Falls can happen in every type of workplace – construction, manufacturing, oil and gas, warehouses, health care, and offices. Any walking or working surface, from a roof or scaffold to a stairway or office floor, can become a fall hazard if it is wet, cluttered, uneven, or missing fall protection.
DWC publications and training help employers and workers plan safer work at heights, use fall‑protection systems properly, and maintain safe walking‑and‑working surfaces.
Fall protection for construction and other elevated work:
These resources target construction and elevated work where falls from one level to another can cause fatal injuries
- Fall Protection for the Construction Industry – Workplace Program
(English/Spanish). - Fall Protection for the Construction Industry – Sample Written Program
(English/Spanish). - Personal Fall Protection Systems Fact Sheet (English/Spanish).
- Preventing Falls in Construction (English).
Ladder and scaffolds safety:
Ladders and scaffolds are common sources of serious falls when they are not set up or used correctly.
- Ladder Safety – Take 5 for Safety (English/Spanish).
- Scaffold Safety Checklist (English/Spanish).
- Scaffold Safety in Construction (English).
- Scaffolding – OSHA’s Guide to Scaffold Use in the Construction Industry (English).
- Scaffolding Safety Tips (English).
- Step Up to Safety: Prevent Ladder Accidents on the Job (English/Spanish).
Slips, trips, and same‑level falls:
Many falls happen on the same level – on floors, stairs, ramps, and walkways – because of spills, clutter, poor lighting, or damaged surfaces.
- Slips, Trips, and Falls Prevention – Take 5 for Safety (English/Spanish).
- Work Area Safety Checklist (English/Spanish).
- Seven Steps to a Safer Office (English).
Other resources:
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health – Falls in the Workplace.
- OSHA – Plan. Provide. Train. Three Simple Steps to Preventing Falls.
- OSHA’s Walking-Working Surfaces and Personal Fall Protection.
Training programs available:
More information on training programs is available in the Training Program Descriptions publication, visit www.txsafetyatwork.com, or contact Workplace Safety at 512-804-4610 or SafetyTraining@tdi.texas.gov.
Help from your insurance company:
If you have a workers’ compensation policy in Texas, your insurance company must give you free accident prevention help, including:
- Surveys.
- Consultations.
- Safety advice and training.
- Industrial hygiene and health services.
- Claims history.
- Accident analysis.
You must contact your insurance company for help. If you have any trouble getting help from your insurance company, contact DWC at 800-687-7080 or healthsafety@tdi.texas.gov.