The construction industry is among one of the most dangerous industries. Employers and project managers should make employee safety a top priority. One way to protect employees is to keep falls to a minimum.
According to OSHA, fall protection is a necessity to prevent injuries and death.
How do falls affect the construction industry?
In the construction industry, falls are among the most common causes of injuries and even work-related deaths. There are various ways a person can fall on a construction site. Some of these ways include:
- Falling from an overhead platform
- Falling from an elevated workstation
- Falling into holes in the floor
The employer has a responsibility to limit the risk of any of the common factors behind a fall.
How can employers protect workers against falls?
Guard rails are critical on platforms, runways and floors. Likewise, if there are holes in the floor, there should be railings and toeboards to help workers across it. Otherwise, employers need to cover the hole. While height is an important contributor to injuries, it is not the only one. Employees may fall into dangerous machines, vats of chemicals or onto conveyor belts.
Other types of fall protection may include safety nets, railings and safety harnesses. All employers should ensure that there are no dangers on the construction site. He or she should make sure all work areas stay clean and dry to avoid slips and falls. Likewise, there should be no cost to workers for protective equipment or training.
All employers should make an effort to ensure all people on a construction site have adequate training to avoid catastrophic or fatal injuries.
