OSHA’s 3-Step Guide to Fall Prevention
Falls are the leading cause of death on construction job sites (40 percent) and account for 15 percent of accidental workplace deaths across all industries each year. In an effort to raise awareness among both workers and employers, OSHA teamed up with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and the Health and National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) to organize a Fall Prevention Campaign. Here are three simple steps to fall prevention in your workplace:
- PLAN ahead to get the job done safely.
Different jobs require different safety precautions. If your employees are going to be working from heights on ladders, scaffolds and rooftops, you should provide them with additional safety equipment to limit the risk of falls, like personal fall arrest systems (PFAS). Even when estimating the cost of the job, it’s important to account for the safety equipment required to ensure every employee stays safe on the job site. - PROVIDE the right equipment.
Employees working heights of six feet or more (measured from the lower level) are at risk for serious injury or death should they should fall. Make sure those individuals have proper fall protection equipment as well as safe ladders, scaffolds and more. In a roofing job, for example, every one of your workers should be equipped with a harness to tie off to an anchor. Regularly inspect all fall protection equipment to ensure it’s in good condition and make sure all PFAS fit your workers! - TRAIN everyone to use the equipment safely.
Having the right equipment will do your workers little good if they don’t know how to properly use it. Teach employees about fall hazard recognition and reinforce safe practices to prevent falls on the job.
From Safety Harnesses and Lanyards to Body Belts, Straps & Anchors, Emedco has all the products you need to keep your workers safe, regardless of the heights at which they work. Just give our team of professionals a call at (877) 859-2155 or visit Emedco.com to find safety solutions for every challenge.