Developing a scorecard to evaluate the use of personal fall arrest systems

The structural erection of buildings and other structures is associated with a high frequency of serious fall injuries and fatalities. Routine maintenance activities such as roofing replacement are also associated with high rates of occupational fall injuries. Falls from elevation is the leading category of serious injury and fatalities in the construction industry. Annually, more than 1000 construction worker fatalities (15% attributable to falls from elevation) occur in the United States. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Construction Standard, Subpart M, Fall Protection, contains requirements for employers to follow to insure the health and safety of their employees that are exposed to fall injury hazards. Any employee working at a height of six feet or more above the walking surface is required to have fall protection. The requirements for fall protection may be satisfied by passive systems, such as 40 inch-height guardrails, or by the use of active systems. The typical equipment of an active system consists of a safety harness and lifeline assembly known as a personal fall arrest system (PFAS). By receiving the proper training and equipment, workers exposed to fall hazards may use PFASs to significantly reduce their risk of fall injury. A complete PFAS is typically defined as a full body harness (similar to a parachute harness), a lanyard to connect the harness and anchorage, and an anchorage (a heavy-duty steel alloy ring solidly connected to the structure). This study investigated the implementation of fall protection practices and policies, specifically PFASs as used in large construction companies. A scorecard was developed to assist employers in effectively evaluating the safety performance of fall protection and PFASs at either the individual project or companywide level.