The Necessity of Fall Hazard Surveys to Keep People Safe

Fall protection was the number one cited standard by OSHA in the 2022 fiscal year. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 850 reported cases of fatal workplace injuries in 2021 due to falls, slips, and trips. In 2020, over 56,000 injuries were reported related to falls to a lower level from a roof edge.

These statistics are just the reported ones. The statistics don't include the worker who can’t afford to lose any hours due to an injury and doesn’t say anything. Or the long-time veteran who just sees it as par for the course. 

This should show that fall protection is necessary for a safe and productive workplace. Providing the right fall protection starts with understanding what the hazards are. That is why you need to complete a fall hazard survey.  

In this article, I’m going to tell you what a fall hazard survey is, who is involved in a fall hazard survey, what needs to be included, and how often it should be updated. 

What is a Fall Hazard Survey? 

Simply put, a fall hazard survey is collecting information on any existing or potential fall hazards.  

Sounds simple enough, right? 

It’s straightforward in concept but more complex in execution. Let’s get into some more details, starting with what a fall hazard is. 

According to ANSI, a fall hazard is any condition that exposes a worker to a potential fall. That could mean a lot of different things. So, we need to pull from OSHA to get some more clarity.  

In most cases, OSHA considers a fall hazard to be any fall of 4 feet or more to a lower level. There are some exceptions to this rule, like the work that’s being done or the industry you’re in. If you’re unsure, then 4 feet is a good place to start while you look up the codes that apply to you. You can always contact one of our fall protection experts for help as well. 

Another fall scenario to know in OSHA relates to dangerous equipment. ANY fall that could result in a user landing on or into dangerous equipment is considered a fall hazard and needs fall protection. After all, people don’t actually get superpowers from landing in a vat of chemicals. 

These are the two types of fall hazards that need to be included in your survey.  

Who is Involved in a Fall Hazard Survey 

There are a number of roles that are important when it comes to a fall hazard survey. The primary roles are the qualified person, the competent person, and the authorized users. 

Starting with the easiest first, authorized users are the workers who have been assigned to work in an area where fall hazards exist.  These are the people that the fall hazard survey is designed to protect. 

The fall hazard survey is to be completed by a competent or qualified person. A qualified person is someone who has a recognized degree or professional certificate that allows them to design appropriate fall protection systems. This person also needs to have relevant experience with fall protection to do so. This means that not all structural engineers are qualified persons until they have the relevant experience. 

A competent person is someone who has been designated by the employer and has been trained to identify and address fall hazards. This person would manage the fall protection program. The difference between a competent person and a qualified person is the formal education. 

Oftentimes, qualified and competent person(s) enlist the aid of fall protection specialists. These specialists tie the fall hazard to the appropriate solution. This includes an understanding of the cost and time to install a solution.  

What is Included in a Fall Hazard Survey 

The survey records every fall hazard in the workplace and what can, is, or should be done about it. However, what information about the hazard is needed, and where should you be looking? 

OSHA’s fall protection code talks about walking and working surfaces. It’s easy to focus on the work zones and forget to consider how employees are going to get to those work zones. 

Make sure to include in the survey the travel paths to and from the work zones. Any fall hazards along these paths should be noted along with the distance to those hazards. Include any obstructions in the paths and the means to get over or around them safely.  

Once you’ve identified the working and walking surfaces, it’s time to get information on the hazard. Explain the reason for the exposure to the hazard, like changing a filter or cleaning a gutter. Also, describe how often the tasks need to be completed and how long the tasks should take. The severity of the fall, proximity to the fall, and obstructions in the fall path are all necessary parts of the fall hazard to record. There is more that you can include, and you can find these details in ANSI Z359.2. 

Environmental concerns are an important contributor to risks when dealing with fall hazards. It’s important to detail what else a worker may be exposed to. This could include hazardous chemicals, electrical hazards, and any flammable substances. Climatic and weather factors like snow, rain, and heat are other concerns. Even the surface users will be walking or standing on may be uneven or slippery, causing increased risk to the worker. 

Once you have that information, include what fall protection solutions exist. If none exists, add what options could be used, like the location of a potential anchor point or installing a guardrail. 

A fall hazard survey must be updated anytime one of these factors changes. This could be installing new fall protection or a new addition to the building.  Make sure to include the date of the change or a revision identifier to make it clear which report is the most current. 

That’s a lot. Here is the simplest I can break it down for you. Include: 

• The paths of travel and their proximity to hazards
• How dangerous a fall hazard is 
• How often users will be exposed to the fall hazard 
• Other environmental factors that could impact a user while exposed to a fall hazard 
• What solution will protect the user while exposed to the hazard 
• Revision or Date Identifier 

Types of Fall Protection Solutions Available 

Whenever a user is exposed to a fall hazard, these are the types of fall protection that OSHA allows. 

A guardrail is the best solution for fall protection after eliminating the need to be exposed to the hazard. This is according to the hierarchy of fall protection. Guardrails passively protect workers. This means the worker doesn’t have to do anything for the guardrail to work. Guardrails also collectively protect each user exposed to the hazard instead of being limited to what a personal system can support. 

A personal fall protection system will allow users to tie off to an appropriate anchor. While connected to a qualified system, users are fully engaged in a fall protection system. This will also allow users to reach areas otherwise inaccessible when using guardrails, like reaching over the edge. Also, while many guardrail systems are aesthetically pleasing, many owners want systems where the fall protection system is not visible at all.  

Safety netting systems are also an allowed form of fall protection. However, these are mostly used during construction. Incomplete floors are a good example of when these would be used. 

A warning line system can be used under specific circumstances. OSHA says a warning line can be used 15 feet or more from a roof edge on a low slope roof. The warning line can be six feet from the roof edge if the work that’s being done is temporary and infrequent. 

Besides removing the hazard, these are the solutions available to you. 

Safety Tips While Performing a Fall Hazard Survey 

When performing a fall hazard survey, it’s important to remember that you are exposed to fall hazards. Make sure to prepare ahead of time for optimal safety.  

Preplan any known hazards. Consider hazards like skylights, roof transitions, and access hatches. Plan the route you are going to take before you access the roof. Know how to access the roof and what the potential hazards are near those egress points. 

Satellite imagery is a great tool for preplanning your fall hazard survey. I print a copy of the satellite image to take with me for notes and easy reference. 

Make sure to bring the proper PPE. Steel-toe boots, safety glasses, hi-vis vests, and safety helmets are good examples.  

Stay away from the hazard as much as possible. OSHA says fall protection is unnecessary when you are 15 feet or more from a roof edge fall hazard and the work is temporary and infrequent. 

Don’t do it alone. Make sure that you have someone with you, like a spotter. If that’s not possible, tell someone where you’ll be and how long you’ll be. Check-in before and after you gain access to the area in question. 

Wrapping Up 

Fall hazard surveys are key to creating and maintaining a safe and compliant work environment. Knowing what the fall hazards are and how to be protected against them will reduce the risk of accidents, which protects your employees and your business.  

Don’t worry if conducting a fall hazard survey feels overwhelming because you are not alone. Our experts can help you recognize fall hazards and recommend tailored fall protection solutions. We don’t even have to come to site to help you do this when you schedule a remote fall hazard survey. 

Complete a fall hazard survey before it’s too late. Proactive prevention saves lives.