Geo-Thermal Energy: Fall Protection

Workers installing and maintaining geothermal systems can be exposed to fall hazards when working near trenches, excavations, and pits that are dug for the piping systems. Falls can also occur when workers are installing above-ground system components on roofs or other elevated locations. Falls may also be a hazard when constructing, operating, and maintaining systems used for power generation. Falls kill hundreds of construction workers each year. OSHA standards require employers to protect workers from fall hazards. In the case of trenches, guardrails or barricades may be used to keep workers away from an open trench.

Construction workers when exposed to fall distances of 6 feet or more must be protected from falls by using one of the following methods:

• Guardrail Systems

• Safety Net Systems

• Personal Fall Arrest Systems

Some resources on fall protection are provided below:

• Fact Sheet on Fall Protection in General Industry

• OSHA's Safety and Health Topics Page on Fall Protection

• OSHA’s Safety and Health Topics Page on Fall Protection (Construction)