Abstract: A method for detecting a fall of a worker attached to an anchor device includes steps for: a) measuring an orientation of a worker, using an orientation sensor with six axes on board a fall detection apparatus secured to the worker; b) calculating statistical properties representative of the measured orientation; and c) comparing statistical properties of reference values, a fall being considered to be detected only if the statistical properties correspond to the reference values according to predefined criteria, the comparison being done using an automatic classifier.