OSHA’s Fall Prevention Campaign
OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration) says that falls are the leading cause of construction site fatalities. If you’ve worked on scaffolding – whether just a few stories up or on a high-rise — you know that the risk is very real and can be very frightening.
In an effort to prevent falls and the injuries and fatalities that occur, OSHA has created a nationwide campaign to help workers stay safe. According to OSHA, there are three steps that can prevent falls: Planning, Providing, and Training.
OSHA documents say construction companies must plan ahead to get the job done safely. Determining in advance how the job will be done allows workers to prepare safety equipment and ensure that risks of falling are minimized. Anticipating possible accidents can help workers institute the best safety plan.
Providing refers to having the right equipment necessary for the job. According to the OSHA site:
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.
Finally, train all workers to use the equipment. If you are unsure of how to use safety equipment, it will obviously lose some of its benefits. By training workers to recognize risk and to minimize it, employers can prevent accidents.
Ginarte Attorneys and Construction Fall Accidents
Our NY / NJ construction accident attorneys have represented numerous workers who were injured in falls. We know how dangerous construction work is, particularly when you are working at any height above ground level. A fall doesn’t have to be several stories above the ground to prove disastrous. You may fall from the roof, fall into an unguarded opening, fall from a ladder or even slip and fall from a standing position to the ground.
Whatever the circumstances, when you are hurt in a New York or New Jersey construction site accident, you want someone on your side who understands your rights and can help you get compensation for your injuries.
Contact our NY / NJ workplace injury attorneys today for a consultation on your case. We can provide some insight into your options and may be able to help you get the justice you deserve.
