Fall Protection Hierarchy of Controls

Cornell University’s fall protection philosophy is to eliminate fall hazards where feasible and to follow the hierarchy of controls when elimination isn’t feasible. In many cases, a combination of controls should be implemented to reduce exposure to fall hazards. This list is arranged from most effective fall protection solutions to least effective.

**Hierarchy of Controls**
System	Definition	Potential Design Considerations	Examples	Required Standards
Hazard Elimination	Changing the task, process, controls, or other means to remove the need for an authorized person to be exposed to a fall hazard	No fall protection system required for continued maintenance Aesthetic impact Existing conditions may not support this option	Install serviceable mechanical equipment inside Penthouse location	NA
Hazard Reduction Strategy	Control or reduce exposure to fall hazards	Minimizes maintenance efforts in areas where fall hazards exist Supporting or temporary fall protection systems may still be necessary	Changing equipment or processes to control hazards Installing screens/gutter guards to reduce the frequency of exposure Implementing automated/remote processes to prevent exposure to fall hazards	NA
Passive Fall Protection	Fall protection that does not require the wearing or use of personal fall protection equipment	Reduced design effort Aesthetic impact	Installing compliant guardrail systems Parapet wall height meeting guardrail height requirement.	29 CFR 1910.29
Active Fall Protection	Fall Restraint Systems: The technique of securing an authorized person to an anchorage using a lanyard short enough to prevent the person’s center of gravity from reaching the fall hazard.	Must be rigged such that it prohibits an employee from all fall hazards Reduced load requirements compared to PFAS HLL improves accessibility HLL provides continuous protection HLL shall be successfully load tested at the rated load and documentation provided to Cornell University. A fall restraint system shall be limited to a working surface that is at or less than a slope of 4:12 from horizontal. In determining the force, consideration must be given to site-specific factors such as the force generated by a person walking, leaning, or sliding down the working surface. Must be marked on the as-built drawings with the PE Seal Requires recertification	• Horizontal Lifelines systems • Fixed Point Anchors	29 CFR 1910.140 29 CFR 1910.28 ANSI Z359
Active Fall Protection	Positioning Systems: A full-body harness system or a body belt incorporated into a full-body harness or work positioning harness configured to allow an authorized person to be supported on an elevated vertical or inclined surface, such as a wall, and work with both hands free from body support.	For use in elevated vertical or inclined surfaces. While positioning, a person is exposed to a fall hazard and is required under ANSI Z359 to use a separate system that provides backup protection from a fall. Must be marked on the as-built drawings with the PE Seal Requires recertification	Water Towers Cell Towers Wind Mills	29 CFR 1926.500 29 CFR 1926.502 29 CFR 1910.140 29 CFR 1910.28 ANSI Z359
Active Fall Protection	Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS): An assembly of components and subsystems used to arrest a person in a free fall.	Applicable to a wide variety of scenarios (flat roofs, steep roofs, etc) HLL improves accessibility HLL provides continuous protection HLL shall be successfully load tested at the rated load and documentation provided to Cornell University. Must be marked on the as-built drawings with the PE Seal Greater load requirements compared to fall restraint Requires recertification	Horizontal Lifelines Fixed Point Anchors	29 CFR 1910.140 29 CFR 1910.28 ANSI Z359
Temporary Controls	Non-permanent fall protection solutions. If a designer feels that hazard elimination and/or controls cannot be implemented or is otherwise not justified at a specific site, designers shall work closely with the Cornell University Project Manager, Cornell University Environment Health and Safety (EHS), and Cornell University Facilities Management’s personnel to understand the design application.	Minimal design effort Mobile / configurable Not permanent Requires designated storage Reduced life cycle	Mobile, deadweight anchor system Freestanding Counterweighted Anchor	ANSI Z359.1
Administrative Controls	Employer mandated safe work practices or procedures that are designed to prevent exposure to a fall by signaling or warning an authorized person to avoid approaching a fall hazard.	If permanent or temporary controls are not feasible, designers shall work closely with the Cornell University Project Manager, Cornell University EHS, and Cornell University Facilities Management’s personnel to understand the design application Submit a fall protection work plan that details how access is to be gained to inaccessible areas for routine and non-routine maintenance. Plans must be submitted to the Cornell University Project Manager and incorporated into Cornell’s computerized asset management system (e.g. Maximo)	Training Warning signs Lights Audible alarms or other methods that warn an authorized person to avoid approaching a fall hazard.	29 CFR 1926.502 App E