Montana State University
Fall Protection Program

MSU Safety and Risk Management Office
Effective Date: 2025
Review Cycle: Annual SRM

1. Purpose

The purpose of this Fall Protection Program is to safeguard university personnel who may be exposed to fall hazards while performing job duties on campus buildings or elevated work surfaces. The program establishes clear procedures, responsibilities, training, and equipment requirements in compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards.

This program is designed to:

  • Prevent fall-related injuries and fatalities
  • Identify and control fall hazards
  • Ensure proper training and use of fall protection systems
  • Maintain regulatory compliance with OSHA 29 CFR 1910 and 1926

2. Scope and Applicability

This policy applies to all Montana State University employees, including faculty, staff, student workers, and contractors engaged in operations where there is a risk of falling from elevations of six feet or more.

The program encompasses work on:

  • Rooftops and parapet walls
  • Scaffolding and ladders
  • Building ledges and balconies
  • Aerial lifts and elevated platforms
  • Skylight and roof openings
  • Construction and maintenance zones
  • Loading docks and mezzanines


This program does not supersede specific jobsite or project-based safety plans but provides the minimum institutional standard to which all units must adhere.

3. Definitions

Anchor Point: A secure point of attachment for fall arrest equipment, capable of supporting 5,000 lbs per employee or as certified by a Qualified Person.

Competent Person: A person who is capable of identifying fall hazards and has the authority to take corrective actions.

Qualified Person: A person with extensive training, experience, and knowledge to design and evaluate fall protection systems.

Fall Hazard: Any situation where an employee is at risk of falling from one level to another.

PFAS (Personal Fall Arrest System): A system consisting of an anchorage, connectors, and a full-body harness used to arrest a fall.

Work Restraint System: Equipment designed to prevent an employee from reaching a fall hazard.

4. Responsibilities

4.1 MSU Safety and Risk Management Office

•Develops and maintains this Fall Protection Program.
•Conducts job hazard assessments (JHAs) for fall hazards.
•Provides or approves required fall protection training.
•Maintains records of training, inspections, and incidents.
•Conducts routine program audits.

4.2 Supervisors, Managers, and Department Heads

•Ensure employees comply with the fall protection procedures.
•Ensure fall protection systems and equipment are available and maintained.
•Coordinate with MSU Safety and Risk Management to conduct fall hazard assessments.
•Enforce disciplinary actions for non-compliance.

4.3 Employees

•Attend required fall protection training.
•Properly use and inspect fall protection equipment.
•Report damaged equipment or unsafe conditions.
•Adhere to all procedures and instructions relating to fall hazards.

4.4 Contractors

•Must comply with OSHA regulations and university fall protection standards.
•Submit fall protection plans for review before beginning work.
•Ensure that all contract personnel are trained and equipped appropriately.

5. Hazard Identification and Assessment

5.1 Pre-Work Hazard Assessments

Prior to performing work at elevation, supervisors must conduct a Fall Hazard Assessment in coordination with Safety and Risk Management. This includes:

•Location and height of potential falls
•Condition and stability of work surfaces
•Proximity to edges, holes, or fragile surfaces
•Weather conditions
•Type of work being performed (e.g., maintenance, repair, inspection)

5.2 Periodic Inspections

All elevated work areas must be periodically reassessed, especially following:

•Weather events
•Structural changes
•Introduction of new equipment or operations

Hazard assessments must be documented using Appendix B: Fall Hazard Assessment Form.

6. Fall Protection Systems

6.1 Hierarchy of Fall Protection Controls

1. Elimination – Redesign work to remove the fall hazard.
2. Passive Systems – Guardrails, netting, or parapets.
3. Restraint Systems – Prevent access to fall hazards.
4. Fall Arrest Systems – Stop a fall in progress.
5. Administrative Controls – Signs, spotters, and restricted zones.

6.2 System Requirements

All fall protection systems must conform to:

•OSHA 29 CFR 1910 & 1926
•ANSI/ASSP Z359 series standards
•Manufacturer’s specifications

6.3 Acceptable Systems

•Guardrails – Top rail at 42", mid-rail at 21", able to withstand 200 lbs force.
•Covers – Marked and secured over holes or skylights.
•Warning Lines – Only for low-slope roofs, set back 6 feet or more.
•Harnesses – Full-body harness only; body belts are prohibited.
•Lanyards/SRLs – Shock-absorbing or self-retracting types preferred.
•Lifelines – Horizontal or vertical, with approved connectors.

7. Equipment Inspection and Maintenance

7.1 Pre-Use Inspection

Users must inspect harnesses, lanyards, connectors, and anchorages before each use for:

•Cuts, tears, abrasions
•Broken stitching
•Deformed hooks or connectors
•Exposure to chemicals or UV degradation

7.2 Annual Competent Person Inspection

A designated Competent Person must inspect and document fall protection equipment annually using Appendix A: Equipment Inspection Checklist.

7.3 Storage and Maintenance

Equipment must be:

•Stored in a clean, dry, ventilated area
•Kept away from direct sunlight and chemicals
•Immediately removed from service if defects are identified

8. Training Program

8.1 Training Topics

All affected employees must be trained by Safety and Risk Management or an approved third party in:

•Nature of fall hazards
•Recognizing unsafe conditions
•Use and limitations of fall protection systems
•Equipment inspection and maintenance
•Emergency and rescue procedures

8.2 Training Frequency

•Initial: Before performing work at elevation
•Refresher: Every 2 years or as needed
•Retraining: After incident, observed deficiencies, or equipment changes

8.3 Training Documentation

Training completion must be recorded using Appendix D: Training Attendance Log and maintained by Safety and Risk Management.

9. Rescue and Emergency Response

9.1 Rescue Planning

Every fall protection plan that includes PFAS must include a site-specific rescue plan. Key elements:

•Identification of rescue personnel
•Communication methods
•Rescue equipment and location
•Estimated rescue time (goal: within 6 minutes of fall)

9.2 Rescue Methods

•Self-rescue (if feasible)
•Assisted rescue using ladders, lifts, or descent systems
•Suspension trauma prevention: Provide trauma relief straps

9.3 Emergency Drills

Fall rescue drills must be conducted at least annually. Documentation of these drills will be maintained by Safety and Risk Management.

10. Incident Reporting and Investigation

Any fall-related incident, near miss, or equipment failure must be reported immediately to the supervisor and Safety and Risk Management.

10.1 Investigation Procedure

•Secure the scene
•Interview witnesses
•Review training and equipment records
•Identify root causes and corrective actions
•Document findings using Appendix E: Incident Report Form

11. Program Review and Continuous Improvement

The Safety and Risk Management Office will review this Fall Protection Program:

•Annually
•After any fall-related incident
•In response to regulatory changes or new best practices
Revisions will be shared with department heads and posted in the university policy repository.

12. References

•OSHA 29 CFR 1910 Subpart D – Walking-Working Surfaces
•OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart M – Fall Protection
•ANSI/ASSP Z359 Fall Protection Code
•[State University Name] Workplace Safety Manual
•Manufacturer manuals and technical bulletins

13. Appendices

•Appendix A – Fall Protection Equipment Inspection Checklist
•Appendix B – Fall Hazard Assessment Form
•Appendix C – Rescue Plan Template
•Appendix D – Training Attendance Log
•Appendix E – Fall Incident Report Form
•Appendix F – Contractor Fall Protection Acknowledgment