A fall protection audit is a top-to-bottom review of rooftop hazards, guardrail systems, access points, written plans, and OSHA-required inspections. As companies close out 2025, audits play a critical role in staying compliant and avoiding early 2026 citations.
This year brought severe weather, increased OSHA enforcement, and shifting jobsite demands, and EDGE Fall Protection was there to protect workers at scale.
In 2025, our team traveled the miles, worked the heights, expanded our space, and built protection where it mattered most. From major national brands to local contractors and universities, EDGE partnered with companies across the U.S. to reduce risk and, strengthen safety programs.
This review highlights the patterns we saw during OSHA inspections, the work we completed across states and industries, and how our related educational content guided employers through the year.
Safety Audit: What Employers Need to Review Before 2026
A year-end fall protection audit helps employers catch hazards before they appear in an OSHA inspection. Key areas include:
- Guardrail coverage around roof perimeters
- Protection for skylights, hatches, and roof openings
- Safe ladder and access-point conditions
- Anchor point condition and spacing
- Updated written fall protection plans
- Annual inspection documentation
These areas repeatedly appeared during our 2025 site visits in more than 100 cities and across 25 states.
Learn more about staying compliant with OSHA and ANSI Standards here: Fall Protection Safety Inspection Checklist
How OSHA Enforcement Trends Shaped 2025
Fall protection remained OSHA’s number one cited violation in 2025. The most common hazards we identified included:
- Unprotected roof edges and equipment zones
- Unsafe or outdated access points
- Missing written programs
- Weak severe weather and emergency planning
- Air quality hazards impacting outdoor workers
From rooftop sites to industrial facilities, EDGE responded with audits, installations, and guidance grounded in OSHA and ANSI standards.
EDGE Fall Protection Projects That Defined 2025
This year marked some of our most impactful safety installations to date. With clients like Amazon, Anheuser Busch, Rolls Royce, PepsiCo, GSK, Cargill, Nucor Steel, and the Department of Veteran Affairs, EDGE provided fall protection that helped keep thousands of employees safe.
1. Rooftop Guardrail and Access Protection
We delivered:
- 100,000+ feet of guardrail installed
- Mobile 360 Guardrail Systems across high-hazard zones
- HatchGuard systems designed for safer rooftop access
- Custom perimeter protection for diverse roof types
- Final spacing verification to match OSHA/ANSI requirements
Our crews worked sunrises, sunsets, and everything in between—with more than 75 sky shifts building safer workplaces.
2. Growth That Strengthened Our Service
In 2025 we also:
- Added 8 new team members
- Expanded our space by 7,000 sq. ft.
- Invested in new equipment for faster, more precise installation
- Enhanced project logistics to support 40+ service markets
These improvements supported employers preparing for stricter inspections expected in 2026.
Key OSHA and Worker Safety Topics EDGE Addressed in 2025
This year’s educational resources helped guide employers through OSHA expectations and weather-related worker safety on these important topics:
Severe Weather and Natural Disaster Preparedness
Our guide on Worker Safety in Severe Weather and Natural Disasters breaks down OSHA severe weather guidelines and what employers need to include in an emergency preparedness plan.
Hurricane Preparedness for Businesses
Our blog on hurricane preparedness for businesses helped companies navigate:
- Hurricane preparedness business plan templates
- OSHA hurricane preparedness requirements
- Employer responsibilities before, during, and after storms
Lightning Safety Tips for Workers
Our OSHA lightning standards article explained lightning distance parameters, worker responsibilities, and what to include in a lightning safety plan.
Top Fall Protection Audit Items Employers Corrected in 2025
Across hundreds of assessments, we identified consistent gaps for employers to correct before OSHA inspections:
1. Outdated Written Fall Protection Plans
Many employers updated their documentation to align with OSHA 1910 and 1926 standards.
2. Missing or Insufficient Guardrails
Skylights, AC units, and roof perimeters remained high-risk areas requiring immediate protection.
3. Lack of Documented Annual Inspections
Ladders, anchors, hatches, and equipment zones often lacked current inspection records.
4. Limited Emergency Weather Planning
Audits frequently revealed missing plans for:
- Hurricanes
- Lightning
- Severe storms
- Smoke and air quality events
Planning for 2026: Strengthen Compliance Before Q1
Now is the ideal time to evaluate rooftop conditions, update safety documentation, complete a fall protection audit, and correct any remaining hazards before OSHA’s 2026 inspection cycle accelerates.
Schedule Your 2026 Fall Protection Assessment
EDGE Fall Protection supports companies nationwide with:
- On-site fall protection audits
- OSHA/ANSI-compliant guardrail installations
- Hatch, ladder, and skylight fall protection solutions
- Updates to written safety programs
- Severe weather planning support
Start 2026 ahead of OSHA compliance requirements.
Request your year-end assessment today.