Fatal Falls at Residential Construction Sites Lead OSHA to Tighten Rules
After fatalities surged during the housing boom, OSHA took a hard look at fall safety standards at residential worksites. Now, a new set of regulations has been put in place to protect workers.
July 22, 2012
Fatal Falls at Residential Construction Sites Lead OSHA to Tighten RulesConstruction work is inherently dangerous in many ways. But, by taking the appropriate safety precautions, much of the danger at a construction site can be mitigated.
Falls are one of the most common causes of injury among construction workers. Previously, fall safety standards promulgated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration were less stringent for residential construction sites compared to commercial sites. Now, under a new set of directives in effect as of June 16, residential construction employers have a duty to protect their workers using the same methods of fall prevention that have traditionally been in use in the commercial construction industry.
Fall Safety Standards at Residential Construction Sites Must Meet Commercial Standards
According to OSHA data, falls at residential construction sites account for some 29 percent of all fatal falls across the construction industry. Falls from roofs alone account for more than a third of residential construction fall deaths. Falls cause more deaths than any of the other top hazards that OSHA has identified as the most dangerous in the construction industry.
Under the new standards for fall protection, residential construction industry employers must protect workers who are working at six feet or more above lower levels. The type of safety system required -- be it a guardrail system, safety net system or personal fall arrest system -- is situation dependent. While some residential construction activities were exempt from OSHA fall directives that had been in place since 1926, the new regulations mean all construction employers must now meet or exceed the same minimum federal standards.
Many see the new OSHA fall rules as a response to the construction industry cutting corners during the housing boom. During that period, OSHA recorded a large uptick in fall fatalities and saw a number of employers sacrificing safety in the name of expediency.
Employers Responsible For Keeping Workers Safe
Employers have a duty to provide a safe environment for their workers, particularly in a hazardous industry like construction. Should they fail in that duty, workers injured as a result, or the families of workers who are killed, are entitled to fair compensation. If a fall at a construction site has impacted your life, contact an attorney today to find out more about your right to monetary damages.
Article provided by Glaser Legal, PC
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