Eleanor Finch
Falls are the leading cause of fatalities among construction workers, with one-third of all on-the-job deaths within the industry attributed to falls. Fall protection refers to a system of measures and equipment designed to prevent individuals from falling or being injured due to falls. The goal of fall protection is to minimise the risk of injuries and fatalities resulting from falls by implementing preventive measures and safety protocols. In this article, we will explore what constitutes fall protection in the construction industry, including the role of supervisors and workers in implementing and upholding fall protection measures.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Goal | Minimise the risk of injuries and fatalities resulting from falls |
| How | Implementing preventive measures and safety protocols |
| Who | Supervisors |
| Where | Elevations of six feet or more |
| Where | Over hazardous machinery and equipment |
| How | Guard floor holes and open-sided platforms with railings and covers |
| How | Provide safety nets, lines, and harnesses for those working on elevated surfaces |
| How | Provide a stairway or ladder for elevation breaks above 19 inches |
| How | Train employees about job hazards |
| How | Install fall protection systems |
| How | Keep and maintain fall protection planning certification records for all workers |
| How | Retraining is also necessary for any changes made to training and safety protocols |
| How | Personal fall arrest systems should be inspected before each use for wear, defects, and damage |
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What You'll Learn
Fall protection equipment and safety protocols
Falls are the leading cause of fatalities among construction workers, accounting for one-third of all on-the-job deaths within the industry. Fall protection refers to a system of measures and equipment designed to prevent individuals from falling or being injured due to falls, particularly in industries where working at heights is common. The goal of fall protection is to minimise the risk of injuries and fatalities resulting from falls by implementing preventive measures and safety protocols.
According to OSHA fall protection construction standards, fall protection must be present at elevations of six feet. Supervisors must also implement fall protection over hazardous machinery and equipment, regardless of the fall distance. To defend workers from potentially lethal falls, supervisors can:
- Guard floor holes and open-sided platforms with railings and covers
- Provide safety nets, lines, and harnesses for those working on elevated surfaces
- Provide a stairway or ladder for elevation breaks above 19 inches
- Train employees about job hazards
- Install fall protection systems
Personal fall arrest systems should be inspected before each use for wear, defects, and damage. Damaged components should be removed from service immediately, and they should not be used again until inspected and deemed safe by a qualified individual. In addition to witnessed violations, construction managers can receive OSHA citations for providing insufficient employee training.
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Preventing falls from heights
Falls are the leading cause of fatalities among construction workers, accounting for one-third of all on-the-job deaths within the industry. Fall protection refers to a system of measures and equipment designed to prevent individuals from falling or being injured due to falls, particularly in industries where working at heights is common.
The goal of fall protection is to minimise the risk of injuries and fatalities resulting from falls by implementing preventive measures and safety protocols. According to OSHA fall protection construction standards, fall protection must be present at elevations of six feet. Supervisors must also implement fall protection over hazardous machinery and equipment, regardless of the fall distance.
To defend workers from potentially lethal falls, supervisors can:
- Guard floor holes and open-sided platforms with railings and covers
- Provide safety nets, lines, and harnesses for those working on elevated surfaces
- Provide a stairway or ladder for elevation breaks above 19 inches
- Train employees about job hazards
- Install fall protection systems
In addition to witnessed violations, construction managers can receive OSHA citations for providing insufficient employee training. It is also the responsibility of workers to monitor safety and uphold fall protection plan measures. Those in charge should keep and maintain fall protection planning certification records for all workers. Retraining is also necessary for any changes made to training and safety protocols.
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Fall protection for hazardous machinery
Falls are the leading cause of fatalities among construction workers, accounting for one-third of all on-the-job deaths within the industry. Fall protection refers to a system of measures and equipment designed to prevent individuals from falling or being injured due to falls, particularly in industries where working at heights is common. The goal of fall protection is to minimise the risk of injuries and fatalities resulting from falls by implementing preventive measures and safety protocols.
To ensure the effectiveness of fall protection measures, supervisors should also provide comprehensive training to employees about job hazards. This training should cover the proper use, inspection, and maintenance of fall protection systems, as well as the workers' role in safety monitoring and upholding the fall protection plan.
Additionally, those in charge should maintain fall protection planning certification records for all workers and provide retraining whenever changes are made to training and safety protocols. Regular inspection of personal fall arrest systems is crucial, and damaged components should be removed from service immediately. By following these measures, construction sites can significantly reduce the risk of fall-related injuries and create a safer work environment for their employees.
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Safety nets, lines and harnesses
Fall protection refers to a system of measures and equipment designed to prevent individuals from falling or being injured due to falls, particularly in industries where working at heights is common. The goal of fall protection is to minimise the risk of injuries and fatalities resulting from falls by implementing preventive measures and safety protocols.
According to OSHA fall protection construction standards, fall protection must be present at elevations of six feet. Supervisors must also implement fall protection over hazardous machinery and equipment, regardless of the fall distance.
It is important to ensure that safety nets, lines and harnesses are properly maintained and inspected regularly. Damaged components should be removed from service immediately and inspected by a qualified individual before being returned to use. Supervisors should also ensure that workers are properly trained in the use of safety nets, lines and harnesses, and that they understand the hazards associated with working at heights.
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Training employees about fall hazards
Falls are the leading cause of fatalities among construction workers, accounting for one-third of all on-the-job deaths within the industry. Fall protection refers to a system of measures and equipment designed to prevent individuals from falling or being injured due to falls. The goal of fall protection is to minimise the risk of injuries and fatalities resulting from falls by implementing preventive measures and safety protocols.
Retraining is necessary whenever there are changes to training and safety protocols or when new hazards are identified. It is also important to keep and maintain fall protection planning certification records for all workers.
To ensure the effectiveness of training, supervisors should also provide practical guidance and demonstrations on the use of fall protection systems. This includes instructing employees on how to properly wear and use safety equipment, such as harnesses, safety nets, and lines. Additionally, employees should be trained to identify and report any defects or damage to fall protection systems, as per OSHA construction fall protection standards.
By providing comprehensive training and fostering a culture of safety, construction companies can help protect their employees from fall hazards and reduce the risk of injuries and fatalities.
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Frequently asked questions
Fall protection refers to a system of measures and equipment designed to prevent individuals from falling or being injured due to falls.
Falls are the leading cause of fatalities among construction workers, accounting for one-third of all on-the-job deaths within the industry.
Fall protection must be present at elevations of six feet. It is also required over hazardous machinery and equipment, regardless of the fall distance.
Examples of fall protection measures include guarding floor holes and open-sided platforms with railings and covers, providing safety nets, lines, and harnesses for those working at heights, and installing fall protection systems.
Supervisors and managers are responsible for implementing fall protection measures and ensuring employees are properly trained. Those in charge should also keep and maintain fall protection planning certification records for all workers.
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