Fall Protection Planning — Pre-Task
Construction · Ver en español
Talking points
- Fall protection must be planned before work begins — not improvised once you are already at height. Identify the fall hazards, select the protection method, and verify the equipment before anyone goes up.
- Choose the right system for the task: guardrails for static edge protection, PFAS for mobile workers, safety nets for high-exposure long-duration work. Each situation calls for a different approach.
- Identify anchorage points in advance. An anchorage must support 5,000 pounds per worker — not every beam, pipe, or railing qualifies. If in doubt, consult an engineer.
- Calculate clearance distance: anchorage height minus lanyard length, deceleration distance, harness stretch, and worker height. If the clearance below is insufficient, the PFAS cannot arrest the fall.
- Brief the crew on the fall protection plan during the pre-task meeting. Every worker must understand where the hazards are, what protection is provided, and how to use it.
Ask the crew
What is our fall protection plan for today's elevated work — have we identified anchorages and calculated clearance?
Standards this talk is built on
A toolbox talk is a short safety briefing. It supports the training a standard requires; it does not replace it.
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Sign-in sheet
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