Hierarchy of fall protection
Contents |
[edit] Introducing the hierarchy
Indication is that Herbert William Heinrich proposed the first hierarchy for the management of occupational safety, hazard control and prevention in general, Heinrich's pyramid. His theory of industrial accident prevention was first proposed in 1931 and propoeses that for every accident that results in a major injury, there are 29 accidents that result in minor injuries and 300 accidents that result in no injuries. The pyramid itself can be sourced at the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health dated 2014.
The Hierarchy of Controls (for fall protection) was established by the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and is also referred to by the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in its decription of working at height at the hierarchy of controls – avoid, prevent, arrest. Indication is that the Hierarchy of fall protection was introduced by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) also referred to as ANSI-Z359.
This diagram was published by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to describe the hierarchy and is was published by the OSHA in their guidance on identifying hazard control options.
The guidance goes on to describe examples at each of the section of the hierarchy:
[edit] Elimination
Elimination makes sure the hazard no longer exists. Examples:
- Ending the use of a hazardous material
- Doing work at ground level rather than at heights
- Stopping the use of noisy processes
[edit] Substitution
Substitution means changing out a material or process to reduce the hazard. Examples:
- Switching to a less hazardous material
- Switching to a process that uses less force, speed, temperature, or electrical current
[edit] Engineering Controls
Engineering controls reduce exposure by preventing hazards from coming into
contact with workers. They still allow workers to do their jobs, though. Examples:
• Interlocks
Featured articles and news
A now architectural practice looks back at its concept project for a sustainable oceanic settlement 25 years on.
Copyright and Artificial Intelligence
Government report and back track on copyright opt out for AI training but no clear preferred alternative as yet.
Embedding AI tools into architectural education
Beyond the render: LMU share how student led research is shaping the future of visualisation workflows.
Why document control still fails UK construction projects
A Chartered Quantity Surveyor explains what needs to change and how.
Inspiration for a new 2026 wave of Irish construction professionals.
New planning reforms and Warm Homes Bill
Take centre stage at UK Construction Week London.
A brief run down of changes intentions from April in an onwards.
Reslating an ancient water mill
A rare opportunity to record, study and repair early vernacular roofs.
CIOB Apprentice of the Year 2025/26
Construction apprentice from Lincoln Mia Owen wins this years title.
Insulation solutions with less waste for a circular economy
Rob Firman, Technical and Specification Manager, Polyfoam XPS explains.
Recycled waste plastic in construction
Hierarchy, prevention to disposal, plastic types and approaches.
UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard V1 published
Free-to-access technical standard to enable robust proof of a decarbonising built environment.
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
Why talking about prostate cancer matters in construction.
The Architectural Technology podcast: Where it's AT
Catch up for free, subscribe and share with your network.
The Association of Consultant Architects recap
A reintroduction and recap of ACA President; Patrick Inglis' Autumn update.
The Home Energy Model and its wrappers
From SAP to HEM, EPC for MEES and FHS assessment wrappers.
Future Homes Standard Essentials launched
Future Homes Hub launches new campaign to help sector prepare for the implementation of new building standards.
Building Safety recap February, 2026
Our regular run-down of key building safety related events of the month.