Fall Protection
In general, some form of fall protection must be provided for personnel at elevations above four feet in a general industry workplace, and seven and a half feet in the construction industry. In addition, OSHA requires that fall protection be provided when working over dangerous equipment and machinery, regardless of the fall distance. Employers must set up the work place to prevent employees from falling off of exposed edges, roofs, overhead platforms, elevated work stations or into holes in the floor and walls.
Fall Protection Program Elements
The Fall Protection Program was developed to prevent injuries from falling and applies to any department on campus, at field stations, or on leased property where any type of activities could result in injuries from falls. This program includes the following information:
- training to identify work situations that require the use of fall protection.
- proper use of fall protection equipment
- required documentation of this information.
Types of Falls
There are different types of falls that can occur in the workplace. Some of these are included below:
- falling to a lower level from a height
- falling through a surface or existing opening
- falling on same level from tripping and slipping
If you have questions about how to implement the SFSU fall protection program, choose equipment for purchase, or developing a safe work procedure for your work area please contact EH&S at sfehs@sfsu.edu for assistance.
Injuries from Falls in the Workplace
According to the Bureau of Labor statistics, in 2021 there were 65 deaths from falls to a lower level. This figure does not include the injuries, sometimes life-altering, to employees that were not fatal during this time. Cal/OSHA has Fall Protection Safety regulations that ensure safe-work activities when the possibility of falling is present.
Quick Links
SFSU Fall Protection Program (link pending)