Fall Protection — Construction Subpart M Worker Knowledge Core

This is the Construction Subpart M knowledge track. Select the rule for the actual activity and jurisdiction before selecting a control. The employer supplies the task, equipment, applicable standard and more protective policies. A construction project and a maintenance task at the same site may need different decisions.

For ordinary unprotected sides and edges covered by this track, the federal starting point is 6 feet or more above a lower level. 1926.501(b)(1) identifies guardrails, safety nets or personal fall-arrest systems for that situation. This is not permission to ignore a lower fall, a hole or dangerous equipment. Task-specific provisions and exceptions have their own conditions; workers do not approve an exception.

Provide training for each employee who might be exposed to fall hazards, enabling hazard recognition and the procedures that minimize them. The training must be delivered by a competent person qualified in the relevant fall hazards and systems, with instruction the employee understands. A course completion card alone does not establish those qualifications.

Scaffolds, portable/fixed ladders, aerial lifts, steel erection, utility work, maritime, rope descent and other specialized work require their own applicable training and review. This core does not authorize them. State Plan, contract, USACE or other project requirements need separate review; no approval or hour-based qualification is inferred here.