FallsOSHA Focus Four

Falls from height

Work at an unprotected side or edge 6 feet or more above a lower level. In construction, 29 CFR 1926.501(b)(1) requires guardrails, safety nets, or a personal fall arrest system at that height.

Where it shows up

Leading edges on metal deck or formwork
Roof edges and low-slope roofs
Slab edges before perimeter protection goes up
Elevator shafts and stair openings
Climbing rebar walls or columns

Controls, most effective first

Work down the list. Rely on PPE only for the risk the controls above it cannot remove.

Level	Control
Eliminate or substitute	Assemble components at ground level and lift them into place
	Install permanent guardrails and stairs early in the schedule
Engineering	Guardrail system with a top rail 42 inches, plus or minus 3 inches, above the walking surface
	Safety nets as close as practical under the work surface
	Warning lines with a safety monitor on low-slope roofs where allowed
Administrative	Written fall protection plan reviewed with the crew
	Competent person inspects anchors and systems before use
	Rescue plan for anyone left suspended in a harness
	Fall protection training under 1926.503
PPE	Full-body harness and connector tied to an anchorage rated for 5,000 pounds per worker, or designed with a safety factor of two under a qualified person
	Rig to limit free fall to 6 feet or less

PPE to list on the JHA

Full-body harness and lanyard1926.502(d)Hard hat1926.100Safety-toe boots

OSHA standards

Citation	Title
29 CFR 1926.501	Duty to have fall protection
29 CFR 1926.502	Fall protection systems criteria and practices
29 CFR 1926.503	Training requirements

Federal OSHA construction standards. State plans can be stricter, and owners or contracts can add requirements. This page is general information. Check the full standard for your work.

Guides and toolbox talks

Oct 5, 2026	How to Write a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA): Step-by-Step Example
Sep 28, 2026	Fall Protection Toolbox Talk: The 6-Foot Rule on Construction Sites