Falls Safety Essay

1847 Words8 Pages

Falls are the leading cause of death for the construction industry in the U.S. On average between 150-200 construction workers die each year from falls. More than 100,000 workers are injured annually from fall accidents at construction work sites. This number is unacceptable and shows the importance of fall protection, prevention, and proper training is to saving lives and reducing injuries.
On average between 150-200 construction workers perish each year as a result of fall accidents. More than 100,000 workers annually are injured because of fall accidents. This number is unacceptable and shows the importance of fall protection, prevention, and proper training is to saving lives and reducing injuries (Johnson, 2013). According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, via the 2007 Hospital Trauma Registry, fall accidents are the leading causes of injury in the State of Texas. For 2007, fall accidents accounted for 38% of the reported …show more content…

Now we will look at when fall protection is required. There are several different requirements for fall protection but all fall under 29 CFR 1926 for construction and 29 CFR 1910 for general industry. “29 CFR 1926.501(b)(1) "Unprotected sides and edges." Each employee on a walking/working surface (horizontal and vertical surface) with an unprotected side or edge which is 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above a lower level shall be protected from falling by the use of guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems.” (Duty to have fall protection.-1926.501.(n.d.).) This statement gives the guidance as to when fall protection is required. It is very specific about fall protection being provided at a height of more than 6 feet or 1.8 meters. Rooftops and scaffoldings are examples of unprotected edges and would require the installation or requirement of some sort of fall protection or fall arresting device to be in

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