29 CFR 1926 Subpart M requires fall protection at 6 feet in construction. Here's what you need to know — and document.
OSHA's fall protection standard for construction (29 CFR 1926 Subpart M) is the most frequently cited standard in the construction industry. It requires employers to provide fall protection for workers exposed to falls of 6 feet or more — and to document that protection in a written plan.
General Contractors enforce these requirements through pre-mobilization safety submittals. They don't just need to see that you have harnesses — they need to see a written Fall Protection Plan that demonstrates you've assessed the hazards, selected appropriate protection methods, and trained your workers.
Here's what OSHA requires and how it translates to the documentation your GC expects.
Under 29 CFR 1926.502(k), a written Fall Protection Plan is technically required only when conventional fall protection (guardrails, nets, PFAS) is infeasible or creates a greater hazard. However, in practice, virtually every GC on commercial projects requires a written plan regardless — it's become a standard pre-mobilization requirement.
OSHA fall protection violations are classified as Serious, with penalties up to $16,131 per violation (2024 rates). Willful violations can reach $161,323. Repeat violations carry enhanced penalties. These fines apply to the employer, not the GC.
Yes. 29 CFR 1926.503 requires employers to provide training and maintain written certification records. Your Fall Protection Plan should include the training program and a worker acknowledgment log — which is why SafeDocs includes both in every plan.
Fall prevention keeps workers away from fall hazards (guardrails, covers, warning lines). Fall protection arrests falls after they occur (PFAS, safety nets). Your plan must address both — and your GC will check for it.