Background

Falls from heights are a leading cause of work-related injuries and fatalities. The Navy continues to experience serious fall related mishaps, which lead to reduced readiness and productivity, as well as high medical and compensation costs resulting from these mishaps.

Mishaps involving falls are generally complex events frequently involving a variety of factors. Consequently, requirements for fall protection involve both work procedures and equipment-related issues in order to protect workers from recognized hazards.

The Navy requires activities to protect its personnel from recognized hazards.  There is much more to workplace safety than a Navy activity representative arriving at a work site with a copy of the pertinent standards in hand. Navy activities have a duty to anticipate the need to work at heights and to plan their work activities accordingly – this means that effective mishap prevention must be incorporated into the job planning process. Falls are preventable. Careful planning and preparation lay the necessary groundwork for an accident-free workplace.

Basic Program Requirements

Each Navy activity, which has personnel exposed to fall hazards, is required to establish a managed fall protection program. The managed fall protection program shall be in writing and approved by the activity’s safety office. As an alternative to this requirement, a Navy shore activity, in lieu of a separate written program with safety office review and approval, may state in writing that it is using 13-2 the Department of the Navy-Fall Protection Guide for Ashore Facilities, reference 13-1, as their fall protection program. A managed fall protection program includes:

• Activity Policy
• Duties and Responsibilities
• Workplace Surveys and Assessment of Fall Hazards
• Fall-Hazard Prevention and Control, Including the Preparation of Fall Protection and Prevention Plans (see reference 13-1)
• Training
• Inspection, Storage, Care, and Maintenance of Fall Protection Equipment
• Rescue Procedures
• Audits and Evaluation

Specifics of the NSA Monterey / NPS Program

PW Monterey Safety Office (x2475) is the lead agency locally that controls this program.  In most instances contractor personnel are fulfilling contract requirements by removing or installing an item on the outside of a building.  The NSA Monterey Safety office (x2822) is called to request assistance by on lookers who suspect an Unsafe/Unhealthful Working Condition.  In rare instances a department or School will plan to work on a roof or perform an experiment where personnel will be exposed to fall hazards, is required to establish a managed fall protection program. The managed fall protection program shall be in writing and approved by the activity’s safety office.  There is an alternative to this requirement, in lieu of a separate written program with safety office review and approval, may state in writing that it is using 13-2 the Department of the Navy-Fall Protection Guide for Ashore Facilities, reference 13-1, as their fall protection program.