OSHA Calls On NJ Construction Companies to Focus on Fall Prevention
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) this week issued a “call to action” for New Jersey construction companies. They’ve asked that all those companies with workers working at elevations above 6 feet ensure they have the proper safety equipment to prevent a construction site fall. This comes after several recent area construction incidents.
According to the Department of Labor, OSHA website, the call to action is for every single contractor in the state. “These incidents are tragic reminders of the dangers posed to workers when they are not adequately protected from fall hazards,” says Robert Kulick the OSHA regional administrator in New York.
There are a number of ways to protect workers from falls, including guardrail systems, safety net systems and personal fall arrest systems, including properly anchored body harnesses and lanyards, as well as the use of safe work practices and thorough training. “Whether working on a roof, a scaffold or in an aerial lift, all workers must have and correctly use the proper equipment to prevent falls,” Kulick adds.
In April, Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis announced a new campaign to provide employers and workers with lifesaving information and educational materials about working safely from ladders, scaffolds and roofs in an effort to prevent deadly falls in the construction industry. In 2010, more than 10,000 construction workers were injured as a result of falling while working from heights, and more than 250 workers were killed. OSHA’s fall prevention campaign was developed in partnership with the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health and NIOSH’s National Occupational Research Agenda program. More detailed information is available in English and Spanish on fall protection standards at http://www.osha.gov/stopfalls.
The OSHA Fall Prevention Fact Sheet on their official website suggests the following precautions be taken to prevent falls from roofs:
- Wear a harness and always stay connected
- Make sure your harness fits
- Use guardrails or lifelines
- Inspect all fall protection equipment before use
- Guard or cover all holes, openings, and skylights
You can find additional fall prevention tips here.
Falls are a frequent source of New York / New Jersey construction-related accidents and can largely be prevented. But when a fall happens, they have the potential to be particularly tragic.
Construction Accident Attorneys at Ginarte
The NY / NJ construction accident attorneys with the Ginarte law firm represent people who are injured in construction accidents, and have helped numerous construction fall victims get the compensation they deserve. Your employer plays an important role in your safety and when you are hurt they can often be held responsible.
Call us today for a free consultation on your construction accident case to see how we might be able to help. Call 888-GINARTE or fill out our online contact form.
