Construction Law

Meeting OSHA Fall Prevention Requirements Part 1

Working in the construction industry can be dangerous and unfortunately, falls are at the top the list as the number one cause of death for construction workers. This includes falls from roofs and ladders. These accidents can be avoided with the proper fall prevention plan and equipment in place. Our OSHA defense lawyers would like to share vital fall protection requirements as well as the equipment employers should use at their job-sites to prevent falls. In Part 2, we will continue our discussion.

Fall Protection is a Requirement

Every year construction workers have serious fall accidents that usually occur due to unprotected sides, floor holes, wall openings, ladder misuse, unguarded steel rebars, and improper scaffolding. This is why construction fall protection is required when workers are performing work six feet or higher and when dangerous equipment and machinery is involved. Every employer is required to provide employees with fall prevention training and proper fall protection equipment. Employers must also maintain the equipment through inspections and cleanings.

Categories of Fall Protection

When workers are exposed to high vertical drops employers are required to secure the right fall protection. According to OSHA, fall protection falls into four categories. We will discuss two of these below.

Fall Arrest

Anytime a worker is performing construction work at six feet or higher, a full-body harness and a shock-absorbing lanyard is recommended for fall arrest. Fall arrest systems can either be a net or personal fall arrest. Systems include an anchorage, body wear, connector, and a deceleration device.

Positioning

With a positioning system, workers’ are held in place and they are able to work freely with their hands; however, this system should be used along with a fall arrest system.

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Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.