Beginning May 2nd through May 6th, join the 9th annual National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction. Second only to transportation, falls in the workplace yield the highest number of fatalities annually.
FALLS IMPACT ALL INDUSTRIES
This designated safety week originated from a focus on the steady and consistent ranking of fall fatalities generated in construction. The fact of the matter is it is more than just construction that has fall exposures in the workplace. This week has evolved and gained traction as employees from other occupations have participated in fall safety awareness training including real estate, manufacturing, healthcare, law enforcement and the military.
Many lives throughout various industries and operations have been forever changed or cut short due to falls. From the most current data available (2020), 351 of the 1,008 fatalities in construction and 645 of 4,764 fatalities when combining all industries were tied back to fall events. The lives lost are often preventable through two fundamental elements of safety: proper training and proper equipment.
PREVENTING INJURIES & FATALITIES
This week helps draw attention to both employers and employees on taking the proper steps; identifying fall exposures and ensuring the right fall protection equipment and training are being utilized. The key ingredient to preventing injuries and fatalities is often simple planning and generating best practices for your specific operation.
Five Ways to Prevent Workplace Falls:
- If working six feet or more in construction or four feet or more in manufacturing, use fall protection.
- Before starting a job, make a fall protection plan.
- Provide workers with the right equipment for the job.
- Train Everyone to use the equipment safely and provide routine refreshers.
- Inspect your harness, lanyard, and anchorage points before each use.
WORKPLACE SAFETY IS A CONTINUOUS PROCESS
No matter what level of safety integration your company or organization has, there is always room for improvement. The risk management journey should always include both forward looking opportunities and checking the rearview and learning from prior events or accidents.
Taking the time to address fall exposures with both new and seasoned employees could save a life. There is an abundance of resources available, so take the time to research your specific exposures and generate awareness not only during this week, but continually throughout the year.
For more information, please contact Dana Vorholt, ARM at dvorholt@sentinelra.com.
