Brooke Smith Safety Manager View Bio

FALLS ARE THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IN CONSTRUCTION.

Fatalities caused by falls from elevation continue to be a leading cause of death for construction employees, accounting for 395 of the 1069 construction fatalities recorded in 2022 (BLS data). Those deaths were preventable.

The National Safety Stand-Down raises fall hazard awareness across the country in an effort to stop fall fatalities and injuries.

Since 2012, OSHA has partnered with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) – Construction Sector on the Fall Prevention Campaign to raise awareness among workers and employers about common fall hazards in construction, and how falls from ladders, scaffolds and roofs can be prevented.

During National Safety Stand-Down consider reviewing your fall prevention program:

  1. What types of falls could happen:
  • Falls from ladders
  • Falls from a roof
  • Falls from a scaffold
  • Falls down stairs
  • Falls from a structural steel
  • Falls through a floor or roof opening
  • Falls through a fragile roof surface
  1. What needs improvement?Is your program meeting its goals? Are you experiencing fatalities, injuries, or near misses? Are employees aware of the company’s fall protection procedures?
  2. What training have you provided to your employees?Does it need revision?
  3. What equipment have you provided to your employees?Is better equipment available?

PLAN ahead to get the job done safely

When working from heights, employers must plan projects to ensure that the job is done safely. Begin by deciding how the job will be done, what tasks will be involved, and what safety equipment may be needed to complete each task.

When estimating the cost of a job, employers should include safety equipment, and plan to have all the necessary equipment and tools available at the construction site.
For example, in a roofing job, think about all of the different fall hazards, such as holes or skylights and leading edges, then plan and select fall protection suitable to that work, such as personal fall arrest systems (PFAS).

PROVIDE the right equipment

Workers who are six feet or more above lower levels are at risk for serious injury or death if they should fall. To protect these workers, employers must provide fall protection and the right equipment for the job, including the right kinds of ladders, scaffolds, and safety gear.

Use the right ladder or scaffold to get the job done safely. For roof work, if workers use personal fall arrest systems (PFAS), provide a harness for each worker who needs to tie off to the anchor. Make sure the PFAS fits, and regularly inspect it for safe use.

TRAIN everyone to use the equipment safely

Every worker should be trained on proper set-up and safe use of equipment they use on the job. Employers must train workers in recognizing hazards on the job.

At Lawley, we take a very proactive approach to risk management. Our team of professionals is skilled in finance, management and engineering so you can access comprehensive tools to manage your risk.