OSHA recognizes falls as the number one work-related fatality in the construction industry, with almost 40% of injuries occurring due to an employee falling. A personal fall arrest system or PFAS is a common type of protection intended to protect a person from falling or to safely arrest a person falling, and it is one of the main components of a workplace fall protection safety program. Designed for use when other types of fall protection are not feasible at a specific location, a personal fall arrest system can keep a person from hitting a lower level or other objects in

When considering a fall protection system for roofing, it is extremely important to realize that each building is unique and requires a site-specific plan for the identification of the roofing fall hazards. For example, if hot asphalt, built-up roofing system is specified for a building with no parapet wall, a personal fall arrest system is not feasible.

Harnesses and fliplines and lanyards and lifelines should follow the ANSI Z133.1 standard. Use of aerial lifts is encouraged in lieu of tree climbing. Aerial lifts should be well maintained, and fall protection should be provided. Platforms should be equipped with escape devices in case bees are disturbed while cutting trees and bushes and there is an immdiate need for a speedy controlled descent.

By their nature, stepladders have a stable angle and are self-supporting when properly used but offer very little opportunity to be secured from tipping. Therefore, the height limitation for such usage should be minimized, possibly to a maximum working height of 6 feet (or an 8-foot stepladder). Railed stepladders with depressible casters offer more opportunity for safe access to heights. These ladder stands should be replaced by elevating platforms to reduce training and observation burdens.

The search for fall hazard elimination begins during construction or renovation with the architect/engineer in charge. No other professional can do this work. It is incumbent upon the design professional to become aware of fall hazards so that the hazards can be eliminated or controlled during construction, maintenanc, and demolition. In this context, elimination means that the design substitution or sequence of work does not include fall hazards.

Rope Strength. Only approved, synthetic ropes should be used with rope grabs since natural fibers dry out or rot too quickly and because strength loss below 5,000 lbs. in any rope is not obvious. As a guide, periodically pull-test end samples of lifelines, no matter what rope is used.