What is Construction Fall Protection?
Construction fall protection is a set of systems and practices used to prevent falls or mitigate injuries resulting from accidental falls, protecting workers in the construction industry or those involved in construction-related work. It includes measures such as installing guardrails and safety nets, using specialized personal protective equipment like fall arrest harnesses, and conducting extensive training to ensure safety while working at heights.
Why is Construction Fall Protection Important?
Slips, trips, and falls are the most common serious injuries in construction, resulting in long-term health issues and significant financial burdens.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), construction has the second most workplace deaths. In 2022, over 400 of 1,000 fatalities from this industry resulted from falls. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) also has sufficient statistics showing that construction is the most dangerous industry in the United States.
With such a high risk of fatalities, establishing construction fall protection systems is a must. Not only is this a guaranteed way to safeguard workers and comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) regulations and health and safety standards. It also improves morale, leading to increased productivity and revenues.
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Safety Nets
This passive fall protection system, suspended below the work area, is designed to catch workers in case of a fall. Safety nets should be used with a PFAS to provide comprehensive protection.
Fall Prevention Training
Guardrails, PFAS, and safety nets are physical components that safeguard workers from falls. However, those would be substantially inadequate without OSHA-endorsed training and education. Here are some topics to include:
- Purpose and use of fall arrest equipment
- Hazard identification and assessment
- Height requirements
- Fall clearance calculations
- Load testing
- Emergency response protocols
Workers should be retrained when engineers, architects, and site managers make any change that affects the set-up of the fall protection system.
Eunice Arcilla Caburao
