Falls are on the primary causes of injury on construction sites. Common fall hazards include, but are not limited to:
- Unprotected edges, openings, and floor holes
- Improper use of scaffolding
- Lack or misuse of PPE
- Missing protective devices
- Misuse of equipment, such as ladders
- Poor lighting
- Slippery surfaces
Prevent falls on worksites by taking the following steps:
Plan Ahead
Prior to working onsite, all fall hazards should be identified. Control these hazards by using:
- Engineering controls
Personal protective equipment (PPE) - Good housekeeping
- Administrative controls
Use Fall Protection
There are many forms of fall protection that can be used to protect workers. Fall protection includes:
- Guardrails
- Floor hole covers
- Barriers
- Fall arrest systems
Get Trained
Training to prevent falls on worksites includes, but is not limited to:
- Ladder safety
- Scaffolding safety
- Working at heights training
- Equipment training
- Specific PPE training and inspection techniques
It’s also important to ensure that workers are trained on good housekeeping practices to keep the worksite free from tripping hazards.
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