Fall safety infographic

Falls from heights are a major concern on construction sites. Proper equipment and usage, as well as training, can help reduce falls and the costly associated expenses.

Fall Hazards on Construction Sites

• Fixed scaffolds
• Floor openings
• Bridge decking
• Reroofing
• Ladders

Falls in Construction Statistics

• Falls are the number one cause of death in the construction industry.*
• Falls account for one-third of on-the-job injury deaths in the construction industry.*
• 200+ construction workers are killed each year int he United States from falls.*
• 10K+ construction workers are injured from falls each year int he United States.*

Fall Prevention in Construction

• Assess construction site hazards to determine the appropriate equipment needed for a job.
• Invest in proper equipment. Ensure it’s used appropriately and with caution.
• Inspect and remove any fall exposures. Secure materials so they don't fall.
• Train employees on fall protection, equipment inspection and disciplinary action for ignoring safety precautions.
• Document safety training activities and non-compliance with protocols.
• In advance of beginning work each day, run through the day’s tasks, required tools and potential job site hazards.

Fall Protection Safety

Types of Fall Protection

ANCHORS

• Anchors are a secure point of attachment. They must be able to support the intended loads and provide a sufficient factor of safety.

BODY SUPPORT 

• Body support is typically a full body harness. It provides a connection point on the worker for the personal fall arrest system.

CONNECTORS

• Connectors, like shock-absorbing lanyards or self-retracting lifelines, connect a worker’s harness to the anchor.

DESCENT AND RESCUE

• Descent and rescue devices are used to raise or lower a fallen injured worker to safety, or retrieve him from a confined space.

Check Construction Equipment Before Every Use

Checklist of safety questions to ask

• Is all hardware free of cracks, burns or corrosion?
• Do all working parts move freely, including buckles and snap hooks?
• Are all plastic pads and keepers in place and free of cuts or cracks?
• Are the webbing and rope free of any cuts, frays or broken fibers?
• Do any tears, abrasions or discolorations exist?
• Is stitching intact, or are the stitches pulled or cut?
• Are all labels present and fully legible?

*stopconstructionfalls.org