In 2024, OSHA issued 6,307 citations for fall protection violations. Nearly half (48.8%) of the workers who lost their lives during a fall had no protection at all—and another 23% had the equipment but didn’t use it. Most of these deaths were preventable with the right approach to fall protection.

Safety programs traditionally focus on three basics: Prevention, Restraint and Arrest. At Malta Dynamics, we take it further—refining these into six practical categories that help you choose the right protection for each task.

Your 6 Lines of Defense

1. Fall Prevention – Eliminate the need to work at height by completing tasks from the ground or using specialized equipment.
2. Passive Fall Restraint – Restrict access to fall hazards using guardrails, covers, or other physical barriers.
3. Active Fall Restraint – Use personal fall restraint systems to keep workers from reaching an unprotected edge.
4. Overhead Anchorage – Connect fall protection systems to secure anchor points above the work area to ensure proper fall arrest dynamics and mobility.
5. D-Ring Fall Arrest – Protect workers using full-body harnesses and lifelines designed to arrest a fall, whether anchored at chest, dorsal, or foot level.
6. Admin/Controlled Access – Implement work procedures, signage, and supervision when physical fall protection methods are not feasible.

Fall Hazard Elimination (Fall Prevention)

The safest way to protect your crew is to remove the hazard entirely. If a task can be done without working at height, fall protection gear isn’t needed—and the risk is eliminated. For example, instead of sending a worker up a 20-foot ladder to inspect an HVAC unit, use a telescoping pole with a camera. The job gets done in minutes with zero exposure to a fall hazard.

Common Solutions:

• Telescoping tools
• Drones for inspections
• Remote camera systems
• Ground-level access platforms
• Design changes that remove the need for elevated work

Passive Fall Restraint

Passive fall restraint is a system that allows workers to move around in an area while preventing them from falling into a hazard without requiring any special gear or training for that area.

Equipment:

• Guardrails: Guardrails must meet OSHA standards: 42 inches in height and capable of withstanding 200 lbs of force applied in any direction. These systems create a physical barrier along roof edges, platforms and elevated surfaces to prevent workers from approaching fall hazards.
• Solid barriers: Solid barriers are panels, fencing, or walls that completely block access to dangerous areas. Deploy these systems when workers must be kept away from an entire zone rather than just an edge.
• Hole covers: Hole covers are temporary or permanent covers for openings in floors, roofs, or decking. These covers support worker weight and prevent falls through openings that cannot be easily avoided or eliminated.
• Permanent parapets: Permanent parapets are low walls built into the structure during construction. These structures provide long-term edge protection without requiring temporary fall protection systems.

Malta Dynamics Solutions:

• Temporary Guardrail Posts
• Guardrail Rentals
• C Slab Grabber Guardrail System

When to use it: High-traffic areas, permanent work zones, or anywhere people work regularly. When working with passive fall protection systems, workers do not require a personal fall arrest system (PFAS)—the engineered barrier prevents exposure to fall hazards.

Active Fall Restraint

Active fall restraint involves workers wearing a full-body harness and complete personal fall arrest system. The system itself prevents them from reaching a fall hazard.

What You Need:

• Full-body harness with back D-Ring – Equipped with a dorsal D-Ring and compliant with ANSI Z359.11 standards for use in fall protection systems.
• Connector – A self-retracting lifeline (SRL) or shock-absorbing lanyard provides the critical link between the harness and anchorage point.
• Anchor point – Strategically positioned to restrict worker movement and prevent access to unprotected edges.
• System Verification – Fall restraint calculations must confirm that the worker cannot reach any fall hazard under normal use.

Malta Dynamics Gear:

• Restraint lanyards (adjustable 4-6 feet)
• Horizontal lifeline kits
• Positioning lanyards

Real-World Example: Crew members work on a flat roof 15 feet from the edge. Each worker wears a full-body harness connected to a 4-foot restraint lanyard. The anchor point is positioned even with the lanyard fully extended, workers remain at least 6 feet from the roof edge.

Fall Clearance Calculations: Your fall clearance calculation must prove the worker cannot reach a fall hazard, even with maximum lanyard extension plus swing fall. A competent person must verify these calculations.

Overhead Anchorage

 

Overhead anchorage systems provide fall protection by creating anchor points above the work area. These systems eliminate swing falls and reduce fall clearance requirements associated with foot-level tie-off.

Foot-level tie-off creates significant fall clearance requirements. A 10-foot shipping container requires 16-21 feet of fall clearance for safe SRL arrest when tied off at foot level. Overhead anchorage reduces clearance requirements by enabling vertical fall arrest.

Per OSHA 1910.140, anchorage points must support 5,000 pounds minimum per worker, or utilize engineered systems with 2:1 safety factor.

System Configuration Options

System Type	Description	Application	Malta Dynamics Solution
Horizontal lifeline systems	Cable systems spanning between two elevated anchor points	Workers move along the line while maintaining overhead connection	Horizontal Lifeline Bag – Up to 4 workers across 100 feet
Mobile overhead systems	Self-supporting platforms creating temporary overhead anchorage	Locations without permanent overhead anchor infrastructure	XSERIES Mobile Grabbers – Up to 34 feet high, supports 1-5 workers
Permanent overhead anchors	Built-in anchor points installed during construction	Permanent installations at elevated positions	Custom engineered solutions available
Elevated beam systems	Existing structural elements utilized as anchor points	Steel beam applications above work area	Compatible with standard anchor hardware

Complete System Requirements

Infrastructure Components:

• Overhead anchor infrastructure rated for 5,000 lbs minimum per worker
• Horizontal lifelines, mobile systems, or permanent overhead points
• Full-body harnesses (ANSI Z359.11 compliant) for each worker
• Class 1 or Class 2 SRLs (Class 1 preferred for overhead use)
• Locking connectors rated for system forces

Engineering Requirements:

• System engineering by qualified person for multi-worker installations
• Fall clearance calculation accounting for swing radius under overhead anchor
• Access procedures for safe connection and disconnection from overhead systems

Applications: Work on platforms, containers, or elevated surfaces where fall clearance is limited. Essential for eliminating swing fall risk and reducing clearance requirements of foot-level tie-off systems.

Schedule a virtual demo or contact us today to learn more about how the XSeries Mobile Fall Protection systems can help your jobsite today!

 

D-Ring Fall Arrest

When your crew cannot avoid edge exposure and overhead anchorage is not available, fall arrest systems catch and safely stop falls in progress. Workers must use personal fall arrest equipment connected to anchors at chest or foot level. This represents the most challenging fall protection scenario because it increases swing fall risk and requires significant fall clearance. Deploy this method when overhead anchorage is unavailable, when working near leading edges and for individual worker protection when other systems are not feasible.

Complete Systems Require:

• Full-body harness meets ANSI Z359.11 compliance standards for fall protection applications.
• Class 2 SRL or shock-absorbing lanyard is required for below-D-Ring anchorage and leading edge applications.
• Locking connectors are rated for system forces and provide secure attachment points.
• Anchor points must support 5,000 lbs minimum per worker or utilize engineered systems with 2:1 safety factor. Anchors may be positioned at foot level, chest level, or any point below the worker’s dorsal D-Ring.
• Fall clearance calculation must be performed by a competent person to ensure adequate stopping distance.
• Emergency rescue plan addresses suspension trauma prevention and rapid worker retrieval procedures.

Malta Dynamics D-Ring Fall Arrest Gear:

• Full-Body Harnesses: OSHA and ANSI compliant full body harnesses for fall protection applications.
• Class 2 Leading Edge SRLs: Tested for sharp edge contact and below-D-Ring anchorage applications.
• Shock-absorbing lanyards: Alternative connecting devices for specific fall arrest applications.

Admin/Controlled Access

Administrative controls are the final level of fall protection when engineering solutions have been proven infeasible for the specific work application. These controls rely on work procedures, supervision and restricted access protocols to maintain worker safety.

A controlled access zone uses warning lines, safety monitors and work procedures to limit where workers can go and what they can do. Workers are allowed in the fall hazard area, but under strict supervision and limitations.

Controlled Access Zone Components:

• Warning lines: Ropes or barriers positioned 6-25 feet from edges to mark controlled zones. Workers must remain on the designated safe side of warning lines at all times.
• Control lines: Boundaries positioned 6-25 feet from edges for general work applications, or 6-60 feet for precast concrete operations. These lines mark the perimeter of the controlled access zone.
• Safety monitor: Competent person whose sole responsibility is monitoring workers for fall hazards and providing immediate warnings when hazardous conditions develop.
• Access restrictions: Only authorized personnel with specific training are permitted within the controlled access zone during operations.
• Work procedures: Detailed protocols specify how work activities are conducted safely within the fall hazard area.
• Communication systems: Established signals and warning protocols between safety monitor and workers ensure immediate hazard communication.

OSHA Documentation Requirements:

OSHA 1926.502(k)(5) mandates comprehensive documentation demonstrating why conventional fall protection systems are not viable. The regulation states: “The fall protection plan shall document the reasons why the use of conventional fall protection systems (guardrail systems, personal fall arrest systems, or safety nets systems) are infeasible or why their use would create a greater hazard.”

Required Documentation Must Include:

• Detailed analysis of why guardrail systems cannot be implemented
• Engineering assessment of personal fall arrest system limitations
• Safety net system feasibility evaluation
• Demonstration that conventional systems would create greater hazards
• Specific work procedures for the controlled access zone
• Competent person qualifications and responsibilities
• Emergency response procedures

Administrative controls require extensive documentation and ongoing supervision. These systems should only be implemented when all engineering controls have been thoroughly evaluated and determined to be infeasible for the specific jobsite conditions.

How to Pick the Right Protection

Use this step-by-step process to determine the right fall protection system based on your jobsite conditions.

Step 1: Can you eliminate the fall hazard completely?
Yes → Use Fall Prevention (Category 1)

Step 2: Can you block access with barriers or guardrails?
Yes → Use Passive Fall Restraint (Category 2)

Step 3: Can you keep workers in a safe zone away from edges?
Yes → Use Active Fall Restraint (Category 3)

Step 4: Do you have or can you provide overhead anchorage?
Yes → Use Overhead Anchorage (Category 4)

Step 5: Can you use personal fall arrest with foot/chest-level anchors?
Yes → Use D-Ring Fall Arrest (Category 5)

Step 6: Have you proven engineering controls will not work?
Document everything → Use Administrative Controls (Category 6)

Ready to Build a Safer Site?

Fall protection requires selecting the appropriate approach for each hazard on your jobsite. Begin with elimination, progress through engineering controls and implement personal fall protection systems and administrative measures only when safer options have been exhausted.

This hierarchy serves as your systematic approach to worker protection. Each step down the hierarchy increases risk and complexity.

Implementation Steps:

1. Assess each fall hazard on your jobsite using this hierarchy
2. Document justification when higher-level protection cannot be utilized
3. Train personnel on selected systems and selection rationale
4. Conduct inspections before each use and maintain comprehensive records

Malta Dynamics Has Solutions for Every Level

• Prevention: Guardrail systems and edge protection that eliminate fall hazards before they occur
• Restraint: Complete restraint lanyard systems and horizontal lifelines that keep workers in safe zones
• Overhead anchorage: XSERIES mobile fall protection systems that create instant overhead anchorage on any jobsite
• Fall arrest: Class 1 and Class 2 SRLs, full harness lines and all connecting hardware that stop falls fast and reduce impact forces
• Training and inspection: Competent person programs and professional inspections that ensure compliance and equipment reliability

Whether you’re outfitting a new crew or upgrading existing gear, we’ve been building this equipment for over three decades. Our gear is designed by people who use it every day on real jobsites—field-tested and field-approved.

Ready to protect your crew? Contact our experts for site-specific recommendations, or browse our full line of XSERIES mobile systems, harnesses, SRLs and anchors—all built for the work you do.