Keep Safe Onsite with OSHA's Fall Protection Tips

Between 150 and 200 construction workers are killed, on average, and more than 100,000 are injured each year as a result of falls on construction sites, according to information from The Construction Foreman's Guide to OSHA Regulations.

The Guide notes that the exception to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) fall protection rules occur before work on a project begins or after it is completed, and someone is inspecting, investigating or assessing workplace conditions. The rest of the time, fall protection must be in place.

The general rule for fall protection is that a worker must be subject to a fall of 6 feet or more above a lower level. OSHA keeps this requirement intentionally broad, the Guide reports, to protect workers in a variety of situations.

In addition to protecting workers, fall prevention measures are intended to keep tools and materials from falling and potentially injuring someone below. Safety nets and guardrails can keep construction workers safe from these hazards, as well.

OSHA says workers have the responsibility to choose the right fall protection for the type of work they are performing. The Guide also recommends checking fall protection equipment each day for signs of wear or other problems.

CLICK HERE to learn additional fall protection tips from OSHA. CLICK HERE to discuss the safety measures you have put in place as protection from falls.

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