Title: Fall Protection & Access Requirements
Type: Lesson
According to OSHA, falls are the leading cause of death in construction, and scaffolds are a major contributor. This lesson explains when fall protection is required on scaffolds and how workers must access them safely.
Fall protection is required when working 10 feet or higher above a lower level
The type of fall protection depends on the scaffold type:
| Scaffold Type | Fall Protection Required? |
|---|---|
| Supported scaffolds | Guardrails OR personal fall arrest system (PFAS) at 10 ft+ |
| Suspended scaffolds | PFAS REQUIRED at all times when working at height |
| Single-point or two-point suspended | Guardrails AND PFAS required |
Top rail: 42 inches (±3″) above platform
Midrail: halfway between top rail and platform
Toeboards: 4 inches high if there’s a risk of falling tools/materials
Guardrails must be able to withstand at least 200 lbs of force.
When used, a PFAS must include:
Full-body harness
Lanyard or SRL (self-retracting lifeline)
Proper anchor point (not scaffold guardrail unless rated)
Anchor points must support 5,000 lbs per worker or meet a 2:1 safety factor if engineered.
Workers must have safe and legal access to scaffold platforms:
Portable ladders, stair towers, ramps, or integral frame ladders are allowed
Cross braces must NOT be used as access
Access must be provided for any platform more than 2 feet above or below the access point
Fall protection is not optional. If you’re working 10 feet or higher — you must have either guardrails or a PFAS in place, depending on your scaffold setup.
Click “Mark Complete” to continue to Lesson 7: Hazards, Inspections & Dismantling, where we’ll wrap up with how to recognize hazards, perform safe takedown, and prevent accidents.