The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has developed a collection of compliance assistance resources to address falls in the workplace—the leading cause of worker fatalities in the construction industry, according to www.osha.gov.
OSHA's goal is to promote awareness about common fall hazards in construction; educate job creators and workers regarding fall prevention; and reduce the number of fall-related injuries and fatalities. The resources continue the goals of the Department of Labor's Office of Compliance Initiatives and encourage and facilitate compliance evaluations.
Falls can be prevented if employers plan ahead to ensure the job is done safely; provide the right equipment; and train workers to use the equipment safely. OSHA is working with industry stakeholders to provide informative compliance assistance resources.
- The sixth annual National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction will be held May 6-10. The weeklong outreach event encourages employers and workers to pause during the workday to discuss fall hazards and how to prevent them.
- A series of safety videos show how to prevent construction-related fall hazards from floor openings, skylights, fixed scaffolds, bridge decking, reroofing and leading edge work.
- OSHA's Fall Prevention Training Guide provides a lesson plan for employers, including several Toolbox Talks.
- Fact sheets about ladders and scaffolding provide guidance regarding the safe use of these types of equipment while performing construction activities.
- A brief video, "5 Ways to Prevent Workplace Falls," encourages employers to develop a fall-prevention plan and provide workers with fall protection and training.
For more information, visit www.osha.gov.
