Fall Protection Calculator

Free Tool: Fall Protection Game Plan Calculator

Not sure how to calculate fall clearances or whether fall restraint or fall arrest is best? It can be overwhelming, but let us help guide you in the right direction. Just answer some project questions, and we can make a recommendation.

Three tools in one. Tab 1 picks your system. Tab 2 does the fall clearance math. Tab 3 generates a printable OSHA-compliant Fall Protection Plan you can save as PDF for your project safety file. Built around 29 CFR 1910.140, 1926.502, and ANSI Z359. Free, no signup.

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Fall Protection Game Plan

Pick your system. Run the math. Generate a plan.

1 Fall Restraint or Fall Arrest 2 Calculate Fall Clearance 3 Generate OSHA Safety Plan

⚠ 0 of 4 questions answered

1

What type of work surface? 29 CFR 1926.500

OSHA classifies low-slope as 4:12 or less, steep as anything over 4:12. The classification changes which fall-protection options are allowed. Standing seam metal roofs need non-penetrating clamp anchors.

Standing seam metal roof Flat / low-slope roof (≤4:12) Sloped roof (>4:12 — shingle, tile, metal) Other elevated surface

2

Will the worker need to physically access an unprotected edge? 29 CFR 1926.501

Examples of "yes": gutter installation, parapet flashing, edge skylights, leading-edge work. "No" means the work zone can be set back from any edge.

No — worker stays back from the edge Yes — worker must reach the edge

3

How much vertical clearance is below the work surface? 1926.502(d)(16)

Distance from the walking surface to the next lower level. Determines if arrest is even feasible.

More than 18 ft 12 – 18 ft Less than 12 ft

4

Does the worker stay in one spot, or move along the edge? ANSI Z359.6

Drives whether you need a horizontal lifeline (HLL) or a single-point anchor — and whether the 30° swing fall cone applies.

Fixed location Worker moves along the edge

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1

What connecting device are you using?

Different devices generate different free-fall and deceleration distances.

6 ft shock-absorbing lanyard 12 ft twin-leg lanyard SRL — overhead anchor Leading-edge SRL — foot-level anchor

2

Where is the anchor relative to the worker's D-ring?

Anchor height changes free-fall distance dramatically.

Overhead (above shoulder) At D-ring height At foot level (walking surface)

3

Worker weight (with tools and gear) ANSI Z359.13

Workers between 310 and 420 lb (fully geared) require an extra foot of deceleration distance per 3M / DBI-SALA technical guidance.

Up to 310 lb (standard) 310 – 420 lb (heavy worker)

4

Worker height & safety factor

Defaults are based on industry norms. Adjust if you've got specific values.

Worker height (ft) — default 6

Safety factor (ft) — default 2

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OSHA-Compliant Plan Generator

Pulls your answers from Tab 1 (and Tab 2 if you used it), plus a few job-site details below, and generates a printable Fall Protection Plan structured around 29 CFR 1926.502(k). Save as PDF for your project safety file or print for the site binder. Free, no signup.

1

Project & site details

Project name is required. Other fields populate the plan header.

Project name *required

Site address

Date of work

# Workers on site

2

Specific task description

What work is being performed? Be specific — this helps OSHA evaluate the plan.

Task description *required

3

Competent person 29 CFR 1926.32(f)

The on-site person responsible for fall-protection oversight. OSHA requires one for every project.

Name *required

Phone

4

Anchor specification

Manufacturer and model. Auto-fills SSRA1 if you selected a standing seam roof on Tab 1.

Anchor make & model

5

Emergency contacts

Used in the rescue plan section. 911 is included automatically.

Site emergency contact

Emergency phone

Nearest hospital

6

Qualified Person 29 CFR 1926.502(k)(1)

OSHA requires the plan be prepared by a Qualified Person — someone with engineering credentials or formal fall-protection certification. Different from the on-site Competent Person.

QP name

Credentials / title

7

Designated Rescuer ANSI Z359.2

If you're using fall arrest, a designated rescuer must be on-site, equipped, and trained per ANSI Z359.2. Skip if restraint-only.

Rescuer name

Rescue method / equipment staged

8

Authorized Persons Roster 29 CFR 1926.502(k)(5)

OSHA requires the plan to identify each worker designated to work in the controlled access zone. List one per line — name and role.

Workers authorized for this work zone (one per line)

9

Weather stop-work thresholds

Defaults are industry-standard. Adjust to your company policy.

Wind stop-work

Temperature limits

Precipitation / lightning

10

Plan revision note (optional)

Brief description of changes vs. previous plan version. Used in the revision history table at the end of the plan.

Revision note

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FALL PROTECTION DISTRIBUTORS, LLC Standing Seam Roof Anchor experts

© 2026 Fall Protection Distributors, LLC
Built around OSHA 1910.140, 1926.502, ANSI Z359
standingseamroofanchor.com

This tool is a planning aid based on OSHA 29 CFR 1910.140, 29 CFR 1926.502, and ANSI Z359 standards. It does not replace a site-specific fall protection plan reviewed by a qualified person. Always verify equipment manufacturer specifications.

How to Use This Tool

1. Tab 1 — Pick System. Answer four questions about your work surface, edge access, vertical clearance below, and worker mobility. The tool returns one of: Fall Restraint, Fall Arrest, or "Stop and re-engineer" (when arrest is infeasible). Surface-specific anchor recommendations appear in the result, including SSRA1 compatibility, RidgePro for steep slopes, and Class 2 SRL warnings for sharp metal edges.
2. Tab 2 — Clearance Calculator. Pick your connecting device (lanyard or SRL), anchor position, and worker weight class. The tool computes total fall clearance using the standard formula: Free Fall Distance + Deceleration Distance + Harness Stretch + D-Ring Slide-up + Safety Factor. Results include warnings for unsafe configurations.
3. Tab 3 — Generate Plan. Add project details (project name, site address, competent person, qualified person, designated rescuer, authorized workers, weather thresholds), and the tool generates a 14-section printable OSHA-compliant Fall Protection Plan. Includes inspection checklists, training certification log, incident investigation procedures, and revision history.

OSHA & ANSI Standards This Tool References

• 29 CFR 1926.502 — Fall protection systems criteria and practices (construction).
• 29 CFR 1910.140 — Personal fall protection systems (general industry).
• 29 CFR 1926.501 — Duty to have fall protection.
• 29 CFR 1926.503 — Training requirements with written certification record.
• OSHA Standard Interpretation 1995-11-02 — Fall restraint anchor strength (3,000 lb / 2× expected force).
• ANSI Z359.2 — Comprehensive Managed Fall Protection Program.
• ANSI Z359.6 — Active fall protection systems (HLLs).
• ANSI Z359.11, 12, 13, 14 — Body wear, connectors, lanyards, and SRLs (including Class 2 leading-edge ratings).

About This Tool

This calculator was built by Fall Protection Distributors, LLC, a U.S.-based manufacturer and distributor of standing seam roof anchor systems. We have been engineering and supplying fall protection equipment for the standing-seam metal roofing industry since the early 2000s, and our flagship product is the SSRA1 non-penetrating standing-seam roof anchor, which fits more than 95% of 22- and 24-gauge steel standing-seam profiles.

The calculator's logic was developed through a review of:

• OSHA federal construction standards (29 CFR Subpart M, Subpart R)
• OSHA general industry standards (29 CFR Subpart D, Subpart I)
• OSHA Standard Interpretation letters (notably 1995-11-02 on fall restraint)
• The full ANSI Z359 family of fall protection standards
• 3M / DBI-SALA technical guidance on fall clearance and worker weight
• Manufacturer specifications from leading PFAS equipment makers

Disclaimer: This tool is a planning aid based on the inputs you provide. It does not replace a site-specific fall protection plan reviewed by a qualified person, nor does it certify any specific equipment or installation. Always verify equipment manufacturer specifications and consult with a competent fall protection professional for site-specific decisions. Fall Protection Distributors, LLC is not liable for use of this tool as a substitute for engineering judgment.