Fall Protection: Weekly Safety Training Topic
Fall Protection: Weekly Safety Training Topic
When you have people working from elevated surfaces above the ground, a fall is something that you must account for. In fact, in construction, falls account for the most death and injuries while working on projects.However, there are certain measures that you can take to prevent this from happening. Of course, these are just preventative measures and don’t guarantee everyone's safety. If you or an employee are injured from a fall while on the job, Engage Insurance has a variety of work comp and disability insurance options to help you and your employees recover from this accident. Falls happen, so let the fall protection experts at Engage Insurance help keep you and your workers safe. To learn more about fall protection, read on and get a quote today!
Fall Hazards Exist at All Heights
No matter what height you are working at, falls can still be hazardous. While according to an article by the Builder’s Association, only at 18% of recorded falls occur under 10 feet, falls under 10 feet still happen and can be dangerous. 23% to 37% of all falls happen between 11 and 30 feet. Additionally, 22% of falls occur at above 30 feet, and this is where falls tend to be much more damaging and potentially deadly.
Fall Hazard Examples
Fall hazards are ever-present in or around a construction site. If one is being careless or not paying attention, they can fall very easily. Roofs with a leading-edge, for example pose a fall hazard to employees working on them beacuse they are unsure where they end. A planned staircase or elevator shaft can create large holes and drop-offs in the middle of a site. There is also the ever-present danger of falling off a ladder or into a ditch.
Fall Prevention
There are many different ways you can prevent a fall. Fall prevention offers the best protection against fall hazards because it removes exposure to falls. Guardrails are the most common form of fall prevention. Fall prevention can also be offered with warning lines, controlled access zones, a fall restraint, or a safety monitor.
Fall Arrest
In a fall arrest situation, a worker can still be exposed to a fall situation and may engage in the act of falling. A fall arrest system is simply there to catch them if they do. An example of a fall arrest system can be a net to prevent someone from hitting another level or as a personal fall arrest system, such as . These systems do not guarantee the absence of a fall and also cannot guarantee that the person will not hit the ground.
Falls are 100% preventable. If you follow guidelines and put proper safety measures in place, you and your employees cans be protected from the possibility of a fall. Use guardrails, ladders, and labels to prevent falls. If a fall cannot be prevented, be sure fall arrest systems are in place. If all else fails and a fall does occur, the fall protection experts at Engage Insurance can find coverage to help you. Visit our website today and learn more about fall protection and keep you and your employees safe on the job.