Environmental, Health and Safety Services

Fall Protection Responsibilities

EHS

EHS is responsible for developing, implementing, and administering the Fall Protection Program. This involves:

  • Training all operators in the associated hazards and general safe work practices.
  • Maintaining centralized records of training and certification records.
  • Providing technical assistance to university personnel.
  • Evaluating the overall effectiveness of the program on a periodic basis.

Departments

Departments are expected to maintain a safe and healthy living, learning, and working environment for faculty, staff, students, and visitors to our campus. Departments must ensure equipment provided is of a safe design and in good condition and should designate responsible persons to coordinate the requirements of this program with employees. Designated persons must attend EHS Fall Protection User training.

Employees

Employees using personal fall arrest systems must attend EHS Fall Protection User training and use the equipment in a safe and responsible manner. Employees must report all falls involving personal fall arrest systems to their supervisor and remove the equipment from service. Where personnel works in an area where potential fall hazards exist, but workplace policy does not permit employees to be exposed, EHS Fall Hazard Awareness level training is required.

Contractors

Contractors must comply with all local, state, and federal safety requirements, and assure that all of their employees performing work on Virginia Tech properties have been suitably trained and are provided with appropriate personal protective. Contractors must also comply with the requirements outlines in Virginia Tech's Contractor Safety Program. Contractors working at heights, or exposed to a fall hazard situation, on campus must coordinate such work with their Project Manager to assure both parties are informed and work activities are coordinated, where necessary. Access to any roof on campus, for example, must be coordinated due to chemcical/biological exhausts, RF, noise hazards, fall hazards, and use of anchor points. For more information on roof access, click here.