Fall Prevention

The goal of the Cornell University Fall Prevention Program is to identify guidelines to protect employees engaged in outdoor or indoor work activities that expose them to potential falls from elevations. An important element of the Fall Protection Program is the identification of fall hazards so that the proper fall protection controls can be implemented. While there are many fall protection controls, the primary goal of this program is to eliminate fall hazards where feasible. In many cases, a combination of controls should be implemented to reduce exposure to fall hazards. Primary control options include the following:

1. Elimination or Substitution: Remove the hazard or change the work to allow for a safer alternative.
2. Passive Fall Protection: Isolate or separate the hazard from workers.
3. Fall Restraint: Prevent the person(s) from reaching the fall hazard.
4. Fall Positioning: Allows an employee to be supported on an elevated vertical surface, such as a wall or window sill, and work with both hands free.
5. Fall Arrest: Attach a person to a system designed to stop a fall after it has begun.
6. Administrative Controls: Establish work practices or procedures to warn an authorized person to avoid approaching a fall hazard. Administrative controls include designated areas, warning lines, safety monitoring systems, and fall hazard assessment plans.

Please review the resources below for additional information on the Fall Prevention Program.