to use it, and what to look for when selecting a self-retracting lifeline.
What Is Leading Edge Fall Protection?
A leading edge is the unprotected edge of a work surface.
The term originates from the construction and roofing industries, where workers are often working near the edge of a building or structure. The “leading” part simply means it’s the edge that workers encounter first as they move along the surface.
If we follow OSHA’s definition, it strictly refers to unprotected edges that change locations as a surface is being constructed (for instance, building a bridge where each new segment creates a new edge). However, manufacturers and safety professionals often use the term more broadly to refer to any unprotected edge off of which someone could fall.
OSHA also doesn’t specify whether the term applies only to flat work surfaces or if sloped surfaces can be considered leading edges as well. However, various safety equipment manufacturers offer leading edge products specifically designed for sloped roof safety, which implies that these surfaces are commonly considered leading edges.
Other types of edges that matter for fall protection include:
- Open Edges: Any unprotected edge that poses a fall risk but is not necessarily a leading edge. This can include staircases, elevator shafts, balconies, and low windows.
- Sharp Edges: Leading edges that are sharp enough to potentially cut a fall protection lifeline.
- Guarded Edges: An edge that has been equipped with fall protection measures, such as guardrails, safety nets, or fall arrest systems. Technically any leading edge or open edge that is protected against falls becomes a guarded edge.
Types of Leading Edge Fall Protection
Self-Retracting Lifelines
Self-retracting lifelines connect to the user’s full-body harness and to an anchor point on the jobsite. If the worker falls over a leading edge, the lifeline will lock into place and stop the fall before the worker reaches the lower level – provided the fall clearance has been properly calculated and accounted for.
Conventional (Class 1) SRLs must be anchored overhead or at the same level as the dorsal D-ring on the safety harness.
Class 2 SRLs are designed specifically for leading edge work and can be tied off overhead, at foot level, or anywhere in between. They can also withstand the force of a fall over a sharp edge.
Safety Nets
Safety nets may well have been the first type of leading edge fall protection equipment. There have been tweaks and upgrades since their introduction, but the basic function is the same: catching workers who plummet off edges and arresting their fall.
These nets are installed at the edge or below the work area. Whereas SRLs are effective for individual users in small work areas, safety nets are better suited for large areas with multiple workers.
Guardrails
Guardrails are solid barriers that are able to withstand the weight of a worker pushing or falling against them. In other words, they don’t simply demarcate fall hazards but actively prevent workers from getting too close to a leading edge.
Guardrails are primarily used for stationary edges (like the sides of a roof) or openings (like an open elevator shaft). However, they can still be used on leading edges under construction as long as they are moved and repositioned as the work progresses.
While they can keep workers from coming near leading edges, guardrails can’t protect those who have to work at the leading edge. In those cases, SRLs and safety nets will be the primary form of protection.
When to Use Leading Edge Fall Protection
Leading edge fall protection is essential in any situation where workers are at risk of falling over an unprotected edge, especially when working at heights.
To quantify it, fall protection is required for any job that takes place 15 feet or closer to a leading edge that is at least 6 feet above the lower level. If the workers are far enough from the fall hazard, guardrails might be sufficient. If they need to work within 6 feet of the edge, a travel restraint system or an SRL might be needed instead.
Safety nets are also required for any work that takes place at an elevation of 25 feet or more from the lower level.
The following scenarios might all qualify as situations where leading edge fall protection should be used.
Leading Edge Construction
When workers are constructing the edge of a floor, roof, or the structural steel framework of a building.
Unprotected Edges
When workers are exposed to the unprotected edges of walking-working surfaces at heights of 6 feet or more. This includes floors, decks, roofs, and formwork.
When dealing with unprotected edges, it’s essential to consider the leading edge radius. This refers to the curvature of the edge and will help you determine whether it’s a sharp edge that requires a specific type of fall protection lifeline or lanyard.
Roofing Work
When working on a flat or low-slope roof, fall protection is necessary at heights of 6 feet more or more.
For steep roofs, fall protection is required regardless of the height.
Demolition
In demolition, workers are exposed to fall hazards because the structure could potentially collapse below their feet. As such, leading edge fall protection must be implemented for any demolition work that is being done at 6 feet of elevation or higher.
How to Use Leading Edge Fall Protection
When using self-retracting lifelines, it’s important to ensure that it can be tied off safely.
Set-Back Distance
Each personal fall arrest system (PFAS) must be connected to an anchor point that is sturdy enough to support the weight of the worker and withstand the force of a fall arrest.
The anchor point should have a set-back distance (distance from the leading edge) of at least 5 feet. This allows the fall arrest system to activate more quickly and ensures a better outcome in the event of a fall.
Read: Fall Protection Anchorage Point Requirements 101
Tie-Off Level
Tying off overhead is always preferable, but it isn’t always possible.
When there is no suitable overhead anchorage, workers can tie off at the same level as the dorsal D-ring on their safety harnesses.
If using a Class 2 SRL, workers can also tie off at foot level. However, this should be avoided if there’s a tie-off point above the workers.
Inspecting and Maintaining Leading Edge Equipment
Fall protection equipment should undergo two types of inspections:
- It should be inspected by a competent person who is able to ensure that it is suitable for the application and will function as intended.
- It should also be inspected by the workers before using it.
Inspection by a Competent Person
All fall protection equipment should be inspected by a competent person on a regular basis. Considering the intricacies of arresting mechanisms, these inspections are generally performed by either the manufacturer or its authorized retailers.
OSHA doesn’t specify exactly how often these inspections should take place, although it is widely understood to mean that SRLs and other fall protection equipment should be inspected at least once a year.
This would line up with ANSI/ASSP Z359.14-2021, Section 6.1.1, which states that:
“Equipment shall be inspected by the authorized person or rescuer before each use and additionally by a competent person other than the user at intervals of no more than one year or in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.”
The 3M DBI-SALA User Instruction Manual for SRLs also specifies that:
“Formal inspection by a competent person other than the user must be made at least annually. The inspection results should be recorded in the Inspection and Maintenance Log.”
Pre-Use Inspection
OSHA 1926.502(d)(21) states that:
“Personal fall arrest systems shall be inspected prior to each use for wear, damage, and other deterioration, and defective components shall be removed from service.”
Here are some of the key elements that should be included in the pre-use inspection procedure:
- Check the lifeline for cuts, frays, abrasions, mold, or any other sign of wear
- Inspect the housing for cracks, dents, or other damage
- Ensure the connectors (e.g., snap hooks, carabiners) are functioning properly and are not damaged
- Pull the lifeline out and let it retract to ensure that it’s operating smoothly and that the braking mechanism engages correctly
- Make sure the shock absorber is not damaged, is properly protected by its casing, and has all the labels and identifiers
- When inspecting a Class 2 SRL, make sure the fall protection clearance tables and diagrams are attached
Selecting the Appropriate SRL for Leading Edge Applications
The 2021 revision of ANSI Z359.14 standard came into force on August 1st, 2023. This new revision was designed to simplify types and classes of self-retracting devices to help users quickly identify a compliant product’s capabilities.
The revised standard differentiates between Class 1 and Class 2 self-retracting lifelines based on the anchoring height of the SRL:
- Class 1: Used with anchorages at or above the dorsal D-ring level
- Class 2: Used with anchorages above or below the dorsal D-ring level
Only Class 2 devices are designed for leading edge applications.
Class 2 SRLs also meet the following requirements:
- An average arrest force of 1,350 lbs
- An arrest distance of 42 inches
- A maximum allowable free fall of 6 feet
- An energy absorber seamlessly integrated into the SRL’s lifeline design (not a separate component attached to the lifeline)
- Detailed labels with fall clearance tables or diagrams
So, this would all seem fairly straightforward. If you need an SRL for leading edge applications, select a Class 2 SRL and you’re good to go.
But that’s only one of the things you have to consider. Here are a few other factors to keep in mind.
- Length: Select an SRL appropriate for the working distance required. Consult the attached label and ensure it has adequate clearance.
- Lifeline Material: Webbing is adequate for most applications, but cable is preferable for hot work environments or when the leading edge has a small radius.
- Durability and Corrosion Resistance: Select an SRL built to withstand the rigors of the work environment. In demolition applications or situations where the lanyard might be saturated with solvents or corrosive materials, it’s better to go with a steel lanyard.
- Maximum User Weight: Make sure the SRL’s weight capacity exceeds the combined weight of the worker and their equipment (Class 2 SRLs are rated between 130 and 310 lbs).
- Compatibility: Verify that the SRL is compatible with the harness and other fall protection equipment that will be used. Keep in mind that Class 2 SRLs have a built-in shock absorber, so no additional shock absorber will be required in the fall protection system.
Conclusion
Falls from heights are incredibly dangerous and often deadly. And sadly, they’re far too common.
Workers whose jobs take them near leading edges should be given the fall protection they need to do their work safely. In some cases, this will involve guardrails and safety nets. But in many cases, SRLs are an efficient and unobtrusive solution.
We won’t be able to knock falls out of OSHA’s Fatal Four overnight – or perhaps ever. But with a diligent approach to fall protection, we can prevent incidents and save lives.
Ready to learn more? Check out our free webinar on Leading Edges in Fall Protection!
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