Falls in the Construction Industry



Falls in the Construction Industry

Introduction

Amongst the causes of severe work, related deaths and injuries, according to statistics, falls are the most common and serious. Employers according to law have been required to set up and renovate the workplace to ensure that employees do not fall off from overhead platforms, work stations that are elevated or into any open hole in the wall or floor (Liscomb et.al 2006).

Discussion

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) ensures that all employers are providing their employees with the required level of safety and care. The requirement for Fall Protection is for specifically industry workplaces with elevations of four feet, in shipyards elevation of five feet, in a construction industry the elevation requirement is of six feet and for long shoring operations the requirement is eight feet. Additionally Occupational Safety and Health Administration is required to ensure that protection for falls is given when employees are working over dangerous machinery, the distance of the fall is not considered here.

According to the requirement of Occupational Safety and Health Administration, employers need to take precautionary measures to ensure their employees are not in harm's way (Goetsch, 2010). These measures include, employers ensuring that:

That any hole in the floor that an employee could accidently walk into is guarded using a board and railing or a cover for the hole.

A guardrail should be, provided as well as a toe board for every elevation with open side platforms, runways or floor.

Not considering the height if workers can fall in or on dangerous equipment, employers are required to give guardrails and boards as a preventive measure to ensure the safety of the workers as they may be injured.

Certain jobs required varying means of protection for falls such as a safety harness and a strong line for window cleaners, nets, railings along the stairs and hand rails where required.

At the same time Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires employees to ensure the work place conditions being provided are free of danger, work areas are clean and dry, are receiving equipment for protection at no cost and workers receive sufficient training beforehand and have understood safety measures and precautionary instructions.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration instructs employees that is they feel their job is unsecure they should call their helpline and inform as the line is confidential and has been developed for Worker's rights, ensuring employers are fulfilling responsibilities etc. A safe environment to work in is the right of every employee and law requires it for employers to ensure the safety of their employees. Workers have full right to send in or file a complaint against their workplace if the requirements of safety are, not met according to the standards of Occupational Safety and Health Administration, by emailing or calling.

Sample Fall Protection Program

A sample Fall Protection Program has been, designed keeping in mind the falls of employees at construction sites and for ensuring maximum safety of workers. Employers of workplaces need to assess the work place ...