One Airman or Guardian lost to a preventable fall mishap is one too many!

Since 2020, there have been 4 on- and off-duty fall fatalities in the Department of the Air Force. We encourage YOU to take steps year-round to integrate fall prevention and awareness efforts in your work areas and at home.

Fall Prevention Is Your Job! We are all responsible in finding and fixing fall hazards at work or at home!

Fall protection has been the top Occupational Safety and Health Administration violation for 15 years in a row. Falls are one of the biggest workplace safety issues, especially in the construction industry, responsible for the most non-fatal cases involving days away from work and 20% of all non-fatal fall-from-height cases.

The Department of the Air Force and Occupational Safety and Health Administration partner in the National Safety Stand-Down to highlight reducing slips, trips and falls. We encourage Airmen, Guardians, and civilians to find and correct fall prevention issues whether they are at work or at home.

Check equipment or look for hazards

1. Check your equipment – Are there any recalls for your harnesses? Check here. Are your ladders and step stools safe?

2. Review your fall prevention program – Is your program in compliance with DAFMAN 91-203?

3. Ensure understanding – Have you spoken with your family members about fall prevention? Are they aware of everyday household slips, trips and falls? Do they know how to inspect or use a ladder or step stool properly?

If you need help, use the resources on this page and from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. You can choose from videos, graphs, statistical analysis, materials from past Fall Prevention Focuses, resources by topic, downloadable material, and resource submissions.

Click for a list of fall prevention gear recalls. NOTE: List is not exhaustive - check your PPE manufacturer for possible recalls

What standard covers Fall Protection?
DAFMAN 91-203, Air Force Occupational Safety, Fire, and Health Standards and OSHA Standard 1910, General Industry and 29 CFR § 1926, Subpart M, Construction.
How do I know if and when I need Fall Protection?
Your supervisor needs to perform an in-depth risk assessment. 29 CFR § 1910, Subpart D – Walking-Working Surfaces, Duty to have fall protection and falling object protection, and DAFMAN 91-203, Air Force Occupational Safety, Fire, and Health Instruction, Chapter 13 require fall protection/prevention for the following:

a. Walking-working surface with an unprotected side or edge that is 4 feet (1.2m) or more above a lower level
b. Less than 4 feet above dangerous equipment that is not protected
c. 4 feet or more above dangerous equipment must be protected from falling
d. Any hole (including skylights) that is 4 feet or more above a lower level
How do I get Fall Protection training?
Most people will receive fall protection training as part of their initial job safety training. However, your supervisor must ensure you are trained IAW DAFMAN 91-203, Chapter 13 prior to performing work in a location where specified fall protection procedures or equipment is needed, such as working from heights above four feet.
Is Fall Protection training an annual requirement?
For most workers it is not. However, for anyone who uses a Personal Fall Arrest System, DAFMAN 91-203 states, "Recurring training shall be conducted annually, when work conditions change or new fall arrest systems are used, and documented on AF Form 623, Individual Training Record Folder, AF IMT 55, Employee Safety and Health Record, or civilian equivalent, IAW DAFI 91-202."
At my job, I sometimes use a small ladder, do I need fall protection?
It depends. If you perform work on a small ladder and are exposed to a fall due to any of the following:

- Walking-working surface with an unprotected side or edge that is 4 feet (1.2m) or more above a lower level
- Less than 4 feet above dangerous equipment that is not protected
- 4 feet or more above dangerous equipment must be protected from falling
- Any hole (including skylights) that is 4 feet or more above a lower level

If the small ladder is only used in an environment where the only hazard is falling from the ladder, then you do not need fall protection; however, ladder training is required regardless of the working height.