Fall risks in construction evolve as the project progresses. During the foundation phase, the focus is on preventing falls into excavations; during the structural phase, the priority is controlling edge protection and cross-operation hazards; during the finishing phase, the emphasis shifts to openings, shafts, and exterior wall work; and during the final phase, the risk lies in premature removal of temporary protections. Therefore, **fall protection measures in construction** cannot rely on a single, uniform approach throughout the project—they must be adjusted at each stage.
According to GB 55034—2022, when working at a height of 2 meters or more above the reference fall height level, safety protection facilities must be installed, and anti-slip measures must be taken. Openings such as reserved holes, elevator shafts, floors with protective barriers lower than 1.2 meters, balconies, and roof edges must all be equipped with protective measures.
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Phase 1: Foundation and Underground Engineering
The primary fall risks during foundation construction stem from excavation edges, support structures, temporary scaffolding, and access routes.
The perimeter of the excavation must be cordoned off in accordance with a specialized plan, with protective railings, warning signs, and nighttime lighting installed. When working on support beams or crown beams, an operational platform should be set up as a priority. If collective protection cannot be installed, a lifeline or anchor point confirmed by design must be used.
Scaffolding must be erected according to the plan and inspected before use. The working platform must be securely laid and fixed, with railings, safety nets, and the scaffold structure installed simultaneously. After strong winds, heavy rain, or partial dismantling, the scaffolding must be re-inspected and confirmed safe before resuming work.
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Phase 2: Structural Engineering
The structural phase is a high-incidence period for fall accidents, with frequent cross-operation among rebar, formwork, and concrete crews.
Before tying rebar, walkways or operational platforms must be laid, and stepping on or climbing the rebar frame is strictly prohibited. Ordinary rebar, scaffold crossbars, and temporary piping cannot be used directly as anchor points for safety harnesses; instead, confirmed structural anchor points or lifelines must be used.
Before concrete pouring, the formwork support, access routes, and edge protection must be inspected. The phrase “everyone wearing a safety harness” cannot replace railings, platforms, or safety nets. Formwork removal must be determined based on design requirements and concrete strength, and the blanket rule of “removal at 75% strength” should not be applied uniformly.
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Phase 3: Finishing and Installation Engineering
The focus during the finishing phase is on **protecting edges and openings on the construction site**. Elevator shafts, pipe shafts, stairwells, and floor openings must be covered with fixed plates, protective doors, railings, or safety nets, and temporary loose wooden boards are strictly prohibited.
When performing door, window, curtain wall, or exterior wall work, scaffolding, suspended platforms, or elevated work platforms must be used, along with an independent and reliable fall arrest system. Before dismantling exterior scaffolding, it must be confirmed that permanent railings or alternative protections are in place to prevent the dangerous gap where “old protection has been removed but new protection has not yet been installed.”
Phase 4: Completion and Demolition Engineering
During the completion phase, personnel are dispersed, and subcontractor teams increase, making it easier to overlook risks. The project safety officer must inspect roof edges, stairwells, equipment shafts, and post-pouring strips floor-by-floor and room-by-room, using a checklist system for verification.
Demolition work must clearly define the demolition sequence, temporary supports, warning zones, and material transport routes. When temporarily removing railings or covers, equivalent protection must be installed first, and the original protection must be restored immediately after the work is completed.
Three Key Principles of Fall Protection
1. **Prioritize collective protection measures** such as platforms, railings, covers, and safety nets.
2. **Safety harnesses, connectors, shock absorbers, and anchor points** must form a compatible and complete system.
3. When using fall arrest systems, the clearance below must be calculated in advance, and a rescue plan must be established. EN 363 also emphasizes that safety harnesses, connecting devices, and anchor systems should be configured as an integrated unit.
Enterprises must also implement **safety harness inspections for high-altitude work**: check labels, straps, stitching, metal components, locking functions, and shock absorbers before each use; conduct regular professional **fall protection equipment testing** and maintain records. GB 6095—2021 and GB 23468—2025 (effective from September 1, 2026) specify requirements for the selection, use, and maintenance of safety harnesses and fall protection equipment.
Fclimb is dedicated to helping enterprises establish reliable fall protection safety systems—from professional testing and training to equipment selection—supporting your journey toward inherently safe production.**