Prevent Construction Deaths by Following OSHA’s Fall Safety Standards

Do you know what the number one cause of deaths in the construction industry is? It probably won’t come as a surprise that it’s falling. According to OSHA, in 2012 – the time of the last census taken – there were 806 on-the-job deaths in construction, 35% of which were the result of falls. Most falls directly violated OSHA’s fall protection standards. The good news is, prevention is often as simple as learning these standards and adhering to them diligently, using the proper equipment and best practices. Here are just a few to get you started:

1. Duty to Have Fall Protection – This rule stipulates that anyone working on an unprotected edge needs to take the proper precautions by using a fall protection system like safety nets or a personal fall arrest system. Guardrails can also be used.


2. Use the Proper Fall Equipment for Its Stipulated Height – If a worker is at six feet or higher, they must have a fall arrest system. It may not sound like much, but workers who are six feet or more above lower levels are at risk for serious injury or death should they fall. Having the proper equipment doesn’t just mean fall arrest systems; it also includes the right kinds of ladders, scaffolds, and safety gear for various heights.


3. Fall Protection Systems Must Comply With OSHA Standards – OSHA has a specific set of standards related to the efficacy of fall protection systems. These standards range from guardrail height to the amount of weight that screen or mesh should be able to sustain. There’s also a rigorous set of standards related to dee-rings and snaphooks, wires and cables, and horizontal lifelines. All of HarnessLands’s fall arrest systems and fall protection kits comply with OSHA standards.


4. Every Employee Must Undergo a Safety Training Program – Safety training programs are a must for getting employees up to speed on safety hazards, precautions to take, and the proper use of equipment. Any change in a fall protection system will require a new training to update employees on how to use the new equipment. A good training will also include the proper use of rescue systems and first aid kits.


5. Prior to Beginning Work, Test Fall Protection Systems and Retractable Lifelines – Before doing anything, it is important to test the gear that you’ll be working with. Testing methods generally involve using weights of the same size and girth of a person, but many people also choose to test much heavier loads. Everything from hooks to self-retracting lifelines must be tested. It may all seem a bit daunting, but complying with OSHA safety standards is an absolute must for anyone in the construction industry. And Harnessland can make it even easier by supplying you with all the right equipment, which complies 100% with OSHA. Don’t take safety for granted!