Falls can occur in any workplace industry or setting – industrial, construction or office. Any walking/working surface in the workplace could be a potential fall hazard. According to the 2014 Bureau of Labor Statistics, 67 work-related fatalities resulted from falls (the third leading cause of fatalities). Forty-three percent of the falls occurred in the construction industry.
Employers should use appropriate controls such as personal protective equipment, fall arrest systems, ladders, scaffolds, safe lifting techniques, and housekeeping to prevent falls in the workplace. They should train all employees who may be exposed to fall hazards on how to recognize such hazards, and how to minimize their exposure to them.
What's New
Changes to OSHA’s General Industry Walking-Working Surfaces and Fall Protection Standards
OSHA Focuses on Protecting Communication Tower Workers
DWC Resources
- Fall Protection for the Construction Industry (English / Spanish)
- Ladder Safety – Take 5 for Safety (English / Spanish)
- Office Safety Workplace Program (English / Spanish)
- Personal Fall Protection Systems – Take 5 for Safety (English / Spanish)
- Preventing Slips and Trips – English /Spanish
- Scaffold Safety (English / Spanish)
- Slips and Falls Prevention Take 5 for Safety (English / Spanish)
- Free Audiovisual Loans (related safety training audiovisual materials can be found under "Construction Safety," "Fall Protection," "Ladder Safety," and "Scaffolding Safety")
Other Resources
- Center for Construction Research and Training
- National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) – Fall Injuries Prevention in the Workplace
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) – Fall Protection in Residential Construction
- OSHA Fall Prevention Campaign: Plan. Provide. Train
- OSHA – Fall Protection
- OSHA – Fall Protection – It's a Snap
- OSHA – Falls in Construction (eTOOL)
- OSHA – Preventing Fatal Falls in Construction
- OSHA – Residential Fall Protection
- Texas State Office of Risk Management – Video on Slips, Trips and Falls