This checklist is a reference to ensure fall protection measures are in place for any work performed from an elevated surface.
Question
Response Type
What type of surface will you be performing work from? ie. scissor lift, leading edge, scaffold, etc
Text Answer
What type of personal fall arrest system will you be utilizing? ie. harness, yoyo, lanyard, lifeline, etc
Text Answer
Is there an engineered tie-off point that is rated for a minimum of 5000lbs to attach to?
Yes No N/A
If no, has the superintendent and safety manager been consulted to find an appropriate tie-off point?
Yes No N/A
Does the working platform have toeboards to ensure the safety of personnel below?
Yes No N/A
If no, has a restricted access zone been identified on the ground below to ensure the safety of other workers?
Yes No N/A
Do all tools for this task have lanyards to ensure they don't hit the ground?
Yes No N/A
Have you and your team been trained on emergency rescue procedures in the case that the fall protection system is employed?
Yes No N/A
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Find answers to some of the most common safety questions related to fall protection in construction.
Falls are a common cause of injury and death in construction. According to the CDC, there were 401 fall fatalities in 2019 alone. While falls are a hazard in industries outside of construction, construction represents 51% of all fall fatalities across the nation.
To reduce injuries and death, OSHA requires that employers identify, then eliminate or control all fall hazards at construction sites. Read more about fall protection in our Fall Protection Toolbox Talk.
According to OSHA, the top four construction hazards, or struck-by hazards, are:
Falls
Electrocution
Caught-in/between object(s)
Struck-by object
Safety orientation should cover each of these hazards, as well as how to prevent them on the jobsite. Read more about the fatal four in our Fatal Four Hazards Toolbox Talk.
In construction, OSHA requires that fall protection be implemented when working at elevations of six feet or more.
Fall hazards are very common on construction work sites. They can include:
Holes
Skylights
Scaffolds
Exterior construction work areas
Stairs
Ladders
OSHA provides safety prevention protocols for each of these hazards, ensuring that construction progress can continue while maintaining workers’ safety.
From most effective to least effective, the hierarchy of fall protection includes:
Elimination of fall hazard
Prevention, by adding guardrails, barriers, etc.
Control, by using safety nets, harnesses, fall arrests, etc.
Safety training and the use of PPE also increase the safety of everyone on a construction site.
When a fall hazard cannot be eliminated or engineered out, a fall protection system must be implemented. A personal fall protection system includes all the components an employer uses to provide protection, or safely arrest, an employee in case of a fall. These components can include harnesses, lanyards, and retractable lifelines.
Fall protection can look very different depending on the situation. By assessing the jobsite and the needs of the workers, most fall protection can be categorized into one of the following:
Fall arrest
Positioning
Retrieval
Suspension
Each type of fall protection has its own standards which OSHA defines.
Construction safety management software that utilizes construction checklists and safety training are essential in maintaining workers’ safety on jobsites.
For presenting consistent and timely safety topics to your teams, digital toolbox talks are a great tool to utilize. To keep the focus on the safety topics themselves (and not having to find and schedule them), consider investing in toolbox talk software. This will give you digital sign-in sheets and more organized documentation in case you ever need to show safety measures. Check out Raken's library of toolbox talk topics—ready for your teams to implement.
There’s an easier way to find and complete construction checklists—and we'd love to walk you through it in a personalized demo. (All demos come with a free trial, too.)
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