The goal of the University Fall Prevention Program is to clearly identify guidelines to protect all employees engaged in outdoor or indoor work activities that expose them to potential falls from elevations. Cornell employees who work on elevated surfaces may include roof tops, scaffolding, aerial lifts, and ladders. Fall protection may include railings, barrier markings, or personal fall arrest systems. Employees who use personal fall arrest systems such as body harnesses, lanyards, and hoists should be trained in the proper usage of this equipment.
The workplace must be assessed before each assigned job for potential fall hazards. When fall hazards cannot be eliminated with the use of a guardrail, a fall-protection system and administrative controls must be used.
There are three basic guidelines to be used if an employee could fall 4 feet (general industry), or 6 feet (construction industry), and used in order when planning work at elevated heights. These guidelines will help in keeping you safe when you’re working at heights ... be sure you use them!
1. Fall prevention methods, such as guardrails.
2. Fall protection systems, such as a restraint system, positioning system and or fall-arrest system.
3. Distance protection, providing a safe distance from the unprotected sides and edges. (maintenance work ONLY)
4. Fall prevention plans, which are administrative controls that rely on special training and work practices.
Please review the information below for more Fall Prevention Program information, as well as information on ladders and scaffolding.