OSHA Incorporates National Awareness Campaign to Prevent Falls

September 14, 2012

Falls are still the leading cause of death in the construction industry. Federal regulators have taken notice and have made fall prevention a priority. As part of its residential fall protection directive, the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) has partnered with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) to establish a national outreach campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of falls from ladders, scaffolds and roofs.

The main thrust of the campaign is to educate employers and workers on proper safety planning, using proper equipment, as well as completing training requirements. As such, the campaign is divided into three segments: plan, provide and train.

Plan - In a nutshell, construction companies should plan ahead so that the job can be completed without undue risks. This includes assessing the risks involved with the particular project, and including the costs of proper safety equipment in estimating the cost of a job. Companies should also create reasonable expectations for what can (and cannot) be done in the project, as well as how long the project will take. Begin by deciding how the job will be done, what tasks will be involved, and what safety equipment may be needed to complete each task.

Provide - After planning for potential hazards, employers should also provide the right equipment so that workers can complete the job safely. For example, different scaffolds and ladders are required for jobs at different heights. Depending on the angles and heights involved, personal fall arrest systems (PFAs) may be necessary.

Train - In addition to providing proper equipment, employers must also train workers on how to safely use ladders, scaffolds, and other tools they will need on the job. This includes proper set up before starting the job, how to use equipment while doing the work, and how to properly clean the site when the job is complete. Workers must also be trained to recognize hazards and how to deal with unexpected issues that may arise. Employers may use a number of OSHA materials and resources in training workers.

Ultimately, employers are responsible for maintaining safe working environments. If an employer fails to maintain safe working conditions, it could be held liable for a worker's injuries. This liability can go beyond the scope of workers' compensation and could leave the employer liable for many other costs associated with an accident.

Article provided by The Law Firm of Janice M. Greening, LLC
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