Construction workers are at risk of falls, both when working at heights and on the ground. At heights, a worker may fall from a roof, scaffolding or ladder. On the ground, a worker may suffer an injury after falling into a floor hole.
A fall can lead to life-altering injuries and even death. Falls in construction sites can be prevented by:
Using protective systems
A construction will typically have wall openings and floor holes. Falls through them can be prevented using protective systems. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires workers working at 6 feet or more above a lower level to use at least one of these protective systems:
- Guardrail systems
- Safety net systems
- Personal fall arrest systems
Guardrail systems are passive fall-protection barriers that prevent a fall from happening. When guardrails are placed around hazardous areas, a worker is protected from falling over exposed edges or into floor openings.
Acting as passive fall arrest devices, safety net systems, positioned beneath elevated work surfaces, catch debris and workers in the event of a fall.
The personal fall arrest system (PFAS) is designed to safely stop a worker who has fallen. Unlike the other two, which are passive systems, PFAS is an active fall protection system. It requires worker engagement, as a worker needs to inspect the specialized gear and wear it correctly.
Moreover, holes in a construction site should be covered as soon as they are created or immediately after they are discovered.
Training workers
An employer should hire a competent person to train construction workers on how to identify fall hazards and how to correctly use fall protection equipment.
Falls at a construction site are preventable. If you were injured after a fall, get more information to establish if any form of negligence might have contributed to the accident.