While the construction industry copes with many hazards on a daily basis, one is incredibly prevalent: falls. In fact, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration referred to falls as the most common cause of workplace fatalities, with accidents the result of several factors.
Therefore, it can be challenging for employers to create an effective system that completely removes the danger of falls. However, it is possible to reduce the risk and prevent a higher number of workers' compensation insurance claims. Most importantly, it is each construction firm's responsibility to provide adequate safety measures for its employees.
In order to help with that goal, here are several ways to prevent falls on a construction site:
Implement fall-prevention measures
Thankfully, employers have a number of effective methods to reduce the chance of falls in the workplace. According to OSHA, one of the most valuable approaches is the fall arrest system. This category covers any device that can slow or catch a person as they fall, or stop them from slipping altogether.
For example, OSHA described an anchorage, connectors and body harnesses as fall arrest systems. Each method has a unique load limit and recommended use, so research should be done beforehand to make sure that each worker has the right fall-prevention measure in place. In addition, every safety feature must be inspected. Employees should keep an eye out for damage, wear and tear and other problems that could jeopardize their safety.
Create an effective risk management plan
Addressing the topic of fall hazards can complicated. It is a broad subject, and there are a lot of smaller areas where mistakes can create problems. So, it can help if employers create effective risk management plans to provide comprehensive strategies.
According to the Laborers' Health and Safety Fund of North America, one of the primary steps is to identify the hazards in the workplace. Each day, managers should walk around the site and check for potential risks. Furthermore, a plan can outline which safety measure is right for the job, and also detail how and when training will take place.
To further simplify matters, it is even possible to remove the need for fall arrest systems completely. In some cases, rescheduling the task or changing how it is completed will make it safer, the news source noted. With a focus on fall safety, it is possible to identify effective ways to keep workers out of harm's way.
