What Does Fall Protection PPE Include? You Should Be Wearing

Here’s what mostpeople ask: What Does Fall Protection PPE Include?

Let’s be real for a second: A lot of people think fall protection PPE just means “put on a harness and you’re good.”

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard:
“Boss, I got my harness on!”
Then they turn around and they’re clipped into a piece of rebar that would snap faster than a cheap phone charger.

Or worse… there’s no lanyard. No anchor. No plan.
Just the harness—like it’s some kind of magic vest that stops gravity on command.

So let’s clear things up. Fall protection PPE is more than a harness. It’s a system, and every part has a job. And when one part is missing? That’s when things go from “I’m working” to “I’m falling” real quick.

Let me walk you through everything that counts as fall protection PPE—explained the way someone on a real jobsite would explain it, not a textbook.

PPE Component	Primary Purpose	Example Situations	Notes
Full-Body Harness	Distributes fall forces across the body	Roof work, lift operation, tower climbing	Must fit properly; inspect before use
Shock-Absorbing Lanyard	Reduces fall force	General construction, elevated platforms	Requires clearance distance
Restraint Lanyard	Prevents reaching the fall hazard	Roof restraint line	Not for fall arrest
Self-Retracting Lifeline (SRL)	Locks quickly to stop a fall	Scissor lifts, boom lifts, catwalks	Good where clearance is limited
Anchor Point	Provides secure tie-off	Roof anchors, beam clamps	Must be engineered for fall arrest
Carabiners/Snap Hooks	Connect components	Connecting lanyard to harness	Locking mechanism must function
Positioning Device	Holds worker in place	Rebar work, ladder work	Not fall arrest unless combined with harness
Hard Hat	Protects head from impact	All elevated work	Chin strap recommended
Gloves	Improves grip	Ladders, railings, climbing	Reduces slips and drops
Safety Footwear	Prevents slips	Wet, oily, dusty surfaces	Non-slip soles preferred
Rescue Equipment	For post-fall recovery	Any fall arrest system	Required to avoid suspension trauma

Required vs Optional PPE for Fall Protection

When you’re working at heights, not every piece of gear has the same level of importance—but some items are absolutely non-negotiable.

There’s the stuff you must wear because your life literally depends on it, and then there’s the gear that’s not technically required but makes the job a whole lot safer and a whole lot easier.

A lot of new workers get confused here, especially when they see different crews using different setups. So let’s break it down in plain language: what PPE is mandatory, what’s optional, and which “optional” items you really shouldn’t skip.

PPE Item	Required for Fall Arrest	Required for Restraint	Required for Positioning	Optional
Full-Body Harness	✔	✔	✔ (with belt)	✘
Shock-Absorbing Lanyard	✔	✘	✘	✘
Restraint Lanyard	✘	✔	✘	✘
SRL	✔	✘	✘	✘
Anchor Point	✔	✔	✔	✘
Helmet	✔ (best practice)	✔	✔	✘
Gloves	✘	✘	✘	✔ Recommended
Footwear	✔	✔	✔	✘
Rescue Equipment	✔	✘	✘	✘

PPE That Is Fall Protection vs PPE That People Wrongly Assume Is

Not all safety gear counts as fall protection—and that’s where a lot of workers get confused. A harness, lanyard, and proper anchor point?

Yes, that’s fall protection. Hard hat, safety vest, steel-toe boots? Helpful, but they won’t stop a fall. Many workers show up thinking their general PPE is enough, only to find out it does nothing to keep them from hitting the ground.

Knowing the difference is key—not just for compliance, but for staying alive when you’re working at height.

Actual Fall Protection PPE	Not Fall Protection PPE (Common Mistakes)
Harness	Safety vest
Lanyard (shock or restraint)	Tool lanyards
SRL	Regular belts
Anchor points	Clip-on badge holders
Connectors	Clothing straps
Positioning belts	Straps from bags/backpacks
Rescue devices	Non-rated ropes

PPE You Need Before Working at Heights

Before you even step onto a ladder, platform, lift, or roof edge, there’s a short list of gear you absolutely need to have on you.

And no, it’s not just the harness. Working at heights is one of those things where the smallest mistake can turn into a big problem fast, so your PPE has to be complete, fitted, and ready before you leave the ground.

Think of this section as your quick “pre-flight check” — the essentials that make sure you go up safely and come back down the same way.

PPE Item	Required?	Why It’s Needed	Quick Inspection Points
Full-Body Harness	✔ Always	Keeps you upright, distributes force	Cuts, burns, corrosion, frays
Lanyard or SRL	✔ Always	Stops the fall	Shock pack intact, connectors working
Anchor Point	✔ Always	Holds system together	Rated anchor, no damage
Connectors	✔ Always	Secure attachments	Locks properly, no rust
Positioning Device	Depends	Hands-free work	No cuts, working rope grab
Hard Hat	✔ Always	Head protection during fall	Shell damage, chin strap
Gloves	Optional but recommended	Better grip	Tears, grip pads intact
Slip-Resistant Footwear	✔ Always	Prevents slips	Sole wear, oil resistance
Rescue Plan/Device	✔ Required for arrest systems	Post-fall survival	Accessible, workers trained

Daily Inspection Requirements for Each PPE Component

Before you strap into any fall protection gear, there’s one habit you can’t skip: the daily inspection. Every harness, lanyard, anchor point, and connector has to be checked before you ever leave the ground. Why?

Because even small damage—like a frayed stitch, a cracked snap hook, or a stretched webbing—can turn a normal workday into a life-changing accident.

A quick, consistent inspection makes sure each piece of PPE is ready to do its job: protect you when it matters most.

PPE Item	What to Check Daily	Why It Matters
Harness	Webbing, D-rings, stitching, buckles	Prevents failure during fall
Lanyard	Shock pack, webbing, connectors	Ensures fall force is controlled
SRL	Cable frays, lock-up function, housing	Must activate instantly
Anchor	Structure integrity, ratings	Keeps the entire system secure
Connectors	Gate action, rust, deformities	Failure point if damaged
Positioning Straps	Cuts, glazing, rope grab function	Worker stability
Helmet	Cracks, suspension, chin strap	Protects from impact
Gloves	Grip texture, holes	Prevents slips
Footwear	Tread wear	Avoids slipping
Rescue Gear	Accessibility, condition	Needed immediately after a fall

Common Mistakes I Still See (Even From Experienced Workers)

Let me vent for a second, because these mistakes happen daily:

1. Not inspecting gear

People grab whatever’s on the rack and go.

2. Wearing a harness that doesn’t fit

If the leg straps are swinging like curtains, it’s not fitted.

3. Clipping to the wrong anchor point

Just because something is metal doesn’t mean it’s safe.

4. Destroyed or burnt lanyards

Welding and fall protection don’t mix unless the gear is rated for it.

5. Using fall restraint gear for fall arrest

A restraint lanyard will NOT absorb a fall.

6. “It’s only a quick job”

This sentence has sent more workers to the hospital than any technical failure.

Final Thoughts: Fall Protection PPE Isn’t Complicated Once You Understand It

At the end of the day, fall protection PPE is simple:

It’s anything that keeps you from hitting the ground—and anything that protects you if you do fall.

When you look at it that way, it becomes clearer:

• The harness keeps you upright
• The lanyard or SRL stops the fall
• The anchor holds everything together
• Connectors tie the system into one piece
• Rescue gear helps you afterward
• Head/hand/foot PPE help prevent secondary injury

Once you see fall protection PPE as a system, not random pieces of gear, it all makes sense.

And trust me—once you’ve seen what happens when people use the wrong gear (or none at all)… you’ll never skip your PPE again.