OSHA Guidelines for Fall Prevention

What do I need to know about fall prevention in my warehouse?

Here are a few tips on fall prevention and protection in your warehouse.

At what height should a worker be protected from a fall?

• In the construction industry, a worker must be protected from falls at heights of 6 feet or more.
• In general industry, fall protection is required at heights of 4 feet or more.

Does your company have a fall protection program?

OSHA requires that each company’s management “develop, implement, and commit to” a fall protection program. In addition to creating the program, companies must provide fall protection training and regularly assess the program’s effectiveness. If the program is found lacking, it must be updated accordingly.

If a fall hazard is present, what should my company do?

First, verify that the work surface is structurally sound and safe to support workers. If it is, then:

• Provide a fall protection system suitable for the specific situation.
• Ensure the safety system is properly installed.
• Supervise employees while they work.
• Train your employees on the proper use and maintenance of the fall protection system.

What should I do about areas with unprotected sides, wall openings, or floor holes?

If the fall height is 4 feet or more in your warehouse, you’ll need to implement the following safety measures:

• Guardrail systems
• Safety net systems
• Fall arrest systems, including:
  • 5-point harnesses
  • Lanyards
• Cover all floor holes as soon as they appear.
  • How much weight should the covers support?
    • The covers should support at least twice the weight of employees, equipment, and materials.
• In general, it’s preferable to prevent falls with guardrails rather than relying on safety nets or fall arrest systems to catch employees after a fall.

This overview is intended as an introduction only. Before developing a fall prevention program for your company, consult OSHA’s compliance standards and regulations, found in Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

For complete information, visit www.OSHA.gov.

You can also contact OSHA by phone at (800) 321-OSHA or (202) 693-1999.