Falls are the leading cause of fatalities in the construction industry. However, they are preventable when proper safety measures are implemented. Edge fall protection allows workers to make mistakes without resulting in an immediate threat to their lives or major injury.
The goal of edge fall protection is to protect unguarded edges, unstable ladders, environmental hazards and more. It helps identify problems before they happen. Taking preventive steps can decrease the chance of incidents on construction sites.
Understanding the Fatal Gap: What Is Edge Fall Protection?
Edge fall protection mechanisms are implemented when a site includes potential dangers for a construction worker. The procedures put into place must be durable and reliable to withstand environmental changes and weight.
Some examples of when edge fall protection measures are necessary include holes, leading edges, hoist areas, reinforced steel, and ramps and walkways. Preventive measures can range from a simple yet effective cover for holes, personal fall arrest systems and guardrail systems. These systems must be appropriately placed if any employees work six feet in the air at any construction site.
Industry Data: The Scope of the Problem
In 2022, one in five workplace fatalities occurred in the construction industry, and 38% of these deaths happened because of a fall or slip from a height. Fatalities have consistently ranged from 250 to 300 every year from 2018 to 2022. These falls ranged from falling on the same level to a different floor.
Overall, it is clear that falls can lead to common work-related injuries or worse. Unfortunately, if edge fall protection measures had been considered ahead of time, this number would likely be substantially smaller.
Regulatory Landscape: Standards and Compliance
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires all workplaces to secure construction sites to avoid dangers that could lead to potential injury or death. In order to succeed in this goal, companies must keep all sites clean, organized and as dry as possible to prevent falling.
Furthermore, construction companies must be prepared to provide their employees with the proper protective equipment, and all employees must be trained on the correct steps to maintain a safe workplace.
Common Gaps and Failures in Edge Fall Protection
There are many reasons why edge fall protection fails. Here are the most common errors that lead to fatalities or injuries in the workplace:
1. Damaged or Overused Equipment
Keeping a watchful eye on the quality of all edge fall protection equipment is critical. The most common signs that replacements are needed include hardware showing corrosion or environmental damage from constantly being out in the sun or rain.
2. Faulty Harness
All employees should wear a harness when working at heights. They vary in size to best fit each individual. The harnesses should be adjustable with leg, chest, waist and shoulder straps. If not adjusted correctly, the employee is at risk of being ejected or falling.
3. Lacking Anchorage Points
Anchorage and snap hooks can be easily attached to structures. However, the structure might not be able to bear the weight of the worker and will not be able to support the employee from falling and being injured. This is a common reason why fatal injuries occur and illustrates why proper training is needed.
4. Misusing Energy-Absorbing Lanyards
Energy- or shock-absorbing lanyards are commonly used as anchorage connectors, which is the incorrect way to use this tool. They are not meant to be used as a strap to wrap around a structure for preventive safety measures. Structures with sharp corners may deteriorate lanyards, making them unable to catch a worker before they fall. Anchorage straps are the perfect substitute because they are much better equipped for falls.
Best Practices
Construction companies must implement proper training on height safety to prevent incidents from occurring. Any form of miscommunication could lead to serious injury. Programs that teach the proper safety procedures can lower insurance rates and prevent injury-related hospital bills. They can also boost worker morale.
It’s also critical to ensure additional safety measures have been added to construction sites. For example, railings are a very effective way to prevent a fall if they are properly maintained.
Actionable Steps for Nonresidential Contractors
Companies are responsible for properly maintaining all heavy machinery, like aerial lifts, to prevent incidents. They should implement daily and weekly checks on equipment to ensure everything is operational. During these inspections, it is vital to look for key signs of damage, including loose connections and missing or misaligned parts.
Construction company officials should ensure all lift controls and the machine’s functions are in order. Even the slightest malfunction can create a greater chance of injury.
Finally, all sites should be kept organized and clean. A disorganized construction site can lead to a sense of urgency to rush through projects if too much time is spent trying to find proper materials. This could result in errors being made and accidents occurring. It helps to schedule regular weekly cleanups to get rid of excess debris and label everything so tools and equipment can easily be found.
Without edge fall protection, the smallest mistake can lead to extreme injury or even loss of life. Construction sites will be at high risk of accidents if proper preventive measures are not taken. Staying on top of routine checks, training and policies is the safest way to keep everything organized and secure.
SEE ALSO: RECOGNIZE AND RESPOND: NARCAN TRAINING TO COMBAT OPIOID OVERDOSE IN CONSTRUCTION
The post Mind the Gap: Ensuring Proper Edge Fall Protection first appeared on Construction Executive.
