Fall Protection Equipment, Guidance & Resources
Working at height requires more than simply wearing a harness. Effective fall protection starts with understanding the hazard, selecting the appropriate system, using compatible equipment, and making sure workers understand how that equipment is intended to be used.
ServCorp provides industrial safety products and fall protection solutions for organizations that need to protect employees working at height.
Our Fall Protection Resource Center is designed to help customers better understand fall protection equipment, terminology, applications, system-selection considerations, and the safety requirements associated with work at height.
Understanding Fall Protection
Fall protection can involve several different approaches depending on the work environment and the hazard.
Common systems and equipment include:
OSHA recognizes personal fall arrest, travel restraint, and positioning systems as forms of personal fall protection. Employers should evaluate the requirements that apply to their specific workplace and work activity.
OSHA Resources:
OSHA 1910.28 — Duty to Have Fall Protection and Falling Object Protection
OSHA 1910.140 — Personal Fall Protection Systems
OSHA 1910.30 — Training Requirements
OSHA Construction Fall Protection — 1926 Subpart M
Fall Protection Equipment
A complete fall protection system may include several interconnected components. The equipment must be selected and used as a system rather than simply as individual pieces of PPE.
Full-Body Harnesses
Full-body harnesses are a core component of personal fall arrest systems and are designed to distribute fall-arrest forces when properly selected, fitted, connected, and used.
ServCorp Product:
3M DBI-SALA ExoFit X300 X-Style Vest Harness — 1403237
Work-Positioning Harnesses
Certain work environments require equipment configured for positioning in addition to other fall protection considerations.
ServCorp Product:
3M DBI-SALA ExoFit X300 X-Style Positioning Construction Harness — 1403240
Self-Retracting Lifelines
Self-retracting lifelines, commonly called SRLs, extend and retract as a worker moves. When properly selected, anchored, and used, an SRL's braking system is designed to engage when a fall occurs.
Different SRLs are designed for different applications, including conventional overhead use, leading-edge applications, hot work, and specialized environments.
Learn more about 3M Self-Retracting Lifelines
Energy-Absorbing Lanyards
Energy-absorbing lanyards connect the worker's harness to an appropriate anchorage or anchorage system and incorporate a deceleration component designed to help manage forces during a fall.
The correct lanyard depends on factors such as required mobility, anchorage location, potential free-fall distance, available clearance, and the specific work environment.
Anchors and Anchorage Connectors
Anchors and anchorage connectors provide the secure connection between a worker's personal fall protection system and the supporting structure.
Anchorage selection is a critical part of system design. OSHA establishes requirements for anchorages used with personal fall protection systems, and the correct configuration depends on the application and system being used.
Review OSHA Personal Fall Protection System Requirements
Horizontal and Vertical Lifeline Systems
Lifeline systems can allow workers to move through defined work areas while remaining connected to a fall protection system.
Horizontal and vertical systems require appropriate engineering, components, anchorages, installation, and system compatibility.
Rescue and Descent Equipment
Fall protection planning does not end when a fall is arrested.
OSHA requires employers using personal fall arrest systems to provide for prompt rescue of an employee following a fall or ensure that the employee can rescue themselves, as applicable.
OSHA 1910.140 — Personal Fall Protection Systems and Rescue Requirements
3M DBI-SALA Fall Protection
ServCorp carries 3M products, including products from the 3M DBI-SALA fall protection portfolio.
3M's fall protection offering includes:
Explore the 3M Fall Protection product portfolio
For available ServCorp products or assistance locating a specific fall protection product, contact ServCorp.
Fall Protection Resource Center
Selecting fall protection equipment starts with understanding the application.
The ServCorp Fall Protection Resource Center provides educational information covering common fall protection questions, terminology, equipment types, system-selection considerations, OSHA requirements, and work-at-height applications.
Featured Article
Fall Arrest vs. Fall Restraint: Understanding the Difference
Fall restraint is designed to prevent a worker from reaching a fall hazard. Fall arrest is designed to arrest a worker after a fall has begun.
Read: Fall Arrest vs. Fall Restraint — Understanding the Difference
Additional fall protection resources will be added as we continue building the ServCorp Fall Protection Resource Center.
Need Help Finding Fall Protection Equipment?
Every work-at-height application is different.
ServCorp can help customers identify available fall protection products and connect them with relevant product and manufacturer information.
Call to Action:
Contact ServCorp About Fall Protection Equipment