Strong safety is good business. Successful prevention of fall injuries and fatalities requires the ongoing effort of regulators, industry leaders, labor unions, employers and employees. Enhancing the work environment, and improving work safety culture through continuous education is vital. Out of 4,674 worker fatalities in private industry in calendar year 2017, 971 or 20.7% were in construction — that is, one in five worker deaths last year were in construction. The leading causes of private sector worker deaths (excluding traffic accidents) in the construction sector were falls, struck by object, electrocution, and caught-in/between. These “Fatal Four” were responsible for more than half (59.9%) the construction worker deaths in 2017, BLS reports. Eliminating the Fatal Four would save 582 workers’ lives in America every year. WorkSource wants everyone to be safe on the job. Below are some tips from OSHA on how to keep you and your workers safe on your next job site.
Plan Your Projects Ahead
Most construction workers are going be utilizing ladders, scaffolds, and roofs. It is an employer’s responsibility to make sure projects are thoroughly planned out to ensure that the job is done safely. Begin by deciding how the job will be done, what tasks will be involved, and what safety equipment will be needed. When estimating the cost of a job, employers should include safety equipment, and plan to have all the necessary equipment and tools available on site. Plan and select fall protection suitable to that job, such as personal fall arrest systems (PFAS).
Provide the Right Equipment
Workers who are six feet or more above lower levels are at risk for serious injury or death if they fall. To protect them, you must provide fall protection and the right equipment for the job. The right kind of ladders, scaffolds, and safety gear make a huge difference and increase your employees’ safety. Different ladders and scaffolds are necessary 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. Provide a harness for each worker who needs to tie off to an anchor; these harnesses are part of the PFAS. You should fully acquaint yourself with the PFAS. Make sure the harnesses fit, and regularly inspect all fall protection equipment to ensure it’s still in compliance with current safety regulations and is in good condition.
Train ALL Your Employees
Falls and fatalities can be prevented with appropriate and constant education. Make sure all employees know how to use harnesses and PFAS. Appropriate training on climbing ladders, securing ladders, and having spotters is necessary. Make sure employees know what to do in case of an emergency. The right training on equipment use, safety measures and emergency protocols will help reduce worksite fatalities.
For more information and resources on workplace safety visit The OSHA Website,
WorkSource, a premiere staffing agency serving Kansas City, DesMoines, and Fort Madison, understands the importance of workplace safety. Our goal is to help employers and employees to fully understand and apply OSHA safety guidelines, and our staff are prepared to answer any questions one might have related to OSHA guidelines.
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