Protect Yourself From Falls
In recent months we lost two of our own due to falls on the job. “These tragic events are a reminder of the potential hazards our members face every day, and the importance of knowing how to protect yourself,” says Executive Vice President Jerry O’Malley.
The construction industry reports a disproportionately large number of deaths and disabling injuries due to falls. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2000, 375 American workers fell to their death. BAC trades accounted for 35 of the deaths, up from 27 the year before. Moreover, those workers who survive construction falls require relatively lengthy absences from work (typically about three weeks) to recuperate from their injuries. In contrast, the average recuperation time for all worker-related injuries is one week.
Preventing a Fall
Working at any height above ground puts a person at risk for falling. The most common falls in construction are from roofs, ladders, and scaffolds. In these situations, one of two things happens: either the worker falls from the work surface or the surface collapses. According to the Center to Protect Workers Rights there are basic steps that workers can take to protect themselves.
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Be aware of your work situation and surroundings — learn about the types of fall hazards on your job. |
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If fall protection is needed, make sure you have the right type of protection, learn how to use it, and — use it. Guardrails and personal protective equipment can help prevent falls. The employer is responsible for fitting and training each worker on the equipment to be used. |
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Inspect the fall protection equipment before each use to make sure it isn’t damaged. |
Additional information on protecting yourself from a fall can be found on the Center to Protect Workers’ Rights (CPWR) website www.cpwr.com, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) website www.cdc.gov/niosh, or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) website www.osha.gov. Canadian members can also contact the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) at www.ccohs.ca/.
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