The Fatal Four in Construction – Falls
Date Posted: 12/12/2023
Statistically, construction sites are one of the country’s most dangerous workplaces, with one in every five deaths occurring in construction as well as being a WA Top 10 rule violation. Falls are the number one cause of construction worker fatalities, accounting for more than one-third (34%) of all deaths in the industry. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), deaths from falls have continued to increase over the past several years. In Washington State alone, there were 17 deaths from falls from 2017-2022.
What are the Primary Fall Hazards in Construction?
The major types of fall hazards in a general construction setting are:
Unprotected roof edges, roof, and floor openings, structural steel beams creating leading edges, etc. Falls from roofs account for 34% of deaths – all of which were preventable!
Improper scaffold construction.
Unsafe portable ladders. Falls from unsecured ladders result in approximately 100 deaths annually across the country!
How Can You Protect Yourself from Falls?
Washington State L&I has developed a comprehensive campaign to prevent falls in construction. The elements described below are directly taken from that campaign:
PLAN ahead to get the job done safely
When working from heights, employers must plan projects to ensure that it is done safely. Begin by deciding how the job will be done, what tasks will be involved, and what safety equipment may be needed to complete each task. Utilize a Fall Protection Work Plan to assist in planning for work at height.
When estimating the cost of a job, employers should include safety equipment and plan to have all the necessary equipment and tools available at the construction site. For example, in a roofing job, consider all the different fall hazards, such as holes or skylights and leading edges, then plan and select fall protection suitable to that work, such as personal fall arrest systems (PFAS).
PROVIDE the right equipment
Workers four feet or more above lower levels are at risk for severe injury or death if they should fall. To protect these workers, they must be provided with fall protection and the right equipment for the job, including ladders, scaffolds, and safety gear.
Use the right ladder or scaffold to get the job done safely. For roof work, if workers use personal fall arrest systems (PFAS), provide a harness for each worker who needs to tie off to the anchor. Make sure the PFAS fits, and regularly inspect it for safe use.
TRAIN everyone to use the equipment safely
Every worker should be trained on proper set-up and safe use of equipment on the job. In addition, employers must train workers to recognize hazards on the job.
When is Fall Protection Required?
Falls can occur at any height. The Washington Department of Labor & Industries has defined three primary “trigger heights” related to construction work where protective measures must be taken to prevent falls. The three primary trigger heights for construction activities are:
Always Protect
Working above or adjacent to dangerous equipment.
Holes into which a worker can trip, step into, or step through.
Falling into or onto Impalement hazards (e.g., exposed rebar or stakes).
AT Four Feet or More
When on a walking/working surface.
Ramps, runways, and inclined walkways.
Holes where work is being performed.
Skylights.
Hatchways & chute holes.
Pits and trap door holes.
Ladderways.
Repair pits and service pits.
Manholes.
Openings.
Formwork and reinforcing work.
Steep-pitch roof – regardless of task.
Low-pitch roof – other than roofing work or constructing a leading edge.
Hazardous slopes.
Vehicles and rolling stock – if suitable anchorages cannot be provided or create a greater hazard.
Window cleaning.
Working on a roof or other elevated working area.
At Six Feet or More
Roofing work on low-pitch roofs.
Constructing a leading edge.
Cranes – non-assembly/disassembly work.
Tower cranes – Work other than erecting, climbing, and dismantling.
At Ten Feet (Using a Fall Protection Work Plan*)
Engaged in the erection or placement of structural members.
Engaged in excavation or trenching operations.
Working on scaffolding.
Cranes – assembly/disassembly work.
Tower cranes – Erecting, climbing, and dismantling.
*The employer must develop and implement a written fall protection work plan, including each area of the workplace where the employees are assigned and where fall hazards of ten feet or more exist.
Regardless of Height
Vehicle-mounted aerial devices.
Manually propelled and self-propelled elevating work platforms,
Boom supported elevating work platforms.
Under DOSH requirements, construction is considered in all industry requirements for fall protection except for when specific fall protection requirements are not addressed in WAC 296-155; it will refer to WAC 296-880.
Resources
OSHA's Fall Prevention Campaign | Occupational Safety and Health Administration
WA DOSH Unified Fall Protection Basics for Construction Activities (wa.gov)
