Fall Protection and Restraint Procedures

Environmental Health & Safety

Introduction
The purpose of this document is to provide Fall Protection and Restraint work procedures for Eastern Washington
University (EWU) that establish safe work practices and protection for employees working in applicable industry with
hazards requiring worker fall restraint, confined space, or engulfment recovery. Washington Department of Occupational
Safety and Health (DOSH) revisions for fall protection will unify standards for worker safety across all industry trades.
With implementation of Unified Fall Protection from DOSH, fall protection and restraint will begin at four (4) feet or
higher instead of previous six (6) and ten (10) foot rules in General and Construction industry work on EWU campuses.

Maintenance of all fall protection equipment and knowledge of work procedures shall be a collaborative work effort shared
with respective department employees, supervisors, and the EWU EH&S department for the assembly, disassembly,
handling, inspections, use, and storage of fall protection equipment during safe work procedures. Any variance from
guidelines set forth in this document for work procedures must be addressed by competent person(s) and a department
supervisor for approval by the employee’s supervisor and the Manager of Environmental Health and Safety.

All EWU employees in Fall Protection and Restraint must comply with these provisions of the following Washington
Administrative Codes:

Fall Equipment Applicable WISHA Requirement Applicable Applicable Notes

Protection Activity or Standard Industry
Trigger Surface
Height
Always Open-sided WAC 296-800-26010-1 Guard open-sided floors, ALL
floors, walkways and platforms above
walkways or adjacent to dangerous
and equipment, pickling or
platforms galvanizing tanks, degreasing
units, and other similar hazards,
regardless of height with a
railing and toe-board
Always Elevating WAC 296-869-60035 All persons on the platform are ALL Guardrails are the
work wearing fall protection devices primary means of
platforms and other safety gear if fall protection for
required manually propelled
elevating work
platforms
Always General WAC 296-24; Part J-3 All persons on the platform are ALL Requirements apply
industry wearing fall protection devices to all general
platforms and other safety gear if industry operations
required using powered
platforms
Always Powered WAC 296-863-20025 Ensure order pickers are ALL
Industrial equipped with standard
Trucks guardrails along open sides OR
(PITs) use a safety harness and
lanyard that are connected to a
tie off point that has been
approved by the PIT
manufacturer
Always Powered WAC 296-863-40060 Make sure work platforms have ALL
Industrial standard guardrails and toe
Trucks boards on all sides
(PITs)

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Fall Equipment Applicable WISHA Requirement Applicable Applicable Notes

Protection Activity or Standard Industry
Trigger Surface
Height
Always Confined WAC 296-809-60004 When entrance covers are ALL
Spaces removed, promptly guard the
opening with a railing,
temporary cover, or other
temporary barrier to prevent
accidental falls through the
opening and protect entrants
from objects falling into the
space

Always Confined WAC 296-809-50016 Ensure each entrant uses a full- ALL Non-entry rescue
Spaces body harness with a retrieval
line attached to the harness at
the center of the employee’s
back, near shoulder level; or
above the employee’s head; or
at another point which presents
a profile small enough for the
successful removal of the
employee. Then attach the
retrieval line to a mechanical
device or fixed point outside the
space, so rescue can begin as
soon as necessary
Always Working WAC 296-155-24607-1 Regardless of height, open Construction
above or sided floors, walkways,
adjacent to platforms, or runways above or
dangerous adjacent to dangerous
equipment equipment, such as dip tanks
and material handling
equipment, and similar hazards
shall be guarded with a
standard guardrail systems
Always Floor holes WAC 296-155-24607-2 Floor holes and floor openings Construction Guardrail
and floor into which persons can specifications are
openings accidently walk shall be guarded under
by either a standard railing with WAC 296-155-
standard toeboards on all 24615-2
exposed sides, or a cover of
standard strength and Cover specification
construction that is marked and are under
secure against displacement. WAC 296-155-
While the cover is not in place, 24615-3
the opening or hole shall be
protected by a standard railing
Always Impalement WAC 296-155-24607-3 Regardless of height, Construction
hazards employees shall be protected
such as from falling into or onto
exposed impalement hazards; such as:
rebar or reinforcing steel (rebar), or
wood stakes exposed steel or wood stakes
used to set forms
Always, if Elevating WAC 296-869-60035 All persons on the platform are ALL Always use when
required work wearing fall protection devices working outside fall
(pod & platforms and other safety gear if restraint protection
scissor lift) required

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Fall Equipment Applicable WISHA Requirement Applicable Applicable Notes

Protection Activity or Standard Industry
Trigger Surface
Height
Four (4) Open-sided WAC 296-800-26010-1 Guard open-sided floors and ALL
feet floors and platforms 4 feet or more above
platforms adjacent floor or ground level by
a railing. The entrance to a
ramp, stairway, or fixed ladder
does not need a railing
Four (4) Elevated WAC 296-32-270-1 General. Safety belts and straps Communication No safety belts,
feet work shall be provided and the safety straps or
employer shall ensure their use lanyards acquired
when work is performed at after January 1,
positions more than 4 feet 1976, may be used
above ground, on poles, and on unless they meet the
towers tests set forth in
chapter WAC 296-45
Four (4) Form and WAC 296-155-24609-6 When exposed to a fall height of Construction
feet rebar work 4 feet or more, employees
placing or tying reinforcing steel
on a vertical face are required to
be protected by personal fall
arrest systems, safety net
systems, positioning device
systems
Four (4) Walking or WAC 296-155-24609-1 The employer shall ensure that Construction
feet working the appropriate fall protection
surfaces system is provided, installed,
and implemented according to
the requirements in this part
when employees are exposed to
fall hazards of four feet or more
to the ground or lower level
when working on a walking or
working surface
Four (4) Hatchways WAC 296-155-24609-4c Hatchways and chute floor Construction
feet and chutes openings shall be guarded by a
hinged cover of standard
strength and construction and a
standard guardrail system
with only one exposed side.
When the opening is not in use,
the cover shall be closed or the
exposed side shall be guarded
at both top and intermediate
positions by removable standard
guardrail systems
Four (4) Hazardous WAC 296-155-24609-8 Employees exposed to falls of 4 Construction
feet slopes feet or more while working on a
hazardous slope shall use
personal fall restraint systems or
positioning device systems
Four (4) Low-pitch WAC 296-155-24609- Employers shall ensure that Construction
feet roofs 7b employees exposed to fall
(4:12 or hazards of 4 feet or more while
less) engaged in work, other than
roofing work or leading edge
work, on low pitched roofs use a
fall protection system

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Fall Equipment Applicable WISHA Requirement Applicable Applicable Notes

Protection Activity or Standard Industry
Trigger Surface
Height
Four (4) Open-sided WAC 296-155-24609-2 Every open-sided walking or Construction
feet floors, working surface or platform 4
walkways feet or more above adjacent
and floor or ground level shall be
platforms guarded by a fall protection
system
Four (4) Wall WAC 296-155-24609- Wall openings, from which there Construction
feet openings 5a is a fall hazard of 4 feet or more,
and the bottom of the opening
is less than 39 inches above the
working surface, shall be
guarded as follows:
-
When the height and placement of
the opening in relation to the
working surface is such that either
a standard rail or intermediate rail
will effectively reduce the danger
of falling, one or both shall be
provided.
-
The bottom of a wall opening,
whichever is less than 4 inches
above the working surface,
regardless of width, shall be
protected by a standard toe board
or an enclosing screen either of
solid construction or as specified
in WAC 296-155-24615-2
Four (4) Ramps, WAC 296-155-24609- Ramps, runways, and inclined Construction Runways used
feet runways, 3a, b walkways that are 4 feet or exclusively for
walkways more above the ground or lower special purposes
including level shall be equipped with a may have the
walkways standard guardrail system or the railing on one side
that cross equivalent, as specified in omitted where
excavations WAC 296-155-24615-2, along operating conditions
each open side. Wherever tools, necessitate
machine parts, or materials are such omissions,
likely to be used on a runway, a provided the falling
toe board shall also be installed hazard is minimized
on each open side to protect by using a runway
persons working or passing not less than 18-
below inches wide
Four (4) Skylight WAC 296-155-24609- Wherever there is danger of Construction Personal fall arrest
feet openings 4d falling through an unprotected equipment may
skylight opening, or the skylight be used as an
has been installed and is not equivalent means of
capable of sustaining the weight fall protection when
of a two hundred pound person worn by all
with a safety factor of four, employees exposed
standard guardrails shall to the fall
be provided on all exposed hazard
sides in accordance with
WAC 296-155-24615-2; or the
skylight shall be covered in
accordance with WAC 296-155-
24615-3

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Fall Equipment Applicable WISHA Requirement Applicable Applicable Notes

Protection Activity or Standard Industry
Trigger Surface
Height
Four (4) Pit and trap WAC 296-155-24609- Pit and trap door openings shall Construction
feet doors 4e be guarded by floor opening
covers of standard strength and
construction. While the cover is
not in place, the pit or trap
openings shall be protected on
all exposed sides by removable
standard guardrail system
Four (4) Working WAC 296-45-25510-12 Fall arrest equipment, work Electrical Requirements for fall
feet above the positioning equipment, or travel High Voltage protection
ground on restricting equipment shall be associated with
poles, used by employees working at walking and
towers, or elevated locations more than 4 working surfaces are
similar feet above the ground on poles, contained in
structures towers, or similar structures if WAC 296-155-246;
other fall protection has not requirements
been provided. Fall protection for fall protection
equipment is not required to be associated with
used by a qualified employee aerial lifts are
climbing or changing location on contained in chapter
poles, towers, or similar 296-869 WAC
structures, unless conditions,
such as, but not limited to, ice,
high winds, the design of the
structure (for example, no
provision for holding on with
hands), or the presence of
contaminants on the
structure, could cause the
employee to lose his
or her grip or footing
Five (5) Confined WAC 296-809-50016 If the vertical space is more than ALL Non-entry rescue
feet Spaces 5 feet deep, a mechanical
device must be available for
retrieval
Ten (10) Scaffolding WAC 296-874-20052 Protect each employee on a ALL A fall protection work
feet scaffold more than 10 feet plan is not required
above a lower level, by for persons working
providing personal fall arrest from a scaffold
systems or guardrails
Ten (10) Fall WAC 296-155-24611-2 The employer shall develop a Construction
feet Protection written FPWP including each
Work Plan area of the work place where
(FPWP) the employees are assigned
and where fall hazards of 10
feet or more exist

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Fall Equipment Applicable WISHA Requirement Applicable Applicable Notes

Protection Activity or Standard Industry
Trigger Surface
Height
Ten (10) Roofing WAC 296-155-24611- The employer shall ensure that Construction WAC 296-155-
feet work on low 1a, b the appropriate fall protection 24611-1b
slopes (4:12 system is provided, installed, If you are working on
or less) & and implemented according to a roof, floor/deck
Leading the requirements in this part where leading edge
edge work when employees are exposed to work
*not the fall hazards of 10 feet or more to is taking place and a
edge of the the ground or lower level while: surface has been
building Engaged in roofing work on laid that is 45 inches
low pitched roof or more in all
- directions AND you
Constructing a leading edge are not engaged in
- the leading edge
Working on any surface that work,
does not meet the definition of a then you are
walking or working surface not required to
already covered in implement
WAC 296-155-24609. fall protection at 4
- feet
Engaged in excavation and
trenching operations
Ten (10) Surfaces WAC 296-155-24611-1c See WAC 296-155-24611-1a-c Construction
feet that are not
45 inches or
more in all
directions
(except
ramps,
runways,
walkways &
platforms)
Ten (10) Excavation WAC 296-155-24611- See WAC 296-155-24611-1a-c Construction Fall protection
feet 1d required at 10 for
employees in the
affected area of an
excavation who:
-
Aren’t directly
involved
OR
-
Are on the protective
system or any other
structure in the
excavation

--continued on next page--

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General Requirements for Supervisors

Supervisors of any employee(s) working at heights that have a fall hazard of four (4) feet or greater must implement this
document’s procedures and must read, understand, and comply with DOSH’s Unified Fall Protection Standard. This rule
encompasses the Washington Administrative Codes (WAC) and corresponding industries related to worker fall protection
and restraint.

The supervisor is responsible for ensuring that prior to the initiation of any job or project all fall hazards are identified in
the work area. Jobs or projects that may include fall hazards include, but are not limited to, projects that involve work on
roofs, platforms, scaffolds, ramps, walkways, pits, window openings, elevator shafts, and stairwells. If it is determined that
the University construction job or project has employees exposed to a fall hazard of ten (10) feet or greater, then a fall
protection work plan must be developed. If a supervisor cannot complete or does not know how to create a fall work
protection plan, consult EH&S for help. A fillable Fall Protection Work Plan for construction or new installation work can
be found at the EH&S website, under Shop Safety and Forms.

It is important that supervisors recognize which applicable industry governs the type of work performed by their employees
during Fall Protection and Restraint. General industry will apply in the majority maintenance or servicing performed by
EWU staff. Be aware, exceptions exist for Electrical High Voltage, Construction, and Telecommunication work to be
completed.

Supervisors will choose between the three following methods for fall protection: fall restraint, fall arrest, or positioning
system devices. Due to the hazards present or the difficulty of installing certain fall restraint protection plans in some work
areas, supervisors may need to rely on a combination of methods rather than on a singular method by itself.

Fall restraint
Fall restraint provides limitations for employee(s) to reach hazard(s) prior to a fall event. It assumes that an employee
cannot reach a leading edge fall hazard. In restraint, a worker completes their job function in containment or with limited
movement tethered to an anchor point. If at any time a worker can reach a leading edge and fall over, he/she msut be in fall
arrest. Personal fall arrest systems can be used in fall restraint if correctly attached. Personal fall arrest components are
covered in, ‘Fall arrest protection’ starting on page nine (9) of this procedure.

Guardrails
Standard guardrails will have a top rail, intermediate rail, toe board, and posts and a vertical height of 39” to 45” from
upper surface of top rail to floor, platform, runway or ramp level and the ends of the rails shall not overhang the terminal
posts. Of which, any top or hand rail must support a two-hundred (200) pound load force from any direction, and have
mounting or brackets of posts not to exceed more than eight (8) feet apart. Rails should not overhang posts or mounts to
create a projection or impalement hazard.

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Warning lines Example of a warning line system:

Deployment of warning lines occur at low-pitch (less than 4:12)
surface dimensions greater than forty-five (45) inches in all directions.
Warning lines require completion of a Fall Protection Work Plan.
Necessary requirements for installing warning line systems include:

 Warning lines must encompass all sides of the work area,

with visible flagging every six (6) feet
 Chain, rope, or wire used for constructing the warning line
thirty-six must be placed between thirty-six (36) or and forty-
five (45) inches from the work surface. Taunt, no slack
attachment is required at all stanchions
 Supporting stanchions for warning line systems must resist a perpendicular side force of at least sixteen (16)
pounds at thirty (30) inches above the work surface without tipping over in the direction of the leading edge
 Any chain, rope, or wire used in constructing warning lines shall have a minimum tensile strength of two-hundred
(200) pounds, without breaking after attachment to supporting stanchions
 A minimum distance of six (6) feet will be observed when installing warning lines without mechanical/mobile
equipment; if using mechanical/mobile equipment, observe six (6) feet from work edge parallel to equipment
operation and ten (10) feet perpendicular to the operation of equipment
 Points of access, materials handling areas, and connecting storage areas to the work area will require a clear
access path formed by two warning lines. When the path to a point of access is not in use, placement of a chain,
rope, or wire equal in strength and height to the warning line, must be inserted across the access path intersecting
the established warning line system around the work area.
 Work outside of the warning line must utilize a personal fall arrest system
 Materials will not be stored within six (6) feet of the roof edge unless, installation of a guardrail system at the
leading edge is complete

Safety monitor systems

Used in conjunction with warning lines, safety monitor systems (SMS) guard against falls on low-pitch (less than 4:12)
surfaces and leading edge work. When a SMS is used, the supervisor or competent person will address the SMS in a fall
protection work plan, include the name of the safety monitor(s) and the extent of their training in both the safety monitor
and warning line systems. The safety monitor system will not be used when adverse weather conditions create additional
hazards.

For employees to serve as a safety monitor, functional knowledge of warning lines and safety monitoring systems must be
exhibited before beginning. The safety monitor must:
 Act as a competent person with authority to control work as it relates to Fall Protection and Restraint
 Be instantly distinguishable from members of the work crew (such as, wearing a brightly colored vest)
 Be positioned in relation to the workers under their protection, so as to have a clear, unobstructed view and be
able to maintain normal voice communication
 Supervise no more than eight exposed workers at one time. Warn the employee when it appears that the employee
is unaware of a fall hazard or is acting in an unsafe manner
 While acting as safety monitor, he/she will engage in no other duties
 Safety monitors may only be used as the sole means of fall protection on low-pitched roofs of fifty (50) feet wide
or greater

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Leading edge work

When performing leading edge work on low-pitched roofs, ensure that a Control Access Zone (CAZ) is established. A CAZ
is the area between the warning line and the unprotected sides of the walking/working surface. The CAZ begins six (6) feet
back from the leading edge, separated from other work areas by means of an additional warning line.

At all times when performing work within a CAZ, personal fall arrest or fall restrain must be used. If personal fall arrest or
restraint systems are not feasible, a safety monitor will be implemented for worker safety. A warning line is not mandatory
on low-pitched roofs less than 50’ wide, but a safety monitor is still required.

Example of leading edge work with a controlled access zone (CAZ)

Fall arrest protection

Fall arrest protection must include personal fall-arrest, but may also include either a safety net and/or catch platforms. It is
mandatory to inspect all fall arrest protection prior to each use, after initial anchorage mounting and thereafter, with
engineered design for safety net and catch platform systems.

Personal fall-arrest systems

The personal fall arrest system is an assembly of components joined together so
that when the assembly is connected to a fixed support, it is capable of arresting a
worker’s fall. Fall arrest systems must keep a worker from hitting the ground, a
level below, or other hazards and objects below. A complete fall arrest system
consists of a full-body harness, a lanyard, and a shock absorbing device.

Understanding how personal fall-arrest systems work, knowledge of the

components, order of assembly, and how to inspect the components items prior to
use is critical in providing fall-arrest for worker safety. All personal-fall arrest
protection has a maximum service life of five (5) years after initial opening and
use.

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Full body harness

Manufacturing of these apparatuses are with features that arrest accidental vertical or
near vertical fall of a worker. Full body harnesses disperse the impact forces of a fall by
means of leg and shoulder strap supports and an upper dorsal suspension assembly to a
greater area of the harness wearer’s body. When fall arrest occurs, a full body harness
will not permit the release or further lowering of a suspended worker when properly
worn by the employee.

Full-body harness use for positioning combines a restraint lanyard attached to the front
“D ring”, or either side D-rings if equipped. The front D-ring of a harness is designed
for positioning only when completing hands free work in front of the employee. Side D-
rings, likewise, are exclusively the same as a front D-ring, except when working from
the workers’ left or right side hands free. Front and side D-ring use is limited to a fixed
or length adjustable positioning or restraint lanyard when working hands-free.

The back D-ring is the only lanyard mounting location engineered for safe personal fall
arrest. Failure to correctly mount a fall-arrest lanyard may interfere with fall protection
clearances or create bodily damage and/or injury to the worker wearing a full body
harness. Shock absorbing lanyards or de-acceleration devices should only be attached to
the back D-ring. Improperly or loose fitting harnesses can injure or harm workers.
Please refer to Appendix A, How To Don a Harness at the end of this procedure.

Fixed lanyards
Line of rope, wire rope, or strap engineered for weight-rated connections at each end for
joining a positioning body belt or a full body harness to a deceleration device, lifeline, or
anchorage.

Shock absorber lanyard or de-acceleration devices

A shock absorber lanyard is a fall protection component that slows and cushions a fall. It is often made of “tear webbing”
with specific stitch patterns that absorb the force of impacts.

Flexible Shock
Absorber Lanyard
Lanyard with Shock
Absorber

Shock absorber lanyards are best suited for roofing work or in areas where one could free-fall, allowing de-acceleration
before coming to a stop. Positioning lanyard design keeps you in place, limiting or providing no give or a full stop.
Positioning lanyards are best suited for aerial lifts or leading edge work with anchorage and lifeline systems.

All lanyards must have date of service use checked, proper connector lock function, and inspection of webbing and
stitching for any cuts, fraying, tears, or UV damage prior to each use.

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Anchorage
Engineered connector points designed for either fall restraint (3000lb) per employee or fall arrest (5000lb) component
tethering to building, construction, or equipment platform systems per employee maintaining a safety factor of at least two
(2) times. These connectors vary in mounting and securing methods, for permanent or temporary securement. It is critical
to assess potential worker loads prior to start of fall restraint work. Prevention of anchorage failure or inadequate shoring
can avert worker(s) injury and potential falls. Anchor securement typically involves lifelines, but also has applications in
worker positioning for construction, iron and rebar work.

Lifelines
A flexible cable, line, or rope for connection to an anchorage at one end to suspend vertically (vertical lifeline), or for
connection to anchorages at both ends to stretch horizontally (horizontal lifeline), and which serves as a means for
connecting other components of a personal fall arrest system to the anchorage. If using a horizontal lifeline, determine
possible load deflection (load sag) in required fall distance calculations before attaching in fall restraint or personal fall
arrest.

Horizontal lifeline with anchorage, shock absorber, and tensioner Vertical lifeline application

Account for horizontal lifeline loading and worker safety

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Self Retracting Lifelines (SRLs)

Deceleration devices containing a drum-wound line which can be slowly extracted from, or retracted onto; possessing a
integral clutch mechanism to limit worker movement after the onset of a free-fall. These devices allow freedom of
movement for employees, while providing fall restraint and/or fall arrest depending upon installation and product choice.
NEVER set up a fall restraint SRL for any fall arrest applications.
(Remember: fall restraint is a 3000lb minimum, whereas fall arrest is a 5000lb minimum requirement)

Examples of Self-
Retracting Lifeline types

Features of SRL use:

 The anchorage used must meet or exceed the rating of the SRL
 SRLs require less than two feet to arrest a free fall
 Reduce the risk of hitting the ground or other objects at a lower level
 Provide a safe and easy rescue if needed
 SRLs prevent lifeline entanglement and provide easy line retraction
 Can be attached to the front harness D-ring for situations such as ladder
climbing
 Fall distance for potential free fall will limit injury and/or allow
worker’s ability to regain ladder footing

Catch Platforms
A catch platform is a temporary platform located below a work area to catch a worker in the event of a fall. The platform
should be of robust construction and designed to withstand the maximum potential impact load of the worker(s),
equipment, and tools. Scaffolding components maybe used to construct fixed and mobile catch platforms.

Construction of catch platforms must

be no lower than ten (10) feet from the
fall leading edge. Width of catch
platform(s) must be at least as wide as
the fall distance, never less than forty-
five (45) inches. Storage of items on
catch platforms is not allowed.

Mobile Catch Platform Fixed Catch Platform installation

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Safety Nets
This type of fall arrest comes as an engineered product rated for prescribed fall-heights, load capacity, opening sizes, and
abrasion/chemical/weather resistance standards. Installation of safety nets must be as close as practicable under the surface
on which employees are working, but in no case more than 30 feet below. When using netting under bridges or spans, the
potential fall area must be unobstructed for the worker.

If used, all safety nets must extend outward from the outermost projection of the work surface as follows:

Vertical distance from working level to Minimum required horizontal distance of outer
horizontal plane of net edge of net from the edge of the working surface
Up to 5 feet 8 feet
5 to 10 feet 10 feet
More than 10 feet 13 feet

Positioning device systems

Different from fall restraint and fall arrest, positioning devices fix and support the worker while on an elevated vertical
surface. Leaning from walls, ironwork, or towers while conducting hands-free work necessitates the use of positioning
device systems with fall-arrest.

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Unique requirements of positioning device systems include:

 Limits for worker free-fall to a maximum of twenty-four (24) inches
 Incorporates full-body harness and fixed lanyard use with positioning device
 All anchorage, fall-arrest, and positioning equipment cannot have a breaking strength less than 5000lbs

Supervisors as a competent person(s) must ensure that employees are trained to implement all Fall Protection and Restraint
procedures and their corresponding industry requirements. Supervisors shall not knowingly permit the use of any fall
restraint, fall arrest, positioning system device, and/or equipment that they reasonably believe is damaged, defective,
deteriorated, worn, or was exposed to a fall.

Supervisors and employees will share responsibility alike for the inspection of defective equipment. It is upon the
supervisor to destroy/tagout deployed and/or faulty equipment to ensure removal from service use. Oversight for proper
assembly, disassembly, inspection, maintenance, and storage of all EWU fall restraint, personal fall-arrest, and positioning
device systems will be managed by that departments’ supervisor to ensure worker safety.

General Requirements for Employees

EWU employees assigned to work at elevated heights are responsible for adhering to the procedures contained in this
document. Requirements set forth by the State of Washington in all sections of the Washington Administrative Code
pertaining to worker safety regarding Fall Protection and Restraint must be followed for prevention of unsafe work at
elevated heights.

Associated risks when working in certain work environments, with equipment, or at heights greater than four (4) feet
mandate the use of fall protection or restraint for employee safety. When exposed to fall hazards, the worker must take
precaution to understand basic principles associated with the type of fall arrest, restraint, and/or positioning equipment
provided to complete their work duties. In no way shall EWU employee(s) modify, subvert, or use fall equipment in a
manner inconsistent with manufacturer guidelines and specifications.

Prior to beginning work, employees must assess the workplace for changing conditions, environments, and that could affect
their job duties at elevated working heights. Before the onset of work, workers must thoroughly inspect items or systems
components of each fall device before donning or implementing their use. Employee operation of fall equipment and
installations must be conducted under the instruction of the competent person assigned to the work being performed. If an
employee does not understand the function, limitation, mechanics, or purpose of a fall device; work shall not be performed
until appropriate guidance is provided and effective fall protection and restraint knowledge/operation is demonstrated by
the employee.

Workers shall not use equipment that they know or reasonably believe is defective. If any component device or body
harness is subject to a fall, it must be immediately removed from service. Employees shall notify their supervisor upon
discovery of following:
 Injury to one’s self or a co-worker when in fall protection
 Damage, defective component, or deterioration of a fall arrest, restraint or positioning device
 Deployment of a worker’s fall arrest
 Modification to work conditions that may alter existing fall hazards or create new ones

All employees assigned to fall protection work will adhere to the most current American National Standards Institute
(ANSI) and American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) Standard, Z359. Conformance to this standard outlines the most
recent implementation(s) for application, definition, design, nomenclature, and requirements for fall arrest, restraint, fall
positioning, and rescue equipment components and devices.

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Requirements for Care and Inspection of Fall Equipment and Devices

Standard care for equipment systems should follow regular housekeeping to prevent deterioration and wear to gear.
Workers shall protect and store fall equipment away from consistent abrasive, damp, and ultraviolet exposures. Fall arrest
and fall restraint systems shall be inspected prior to each use for wear, damage and other deterioration, and defective
components shall be removed from service. Completion of a inspection form should be filled out every time fall protection
equipment is used. Review these EWU EH&S fall protection inspection forms:

 Anchorage Connector Inspection Form

 Harness Inspection Form
 Horizontal Lifeline Inspection Form
 Lanyard Inspection Form
 SRL Inspection Form
 Rope Termination SOP
 Vertical Lifeline Inspection Form

If any fall arrest, restraint, positioning device, or rescue equipment is found to be subjected to a fall, removal from its
service shall be immediate. Until inspected and declared suitable by the original manufacturer, any affected component
cannot be used.

Wire cable or rope examinations should reveal no broken wire strands, flattening, fraying, kinks, knotting, or a loss in
diameter (broken internal strands). Likewise, fiber rope inspections follow similar guidelines. Each additional fall
protection component will affect overall stopping distances. Evidence of chemical, heat damage, detriment from mildew, or
accumulated dirt/grease. When setting up a fall prevention plan, the following fall distance measurements should be
referenced to determine fall clearances.

Generally, keep fall protection equipment in the best possible condition. Your life or someone else’s life could depend on
it!
 Clean webbing and fiber rope by washing with mild soap and water if needed. Stay away from solvents, bleach, or
strong detergent that could damage or deteriorate fall equipment.
 Allow equipment to dry before and after it is used. Do not hang items in direct sunlight, microwave, or force dry
 Examine all connectors, D-rings, and slip rings to ensure no cracks, deterioration, excessive wear, or pitting
 Verify keeper latches seat into the latch nose without bending, distortion, or obstruction to ensure proper
mechanism latching function
 Support all personal fall arrest, restraint, and positioning devices by connectors for storage, ease of inspection, and
preventative wear.
 Prevent storage of any fall equipment in a manner inconsistent with its prescribed function or use

Fall Clearances
With any fall protection and restraint device, knowing spatial constraints is critical to ensure worker safety and fall
component(s) operation. Addition of fall protection components can affect stopping distances. Keep worker fall lengths
within specifications of the equipment in service. When trying to determine fall clearances, observe the following
measurements while setting up fall prevention:

 Height of the person

 Length of the lanyard
 Point of attachment (where the lanyard is placed in reference to the person)
 Deceleration distance of the fall arrest device
 Safety factor distance between the lower level or ground surface and the worker in fall protection
 Swing fall, if present as a fall hazard
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If employees are working at

heights greater than eighteen and
half (18.5’) feet from a lower
lever or base, alternative work
procedures must occur. The
supervisor or competent person
must identify measures that
mitigate working at fall distances
beyond safe work practices.
Minimizing fall potential may
include relocation to another
anchorage point, or
implementation of a lifeline for
fall restraint prior to fall arrest.
Identification of engineering
controls may be implemented for
lift equipment, platforms, or
scaffolding to increase fall
clearances.

Remember, elevated work can

require elevated extraction
increasing response time and
recovery in case of an emergency.

BE aware of anchor point

locations! Please, refer to
Appendix B, Anchorage
Positioning. When an anchor is
not directly above the supported
worker, swing fall hazards are
present. Inspect the distance from
securement. Potential swing fall
for workers impacting secondary
surfaces increases with working
fall heights if they strike an object
below.
Courtesy of Guardian Fall Protection

Fall clearance calculations shown, are based on worker falling directly in-line with a secure anchor point. Always take into
account swing fall and other hazards when calculating fall clearances.

Training
Documentation of Training
Any training for Fall Protection and Restraint shall be documented by the respective department’s supervisor and recorded
by Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) for proof of training history. EWU shall verify that all employees are trained
for exposure to fall hazards by preparing a written certification record, which contains the name of the employee trained,
the training date, and the signature of the person who conducted the training. Risk Management will govern recordkeeping
through the EWU Environmental Health and Safety department. Any training records created within departmental toolbox

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 Fall Protection and Restraint Procedures
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talks, daily/weekly shop topics, or specific supervisory trainings should be forwarded to EH&S personnel for tracking
purposes.

Training Requirements
1) Each EWU employee must be trained by a competent person in the following areas:
 Nature of fall hazards in the work area and the procedures to minimize these hazards
 Correct procedures for using, maintaining and inspecting the fall protection systems used
 Procedures for handling and storing fall protection equipment correctly

2) Each EWU employee shall also be trained to employ and adhere to the fall protection work plan prior to working in
locations with fall hazards. The training shall:
 Identify all fall hazards in the work area
 Describe the method of fall arrest or fall restraint to be provided
 Describe the correct procedures for the assembly, maintenance, inspection, and disassembly of the fall
protection system to be used
 Describe the correct procedures for the handling, storage, and securing of tools and materials
 Describe the method of providing overhead protection for workers who may be in, or pass through the area
below the work site
 Describe the method for prompt, safe removal of injured workers

3) When the supervisor has reason to believe that any affected employee who has already been trained does not have
the understanding and skill required to implement the procedures of this document, the supervisor shall require the
employee to be retrained.

End of Procedure

Revision History
Rev Affected Page Change Descriptions
0 All Release 7/15/2011
1 All Reformat, Update 2/9/2015
2 All Complete rewrite. 6/30/2016
3 13 Add Forms
4 All Complete re-write and update to online format; update WAC requirements 12/4/17
5 15 Correction of hyperlink and SOP name
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 Fall Protection and Restraint Procedures
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Appendix A

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Appendix B

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