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714 Fall Protection Program
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Fall Protection Systems

Introduction

If workers will be exposed to fall hazards that you can't eliminate, you'll need to prevent falls from occurring or ensure that if workers do fall, they aren't injured.

CHANGING A LIGHT BULB AT 1500 FEET

A fall protection system is designed to prevent or arrest falls.

Types of Fall Protection Systems

There are seven general fall-protection systems:

  • Personal fall-arrest system (PFAS): Limits a fall
  • Personal fall-restraint system: Prevents a fall
  • Positioning-device system: Positions a worker and limits a fall to 2 feet
  • Guardrail system: Prevents a fall
  • Safety-net system: Arrests a fall
  • Warning-line system for roofing work: Warns a worker of a fall hazard
  • Safety monitor system: Keeps watch on a worker near a fall hazard

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

5-1. A fall-arrest system _____ the fall and the fall-restraint system _____ the fall.