Some of the most common workplaces injuries are caused by falls at worksites across the country and in Pennsylvania. Studies show that when construction workers are six or more feet from the ground, this exponentially increases the likelihood that they will be injured, or even killed, on the job.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics, in 2010, falls accounted for 250 fatal accidents suffered by construction workers. In addition, the agency reports that each year, falls cause about 10,000 construction injuries.
Preventing Workplace Injuries Caused by Falls
In order to keep workers safe from falls, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has launched a campaign - in conjunction with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and the construction sector of the National Occupational Research Agenda - to educate companies on the dangers of workplace falls and how they can be prevented. Some of the recommendations that these organizations have set forth include:- Planning ahead - employers should decide how a job should be done ahead of time to ensure that the needed safety equipment is available. In addition, companies should include the cost of safety measures in their budget for the job.
- Providing equipment - safety equipment that workers need - such as ladders, safety gear and scaffolds - must be available at the site before any work on the project begins.
- Providing training - every worker on a construction site needs to receive adequate trained on how to safely set up and use equipment.