Falls are the leading cause of death in construction and one of the most serious hazards across all industries.

Every year, hundreds of workers die and thousands more are seriously injured in preventable fall incidents.

That’s why we’ve created the ultimate fall protection resource of free toolbox talk PDFs covering every aspect of fall hazards, prevention systems, equipment inspection, rescue planning, and compliance requirements.

Each toolbox talk PDF is ready to download, print, or share digitally with your crew. These aren’t surface-level “wear your harness” talks.

Every topic dives deep into specific fall hazards, equipment requirements, inspection procedures, anchor point selection, rescue protocols, and the real-world scenarios where workers get hurt or killed in fall incidents.

Every PDF includes:

• Detailed fall hazard explanation
• OSHA 1926 Subpart M fall protection requirements
• Equipment specifications and proper use
• Inspection procedures and documentation
• Real-world incident examples
• Sign-in sheet for compliance documentation

Which Industries and Companies Are These Toolbox Topics For?

These fall protection toolbox talks are designed for:

Construction Companies – Essential for general contractors, framing crews, concrete workers, and multi-trade projects where fall hazards exist at every phase.

From foundation work and structural steel to roofing and finish work, these talks cover fall protection requirements for every construction activity at height.

Roofing Contractors – Critical for residential and commercial roofing crews who face fall hazards every single day.

Topics address steep slopes, low-slope systems, roof edge protection, skylight covers, and the specific challenges of tear-off, installation, and repair work on various roof types.

Steel Erection and Ironworkers – Specialized content for workers building structural steel, bridges, towers, and high-rise structures.

These talks cover controlled decking zones, connector work, double-tier systems, and the unique fall protection requirements for steel erection under OSHA 1926 Subpart R.

Telecommunications and Tower Workers – Comprehensive coverage for cell tower climbers, antenna installers, and telecom technicians working at extreme heights.

Topics address climbing systems, positioning equipment, rescue planning, and the specific hazards of working on communication structures.

Facility Maintenance and Property Management – Important for maintenance workers accessing roofs, changing lights, cleaning windows, and performing elevated repairs.

Many topics address the challenge of fall protection in existing buildings without permanent anchor points or guardrail systems.

Window Washers and Façade Workers – Specialized content for workers using suspended scaffolds, bosun’s chairs, and rope descent systems.

Topics cover the unique equipment, inspection requirements, and emergency procedures for façade access work.

Utility and Electrical Workers – Essential for linemen, substation workers, and electrical contractors working on poles, towers, and elevated electrical equipment.

These talks address fall protection for energized work and the coordination between electrical safety and fall protection requirements.

Warehouse and Industrial Operations – Critical for workers on mezzanines, elevated platforms, scissor lifts, and aerial work platforms.

Topics cover both permanent fall protection systems and mobile elevated work platform safety requirements.

Painting and Sandblasting Contractors – Valuable for workers on scaffolds, suspended platforms, and swing stages performing surface preparation and coating work at height.

Topics address the specific challenges of fall protection while maneuvering equipment and materials.

HVAC and Mechanical Contractors – Important for technicians accessing rooftop units, installing ductwork at height, and rigging mechanical equipment.

These talks cover ladder safety, roof work, and fall protection during mechanical system installation and maintenance.

Inspection and Testing Services – Perfect for inspectors, engineers, and quality control personnel who occasionally work at heights during building inspections, steel inspections, or equipment testing.

Topics address temporary fall protection for non-routine elevated work.

Tree Care and Arborist Services – Specialized content for workers climbing trees, using bucket trucks, and working from aerial lifts.

Topics cover the unique aspects of arborist fall protection including saddles, lanyards, and emergency descent systems.

These toolbox talks provide the most comprehensive fall protection training content available.

Free Fall Protection Toolbox Talk PDFs

Fall Hazard Recognition and Assessment (8 topics)

1. Identifying Fall Hazards on Construction Sites
2. Fall Hazard Assessment and Job Planning
3. Leading Edge Work Fall Hazards
4. Unprotected Sides and Edges
5. Floor and Roof Openings and Holes
6. Walking-Working Surfaces and Fall Risks
7. Elevated Work Platform Fall Hazards
8. Fall Distance Calculations and Clearance Requirements

OSHA Fall Protection Requirements (6 topics)

9. OSHA Fall Protection Standards Overview (1926 Subpart M)
10. 6-Foot Fall Protection Trigger Height Rule
11. Fall Protection for Residential Construction
12. Steel Erection Fall Protection Requirements (1926 Subpart R)
13. Scaffolding Fall Protection Requirements
14. OSHA Fall Protection Exemptions and Alternatives

Guardrail Systems (5 topics)

15. Guardrail System Requirements and Installation
16. Top Rail, Mid-Rail, and Toe Board Specifications
17. Guardrail Strength and Load Testing
18. Temporary vs. Permanent Guardrail Systems
19. Guardrail Inspection and Maintenance

Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS) (10 topics)

20. Personal Fall Arrest System Components
21. Full-Body Harness Selection and Fit
22. Harness Inspection Before Each Use
23. Lifeline Types: Vertical, Horizontal, and Retractable
24. Self-Retracting Lifeline (SRL) Proper Use
25. Shock-Absorbing Lanyards and Energy Absorbers
26. Snap Hook and Carabiner Requirements
27. Anchorage and Tie-Off Point Requirements
28. Calculating Fall Clearance and Total Fall Distance
29. PFAS Inspection, Maintenance, and Retirement

Ladder Safety and Fall Prevention (7 topics)

30. Extension Ladder Setup and Angle Requirements
31. Ladder Inspection and Pre-Use Checks
32. Three Points of Contact on Ladders
33. Step Ladder Proper Use and Common Mistakes
34. Ladder Tie-Off and Stabilization
35. Ladder Climbing with Tools and Materials
36. When Ladders Aren’t Enough: Alternative Access Methods

Scaffolding Fall Protection (6 topics)

37. Scaffold Fall Protection Requirements by Height
38. Scaffold Guardrail Systems
39. Personal Fall Arrest on Scaffolds
40. Access and Egress from Scaffolds Safely
41. Mobile Scaffold Stability and Fall Prevention
42. Suspended Scaffold Fall Protection

Aerial Lifts and Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (6 topics)

43. Aerial Lift Fall Protection Requirements
44. Scissor Lift Fall Protection and Guardrails
45. Boom Lift Harness and Lanyard Use
46. Aerial Platform Anchor Points
47. Preventing Falls from Aerial Work Platforms
48. Emergency Lowering from Aerial Lifts

Roofing-Specific Fall Protection (8 topics)

49. Low-Slope Roof Fall Protection Options
50. Steep Roof Fall Protection Systems
51. Roof Edge Warning Lines and Safety Monitoring
52. Slide Guards and Roof Brackets
53. Skylight and Roof Opening Protection
54. Valley and Hip Roof Fall Hazards
55. Roof Tear-Off Work Fall Protection
56. Personal Fall Arrest for Residential Roofing

Specialized Fall Protection Systems (6 topics)

57. Safety Net Systems Requirements and Installation
58. Positioning Device Systems for Pole and Tower Work
59. Controlled Access Zones (CAZ) Requirements
60. Travel Restraint Systems vs. Fall Arrest
61. Rope Access and Rope Descent Systems
62. Covers for Floor and Roof Openings

Rescue and Emergency Response (5 topics)

63. Fall Rescue Planning Requirements
64. Self-Rescue Techniques and Devices
65. Suspension Trauma and Rescue Time Limits
66. Rescue Equipment and Procedures
67. Post-Fall Inspection and Investigation

Training and Competent Person Requirements (4 topics)

68. Fall Protection Competent Person Duties
69. Fall Protection Training Requirements
70. Retraining After Falls or Near Misses
71. Documenting Fall Protection Training

Equipment Inspection and Maintenance (4 topics)

72. Daily Pre-Use Equipment Inspections
73. Annual Fall Protection Equipment Certification
74. Identifying Damaged or Worn Equipment
75. Equipment Retirement After Falls

Ready to Go Digital with Your Toolbox Talks?

These free PDF toolbox talks are a great start, but if you’re tired of the paper chase, there’s a better way:

Common pain problems with paper-based fall protection training:

• Printing documents that get lost on job sites
• Chasing down supervisors for signed sheets across multiple elevated work locations
• Spending hours planning fall protection training while managing complex projects
• Zero visibility into whether crews are conducting required discussions before climbing ladders
• No way to verify workers reviewed fall protection before erecting scaffolds or tying off harnesses

Construction companies are eliminating paper-based fall protection toolboxt talks with Safelyio while dramatically improving documentation and worker engagement.

Schedule a quick demo to see how it works for companies with elevated work, or keep using these free PDFs until you’re ready to eliminate the administrative burden for good.