JOB SPECIFIC FALL PROTECTION PLAN & CHECKLISTS
INTRODUCTION
The following Fall Protection Plan for residential and small business construction projects was prepared using
guidelines provided in 29 CFR 1926, Subpart M, Fall Protection, Appendix E. This fall protection plan is
provided as a resource and not designed to address all work site scenarios and fall hazards. It is a set of
policies and procedures designed to help identify and reduce fall hazards. The general approach is centered
on a five (5) tiered hierarchy of fall protection controls, as outlined below.
1. The top priority is to eliminate the fall hazard, whenever feasible.
2. The second priority is to install and use passive fall restraints (e.g., guardrails and barriers) to prevent
falls.
3. The third priority is to use active fall restraints to prevent falls.
4. The fourth priority is to use fall arrest systems to prevent severe injuries in the event of a fall.
5. The last resort is to establish a controlled access zone to notify and warn workers of fall hazards.
II. SCOPE
This Fall Protection Plan is specific to the following project, in accordance with Lusaka Telecom Policies and
procedures as outlined in the Fall Protection Plan:
1. Electrical work Yes
2. Machine and equipment installation work Yes
3. Painting and coating Yes
4. Roofing work Yes
5. Scaffold work Yes
6. Sheet metal work Yes
7. Telecommunications work Yes
8. Thermal insulation work Yes
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Hierarchy of Fall Protection Controls
Priority Control Examples
First Eliminate the fall Bring work to ground level; Use tools to eliminate work above
hazard ground level
Second Install physical barriers, such as guardrails or parapets, to
Passive fall restraint
prevent falls
Third Use a restraint system (e.g., full-body harness, lanyard and
Active fall restraint
anchor) to prevent falls
Fourth Fall arrest Use a personal fall arrests system or safety net to minimize fall
injuries
Fifth Controlled access When fall protection is not feasible, provide adequate
zones (CAZ) a last training, on-site supervision, signage and visible barriers to
resort preclude workers from fall hazard zones
Description Details
Location of Job
Date Plan Prepared or Modified
Plan Prepared By Name:
(Designated Competent Person) Phone:
Plan Approved By Name:
Plan Supervised By Name:
(Designated Qualified Person) Phone:
This Fall Protection Plan addresses the use of conventional fall protection at several areas on the project, as
well as identifies specific activities that require non-conventional means of fall protection. During the
construction of residential buildings under 48 feet in height, it is sometimes infeasible, or it creates a greater
hazard to use conventional fall protection systems at specific areas or for specific tasks. The areas or tasks
may include, but are not limited to:
a. Setting and bracing of roof trusses and rafters;
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b. Installation of floor sheathing and joists;
c. Roof sheathing operations; and
d. Erecting exterior walls.
In these cases, conventional fall protection systems may not be the safest choice for builders. This plan is
designed to enable employers and employees to recognize the fall hazards associated with this job and to
establish the safest procedures that are to be followed to prevent falls to lower levels or through holes and
openings in walking/working surfaces.
Employee Training and Responsibilities
Each employee will be trained in these procedures and he/she will strictly adhere to them except when doing
so would expose the employee to a greater hazard. If, in the employee's opinion, this is the case, the
employee is to notify the competent person of their concern and have the concern addressed before
proceeding.
Employer Responsibilities
On the job, it is the responsibility of the Lusaka Telecom Solution to implement this Fall Protection Plan.
Continual observational safety checks of work operations and the enforcement of the safety policy and
procedures shall be regularly enforced. The crew supervisor or foreman, are responsible for correcting any
unsafe practices or conditions immediately.
It is the responsibility of the employer to ensure that all employees understand and adhere to the procedures
of this plan and to follow the instructions of the crew supervisor. It is also the responsibility of the employee
to bring to management's attention any unsafe or hazardous conditions or practices that may cause injury to
either themselves or any other employees.
V. FALL PROTECTION SYSTEMS TO BE USED ON THE JOB
Construction of Tower, Maintenance, Construction of Buildings, Construction of Zesco Pilons and Other Work
at Height works will be conducted by employees who are specifically trained to do this type of work and are
trained to recognize the fall hazards. The nature of such work normally exposes the employee to the fall
hazard for a short period. This Plan details how LTS will minimize these hazards.
1. Eliminating Fall Hazards – Priority One
The top priority of the fall protection plan is to eliminate fall hazards whenever feasible. This includes moving
tasks to ground level, as well as changing the workflow and job design to allow work to be performed at
ground level.
2. Fall Arrest Systems
Lusaka Telecom has the special Gravity Fall Protection for work at Height , Body Belts are prohibited for use as
a personal fall arrest system.
IDENTIFIED FALL HAZARDS (CHECK THOSE THAT APPLY)
1. Roof or elevated surface 6 or more feet above the ground or a lower level ____
2. Roof or elevated surface 4 or more feet above a hazard ____
3. Structural framing work – Not feasible for fall protection equipment ____
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4. Structures not capable of holding 5,000-pounds load capacity for lifelines ____
5. Leading edges - Lack of guard rails or parapets (walls) ____
6. Openings, holes or skylights to a lower level ____
7. Ladder use ____
8. Scaffolding use ____
9. Aerial lift platform or scissors lift use ____
10. Hoist use ____
11. Potential for falling objects ____
12. Other WAH Activities ____
CORRECTIVE ACTIONS THAT WILL BE TAKEN TO PREVENT FALLS
a. WORKSITE CHECKLIST – Identify and correct hazards
Acceptable Addressed
Ladders (General) by action
taken
13. Ladders are in good repair and free of slippery surfaces
14. Ladders are clean and not painted in a way that hides defects
15. Ladders have UL-approved seal and designed to carry worker weights
16. Ladders are used on a level, stable and non-slippery surface
17. Ladders are only used for the purpose they were designed for (not tied together)
18. Metal ladders are not used around power lines or near electrical equipment
19. Ladders are not used near doors or similar hazards
20. Ladders are not used horizontally like a platform
21. Ladders are not moved or shifted while a worker is on it
22. Workers always face the ladder when climbing and working
23. Workers use tool belts or hand lines to keep hands free when climbing ladders
24. Workers travel up and down ladders using 3-point contact always
25. Workers keep body inside the side rails (do not lean out beyond the side rails)
26. No work is performed during windy conditions
Acceptable Addressed
Stepladders by action
taken
27. Stepladders are used fully open with spreaders locked in place
28. The rear is never used for climbing or cross-bracing
29. Workers never stand on the top cap or top step
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Acceptable Addressed
Extension Ladders by action
taken
30. Extension ladder rails extend 3 feet above the landing it rests on
31. The base is positioned away from the wall at least 1/4 ( a 1:4 ratio) of the landing height (e.g.,
for every 4 feet of height the base should be 1 foot out from the wall)
32. The base is not positioned to far away and as close to the above 1:4 ratio
33. For high places, the ladder is secured at the top
34. Workers never step higher than the third rung from the top
Acceptable Addressed
Job-made Ladders by action
taken
35. The ladder base and top are properly secured to prevent movement
36. Ladder is placed on a stable and level surface
37. Ladder is built with construction-grade lumber and designed to hold 4 times its intended weight
load
38. Ladders are built in accordance with ANSI standards
39. Cleats are spaced 12 inches apart and fastened with 12d common wire nails along the side rails
and with filler blocks in place between cleats (rungs)
40. Cleats are 12 to 16 inches wide for travel
41. Wood for cleats is at least 1 x 4 inch and for side rails at least 2 x 6 inch
42. Rails extend 3 to 4 feet above the landing as hand rails, but cleats do not
43. Job-made ladders are not used as work platforms - Only for travel
44. Double-cleated ladders are available for worker numbers in excess of 25
Acceptable Addressed by
Guardrails action taken
45. Guardrails are at least 42 inches above the working surface with a 21-inch midrail (For normal
openings the measurements can be within plus or minus 3 inches)
46. Guardrails can withstand a load of 200 pounds within 2 inches of the top edge
47. Midrails and added structures can withstand a load of 150 pounds
48. Top rails and midrails must be at least 1/4 inch in diameter
Acceptable Addressed
Guardrails by action
taken
49. If wire rope is used, then it is flagged every 6 feet with a high-visibility material
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50. All open sides above 10 feet have a 4-inch high toe-board
51. Openings between railings do not exceed 19 inches
52. Gates are used at access points
Acceptable Addressed
Work on Steep Roofs by action
(Greater than 4 in 12 verticals to horizontal) taken
55. Workers are protected by one of the following: a guardrail system with toeboards; a safety net
system or personal fall arrest systems
Acceptable Addressed
Scaffolds by action
taken
56. Scaffolds were designed by a licensed professional engineer competent in scaffolding
57. Scaffolds were erected under the supervision of a trained and competent person
58. Scaffolds are in good repair and inspected by a competent person prior to use
59. Planking is made of 2 x 10 inch scaffold grade lumber or metal
60. Planking spans no more than 10 feet for light trades (25 pounds per square foot, psf), 8 feet for
medium trades (50 psf) or 6 feet for heavy trades (75 psf)
61. Planks overhang supports by 6 (minimum) to 12 inches (maximum)
62. Uprights are plumb (vertical) and securely braced to prevent swaying
63. The scaffold is tied off and secured to a stable structure
64. All open sides above 4 feet have 42-inch high guardrails with a 21-ich midrail
65. Guardrail supports are no more than 8 feet apart
66. All open sides above 10 feet have a 4-inch high toe-board
67. Ladders for access extend 3 feet above the platform and are securely attached
68. No work is performed during windy conditions
Acceptable Addressed
Aerial Lifts by action
taken
69. Aerial lifts are operated by a trained and qualified person in accordance with manufacturer’s
instructions
70. Aerial lifts are in good repair and inspected by a competent person prior to use
71. All open sides have a guardrail with a midrail or full enclosure
72. Operators use a body harness with lanyard attached to the boom or basket (Note: this is
recommended with scissor lifts as well)
73. Lift is not moved with a worker elevated (unless permitted by manufacture)
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74. Aerial lifts are properly stabilized on firm, level surfaces and away from hazards
75. Lifts are operated at least 10 feet away from energized overhead power lines
76. Brakes are set and wheels chocked when on an incline
77. Outriggers are used, if provided
78. Load limits are not exceeded
79. No work is performed during windy conditions (e.g., winds above 27 mph)
Acceptable Addressed
Personal Fall Restraint Systems by action
(Including Positioning Systems) taken
80. Workers are trained on proper use and care of fall restraint systems
81. Workers are using an approved safety harness and equipment that have been inspected for
wear, damage and deterioration prior to use
82. Defective components are removed from service
83. The anchorage or connection point and lanyard and/or lifeline are approved and capable of
withstanding at least 3,000 pounds per attached worker
84. The fall restraint system will prevent the worker from falling downward
85. Positioning devices are set up so a worker cannot free fall more than 2 feet
Acceptable Addressed by
Personal Fall Arrest Systems action taken
86. Workers are trained on proper use and care of fall arrest systems
87. Workers are using an approved safety harness and equipment inspected for wear, damage &
deterioration prior to use. Defective components are removed from service.
88. The anchorage or connection point and lanyard and/or lifeline are approved and capable of
withstanding at least 5,000 pounds per attached worker
89. The fall arrest system will limit the maximum arresting force to 1,800 pounds
90. The system is rigged so a worker cannot fall more than 6 feet nor contact a lower level or hazard
91. Anchorages are designed, installed & used under the supervision of a qualified person
Acceptable Addressed
Personal Fall Arrest Systems by action
taken
92. Horizontal and vertical lifelines are designed, installed and used under the supervision of a
qualified person
93. Vertical lifelines can be locked in both directions & are protected from cuts or abrasion
94. Self-retracting lifelines or lanyards that limit free falls to 2 feet or less are designed to
withstand a force of 3,000 pounds, fully extended
95. Lanyards, lifelines and harnesses are made of synthetic fibers (ropes/straps)
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96. Snap hooks are locking type designed to prevent disengagement
Acceptable Addressed
Fall Arrest Rescue Equipment by action
taken
97. Fall arrest rescue equipment and procedures are in place when fall arrest equipment are
used
98. Workers using fall arrest equipment are monitored
99. Adequate trained personnel, rescue equipment and plans are available and in place to
rescue a worker within 6 minutes of a fall arrest
100. First aid equipment is available onsite
Acceptable Addressed
Warning Line Systems by action
(A Last Resort) taken
101. Before considering use of a warning line system, all four priority fall protection controls 1 to 4
were evaluated and deemed not feasible by a qualified person
102. The warning line is erected around all sides of roof work areas, 6 feet from the roof edge (with
mechanical equipment use the perpendicular distance is 10 feet)
103. The warning line is installed parallel to the leading edge
104. The rope, wire or chain is within 34 to 39 inches from the walking surface and is flagged at 6
foot intervals with a highly-visible material
105. The rope, wire or chain has a tensile strength of at least 500 pounds
106. Stanchions are capable of resisting 16 pounds horizontal, outward force at the top
107. The line is erected in such a way that pulling on one section will not result in slack being taken
up in adjacent sections before the stanchion tips over.
Acceptable Addressed
Controlled Access Zones by action
(A Last Resort) taken
108. Before considering use of a controlled access zone, all four priority fall protection controls 1 to
4 were evaluated and deemed not feasible by a qualified person
109. The control line is erected around all sides of roof work areas, at least 6 to 25 feet from the
roof edge (exception is 60 feet for precast concrete erection)
110. The control line is installed parallel to the leading edge
111. The line is within 39 to 45 inches (50 inches for overhand bricklaying) from the walking surface
and is flagged at 6 foot intervals with a highly-visible material
Acceptable Addressed by
Controlled Access Zones action taken
(A Last Resort)
112. The line has a tensile strength of at least 200 pounds
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113. For overhand bricklaying, the control line is 10 to 15 feet from the working edge, with only
bricklayers permitted within the enclosed area(s)
114. When a guardrail must be removed for overhand bricklaying, only that portion of the guardrail
necessary for that day of work is removed
Acceptable Addressed
Safety Monitoring Systems for Low-Slope Roofs by action
(A Last Resort) taken
115. Before considering use of safety monitoring, all four-priority fall protection controls 1 to 4
were evaluated and deemed not feasible by a qualified person
116. A trained and competent person (in the recognition of fall hazards) is designated to monitor
workers and has no other duties to distract them from that function
117. The monitor is present on the same walking or working surface as the workers
118. The monitor is close enough to see and speak directly with workers
119. Mechanical equipment are not being used or stored in monitoring areas
120. All affected workers are trained on the fall hazards, warnings and procedures
Corrective Actions Taken:
LADDER INSPECTION FORM
Inspection date: ___________________ Inspection completed by: ________________________________
If items 1-9 and 11 are unchecked, then mark ladder as defective/damaged with a “Do Not Use” tag or similar until
repaired.
Item 1 2 3 4 5 6
Ladder ID number
Size, Type, Construction
1. Warning labels legible
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2. No broken or missing rungs
3. No broken, split or missing
rails
4. No corrosion
5. Feet intact and operational
6. No loose bolts/rivets
7. No cracks in fiberglass or wood
8. No deformation/dents in
rails/bracing
9. Locking bar/ device operational
10. Repairs made during inspection
11. Ladder in good condition & can
be used
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