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Anchor Points 
Pre-engineered or custom anchor points for many different applications.
Cable-Based Lifelines
Horizontal and vertical cable lifeline systems, for travel restraint or fall arrest.
Catwalks
Provide safe and easy access to elevated work stations while mitigating fall hazards.
Confined Space & Rescue
Equipment for access in confined spaces, or to allow for prompt worker rescue.
Ladder Systems
Safety systems designed to keep users on ladders protected from falls.
Loading Platforms, Stairs & Gangways
Passive safety systems that protect workers no matter what they need to access.
Portable Fall Protection
Systems that can be moved or stored as needed, for ultimate flexibility.
Rigid Rail Systems
In areas with minimal fall clearance, rigid rail systems are the solution.
Roof Fall Protection
Systems to protect rooftop workers from inboard and outboard fall hazards.
Roof Guardrail & Safety Railing
Passive safety solutions that don't require special training or regular inspections & testing to be compliant.
Suspended Access & Window Washing
Anchorage products, davits, monorails, and rigging sleeves for window washing and suspended access maintenance.

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If your worker is subject to a fall while on the job, Diversified has a solution. We can design, engineer, fabricate, and install fall protection systems for any application.

Aircraft & Aerospace
Proven fall protection solutions for aviation maintenance and manufacturing.
Construction
Permanent and temporary fall protection solutions for construction applications.
Feed & Grain
Solutions for feed & grain worker protection during storage, maintenance, transportation, and more.
Government & Military
Fall protection solutions for government and military installations, including aircraft hangars, rooftops, and more.
Healthcare & Education
Systems for hospitals, schools, universities, and more.
Industrial Applications
Versatile safety systems for industrial facilities.
Oil, Gas, & Chemical
Protect at-height workers on silos, towers, pipe racks, drilling platforms, rigs, and more.
Retail Fall Protection Equipment
Systems to protect workers at shopping and retail centers.
Road & Rail
Railcar, truck, and bus fall protection solutions.
Ship & Barge
Fall protection for ships & barges transporting oil, grain, materials, and more.
Stadiums, Arenas, & Convention Centers
Keep workers and visitors safe while protecting aesthetics at any large venue.
Steel & Foundry
Fall protection solutions for foundry and steel mill applications, including crane rails & more.
Suspended Access & Window Washing
Anchors, outriggers & rigging sleeves, davit systems, and more for suspended access.
Utilities & Energy
Systems for power plants, solar and wind generation, and more.
Data Centers
Systems that protect workers maintaining critically important data equipment. 

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Not sure which system you need? Find the right solution for your application by industry.

Fall Hazard Assessment
A fall protection expert can visit your site to assess all fall hazards and ensure nothing is missed.
Design & Engineering
Our in-house P.E.s and structural engineers design application-specific fall protection systems to meet your specific needs.
Guardrail Rental
Only need to ensure safety for a temporary job or construction project? Diversified offers OSHA-compliant guardrail rental to keep you compliant without needing to purchase a full system.
Fabrication
While we have excellent relationships with many suppliers, we also have the capability to design custom products & solutions for a variety of applications.
Installation
Diversified has a network of installers nationwide who will ensure your system is installed correctly.
Training
Required Authorized User & Competent Person training, performed onsite to avoid workplace disruptions.
Inspections & Recertification
We will perform federally mandated annual inspections, or regular required recertification & testing of systems. When we inspect systems, we assume all liability for its proper functioning.
SIT Services for California
OPOS creation, suspended access inspection, letters of written assurance, and more

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Diversified will perform all necessary services to keep your site compliant, and provides and stores all documentation about its performance as required by OSHA.

OSHA & ANSI Regulations
A breakdown of current OSHA regulations and ANSI standards and how you can ensure your compliance
Product Literature
Access our full spec sheet library to learn more about our fall protection products and systems.
ROI Calculator
Get a general idea of how much a single workplace accident can end up costing.

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Learn about fall protection every week in our free educational webinars! Most are eligible for AIA continuing education credit.

Let's break down OSHA-required fall protection services
11 Jun, 2024

Let's break down OSHA-required fall protection services

Oftentimes when folks think about fall protection, especially fall protection compliance, they think about lanyards, harnesses, and anchors, or other physical systems that protect workers at height. While those are critical components to ensure that a worksite is compliant with federal regulation, there are other requirements, such as regular training, inspections, and testing and certification of systems. These are referred to as fall protection services, and while they are different from a physical system, they are no less important, and OSHA requires that all these services be performed and documented regularly to have a compliant fall protection program. Let’s look at some of the different services and what they entail.

Personnel Training

OSHA designates that the three (3) types of personnel that must be involved in a fall protection program are the Authorized, Competent, and Qualified Person(s). While OSHA specifies and helps vaguely define these roles, ANSI Z359 helps further describe the specific duties & responsibilities of each participant in the program. Let’s dive into each of these to figure out who at your organization should be trained to what level and what significance they will have in your program’s functionality:

Authorized Person

Per OSHA 1910.21(b), this is defined as “an employee who the employer assigns to perform a specific type of duty, or allows in a specific location or area.” This level of training is ideal for anyone who will be using fall protection equipment and is required to be conducted before providing the user with their equipment. Proper authorized person training will make the user aware of the hazards of working at heights and teach the basic principles of proper use of the equipment. Authorized Person training must be completed by a Competent Person, either within the organization or by a third-party trainer like Diversified Fall Protection. We offer 8-hour Authorized Person comprehensive training and 4-hour Authorized Person essentials training.

Regular & consistent training is recommended to ensure users retain their knowledge and comply with the organization’s fall protection policies & procedures. OSHA requires retraining if the employer feels that there is a gap in understanding of the employee’s capability to comply with the fall protection program or OSHA code. Retraining is also required if there is a change to the workplace that makes prior training obsolete—perhaps new equipment is installed, or upgrades are made to existing equipment.

Competent Person

Per OSHA 1926.32(f), this is defined as “one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.” Each organization must designate at least one employee to be their Competent Person and that employee must go through an ANSI-accredited Competent Person training program. We offer a 16-hour course and the certification must be refreshed every two (2) years.

While it is not specifically required, it is recommended that a Competent Person is always present when fall protection equipment is in use. Many organizations train multiple people to a Competent Person level to ensure one is always available to their fall protection users. The Competent Person is responsible for approving equipment to use in the fall protection program, facilitating training to authorized users, and ensuring workers are adhering to OSHA mandates & ANSI guidelines for best practices. The Competent Person is also responsible for the annual inspection of all fall protection equipment.

Qualified Person

Again, per OSHA 1910.21(b), this is defined as “a person who, by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or who by extensive knowledge, training, and experience has successfully demonstrated the ability to solve or resolve problems relating to the subject matter, the work, or the project.” Essentially, this is an engineer. A Qualified Person must be involved in the design & installation of permanent fall protection systems (i.e. horizontal lifelines, certified anchors, rigid rail trolley systems, etc.). They must also be involved during incident investigations after a fall occurs. Our services team has Qualified Persons on staff to perform our in-house engineering services.

Equipment Inspections

There are two types of inspections OSHA requires for fall protection equipment:

Pre-Use Inspection

Per OSHA 1910.140(c)(18), “Personal fall protection systems must be inspected before initial use during each workshift for mildew, wear, damage, and other deterioration, and defective components must be removed from service.” Each time a user is about to don their equipment, they must ensure the equipment is in proper working order and will perform as designed if a fall occurs. We have a free Pre-Use Inspection Checklist you can download here for more information.

The pre-use inspection does not have to be documented, but failing to perform these inspections can result in disastrous results for the user. If a piece of equipment fails inspection, it should be removed from service immediately for further review by the organization’s Competent Person.

Annual Inspection

OSHA requires that all fall protection equipment (anchorages, body harnesses, lanyards, SRLs, and other applicable accessories) be inspected by a Competent Person annually. As opposed to pre-use inspections, organizations must document annual inspections.

Annual fall protection equipment inspection documentation should include:

  • Brief description (i.e. harness, lanyard, SRL, etc.)
  • Manufacturer
  • Model Number
  • Serial Number
  • Date of Manufacture
  • Date of Inspection
  • Inspector Name
  • Inspector Signature
  • Pass/Fail Indication

In theory, if users are trained to perform thorough pre-use inspections and perform them diligently, annual inspections should produce no failed equipment.

System Certification/Recertification

Typically, fall protection anchors must withstand a minimum load of 5000 lbs. However, certain applications or circumstances warrant the need for certified anchorages. Some examples could include (but are not limited to) when rooftop tie-back systems are required for façade maintenance, a horizontal lifeline must be installed, or the available structure cannot withstand a 5000 lb load. (In the instance of the latter, the available structure must be rated to withstand twice the anticipated maximum arresting force of the personal fall protection system.)

If a certified anchor is required, the engineering, design, and installation must be performed by (or under the supervision of) a Qualified Person. Once an anchor is certified, it is subject to periodic recertification. Certified anchors that are part of active fall protection systems require recertification every five (5) years and suspended access systems every ten (10) years. The recertification process involves a visual inspection, onsite load testing to confirm proper capacity of anchorages, and further review of the system to confirm compliance with the latest codes and standards. This ensures the anchors and systems are in good working order and meets current manufacturer requirements. Our certification tests will include documentation and a report from one of our fall protection engineers.

Hazard Assessments

A critical first step to preventing injury from falls is an analysis of the site to identify risks and where workers are exposed to hazards. We offer a complete on-site fall hazard assessment to determine whether your facility is in compliance with current OSHA regulations. We will have a Qualified Person evaluate your site for all fall hazards, taking into consideration the many unique factors of each site. Based on our findings, we will provide a comprehensive report detailing all the potential fall hazards and our recommendations to meet or maintain regulatory standards at your site.

Finding the right fall protection partner.

If you’re on the search for a partner to enhance your organization’s fall protection program, reach out to the experts at Diversified Fall Protection. We can perform all OSHA-mandated fall protection services, and will document all of it for you to access via your customer portal should you ever need to. Best of all, when regular inspections and certification is performed by Diversified Fall Protection, we assume liability for the proper functioning of that system if used according to the manufacturers’ instructions. By working together, we can ensure that workers #MakeItHome at the end of the day. Contact us to learn more.

Schedule an assessment with Diversified Fall Protection

Contact Us to request a fall safety review