Fall Protection

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Navy military personnel and civilians conducting “at-height” work must be protected from all associated fall hazards.  Fall prevention or protection measures must be fully established for all workers exposed to the possibility of falling 4 feet or more to a lower level (5 feet for ship repair or ship building operations) or any distance onto dangerous equipment or machinery, into a hazardous environment (including water), or onto an impalement hazard.

Navy Fall Prevention and Protection program requirements are detailed in Chapter 13 of OPNAVINST 5100.23 (series), Navy Safety and Occupational Health Program Manual.  Amplifying guidance for the ashore, afloat, and aviation communities is provided in the DON Fall Protection Guide (latest version).  Commands, unit, and activities with personnel exposed to fall hazards must maintain a manage fall protection program with a written policy that meets all federal, DoD, and DON safety policies.  The DON Fall Protection Guide can function as the written policy for the managed fall protection program when it is complied with, in full.

Command, units, and activities with personnel exposed to fall hazards must also designate a Fall Protection Program Manager and a Competent Person for fall protection.  The Program Manager and Competent Person roles may be combined when the designee has been adequately trained to meet the requirements of both positions.

Hierarchy of Controls

The prevention of a fall occurring must always be prioritized over the use of protection measures for after a fall occurs.  Initially, all attempts must be made to eliminate the fall hazard or find a suitable alternative to the complete the operation or mission.  This could involving lowering the process to ground level instead of performing maintenance at-height.  Secondarily, the use of engineering controls, such as use of an aerial lift, should be pursued.  The use of administrative controls and personal systems may only be used, when the above methods are deemed impossible or impractical.  Ranking of controls for fall prevention and protection are as follows:

1. Hazard Elimination – Eliminates fall hazard potential at acquisition/design phase or finds alternative method to complete operation without performing at-height work.

2. Passive Fall Protection – Functions as a physical barrier around unprotected sides, edges, holes, and openings to prevent a worker from falling (includes guardrails, covers, and safety nets).

3. Personal Fall Restraint Systems – Restrict the workers’ range of movement to prevent travel to a fall hazard.

4. Personal Fall Arrest Systems – Stop the worker from contacting a lower level or danger area AFTER a fall occurs.

5. Administrative Controls – Delineates a hazardous fall area, but does not prevent or mitigate a potential fall (includes warning lines, safety monitors, and designated areas).

Training Resources

NAVSAFCENTRACEN - Fall Protection Program Manager Course (A-493-0099)

NAVSAFCENTRACEN - Competent Person for Fall Protection Course (A-493-0103)