Understanding the Different Types of Fall Protection

Whether scaling a skyscraper, roofing a home, or navigating a construction site, a reliable fall protection system is essential to protect against serious injury. At Malta Dynamics, we specialize in fall protection equipment that combines innovative design, ease of use, and adherence to OSHA standards.

This guide explores the various types of fall protection and how they keep workers safe while ensuring workplace safety.

What is Fall Protection?

Fall protection is the combination of strategies, tools, and equipment designed to mitigate fall risks in the workplace. These systems either prevent a fall from happening (fall prevention, passive or active fall restraint) or reduce the harm if a fall occurs (fall arrest system).

Falls remain one of the leading causes of injuries and fatalities in the construction industry, making worker safety a priority across all industries.

The Main Types of Fall Protection

Understanding the main categories of fall protection is important for choosing the right system and plans for your job site. 

Active Fall Protection Systems

Active fall protection requires workers to actively engage with the safety equipment to prevent or arrest falls. These systems are designed for environments where workers need flexibility and mobility while still being protected from fall hazards. They are common on construction sites, industrial facilities, or high-rise work.

Types of Active Systems:

• Fall Arrest Systems: These systems stop a fall in progress and prevent the worker from hitting a lower level. Components include a full body harness, anchorage connector, and a deceleration device, either a shock-absorbing lanyard or self-retracting lifeline.
• Fall Restraint Systems: These systems prevent workers from reaching the edge of a structure or any area where they might fall. Components include the use of adjustable restraint lanyards, engineered fall restraint systems with thoughtful strategy and placement of anchorage connectors, which secure the system to a reliable structure and prevent a worker from moving into an area where a fall hazard exists.
• Horizontal Lifelines: These systems are used when workers need freedom of movement along a horizontal axis while maintaining a secure connection. They typically include a lifeline secured between two anchor points and used with a harness and lanyard. HLL setups can be utilized in active fall restraint or fall arrest.
• Deceleration Devices: These devices minimize the impact of a fall by controlling the fall distance and force. Tools such as self-retracting lifelines (SRLs) and shock-absorbing lanyards effectively reduce both the fall distance and the impact force.

The award-winning XSERIES Mobile Grabbers from Malta Dynamics provide reliable, mobile fall protection for active worksites.

Passive Fall Protection Systems

Unlike active systems, passive fall protection is built into the work environment and requires no action from workers. These systems focus on fall prevention, creating physical barriers that eliminate fall risks altogether. Passive systems are ideal for situations where workers are stationary or where fall hazards can be completely mitigated.

Types of Passive Systems:

• Guardrail Systems: A permanent or temporary physical barrier that blocks access to unprotected edges. Guardrails must meet OSHA height and strength requirements to effectively block access to hazardous areas.
• Barriers: These are temporary solutions used to block off hazardous zones, such as open manholes or skylights. Components include temporary fencing, rigid covers, and physical enclosures.

Rescue and Retrieval Systems

Even with the best fall protection equipment, falls can happen. That’s why having a comprehensive rescue plan in place is critical. Rescue and retrieval systems are designed to safely retrieve workers after a fall, minimizing harm and ensuring a quick recovery.

Components of Rescue Systems:

• Suspension Systems: These systems are designed to stabilize workers while awaiting rescue.
• Winches and Tripods: Facilitate the safe lifting of workers from confined spaces or lower levels.
• Mobile Rescue Systems: Portable solutions for dynamic worksites.

Key Components of a Fall Protection System

A complete fall protection system consists of several essential components:

• Anchor Point: The foundation of any fall arrest system, an anchorage point must support at least 5,000 pounds per worker, or manufactured and tested to a safety factor of 2:1. Anchorages must be designed, installed, and used under supervision and direction of a Qualified Person.
• Body Harness: A safety harness distributes fall forces evenly across the body to reduce injury risk.
• Connectors: Self-retracting lifelines, shock-absorbing lanyards, and horizontal lifelines provide secure connections and minimize fall distance.
• Deceleration Devices: Tools that reduce impact forces during a fall.

How to Choose the Right Fall Protection System

Selecting the appropriate fall protection system depends on several factors:

• Worksite Hazards: Evaluate fall hazards and identify areas where workers need protection.
• Task Requirements: Determine whether workers need mobility or stationary solutions.
• Qualified Person vs. Competent Person: Ensure a qualified person designs the system, while a competent person oversees its use and inspection.

Fall Protection Equipment Tips

#1 Maintaining and Inspecting

Regular maintenance and inspection are critical to ensure the reliability of fall protection equipment. 

Key guidelines include:

• Inspecting safety harnesses, lanyards, and connectors for wear and damage.
• Replacing gear after a fall or when it fails inspection.
• Following manufacturer guidelines for storage and lifespan.

#2 Training and Education

Fall protection is only as effective as the person using it. In an emergency, knowing the gear isn’t enough—you need to know how to use it. Proper training equips workers with the skills and confidence to use fall protection systems correctly and safely. 

Malta Dynamics offers hands-on and online training to ensure your crew is not just compliant but fully prepared for any situation.

#3 Compliance and Standards

Ensuring both your company and equipment meet industry standards is essential for effective fall protection. Adhering to regulations not only keeps workers safe but also shields your business from potential fines and liabilities.

• OSHA Standards: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) mandates specific requirements for fall protection equipment and usage. For example, fall protection is required at heights of 6 feet in construction sites and 4 feet in general industry. Additionally, equipment like anchor points, safety harnesses, and safety lanyards must comply with OSHA guidelines to ensure worker safety.
• ANSI Standards: The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) sets performance and testing criteria for equipment such as body harnesses and deceleration devices. Following these standards ensures that your gear is rigorously tested and reliable.

Why Choose Malta Dynamics for Fall Protection?

When it comes to fall protection, you need more than just equipment—you need a partner committed to your safety. At Malta Dynamics, we specialize in delivering innovative, OSHA-compliant solutions that protect workers in every industry, from the construction industry to manufacturing and beyond. Whether it’s a fall arrest system, a guardrail system, or self-retracting lifelines, our products are designed to meet the highest standards of safety and reliability.

But we don’t stop at equipment. We provide hands-on training, compliance resources, and tailored systems to ensure your team is prepared for any fall hazard. With Malta Dynamics, you’re not just buying fall protection equipment—you’re investing in a safer, more secure workplace.