What Construction Employers Need to Know About Fall Protection

Falls are the leading cause of death in the construction industry, accounting for nearly half of all fatal incidents on job sites. Despite being preventable, fall-related injuries and fatalities continue to occur at alarming rates. OSHA’s Fall Protection Standard (29 CFR 1926 Subpart M) outlines the requirements employers must follow to protect workers from fall hazards¹.

OSHA’s Fall Protection Requirements

Under Subpart M, OSHA mandates that fall protection be provided at elevations of six feet or more in the construction industry¹. Employers must implement one or more of the following systems:

• Guardrails: Must be 42 inches high (±3 inches) and withstand 200 pounds of force².
• Safety nets: Installed as close as possible under the working surface.
• Personal fall arrest systems (PFAS): Includes harnesses, lanyards, and anchors rated for fall protection.

Additional requirements include:

• Covering and labeling floor holes
• Protecting edges and open-sided platforms
• Providing safe access via ladders, ramps, or walkways

Employers must also ensure that fall protection systems are in place before work begins.

The Scope of the Problem

1. Fall Fatalities in Construction

In 2023, 38.5% of all construction fatalities were due to falls, slips, and trips. The construction industry accounted for 47.8% of all fatal falls across all sectors³. Roofing contractors alone represented 26% of fall-related deaths, highlighting the elevated risk in certain trades³.

2. Nonfatal Injuries

Nonfatal falls to a lower level occurred at an annualized rate of 13.9 per 10,000 full-time workers in construction, compared to 4.6 across all private industries³. These injuries often result in extended time away from work, increased insurance costs, and reduced productivity.

Common OSHA Violations

Fall protection consistently ranks as the #1 most frequently cited OSHA violation⁴.

Common infractions include:

• Failure to provide fall protection at required heights
• Improper ladder use
• Missing guardrails
• Lack of training

These violations not only endanger workers but also expose employers to significant fines and legal liability.

The Importance of Training

Training is a cornerstone of fall prevention. OSHA requires that workers be trained to recognize fall hazards and use protective equipment properly¹. Training must be provided in a language and vocabulary workers understand, especially in multilingual job sites.

According to the CDC, evidence-based fall prevention programs significantly reduce fall-related injuries when combined with hands-on instruction and regular refreshers⁵.

Employers should conduct:

• Initial and refresher training
• On-site demonstrations
• Toolbox talks focused on fall hazards

Best Practices for Employers

To maintain compliance and protect workers, employers should:

• Conduct daily inspections of fall protection systems
• Provide and maintain PPE
• Ensure supervisors are trained to enforce safety protocols
• Document training and inspections
• Encourage a culture of safety and accountability

Sources

1: Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (n.d.). 1926 Subpart M – Fall Protection. U.S. Department of Labor. https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926subpartm

2: Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (n.d.). 1926.502 – Fall protection systems criteria and practices. https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926.502

3: Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025). Fatal falls in the construction industry in 2023. https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2025/fatal-falls-in-the-construction-industry-in-2023.htm

4: Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (2024). Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Standards. https://www.osha.gov/top10citedstandards/

5: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2015). Preventing Falls: A Guide to Implementing Effective Community-based Fall Prevention Programs. https://www.cdc.gov/falls/pdf/FallPreventionGuide-2015-a.pdf