Focus on fall management
Falls remain a leading cause of injuries and deaths. About 35
percent of the 721 fatal construction industry accidents in 2011
were due to slips and falls - more than three times that of next
highest categories, roadway accidents and being struck by an object
or piece of equipment.10 Simply following OSHA guidelines and
local regulations isn’t enough. Different trades have different
standards, but they all face the same problem: even a fall from a
relatively modest height can result in a serious industry. In 2011,
falls accounted for 541 fatal work injuries across all industries. Of
those cases where the height was known, 57 percent involved falls of
20 feet or less,11 and about one in four were from heights of 10 feet
or less.12
A successful fall management program provides a uniform set of
procedures for all workers and is an essential part of project
pre-planning. While the regulations may vary, fall prevention
measures should start for everyone at heights of six feet at a
minimum. Companies should strive to build safety in by
addressing fall exposures through engineering controls or
alternative work methods. For instance, anchor points can be
included in structural members during fabrication. Fall
management should be a part of the project pre-planning.13 If it
isn’t addressed ahead of time, the chances are that workers
exposures will be greater.
A detailed fall management plan should be developed for each
operation where the potential of falls from elevations will be
encountered. No operation should commence without an
approved fall management plan in place. At a minimum, the plan
should address each task where a fall exposure exists; the hazard
associated with the task; and the controls that will be implemented
to mitigate the exposure and the safety training that will be
provided to each worker. The plan should also address retrieval
procedures necessary to rescue workers should a fall occur.
Focus on fall managementFalls remain a leading cause of injuries and deaths. About 35percent of the 721 fatal construction industry accidents in 2011were due to slips and falls - more than three times that of nexthighest categories, roadway accidents and being struck by an objector piece of equipment.10 Simply following OSHA guidelines andlocal regulations isn’t enough. Different trades have differentstandards, but they all face the same problem: even a fall from arelatively modest height can result in a serious industry. In 2011,falls accounted for 541 fatal work injuries across all industries. Ofthose cases where the height was known, 57 percent involved falls of20 feet or less,11 and about one in four were from heights of 10 feetor less.12A successful fall management program provides a uniform set ofprocedures for all workers and is an essential part of projectpre-planning. While the regulations may vary, fall preventionmeasures should start for everyone at heights of six feet at aminimum. Companies should strive to build safety in byaddressing fall exposures through engineering controls oralternative work methods. For instance, anchor points can beincluded in structural members during fabrication. Fallmanagement should be a part of the project pre-planning.13 If itisn’t addressed ahead of time, the chances are that workersexposures will be greater.A detailed fall management plan should be developed for eachoperation where the potential of falls from elevations will beencountered. No operation should commence without anapproved fall management plan in place. At a minimum, the planshould address each task where a fall exposure exists; the hazardassociated with the task; and the controls that will be implementedto mitigate the exposure and the safety training that will beprovided to each worker. The plan should also address retrievalprocedures necessary to rescue workers should a fall occur.
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