Fall Protection & Prevention

There are 792 reasons for using fall protection.

That’s the approximate number of fall fatalities in the construction industry, from 2018

Falls are the leading cause of death in construction.

This episode of our safety training tip series topic is focused on fall protection & prevention.

Now, OSHA requires fall protection be provided at elevations of:

• Four feet in general industry workplaces
• Five feet in shipyards
• Six feet in the construction industry
• Eight feet in longshoring operations

OSHA also requires that fall protection be provided when working over dangerous equipment and machinery, regardless of the fall distance.

To prevent falling injuries, employers must:

• Secure each ground level hole—mark it, cover it, put workers on notice.
• Provide a guard rail and toe-board around elevated open platforms, floors, or runways. Same thing when accessing any work over machinery or dangerous equipment, like open liquid tanks or conveyor belts—regardless of height.
• Wear the necessary protective gear on certain jobs, including safety harnesses, lines, and safety nets.
• Remember: prevention is the best practice. Set up the workplace or job site to prevent employees from falling into holes or from elevated structures.

We hope you learned a safety training tip today. Until next time, stay positive and stay safe. (WS)