August
Fall Safety
A is for Anchorage
B is for Body Harness
C is for Connector
Falls continue to be the leading cause of fatalities in construction, accounting for more than one-third of all construction deaths in the United States. According to OSHA, in 2022 alone, 395 workers lost their lives due to falls to a lower level—many of which could have been prevented through proper protection, planning, and rescue readiness.
This month’s fall protection training takes a structured and comprehensive approach to combat these preventable tragedies. Spanning four focused weekly topics, we aim to equip workers with the awareness, tools, and decision-making confidence needed to stay safe at height.
You might not see them—but they see you. They hide behind forgotten tie-offs, cracked ladders, sketchy anchors, and unmarked holes. They feed on shortcuts, missed inspections, and “just this once” decisions. These aren’t just accidents waiting to happen—these are the Fall Villains, a rogue’s gallery of hazard-born horrors hellbent on pulling you down. From Pitfall Phantom beneath your feet to Suspension Specter above your head, they’re real, they’re sneaky, and they’re always watching.
Your defense? Stay sharp, gear up, and know your enemy.
Rung-Gone Rogue hides in plain sight, camouflaged among ladders and stairways with one goal: to disappear when you need him most. He waits patiently in rusted rungs, cracked rails, and weathered welds—striking when you’re halfway up and trusting your footing. One snap, one slip, and you’re history.
Weakness: Ladder inspections, weight ratings, and a strict “ladders last” policy.
Catchphrase: “Looks fine to me… until it isn’t.”
Fall Villains
Stay sharp—because the Fall Villains never take a day off.
Iron Wailer haunts the high steel—beams, platforms, and decking that look solid… but aren’t. He’s the master of false confidence, luring workers onto unsecured connections, shifting grating, or slippery flange edges. One misstep, one unexpected vibration, and Iron Wailer lets out a scream of twisted metal as you drop.
Weakness: 100% tie-off policies, beam clamps, walk-the-steel awareness, and testing every step before you trust it.
Catchphrase: “Hope you like jazz—'cause I’m bringing the metal slide solo.”
Pendulum Punk doesn’t just want you to fall—he wants you to smash. Lurking wherever tie-off points are low or too far away, he rides the arc of a poorly planned anchor like a wrecking ball. His goal? To turn your free fall into a brutal swing into steel, rebar, or walls. One wrong anchor point, and he’s got you in motion.
Weakness: Anchoring above the D-ring and keeping fall clearance free of obstacles.
Catchphrase: “You fall wrong, I make it swing strong.”
Fray Freak is the sinister spirit of neglect, lurking in every torn harness, frayed lanyard, and sun-damaged strap. He thrives on wear-and-tear, silently weakening your gear until it fails when you need it most. You won’t hear him coming—but when your equipment snaps, he’s the last thing you’ll see.
Weakness: Thorough inspections, proper storage, and refusing to ignore worn gear.
Catchphrase: “It’s just a little tear... what could go wrong?
WEEK 1
Fall Prevention
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GUARDRAILS! HOLE COVERS! BARRICADES! Step right up, folks, because we’re giving away the *easiest way to stop a fall... before it even starts*! No straps, no snaps—just simple, solid, passive protection that WORKS. You wouldn’t walk a tightrope without a net, so why work a ledge without a rail? Let me show you how to keep Gravity Goliath in check—no gimmicks, just guardrails, baby!
Multiple Guess 1.Which of the following is not a passive protection method? A) Guardrails B) Hole covers C) Safety harnesses D) Warning lines 2.A hole cover must support at least how many times the intended load? A) 1x B) 2x C) 3x D) 4x 3.Guardrails must be installed at what height range? A) 36–42 inches B) 39–45 inches C) 42–48 inches D) 30–36 inches 4. When is a hole cover required on a walking/working surface? A) If the hole is larger than 3 inches B) If the hole is big enough for a tool to fall through C) If the hole is more than 2 inches in diameter and a person could trip, fall through, or be injured D)Only when machinery is running below 5.The most effective form of fall protection, according to the hierarchy of controls, is: A) Fall restraint B) Fall arrest C) Elimination or substitution D) Administrative controls Closed-answer 1.What is the required toe board height on a guardrail system? 2.Name the three components of a compliant guardrail. 3.What hazard does a missing hole cover present? 4.What must be marked on a hole cover? 5.What is the minimum height at which passive protection is required in general industry (non-construction)? Discussion question Why might workers ignore passive protection options like covers or barricades?
WEEK 2
Active Protection
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Now hold onto your hardhats, because this week we’re strapping in and locking on! We’ve got harnesses! We’ve got anchors! We’ve got SRLs that’ll save your bacon faster than you can say ‘clipped above the D-ring!’ But wait—there’s more! Order now and we’ll throw in fall clearance math, villain battles, and a cold, hard truth: one unhook and you’re toast. Let’s gear up and take Gravity Goliath for a ride!
Multiple Guess 1.What is the OSHA standard for maximum free fall distance? A.2 ft B.4 ft C.6 ft D.8ft 2.Which part of a personal fall arrest system connects the harness to the anchor? A.Body Belt B.Shock Absorber C.Lanyard or SRL D.Guardrail 3.Which is the best anchor point for tying off? a.Steel I-beam rated to 5,000 lbs b.PVC pipe c.Scaffold guardrail d.Rope looped over a post 4.Which of the following is TRUE about SRLs (Self-Retracting Lifelines)? a.They must be inspected monthly b.They do not limit free fall distance c.They engage immediately after fall begins d.They replace harnesses 5.Where should a fall arrest lanyard be anchored? a.To a nearby pipe b.At foot level c.Above the harness D-ring d.To another worker’s harness Closed-Answer 1.What are the three key components of a PFAS? 2.Why is tying off directly above the D-ring encouraged? Discussion Point 1.Why might a worker skip tying off, even with equipment available?
WEEK 3
Inspection and Maintenance
Step right up to the Fall Protection Dating Game—because if you wouldn’t take your date out with a frayed collar and a mystery stain, why would you climb a beam with a crusty harness? This week, we teach you how to woo your gear: touch it, check it, bend it like a U, and give it the care it deserves. And don’t forget Fray Freak—he’s hiding in every twisted lanyard and UV-faded strap. Swipe right on safety, folks!​
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Check your harness every day,
Before you work or climb or play.
Look for rust, and look for wear—
If something's wrong, don’t go up there!
Give those D-rings a little twist,
They shouldn’t bend, or have a mist.
No rust, no cracks, they must be clean,
That keeps you safe up on the beam.
Grab the straps and run your hand,
They should be smooth—not ripped or tanned.
No fuzzy threads or burns or goo,
If they’re messed up—it won’t save you!
Stitching strong? No thread that pops?
If it looks weak, then your work stops!
No loose loops or frays or strings,
That’s how you spot those hidden things.
Check your buckles, make them snap,
They shouldn’t bend, and not go “flap.”
Tight and snug, no twist, no slide,
A harness loose won’t help your hide.
Look at lanyards, clip and gate—
They should lock up nice and straight.
If they’re rusty, bent, or bad,
Turn it in—don’t play the lad.
If the shock-pack thread is red,
That means it saved someone instead!
It’s been used—so don’t reuse—
Get a new one. That’s the news!
Pull your lifeline, yank it fast,
It should lock and hold you fast.
Let it slide and let it zip—
But if it sticks, then give it a skip.
Every buckle, hook, and strap—
Might save you in a sudden snap.
If you skip the check, you roll the dice…
And some folks never fall twice.
Check Your Harness Every Day
Multiple Guess 1.What shape should you form the webbing into during inspection to find frays or damage? A.S-curve B.O shape C.U shape D.L shape 2.Which of the following should trigger immediate removal from service? A.Slight label wear B.Minor dirt C.Cracked snap hook D.Faded logo 3.What environmental factor is most likely to degrade harness integrity over time? A.Wind B.Sunlight (UV) C.Rain D.Humidity 4.What component of a harness is checked for distortion, cracks, and rust? A.Webbing B.D-Ring and Buckles C.Labels D.Padding 5. What is the first step in harness inspection? A.Lay it flat and pull the straps B.Check the labels C.Hold it by the D-ring and let it hang D.Clean it with soap Closed Answer 6. How often must a competent person inspect fall protection gear? 7.Name one item that causes chemical damage to harness webbing. Discussion 8.Why do you think some workers skip pre-use inspections even though it's a requirement?
WEEK 4
Rescue and Suspension Trauma​
You thought the fall was the end? Wrong! That was just the first commercial break. Welcome to Rescue Week, where seconds matter, straps save, and the Suspension Specter is gunning for your legs. We’ve got trauma timelines, true tales of horror, and enough action to make your heart skip—literally. You wanna be a hero? This is your week. Rescue starts BEFORE you leave the ground—don’t hang around waiting for someone else to save the day!
Multiple Guess 1.Which condition can occur when toxins flood back into the body after a fall? A.Reperfusion injury B.Heat stroke C.Flood toxicity D.Lung flood 2.What’s the risk if a rescue team raises a suspended worker too quickly after 15+ minutes of hanging? a.Immediate cardiac arrhythmia b.Tool drop hazard c.Harness shift d.Trip hazard 3.What is the medical term for the muscle tissue breakdown caused by prolonged suspension? A.Hypoxia B.Rhabdomyolysis C.Embolism D.Neurotoxicity 4.What body system is most compromised by venous pooling during suspension trauma? A.Skeletal B.Respiratory C.Circulatory D.Digestive 5.At what minute is a worker most likely to begin experiencing sharp cramps and dizziness while suspended? a.3 minutes b.5 minutes c.7 minutes d.15 minutes Closed – Answers 6.What does rhabdomyolysis release into the bloodstream that harms the kidneys? 7.What is the key benefit of using trauma straps after a fall? Discussion 8.Why do we need to wear a harness into a confined space?
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