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9 Fall Protection Program

Safety Manual · 2026 Edition · Rev 2.0 · Effective August 2026 · Owner DF

29 CFR 1926 Subpart M (fall protection), Subpart X (ladders/stairways), Subpart L (scaffolds)

9.1 General Requirements​

  • Protection is required at 6 feet or more above a lower level: guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest systems (PFAS)

  • Holes and skylights: covers secured and marked 'HOLE' or 'COVER', or guardrails

  • Leading edges, unprotected sides and edges, excavations 6 ft deep, and wall openings must be protected

  • Low-slope roofs: guardrails, PFAS, or safety monitoring systems with warning lines as allowed; steep roofs: guardrails with toeboards, nets, or PFAS

  • A written site-specific fall protection plan is prepared for each project with work at height; a competent person is designated

9.2 Residential Construction​

Under 29 CFR 1926.501(b)(13), employees engaged in residential construction 6 feet or more above lower levels must be protected by conventional fall protection (guardrails, nets, or PFAS) unless the employer demonstrates infeasibility or a greater hazard and implements a written, site-specific alternative plan meeting 1926.502(k). 3F Construction treats alternative plans as a last resort requiring management approval.

9.3 Personal Fall Arrest Systems​

  • Full-body harness, shock-absorbing lanyard or SRL, and anchorage capable of 5,000 lb per worker (or engineered at 2:1 safety factor under qualified-person supervision)

  • PFAS must properly fit the individual worker (see Section 10); inspect before each use; remove damaged or impact-loaded equipment from service

  • Free-fall limited to 6 ft; total fall clearance calculated before use; prompt-rescue plan required before PFAS work begins (self-rescue, ladder/lift access, or 911 coordination)

9.4 Ladders​

  • Inspect before use; remove defective ladders from service and tag 'Do Not Use'

  • Extension ladders: 4:1 angle, secured, extending 3 ft above the landing; maintain 3 points of contact; do not carry loads that could cause loss of balance

  • Stepladders used fully opened with spreaders locked; never stand on the top cap or top step

  • Portable ladders with structural defects, oil/grease on rungs, or missing feet are prohibited

  • Fiberglass or wood ladders (non-conductive) near electrical work

9.5 Scaffolds​

  • Erected, moved, altered, and dismantled under a competent person; inspected by the competent person before each work shift and after any event that could affect structural integrity

  • Full planking, guardrails at 10 ft, safe access (no climbing cross-braces), base plates/mud sills, plumb and level

  • Capacity: support 4 times the maximum intended load; do not overload

  • Keep 10 ft clearance from power lines (more for higher voltages)

9.6 Aerial and Scissor Lifts​

  • Only trained, authorized operators; body harness with lanyard attached to the boom/basket anchor in boom lifts

  • Stand on the floor of the basket — never on rails or planks placed on rails; maintain safe distances from power lines

  • Inspect controls and safety devices daily before use

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