Many Fall Deaths in 2011 From Short Distances
Falls remain one of the leading causes of construction deaths. In the recently released Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that falls accounted for 14 percent of all fatal work injuries—in all industries. When you factor out industries other than construction, you will certainly find falls account for the vast majority of construction accidents.
Interestingly, though, the falls aren’t from great heights. Of 541 falls, 451 were from height—meaning the victim didn’t simply trip or fall to the ground, but fell from a higher point. In those, one out of four was from a fall of 10 feet or less. This fact goes to show that it’s not only construction sites with multiple stories that must worry about fatal falls—if you are working on a site with a roof, you are at risk.
Falls can happen from short heights or no height at all. Anytime there is a risk of tripping, there is a risk of falling. If you are working above ground, that risk is increased with every foot of elevation. But even roofing your typical one-story home has significant fall risks.
OSHA says fall prevention is a matter of: Planning, Providing the right equipment, and Training. With these three aspects, they say, numerous falls can be prevented.
The OSHA Fall Prevention Campaign is focused specifically on these three aspects. They point out that any height over six feet can be fatal when a fall occurs. And that prevention can save lives. OSHA says:
Workers who are six feet or more above lower levels are at risk for serious injury or death if they should fall. To protect these workers, employers must provide fall protection and the right equipment for the job, including the right kinds of ladders, scaffolds, and safety gear.
Different ladders and scaffolds are appropriate for different jobs. Always provide workers with the kind they need to get the job done safely. For roof work, there are many ways to prevent falls. If workers use personal fall arrest systems (PFAS), provide a harness for each worker who needs to tie off to the anchor. Make sure the PFAS fits, and regularly inspect all fall protection equipment to ensure it’s still in good condition and safe to use.
Because the construction field is a dangerous one, risks are always present. But when an accident happens, you can’t just chalk it up to working in a dangerous environment. Often, someone must be held responsible.
New Jersey Construction Accident Attorneys
The attorneys with Ginarte Law Firm know you work in an accident-prone industry. But we also know there are rules, regulations, and laws in place to protect you. If you’ve been hurt in a New Jersey construction accident, contact us today. We can talk about your case and your options under the law.
Call (888) GINARTE now.
