Swing Fall Hazards
A worker is shown suspended in a full-body harness after experiencing a fall.
Date Posted: 05/30/2024
A swing fall is a pendulum-like motion that occurs when a worker moves horizontally away from their anchor point and then falls. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) defines “swing fall” as the following: “The swing fall hazard is created by the pendulum effect, which can swing a fallen worker into a nearby surface, such as a wall or protruding beam. Therefore, in addition to calculating the total fall clearance distance before beginning work on an elevated level, it is important to evaluate the swing fall hazard at the edges where a worker might fall.”
Why do Swing Falls Occur?
Swing falls occur when the anchor point is not directly above where the fall occurs. The downward force of gravity combined with the side-to-side force of the fall arresting system can create a dangerous swinging motion that can cause a falling worker without proper clearance to strike surrounding objects or obstructions with enough force to cause serious injury or death potentially. Installing the anchorage point directly above the work area (i.e., connected to an overhead attachment point with sufficient strength) will help prevent injury.
Swing falls significantly increase fall arrest distance. This can be problematic with anchorages that are 15 feet or lower because when calculating fall clearance, you will need additional safety factors. You should start by attempting to eliminate the hazard or bring the hazard to ground level, move to work in fall restraint, or if not possible, work in fall arrest, and seek out options that can reduce or eliminate swing falls. Swing falls are hazardous because you can hit an object or a lower level during the pendulum motion.
How to Protect Against Swing Fall Hazards?
Evaluate anchor point locations and try to work below the anchorage to avoid a swing fall.
The farther you move away from the anchorage, the farther you will fall and the greater your risk of swinging back into an object.
Remember that:
Fall distances can increase during a swing fall.
The impact force from a swing fall can be the same as it would be for a vertical fall with the same elevation change.
During a swing fall, workers can strike objects or lower levels before an arrest system can stop their fall.
Resources
Unified Fall Protection Basics for Construction Activities (wa.gov)
Unified Safety Standards for Fall Protection Chapter 296-880 WAC
OSHA Technical Manual (OTM) - Section V: Chapter 4 | Swing Fall
OSHA's Fall Prevention Campaign | Occupational Safety and Health Administration
