Abstract: A safety stanchion for supporting a safety cable includes a tapered tubular post having a lower end for attachment to a support base at an oblique angle and an upper end for supporting the safety cable. The post preferably has a wall thickness of less than 0.125 inches, is frustoconically shaped and is made out of an energy absorbing, elastic-like steel such as A595 grade steel which in cooperation with the post's wall thickness and tapered, preferably frustoconical, shape is believed to render the post capable of in elastically deforming before it fails. A unique base or base assembly for mounting a stanchion upon a structural member such as an I beam, H beam or other structural beam having flange portions is also provided.