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In 2012, the #1 most frequently cited OSHA violation was the failure of employers in the construction industry to provide their workers with appropriate fall protection equipment. Not only did this rank at the top of the list for number of violations, it also ranked #1 in terms of the highest penalties of the year.
What’s worse is that falls are the second leading cause of fatalities in the workplace for general industry and are the leading cause of deaths in the construction field.
OSHA regulation 29 CFR 1926.501 requires employers to set up fall protection plans and provide their workers with the appropriate personal protective equipment to avoid falls.
According to OSHA, fall protection must be provided at elevations of four feet in general industry workplaces, five feet in shipyards, six feet in the construction industry and eight feet in longshoring operations. Additionally, those working over dangerous equipment and machinery should be equipped with fall protection, regardless of the fall distance.
There are several steps you must take to avoid violating this fall protection regulation. The first is to establish a prevention plan.
As part of any prevention plan, employers must first consider the situations their employees could face on the job and from there, select the appropriate fall protection equipment.
There are three types of fall protection systems: passive, active and administrative. Employers should select the most appropriate system for their workers and then select equipment.
- Passive systems include equipment such as guardrails, safety nets, hole covers, etc.
- Active systems include personal fall arrest systems, fall protection kits, or work positioning.
- Administrative systems involve a fall protection plan, controlled access/decking zones, safety monitors, warning lines or designate areas far from an edge.
After you’ve selected the proper protective equipment, employers are required to train workers in the proper selection, use and maintenance of fall protection systems.
The final piece of the plan is to establish a rescue plan, should a fall occur. A quick response can mean the difference between life and death as tests show that people are only able to withstand roughly 15-30 minutes hanging in a harness. After that, pressure on the arteries can lead to suspension trauma, which can lead to death.
Once the plan is in place, be sure all fall equipment is properly used and installed, employees are supervised in the event of an emergency, and all safety procedures are being followed.
Follow these steps to avoid violating OSHA’s fall protection regulation, as well as a hefty fine, injuries or death.
