Plan, Provide, Train to Prevent Falls

Falls are the leading cause of death in construction, making up almost a third of all fatalities. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) outlines three steps to preventing these tragic deaths — Plan, Provide, and Train.

The first step towards reducing risk and saving workers’ lives is to create a well-designed, written fall protection plan.

Secondly, employers must provide the right fall protection equipment, including the correct type ladders, scaffolds, and safety gear, for workers who are six feet or more above lower construction levels. All fall protection equipment should be inspected regularly to ensure it is in good condition and safe to use.

Lastly, hands-on training must be provided to every worker who might be exposed to fall hazards. The training should enable workers to recognize the hazards of falling and instruct them on the procedures to be followed for each type of fall protection.

You can find educational materials and resources about preventing falls at: https://www.osha.gov/stopfalls/educational-resources https://www.osha.gov/stopfalls/educational-resources