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Originally Posted On: https://atlassafetysolutions.com/fall-protection-in-construction-saves-lives/

Construction has always been known as an incredibly dangerous career path.

From large moving parts to working with dangerous equipment, construction work is not for the weak of heart. With so many dangerous factors in one place, it can be hard to pinpoint what the riskiest part of the job is. Well, it has been pinpointed, and the most dangerous part of working in construction is the risk of falls! Falls are responsible for the vast majority of deaths in construction. While falling has claimed many lives, fall protection in construction has saved many.

So, what is fall protection and what does it entail in construction? Keep reading to learn more!

Fatalities in the Workplace

Unfortunately, falls while working on construction projects are a very common cause of death.

Almost half of the deaths in the construction workplace are caused by falls. These falls could be from above 30 feet, or below 30 feet. Death can happen as a result of a fall at nearly any height. Because of the number of deaths that happened from falls in the construction workplace, standards and preventative measures have been established.

Fall Protection in Construction

As a result of the number of falls in the workplace that resulted in death, OSHA, or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, created a Fall Protection Standard. This standard states that any person who is at risk of falling in the workplace must have a form of fall protection. The height that indicates a risk per the fall protection standard is 6 feet.

There are several different ways that fall protection can be provided. A common form is the use of guardrails, which are a boundary that prevents falling. Along with guard rails, safety net systems can also be used as a fall protection measure. Safety nets are placed on or below the area where construction workers are working. These safety nets will fill any gaps that a worker may fall through, or catch them should they fall. Lastly, harnesses can be used to protect workers from falls. Harnesses are suited to a worker and fitted in a way that will prevent slipping out of the harness. A harness is usually secured to the building or other structure that the person is working on.

Construction Falls and Legal Rights

If someone has fallen on a job site because protection was not provided, that person or their family have the ability to sue.

Additionally, if there is a hole or a pit that wasn’t accounted for, workers have the right to sue for injury from that. Even if fall protection is provided but failed to work properly, the worker can still gain legal compensation in the case of an accident.

Find the Best Fall Protection

If you’re working at a construction site or running one, you’ll need to have the best fall protection possible. To avoid workers being injured or killed, you’ll need to invest in fall protection in construction. To find the best safety equipment for your job site, reach out to us today!