Information and Compliance Assistance Material on Residential Fall Protection

An estimated 1.6 million Americans are employed in the construction industry, half of which work in residential construction. Each year, roughly 38,000 construction injuries are reported, with some 21,000 involving days away from work. Many OSHA standards apply to residential construction for the prevention of possible fatalities.

This page is maintained as a product of the Alliance between OSHA and National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

The residential construction industry is addressed in specific standards for recordkeeping and the general and construction industries.

OSHA Standards

This section highlights OSHA standards, directives (instructions for compliance officers), standard interpretations (official letters of interpretation of the standard), and other resources related to the residential construction industry.

Note: Twenty-five states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have OSHA-approved State Plans and have adopted their own standards and enforcement policies. For the most part, these States adopt standards that are identical to Federal OSHA. However, some States have adopted different standards applicable to this topic or may have different enforcement policies.

Highlighted Standards

Recording and reporting occupational injuries and illness (29 CFR 1904)

General Industry (29 CFR 1910)

• 1910.178, Powered industrial trucks [related topic page]
  


• 1910.1200, Hazard communication [related topic page]
  


• 1910.1201, Retention of DOT markings, placards and labels

Construction Industry (29 CFR 1926)

Federal Registers

• Compliance Directive for Fall Protection in Residential Construction. Notice 75:80315, (2010, December 22).

Directives

• Compliance Guidance for Residential Construction. STD 03-11-002, (2010, December 16). Cancels OSHA Instruction STD 03-00-001, the Agency's interim enforcement policy on fall protection for certain residential construction activities, and replaces it with new compliance guidance.
  


• Inspection Procedures for Enforcing Subpart L, Scaffolds Used in Construction - 29 CFR 1926.450-454. CPL 02-01-023 [CPL 2-1.23], (1997, January 7). Establishes inspection procedures and provides clarification to ensure uniform enforcement of the scaffold standards for construction.
  


• Special Emphasis: Trenching and Excavation. CPL 02-00-069 [CPL 2.69], (1985, September 19). Establishes a National Emphasis Program (NEP) to identify trenching and excavation operations for programmed safety inspections.
  


• Search all available directives.

Standard Interpretations

• Use of a warning line instead of conventional fall protection; Part 1926 Subpart M. (2005, January 3).
  


• Residential fall protection: safety monitors; walking top plate of braced walls in installation; warning line; plating exterior walls; height limitation; non-roofer PPE; slide guards. (2004, November 30).
  


• Evaluation of the use of aluminum forms as an exit route from trench excavations. (2004, May 11).
  


• Fall protection during roofing inspections, investigations, and assessments. (2004, March 12).
  


• The predominant use of structural steel would not be considered "residential construction". (2004, March 1).
  


• Fall protection requirements for stairwells and mechanical chase openings surrounded by interior stud walls in residential construction. (2003, December 22).
  


• Clarification on several issues regarding OSHA's construction industry standards for fall protection. (2003, December 18).
  


• Fall protection requirements for construction workers doing work while on a roof. (2003, December 15).
  


• Requirements for fall protection when ladder jack scaffolds are used for residential and commercial construction. (2003, July 7). Identifies height limitations for ladder jack scaffolds and when fall protection is required.
  


• Fall protection requirements for employees, other than roofers, working on low-slope roofs. (2002, November 15). Alternative methods only for residential construction, precast concrete, or leading-edge work.
  


• Clarification of residential construction's use of slide guards and other fall protection. (2000, May 25). Defines residential construction and several aspects specific to residential construction.
  


• Search all available standard interpretations.

Other Resources

• Residential Construction Questions and Answers. OSHA, (1996, May). Recognizes the efforts of responsible contractors who have implemented effective safety and health programs. Provides an overview of the basic guidance OSHA has provided to its compliance safety and health officers (CSHO's) for determining which projects are eligible for focused construction inspections and how those inspections are to be conducted.

Hazards and Solutions

Residential construction has less restrictive building codes than commercial construction. This gives builders the flexibility to build homes to the homeowners' specifications. With so many ways to build a house, residential construction workers face a unique set of hazards and safety considerations. The following links provide information that may be helpful when identifying the hazards of residential construction and solutions to those hazards.

General

• Prevention Videos (v-Tools): Construction Hazards. OSHA, (2011).
  


• Construction. OSHA eTool. A Spanish version is also available. Contains information that helps workers identify and control the hazards that cause the most serious construction-related injuries.
  


• Hazards of Manually Lifting Balloon Framed Walls. OSHA Safety and Health Information Bulletin, (2005, November 17). Also available as a 58 KB PDF, 3 pages.
  


• Construction. OSHA Pocket Guide Publication 3252-05N, (2005). Also available as a 285 KB PDF, 36 pages.
  


• Construction Industry Digest. OSHA Publication 2202-09R, (2011). Also available as a 642 PDF, 72 pages.
  


• Selected Construction Regulations for the Home Building Industry. OSHA, (1997). Also available as a 1 MB PDF, 224 pages. Identifies OSHA standards applicable to the hazards most commonly found at work sites in the residential construction industry and those most likely to have a significant positive impact on the safety and health practices of contractors within this industry.
  


• Wildfires. OSHA. Includes links to OSHA fact sheets, QuickCards, training programs, and other resources.
  
  
• Control of Drywall Sanding Dust Exposures. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Hazard Controls Publication No. 99-113, (1999, June). Provides information on ways to control and dispose of dust from drywall sanding.
  


• Construction Safety and Health. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Workplace Safety and Health Topic. Compares accidents in the construction industry to all other industries and lists NIOSH success stories.
  


• For additional information, see OSHA's Construction Industry Safety and Health Topics Page.

Electrical Safety

• Controlling Electrical Hazards. OSHA Publication 3075, (2002). Also available as a 349 KB PDF, 71 pages. Provides an overview of basic electrical safety on the job.
  


• For additional information, see OSHA's Electrical Safety and Health Topics Page.

Fall Protection

• Fall Protection in Residential Construction. OSHA Fact Sheet. Also available as a 259 KB PDF, 2 pages.
  


• Guidance Document on Fall Protection in Residential Construction. OSHA. Also available as a 1 MB PDF, 22 pages.
  


• Residential Fall Protection. OSHA, (2010, December 22).
  


• OSHA's Fall Protection Policies for Residential Construction. OSHA Video.
  


• Residential Fall Protection Program Update. OSHA Slide Presentation. Also available as a 1 MB PPT, 79 slides.
  


• For additional information, see OSHA's Fall Protection Safety and Health Topics Page.

Fire Safety

• Fire Hazard of Polyurethane and Other Organic Foam Insulation Aboard Ships and in Construction. OSHA Hazard Information Bulletin, (1989, May 10).
  


• Fire Safety. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.

Forklifts

• Powered Industrial Trucks. OSHA. Contains links to a slide presentation on operator training, sample daily checklists, safety reminder cards, and other OSHA references.
  


• For additional information, see OSHA's Powered Industrial Trucks Safety and Health Topics Page.

Hand and Power Tools

• Hand and Power Tools. OSHA Publication 3080, (2002). Also available as a 171 KB PDF, 32 pages. Presents a summary of the basic safety procedures and safeguards associated with hand and power tools.
  


• For additional information, see OSHA's Hand and Power Tools Safety and Health Topics Page.

Lockout/Tagout (Control of Hazardous Energy)

• Lockout-Tagout Interactive Training Program. OSHA eTool. Includes three major components: a tutorial, hot topics, and interactive case studies.

Noise and Hearing Conservation

• Hearing Conservation. OSHA Publication 3074, (2002). Also available as a 157 KB PDF, 32 pages. Summarizes the required component of OSHA's hearing conservation program for general industry. Covers monitoring, audiometric testing, hearing protectors, training, and recordkeeping requirements.
  


• For additional information, see OSHA's Occupational Noise Exposure Safety and Health Topics Page.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Eye and Face Protection. OSHA eTool. Provides a comprehensive hazard assessment, information about selecting protective devices for the workplace, as well as OSHA requirements.
  


• Respiratory Protection. OSHA eTool. Offers expert assistance to businesses seeking to comply with the new respiratory protection standard 29 CFR 1910.134. Its primary focus is to provide information on the development of respirator cartridge change schedules. However, it also addresses respirator selection, and other requirements of the standard.
  


• Personal Protective Equipment. OSHA Publication 3151-12R, (2003). Also available as a 629 KB PDF, 46 pages. Discusses types of personal protective equipment (PPE) and their use in preventing injury to workers. Certain types of PPE intended to protect against life-threatening hazards are also discussed.
  


• Personal Protective Equipment [287 KB PDF^*, 2 pages]. OSHA Fact Sheet, (2002). A 68 KB PDF^* (Spanish version) is also available.
  


• Hearing Conservation. OSHA Publication 3074, (2002). Also available as a 157 KB PDF, 32 pages. Summarizes the required component of OSHA's hearing conservation program for general industry. Covers monitoring, audiometric testing, hearing protectors, training, and recordkeeping requirements.
  


• Respiratory Protection [273 KB PDF^*, 42 pages]. OSHA Publication 3079, (2002). Provides a broad overview of respiratory hazards and protective equipment, in question-answer format.
  


• For additional information, see OSHA's Safety and Health Topics Pages on:
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Respiratory Protection

Scaffolding

• Scaffolding. OSHA eTool. Provides illustrated safety checklists for specific types of scaffolds. Identifies hazards, as well as the controls that keep these hazards from becoming tragedies.
  


• A Guide to Scaffold Use in the Construction Industry. OSHA Publication 3150, (2002). Also available as a 2 MB PDF, 73 pages. Highlights pertinent information about OSHA's Scaffolding Standard that employers and employees need to know.
  


• For additional information, see OSHA's Scaffolding Safety and Health Topics Page.

Silica, Crystalline

• Silica. OSHA eTool. Includes current information that will assist businesses and employees in identifying potential silica hazards in their workplaces by choosing appropriate sampling and analytical techniques, comparing monitoring results with the silica exposure limits, and selecting appropriate short and long-term control options.
  


• For additional information, see OSHA's Silica, Crystalline Safety and Health Topics Page.

Stairways and Ladders

• Stairways and Ladders. OSHA Publication 3124-12R, (2003). Also available as a 155 KB PDF, 15 pages. Provides an overview of OSHA requirements for stairways and ladders used in construction, alteration, repair, painting, decorating, and demolition of worksites.

Trenching and Excavation

• Excavations. OSHA Publication 2226, (2002). Also available as a 533 KB PDF, 44 pages. Highlights key elements of the standard, shows ways to protect employees from cave-ins, and describes safe work practices.
  


• For additional information, see OSHA's Safety and Health Topics Pages on:
  • Trenching and Excavation
  • Walking/Working Surfaces

Safety and Health Programs

An effective safety and health program depends on the credibility of management's involvement in the program; inclusion of employees in safety and health decisions; rigorous worksite analysis to identify hazards and potential hazards, including those which could result from a change in worksite conditions or practices; stringent prevention and control measures; and thorough training. It addresses hazards whether or not they are regulated by government standards. The following references characterize and further explain safety and health programs.

Safety and Health Programs

• Job Hazard Analysis. OSHA Publication 3071, (2002). Also available as a 497 KB PDF, 50 pages. Explains what a job hazard analysis is and offers guidelines to help employers conduct their own step-by-step analysis.
  


• Safety & Health Management Systems. OSHA eTool. There are four crucial questions you should be asking when it comes to safety and health programs. The detailed answers are found in the four modules of this eTool.
  


• $afety Pays Program. OSHA, (2007, December). Assists employers in estimating the costs of occupational injuries and illnesses and the impact on a company's profitability.
  


• Safety and Health Management Program Guidelines; Issuance of Voluntary Guidelines. OSHA Federal Register Notice 54:3904-3916, (1989, January 26). Provides safety and health program management guidelines for use by employers to prevent occupational injuries and illnesses.
  • Elements of an Effective Safety and Health Program. OSHA Slide Presentation. Summarizes safety and health program guidelines.
    
    
• Safety and Health Add Value. OSHA Publication 3180. Also available as a 200 KB PDF, 6 pages. Describes how safety and health add value to your business, your workplace, and your life.
  


• Worker Protection Programs in Construction. Electronic Library of Construction Occupational Safety and Health (eLCOSH), (1994, January 14). Originally created for the OSHA Office of Construction and Engineering in January, 1994 by a private research company, this is a report on the effectiveness of worker protection programs.
  


• For additional information, see OSHA's Injury and Illness Prevention Programs Safety and Health Topics Page.

Recordkeeping

• Injury and Illness: Recordkeeping. OSHA. Answers questions regarding the revised Recordkeeping Standard.
  • Recordkeeping Forms
  • Recordkeeping: It's new, it's improved, and it's easier... Publication 3169, (2001). The official, full-color publication is a available as a 2 MB PDF, 7 pages. Explains the requirements of OSHA's Recordkeeping Standard and describes changes in the revised recordkeeping forms.

Posters

• Job Safety and Health: It's the Law. OSHA Publication 3165-12-06R. Download the OSHA workplace poster that is required to be displayed in a conspicuous place by all covered employers.
  


• Poster Page: Workplace Poster Requirements for Small Businesses and Other Employers. US Department of Labor (DOL).

Additional Information

Related Safety and Health Topics Pages

• Construction Industry

Training

• Training Requirements in OSHA Standards and Training Guidelines. OSHA Publication 2254, (1998). Also available as a 720 KB PDF, 110 pages. Many OSHA Standards explicitly require the employer to train employees in the safety and health aspects of their job. These training-related requirements have been excerpted and collected in this booklet.
  


• Training and Outreach Materials. OSHA. Provides links to several construction resources for safety and health training.
  


• Small Business Handbook. OSHA Publication 2209-02R, (2005). Also available as a 260 KB PDF, 56 pages.
  


• OSHA Training Institute Course Catalog Search. Searches training and education courses provided by OSHA Training Institute in occupational safety and health for federal and state compliance officers, state consultants, other federal agency personnel, and the private sector.
  
  
• Biblioteca Electronica de Salud y Seguridad Ocupacional en la Construction (eLCOSH) (Electronic Library of Construction Occupational Safety & Health (eLCOSH)). Center to Protect Workers' Rights and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
  • Capacitación: Materiales (Training Materials)

Other Resources

• Assistant Secretary Letter to NAHB. Also available as a 72 KB PDF, 3 pages.
  
  
• Residential Construction Questions and Answers
  


• US Labor Department's OSHA acts to protect residential roofing workers Agency rescinds Clinton-era directive and gives workers more safeguards against falls. OSHA News Release, (2010, December 22).
  


• National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). OSHA Alliance Page.
  


• Small Business. OSHA.
• On-Site Consultation
• Program Information and Benefits
• Employer Rights and Responsibilities Following an OSHA Inspection. OSHA Publication 3000-09R, (2011). Also available as a 518 KB PDF, 27 pages. Outlines employer rights and obligations following an inspection conducted under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.
  


• OSHA Inspections [461 KB PDF^*, 36 pages]. OSHA Publication 2098, (2002). Provides background information regarding OSHA's authority, and describes the OSHA inspection process from compliance officer preparation through appeals.
  


• What To Expect During OSHA's Visit. OSHA Publication, (1997). Also available as a 185 KB PDF, 15 pages. Prepares employers who wish to participate in OSHA's Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) for the second phase of their application--the OSHA on-site visit.
  


• National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Provides education courses and seminars.
  


• Electronic Library of Construction Occupational Safety & Health (eLCOSH). Center to Protect Workers' Rights and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
  
  

Accessibility Assistance: Contact the OSHA Directorate of Technical Support and Emergency Management at (202) 693-2300 for assistance accessing PDF and PPT materials.

^*These files are provided for downloading.