Wed May 19, 2021 - National Edition #11
Lucy Perry â CEG CORRESPONDENT
Falls are a leading cause of deaths on construction sites. But fall-through hazards â into or through a hole â are just as common as falls from height.
Deaths from falls lead fatalities in construction. Construction workers just as often die from fall-through hazards as they do from work at elevations. In 2018, OSHA logged the preventable deaths of 320 workers. This year
OSHA s National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction showcases the critical need for safety precautions both around holes and at height.
Holes are defined by OSHA as gaps or spaces in a floor, roof, horizontal walking-working surface, or similar surface at least 2 in. at its smallest dimension.
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From structural steel
Through a fragile roof surface
Of course, the talk should include more than discussion of the risks associated with these types of falls. It should also include discussion on how these falls can be prevented, i.e., your fall protection program, and any improvements to the program that might be considered.
You can promote the National Stand-Down with as much or as little fanfare as you wish. You can formally participate in the event by signing up on the OSHA website, or you can choose to simply have an independent event for the same “fall prevention” purpose. As long as you are using the time to promote awareness of the risks associated with a fall and training employees on fall prevention, your event is “on the mark.” In fact, something as basic as a short, focused “Toolbox Talk” at each worksite should suffice. One note of potential importance: You should remember that requiring employees to participate in the National Stand-Down (which you shoul
Legal Disclaimer
You are responsible for reading, understanding and agreeing to the National Law Review s (NLR’s) and the National Law Forum LLC s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy before using the National Law Review website. The National Law Review is a free to use, no-log in database of legal and business articles. The content and links on www.NatLawReview.com are intended for general information purposes only. Any legal analysis, legislative updates or other content and links should not be construed as legal or professional advice or a substitute for such advice. No attorney-client or confidential relationship is formed by the transmission of information between you and the National Law Review website or any of the law firms, attorneys or other professionals or organizations who include content on the National Law Review website. If you require legal or professional advice, kindly contact an attorney or other suitable professional advisor.