Hazards/Solutions

Region IV

Falls In Construction Resources

2005

Revised

09/01/05

Occupational fatalities caused by falls remain a serious public health problem throughout the United States. The U.S. Department of Labor lists falls as one of the leading causes of traumatic occupational death, accounting for eight percent of all occupational fatalities from trauma. Before you can begin a fall protection program, you must identify the potential fall hazards in your workplace. Any time a worker is at a height of six feet or more, the worker is at risk and needs to be protected. The following references aid in recognizing and evaluating hazards and possible solutions in the workplace.

Fall Protection: Hazards and Possible Solutions
Description	Format
Suspension Trauma/Orthostatic Intolerance. OSHA (2004, March 24). This Safety and Health Information Bulletin provides employees and employers with important information about the hazards of orthostatic intolerance and suspension trauma when using fall arrest systems.	HTML PDF
Stairways and Ladders: A Guide to OSHA Rules. OSHA Publication 3124 (2003, revised), 278 KB PDF, 36 pages. This publication includes fall protection topics for stairways and ladders.	PDF
Making a Positive Difference: OSHA Saves Lives. OSHA (2002, August), 2 pages. This document discusses case examples of how OSHA standards have saved lives.	HTML
Preventing Injuries and Deaths from Falls During Construction and Maintenance of Telecommunication Towers. NIOSH Publication No.2001-156 (2001, July), 14 pages. This alert discusses workers who are involved in construction and maintenance of telecommunications towers are at high risk of fatal falls.	HTML PDF
Fall Protection Equipment. Lab Safety Supply EZ Facts (1999), 6 pages. This document discusses general equipment and regulatory information.	HTML
Care of Safety Belts, Harnesses, and Lanyards. Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) (1998, January 16), 3 pages. This is a Q&A document regarding the proper care and use of fall protection equipment.	HTML
Fall Protection in Construction. OSHA Publication 3146 (1998, revised), 177 KB PDF, 43 pages. This publication discusses general fall protection concepts and 1926 Subpart M.	PDF
What's the Fall Distance? OSHA (July, 1998), Video, 22 minutes. This video introduces the viewer to fall distance calculations for personal fall arrest systems. Topics covered include anchor points, lanyard types, lanyard reach and various harness types.	*ASX
NIOSH Issues Nationwide Alert on Dangers of Tree Trimming. NIOSH Update, Publication No. 93-122 (1997, January 10), 3 pages. This alert discusses the dangers of tree trimming.	HTML
NIOSH Issues Nationwide Alert on Dangers of Working from Scaffolds. NIOSH Update, Publication No. 93-120 (1993, January 4), 3 pages. This alert discusses that dangers of working from scaffolds.	HTML
Preventing Falls and Electrocutions During Tree Trimming. NIOSH Alert, Publication No. 92-106 (1992, August), 10 pages. This Alert describes eight incidents involving five electrocutions and three fatal falls of tree trimmers.	HTML
Overview for Subpart M Fall Protection. OSHA Construction Resource Manual, 4 pages. This overview discusses fall protection provisions and appropriate control measures.	HTML
Preventing Worker Deaths and Injuries from Falls Through Skylights and Roof Openings. NIOSH Alert, Publication No. 90-100 (1989, December), 7 pages. This alert describes eight deaths resulting from falls that occurred during work around these openings.	HTML

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