FactSheet

Risks While Installing Floor Joists 

and Decking

Floor joists are typically set directly over foundation 

walls or framed walls. If workers stand on the joists 

or walls without fall protection, they can fall through 

to lower levels. Fall hazards are likely to be present 

if the structure being built has multiple stories. The 

use of effective fall protection can prevent a serious 

fall.

The employer must provide a training program 

for each worker who might be exposed to fall 

hazards. The program must enable each worker to 

recognize fall hazards and train each worker in the 

procedures to follow to minimize these hazards. For 

fall protection training requirements, refer to 29 CFR 

1926.503. In all cases, employers must evaluate the 

hazards and take steps to reduce the risk of falls.

Reducing Risks:

Planning

Planning for the use of fall protection equipment can 

help employers protect workers from falls. Before 

beginning the job, identify fall protection needs. 

Once appropriate fall protection systems have been 

identified, have those systems in place before the 

workers report to the job.

Using the Right Equipment

Employers generally must ensure that workers 

use fall protection meeting OSHA requirements 

whenever they work 6 feet or more above a lower 

level (29 CFR 1926.501(b)(13)). There are guardrail 

systems and personal fall arrest systems available 

that can provide workers the flexibility they need 

during floor joist and decking installation. Some 

systems are more efficient than others because, in 

many cases, the employer can use the same system 

for both tasks. Employers may also choose to use 

Reducing Falls during Residential 

Construction: Floor Joist Installation 

and Decking

Installing floor joists and decking can be a dangerous task if precautions are not taken 

to prevent falls. It is important to protect workers engaged in “leading edge” work to 

ensure that they do not fall through openings to lower levels. This fact sheet highlights 

some of the risks associated with installing floor joists and decking, and details various 

methods that employers can use to protect workers performing these tasks. The fall 

protection methods in this fact sheet may not be suitable in all situations. Employers 

are responsible for ensuring compliance with applicable OSHA requirements.

scaffolds or ladders for floor joist installation and 

decking.

Note: OSHA’s fall protection requirements for 

residential construction work performed on scaffolds 

and ladders are specified in Subpart L and Subpart X, 

respectively, not in 29 CFR 1926.501(b)(13).

Scaffolds

Scaffolds, erected on the inside or outside of the 

house, can be used while workers install floor 

joists. Engineered bracket scaffold systems and 

job-built scaffold systems can provide workers 

with stable work platforms when they install floor 

joists and possibly while they attach some of the 

decking. These types of scaffolds can be adjusted 

to a comfortable work height. Always follow the 

manufacturer’s instructions or consult a qualified 

person to ensure that scaffold systems are used 

safely. Employers must ensure that employees on 

scaffold systems 10 feet or more above a lower level 

are protected from falls.

Mobile scaffolds can be an effective method for 

lifting workers up while providing protection from 

falls. For work on the first floor of a residence, 
mobile scaffolds can be placed on the cured concrete 

basement floor. From the elevated platforms, 

workers can install primary beams and floor joists, 

and they may also be able to tack some of the 

decking into place. For complete requirements for 

scaffolds, refer to 29 CFR 1926 Subpart L - Scaffolds.

Ladders (A-frame and platform)

Workers can use A-frame and platform ladders to 

install floor joists and decking. Platform ladders 

can provide workers a stable work base and give 

them more flexibility while maneuvering and 

positioning floor joists into place. Always follow the 

manufacturer’s instructions about the safe use of, 

and load limits for, ladders. For requirements for 

ladders, refer to 29 CFR 1926 Subpart X – Stairways 

and Ladders.

Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS)

Once the first row of subfloor has been secured, 

a PFAS can be used. Strap anchors and specially 

made leading edge retractable lifeline systems are 

options to consider.

Personal Fall Arrest System

A PFAS is designed to safely stop a fall before the 

worker strikes a lower level. The system includes 

three major components: 

A. An anchorage to which the other components 

of the PFAS are rigged.

B. A full body harness worn by the worker.

C. A connector, such as a lanyard or lifeline, 

linking the harness to the anchorage. A 

rip-stitch lanyard, or deceleration device, is 

typically a part of the system.

For more information on the requirements for a 

PFAS, refer to 29 CFR 1926.502(d).

Remember that workers must use full-body 

harnesses in fall arrest systems. Body belts can 

cause serious injury during a fall, and OSHA 

prohibits their use as part of fall arrest systems. 

Attaching Anchors

OSHA requires that anchors for a PFAS either be 

able to hold at least 5,000 pounds per worker or 

maintain a safety factor of at least two (twice the 

impact load) and be used under the supervision of a 

qualified person. Always follow the manufacturer’s 

instructions or consult a qualified person when 

installing anchors to ensure that they are strong 

enough to hold the sudden weight of a falling 

worker. There are anchorages available on the 

market that can meet OSHA’s strength requirements 

if they are installed in accord with the manufacturer’s 

instructions, with the right number of properly-sized 

nails or screws.

Fall Restraint

Fall restraint systems prevent falls by keeping 

the worker from reaching a fall hazard. While fall 

restraint systems are not mentioned in OSHA’s fall 

protection rules, OSHA will accept a properly used 

fall restraint system in place of a personal fall arrest 

system when the restraint system is rigged so that 

the worker cannot get to the fall hazard. In effect, 

(if properly used) the system tethers a worker in a 

manner that will not allow a fall of any distance. A 

fall restraint system is comprised of a body belt or 

body harness, an anchorage, connectors, and other 

necessary equipment. Other components typically 

include a lanyard, and may also include a lifeline 

and other devices. Note: A self-retracting lanyard 

is not appropriate for a fall restraint system unless 

the worker cannot reach the fall hazard when the 

lanyard is fully extended.

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions 

or consult a qualified person to ensure proper 

installation of anchor points. OSHA recommends 

that fall restraint systems have the capacity to 

withstand 3,000 pounds of force or twice the 

maximum expected force that is needed to restrain 

the worker from exposure to the fall hazard. 
As a result, fall restraint may be a viable way to 

provide fall protection in situations in which the 

employer has concerns about the adequacy of 

available anchorage points for fall arrest equipment.

Guardrails

Guardrails can be used to protect workers from 

falling through walls, floor openings or window 

openings that are 6 feet or higher above a lower 

level. During multi-story construction, many 

employers provide fall protection by installing 

guardrails to exterior wall sections prior to erecting 

them into place. This ensures perimeter protection 

before workers begin activities on each floor. Placing 

joists and adding subfloors can be accomplished 

while workers are protected from falls.

Written Fall Protection Plans

When working at heights of 6 feet or greater, if the 

employer does not use ladders, scaffolds, aerial lifts 

or fall restraint systems and can demonstrate that 

it is not feasible or would create a greater hazard 

to use conventional fall protection equipment 

(guardrails, safety nets or a PFAS), the employer 

must develop a written site-specific fall protection 

plan in accord with 29 CFR 1926.502(k). The plan 

must be prepared by a qualified person. This person 

could be the owner, the supervisor, or any other 

worker who has extensive knowledge, training and 

experience with fall protection and is able to solve 

problems relating to fall protection. 

The site-specific fall protection plan must document, 

for each location, why the use of conventional fall 

protection equipment is not feasible or will create 

a greater hazard. The plan must also describe the 

alternative methods that the employer will use so 

that workers are protected from falls. Workers and 

their supervisors must be trained on the proper use 

of those other fall protection methods.

OSHA Standard: 

29 CFR 1926 Subpart M – Fall Protection

Available online at: 

www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_ 

document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=10922.

OSHA Residential Fall Protection Web Page: 

www.osha.gov/doc/topics/residentialprotection/

index.html.

OSHA Compliance Guidance:

Compliance Guidance for Residential Construction 

– STD 03-11-002 (dated 12/16/2010)

Available online at: 

www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_

document?p_table=DIRECTIVES&p_id=4755.

State Plan Guidance: Twenty-seven states or 

territories currently operate their own OSHAapproved state plans. State plan workplace 

health and safety standards must be at least as 

effective as comparable Federal OSHA standards. 

State plans have the option of promulgating 

more stringent standards and, therefore, may 

have additional requirements for residential 

construction. For more information on state plans 

and their requirements, please visit: 

www.osha.gov/dcsp/osp/statestandards.html. 

Help for Employers: OSHA’s On-site Consultation 

Program offers free and confidential advice to small 

and medium-sized businesses in all states across 

the country, with priority given to high-hazard 

worksites. On-site consultation services are separate 

from enforcement and do not result in penalties 

or citations. Consultants from state agencies 

or universities work with employers to identify 

workplace hazards, provide advice on compliance 

with OSHA standards, and assist in establishing 

safety and health management programs. To 

locate the OSHA Consultation Program nearest 

you, call 1-800-321-OSHA (6742) or visit: 

www.osha.gov/dcsp/smallbusiness/consult.html.

Almost every OSHA area office has a compliance 

assistance specialist to assist employers in 

complying with OSHA standards. To find the 

compliance assistance specialist nearest you, 

call 1-800-321-OSHA (6742) or visit: 

www.osha.gov/html/RAmap.html.

This is one in a series of informational fact sheets highlighting OSHA programs, policies or 

standards. It does not impose any new compliance requirements. For a comprehensive list of 

compliance requirements of OSHA standards or regulations, refer to Title 29 of the Code of Federal 

Regulations. This information will be made available to sensory-impaired individuals upon request. 

The voice phone is (202) 693-1999; teletypewriter (TTY) number: (877) 889-5627.

DOC FS-3555 05/2012