Construction personnel often work at elevated heights and in hazardous environments, creating a high risk of slip and fall accidents. Any slips or falls can cause severe injuries or death. The United States Occupational Safety Administration (OSHA) reports that slip and fall accidents account for approximately a third of construction site injuries.
In 2018 alone, 320 construction workers died from such accidents. “The best safety equipment cannot prevent every injury, and the simple fact is that construction site injuries are a constant threat,” says Felix Gonzalez Law Firm.
Other than the associated injuries and fatalities, slip and fall accidents are associated with worker absenteeism. Therefore, OSHA obligates employers to maintain safe construction sites to benefit them and their workers.
Types of Slip and Fall Accidents
Below are the different types of slip and fall accidents:
Falls on the Same Level
A fall on the same level occurs when a worker slips and falls on the same story. These accidents usually cause less severe injuries, such as musculoskeletal injuries, strains, bruises, and cuts.
Slip and fall accidents on the same level account for about 36 percent of nonfatal injuries at construction sites. Furthermore, 6.5 percent, 24 percent, and 5 percent of the non-fatal accidents involve scaffolds, ladders, and non-moving vehicles, respectively.
Falls to a Lower Level
Falls to a lower level are usually more severe than those on the same level. Such accidents account for the highest proportion of fatalities, especially when a worker falls over a significantly high elevation.
Falls to a lower level commonly occur when individuals work from scaffolding or ladders. Other common causes are collapsing structures and exposed surfaces on floors.
Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents generally occur when construction personnel work on scaffolding or floors. Regardless of the type of fall, the main risk factors at construction sites include:
- Inadequate safety equipment and training
- Aged or poorly assembled construction equipment, such as scaffolds
- Poor lighting
- Absent, damaged, or broken handrails
- Stray electrical wiring and cords
- Trash and debris on working floors
- Slippery or wet surfaces
- Uneven walking surfaces
- Bad weather
Preventing Slip and Fall Accidents
Construction managers and workers must proactively address possible slip and fall hazards. Sites should be regularly inspected to identify existing threats, such as wet surfaces and loose handrails.
Construction workers must also wear personal protective equipment at all times, including helmets and safety boots. Occasional safety training is also needed to prevent dangerous on-site practices.
Furthermore, scaffolding must be thoroughly checked and tested before each work shift. These inspections will ascertain structural integrity and general safety, avoiding the risky falls to lower levels.
Workers should only use lifts to traverse floors in multiple-story construction sites. Only trained and approved personnel should operate the lifts.
Moreover, individuals working high up must always use safety harnesses. Training is also needed to ensure the proper usage of this equipment.
Construction managers should set weight limits for all floors. The impact of the cumulative load must be checked before a worker brings an object or equipment to any floor.
Final Thoughts
Slip and fall accidents are prevalent on construction sites. The accidents, categorized based on the fall distance, can cause severe injuries or fatalities. For example, 320 workers died from falls in the United States in 2018.
Thus, proactive preventive measures are crucial to avoid deaths and injuries from falls. Simple observation and training are the two best approaches to reducing the underlying risks.
Construction companies must deploy adequate mitigations against slip and fall hazards. Besides complying with OSHA guidelines, the mitigations promote safety and productivity.
