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Fall Protection
Part 2
Self-Inspection Checklist

Guidelines: This checklist covers fall protection systems criteria and regulations for guardrail systems, personal fall arrest systems, and warning line systems. These regulations were issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) under the construction standard 29 CFR 1926.502. This checklist applies to temporary worksites associated with construction, alteration, demolition, and repair work including painting and decorating. In general, fall protection is required where employees work on walking or working surfaces that are 6 feet or more above lower levels. This checklist should be used with the Fall Protection-Part 1 and Fall Protection-Part 3 checklists. The regulations cited apply only to private employers and their employees, unless adopted by a State agency and applied to other groups such as public employees. A yes answer to a question indicates that this portion of the inspection complies with the OSHA or U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standard, or with a nonregulatory recommendation. Definitions of terms in bold type are provided at the end of the checklist. Safety net systems and positioning device systems have not been addressed as part of these fall protection checklists. In these situations, please consult the OSHA regulations.
  Please Circle
Guardrail Systems
  1. Is the top edge height of top rails (or equivalent

    2. guardrail system members) 42 inches, plus or
    minus 3 inches above the walking or working level?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(b)(1)]

    Note: When necessary, the height of the top
    edge may exceed the 45_inch height, if the
    guardrail system meets all other criteria. When
    employees are using stilts, the top edge height
    of the top rail (or equivalent member) shall be
    increased an amount equal to the height of
    the stilts.
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. When no wall or parapet wall is at least

    2. 21 inches high, are the midrails, screens,
    mesh, or intermediate vertical members (or
    equivalent intermediate structural members)
    installed between the top edge of the
    guardrail system and the walking or
    working surface?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(b)(2)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. Are midrails installed at a height midway

    2. between the top edge of the guardrail system
    and the walking or working level?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(b)(2)(i)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. Do screens and mesh extend from the top

    2. rail to the walking or working level and
    along the entire opening between top
    rail supports?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(b)(2)(ii)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. When used between posts, are intermediate

    2. members (such as balusters) 19 inches apart or less?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(b)(2)(iii)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. Are other structural members (such as

    2. additional midrails and architectural panels)
    installed so that openings in the guardrail
    system are 19 inches wide or less?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(b)(2)(iv)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. Can guardrail systems withstand (without

    2. failure) a force of at least 200 pounds applied
    within 2 inches of the top edge, in any
    outward or downward direction, at any
    point along the top edge?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(b)(3)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. When a 200 pound test load is applied in a

    2. downward direction to the top rail, does the
    top edge of the guardrail deflect to a height
    of 39 inches or more above the walking or
    working level?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(b)(4)]

    Note: For specifications on selection and
    construction of guardrail systems, please refer
    to the OSHA guidelines in Appendix B of
    subpart M--guardrail systems.
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. Can midrails, screens, mesh, intermediate

    2. vertical members, solid panels, and equivalent
    structural members withstand (without failure)
    a force of at least 150 pounds applied in any
    downward or outward direction at any point
    along the midrail or other member?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(b)(5)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. Are guardrail systems surfaced to prevent

    2. snagging of clothing and injury from
    punctures or lacerations?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(b)(6)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. Is it prohibited for the ends of all top rails and

    2. midrails to overhang the terminal posts (unless
    overhang does not cause a hazard)?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(b)(7)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. Is it prohibited to construct top rails or midrails of

    2. steel banding and plastic banding?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(b)(8)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. Are top rails and midrails at least one-quarter inch

    2. nominal diameter or thickness?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(b)(9)]

    Note: This is to prevent cuts and lacerations.
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. If wire rope is used for top rails, is it

    2. flagged at 6-foot intervals (or less) with
    high-visibility material?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(b)(9)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. When guardrail systems are used to protect

    2. hoisting areas, is a chain, gate, or removable
    guardrail section placed across the access
    opening between guardrail sections when
    hoisting operations are not taking place?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(b)(10)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. When guardrail systems are used at holes, are

    2. they erected on all unprotected sides or
    edges of the hole?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(b)(11)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. When guardrail systems are placed around holes, do

    2. only two (or fewer) sides have removable guardrail
    sections to allow the passage of materials?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(b)(12)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. When a hole is not in use, is it closed over with a

    2. cover, or is a guardrail system provided along all
    unprotected sides or edges?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(b)(12)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. Are guardrail systems equipped with a gate (or

    2. offset so that a person cannot walk directly into
    the hole) when they are placed around holes that
    are used as points of access (such as ladderways)?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(b)(13)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. Are guardrail systems used on ramps and runways

    2. erected along each unprotected side or edge?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(b)(14)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. Is manila, plastic, or synthetic rope that is used for

    2. top rails or midrails inspected frequently to ensure
    that it continues to meet the strength requirements
    indicated in Questions 7, 8, and 9?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(b)(15)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
Personal Fall Arrest Systems
  1. Is the use of body belts as part of a personal fall

    2. arrest system prohibited?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(d)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. Are connectors on personal fall arrest systems made

    2. of drop-forged, pressed, or formed steel; or
    of equivalent materials?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(d)(1)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. Are connectors on personal fall arrest systems

    2. covered with a corrosion-resistant finish? Are
    all surfaces and edges smooth to prevent
    damage to interfacing parts of the system?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(d)(2)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. Do dee-rings and snaphooks on personal fall

    2. arrest systems have a minimum tensile strength
    of 5,000 pounds?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(d)(3)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. Have dee-rings and snaphooks on personal fall

    2. arrest systems been proof tested to a minimum
    tensile load of 3,600 pounds without cracking,
    breaking, or becoming deformed?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(d)(4)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. Do locking snaphooks prevent disengagement

    2. of the snaphook if the connected member
    contacts the snaphook keeper?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(d)(5)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. Are locking snaphooks prohibited for the following

    2. types of connections (unless designed for that purpose)?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(d)(6)]
     
    1. directly to webbing, rope, or wire

      2. rope
       
    2. to each other

      3.  
    3. to a dee-ring to which another snaphook

      4. or other connector is attached
       
    4. to a horizontal lifeline

      5.  
    5. to any object that is incompatible with the

      6. snaphook such that unintentional
      disengagement could occur
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. Are horizontal lifelines designed, installed, and

    2. used (under the supervision of a qualified person)
    as part of a complete personal fall arrest system
    that maintains a safety factor of at least two?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(d)(8)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. Do lanyards and vertical lifelines have a minimum

    2. breaking strength of 5,000 pounds?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(d)(9)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. When vertical lifelines are used, is each person

    2. attached to a separate lifeline?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(d)(i)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. Are lifelines protected against being cut or abraded

    2. [29 CFR 1926.502(d)(11)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. Can self retracting lifelines and lanyards that

    2. automatically limit free-fall distance to 2 feet or
    less sustain a tensile load of at least 3,000 pounds
    (applied to the device with the lifeline or
    lanyard fully extended)?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(d)(12)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. Can the following equipment sustain a tensile

    2. load of at least 5,000 pounds applied to the
    device with the lifeline or lanyard fully extended?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(d)(13)]
     
    1. self-retracting lifelines and lanyards that

      2. do not limit free-fall distance to 2 feet or less
       
    2. ripstitch lanyards

      3.  
    3. tearing and deforming lanyards
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. Are only ropes and straps (webbing) made of

    2. synthetic fibers used in lanyards, lifelines, and
    strength components of body belts and
    body harnesses?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(d)(14)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. Are anchorages used to attach personal fall arrest

    2. equipment separate from any anchorage used to
    support or suspend platforms? Can they support
    at least 5,000 pounds per person attached?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(d)(15)]

    Note: As an alternative, anchorages may be
    designed, installed, and used as part of a complete
    personal fall arrest system that maintains a safety
    factor of at least two and is under the supervision
    of a qualified person.
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. When stopping a fall, do personal fall arrest systems

    2. limit the maximum arresting force on a person to
    1,800 pounds when used with a body harness?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(d)(16)(ii)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. When stopping a fall, are personal fall arrest systems

    2. rigged such that a person can neither free fall more
    than 6 feet, nor contact any lower level?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(d)(16)(iii)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. When stopping a fall, do personal fall arrest systems

    2. bring a person to a complete stop and limit
    maximum deceleration distance to 3.5 feet?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(d)(16)(iv)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. When stopping a fall, can personal fall arrest systems

    2. withstand twice the potential impact energy of a
    person free falling a distance of 6 feet, or the free
    fall distance permitted by the system
    (whichever is less)?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(d)(16)(v)]

    Note: The system is considered to be in
    compliance with the requirements outlined in
    Questions 37-40 if (a) the personal fall arrest
    system meets the criteria and protocols in
    Appendix C to subpart M, and (b) the system
    is used by an employee with a combined
    person and tool weight of less than 310 pounds
    (140 kg). If the system is used by an
    employee having a combined tool and body
    weight of 310 pounds (140 kg) or more, then the
    employer must modify the criteria and
    protocols of the Appendix to provide proper
    protection for such heavier weights, or the
    system will not comply with the OSHA
    requirements.
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. Is the attachment point of the body harness

    2. located in the center of the wearer's back
    near shoulder level, or above the wearer's head?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(d)(17)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. Are body harnesses and components used only

    2. for personal protection (as part of a personal
    fall arrest systems) and not to hoist materials?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(d)(18)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. Are personal fall arrest systems and components

    2. that are subjected to impact loading immediately
    removed from service and not used again for
    protection until inspected by a competent person
    and determined to be undamaged and suitable
    for reuse?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(d)(19)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. Are provisions made for prompt rescue in the

    2. event of a fall, or are employees able to
    rescue themselves?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(d)(20)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. Are personal fall arrest systems inspected before

    2. each use for wear and damage? Are defective
    components removed from service?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(d)(21)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. Is attaching personal fall arrest systems to

    2. guardrail systems or hoists prohibited?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(d)(23)]

    Note: OSHA regulations permit some exemptions.
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. When a personal fall arrest system is used at

    2. hoist areas, is it rigged to allow the movement
    of the person only as far as the edge of the
    walking or working surface?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(d)(24)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
Warning Line Systems
  1. Is a warning line erected around all sides of

    2. the roof work area?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(f)(1)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. When mechanical equipment is not used, is the

    2. warning line erected 6 feet or more from the roof edge?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(f)(1)(i)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. When mechanical equipment is used, is the

    2. warning line erected 6 feet or more from the
    roof edge that is parallel to the direction of
    mechanical equipment operation, and 10 feet
    or more from the roof edge that is perpendicular
    to the direction of mechanical equipment operation?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(f)(1)(ii)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. Are points of access, materials handling areas,

    2. storage areas, and hoisting areas connected to
    the work area by an access path formed by
    two warning lines?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(f)(1)(iii)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. When the path to a point of access is not in

    2. use, is a rope, wire, chain, or other barricade
    (equivalent in strength and height to the
    warning line) placed across the path, or is the
    path offset such that a person cannot walk
    directly into the work area?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(f)(1)(iv)]

    Note: Place the barricade at the point where
    the path intersects the warning line erected
    around the work area.
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. Do warning lines consist of supporting stanchions

    2. and ropes, wires, or chains?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(f)(2)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. Is the rope, wire, or chain flagged at 6-foot

    2. intervals (or less) with high-visibility material?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(f)(2)(i)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. Is the rope, wire, or chain rigged and supported

    2. so that its lowest point (including sag) is 34 inches
    or more from the walking or working surface,
    and its highest point is 39 inches or less from
    the walking or working surface?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(f)(2)(ii)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. After being erected (with the rope, wire, or chain

    2. attached), can stanchions resist (without tipping
    over) a force that is
     
    1. at least 16 pounds applied horizontally against

      2. the stanchion,
       
    2. 30 inches above the walking or working surface,

      3.  
    3. perpendicular to the warning line, and

      4.  
    4. in the direction of the floor, roof, or platform edge?

      5.  
    [29 CFR 1926.502(f)(2)(iii)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. Does the rope, wire, or chain have a minimum

    2. tensile strength of 500 pounds? After being attached
    to the stanchions, can it support (without breaking)
    the loads applied to the stanchions (as described
    in Question 56)?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(f)(2)(iv)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. Is the line attached at each stanchion so that

    2. pulling on one section of the line between
    stanchions will not result in slack being taken
    up in adjacent sections before the stanchion
    tips over?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(f)(2)(v)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. Are employees and students prohibited from

    2. entering the area between a roof edge and a
    warning line unless he or she is performing
    roofing work in that area?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(f)(3)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  1. Is mechanical equipment on roofs used or

    2. stored only in areas where employees and
    students are protected by a warning line system,
    guardrail system, or personal fall arrest system?
    [29 CFR 1926.502(f)(4)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 

 
Definitions:
 
Competent person: one qualified in the following areas: (a) The nature of fall hazards in the work area; (b) The correct procedures for erecting, maintaining, disassembling, and inspecting the fall protection systems; (c) The use and operation of guardrail systems, personal fall arrest systems, safety net systems, warning line systems, safety monitoring systems, controlled-access zones, and other protection; (d) The role of each person in the safety monitoring system; (e) the limitations on the use of mechanical equipment during work on low-sloped roofs; (f) The correct procedures for handling and storing equipment and materials and erecting overhead protection; (g)The role of each person in fall protection plans; and (h) the OSHA fall protection standard.
Controlled-access zone: an area in which certain work (e.g., overhand bricklaying) may take place without guardrail systems, personal fall arrest systems, or safety net systems. Access to the zone is controlled. (See the Fall Protection-Part 3 checklist for requirements.)
Personal fall arrest system: a system used to stop an employee's fall. It consists of an anchorage, connectors, a body belt, or body harness and may include a lanyard, deceleration device, lifeline, or combinations of these. (See this checklist for the requirements.)
Safety-monitoring system: a safety system in which a competent person is responsible for recognizing and warning persons of fall hazards. (See the Fall Protection-Part 3 checklist for requirements.)
Warning line system: a barrier erected on a roof that (a) warns employees and students that they are approaching an unprotected roof side or edge, and (b) designates an area in which roofing work may take place without a guardrail, body belt, or safety net system to protect persons in the area. (See this checklist for the requirements.)
Comments/Corrective action:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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