Smart Fall Prevention Action Plan for New Mexico Construction Sites

It is important that construction companies take the lead in enforcing good fall prevention measures and creating a safety culture at their sites. This will help to reduce or eliminate the number of falls that are so harmful and expensive for laborers operating on heights.

Fall prevention is about setting up safety equipment beforehand such as barrier guards, nets and scaffolding while strong process controls include periodic safety training courses for employees.

They assist in protection against fall deaths by providing gear like lanyards, full body harnesses, and restraint systems which minimize the impact in case of a fall. It should be the ultimate goal for every industry within the construction sector to promote safe working environments.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that falls cause over 300 deaths annually within construction. They are responsible for most work-related mortalities happening at construction areas.

Reasons Why Falls Happen at Construction Sites

In order to develop a robust and effective fall prevention action plan for construction sites, it is important to first understand the common reasons why falls and fall-related injuries occur. Identifying and addressing the root causes will allow companies to implement targeted solutions. Some of the major causes include:

Faulty or Deficient Fall Protection Equipment

According to OSHA statistics, faulty or inadequate fall protection equipment is a leading cause of accidents. This includes defective full body harnesses, lanyards with broken parts, faulty hooks or faulty buckles on the equipment, improperly constructed or damaged guardrails, unstable scaffoldings, improperly rigged or deployed safety nets, lack of anchorage points or improper anchorages, and lack of a suitable fall alert system at the site. Regular inspection and replacement of faulty gear is essential.

Unprotected Edges and Holes on Construction Sites

Falls often occur when workers inadvertently step or trip near unprotected edges, wall openings, floor holes or unfinished sections of floors and roofs at buildings undergoing construction. Even a momentary lapse in concentration by a worker or supervisor can result in a devastating fall of 6 feet or more. Guardrails, barriers, safety net systems or covers can help prevent such accidents.

Accidents Due to Aerial Lifts and Elevated Platforms

Statistics show that many fall-related accidents occur due to aerial lifts or elevated platforms positioned in unstable spots, causing them to wobble and swing. This unpredictable motion can throw off and unbalance workers working at height. Such risks should be identified during site assessment and steps taken to prevent falls through inspection and proper operation of lifts. Operators need training.

Unstable, Damaged or Unsafe Ladders

Ladders that do not meet safety standards, lack proper inspection or are damaged can cause falls and injuries. Securing, maintaining and properly positioning ladders is important. Workers should be trained on safe ladder practices.

Slips, Trips and Other Fall Hazards

Preventable factors like clutter, debris, unorganized electrical cords, tools, materials or supplies left in walkways or other high work areas can cause workers to slip, trip and lose balance, resulting in dangerous falls. Keeping work areas organized and tidy is important.

Steps for a Smart Fall Prevention Action Plan

While workplace falls may seem inevitable in a risky industry like construction, they are absolutely preventable with the following safety best practices and protocols:

Conduct Regular and Thorough Fall Hazard Assessments

The most critical element of an effective fall prevention plan is conducting daily and weekly walk-through safety inspections of the construction site. Safety managers as well as workers should be on the lookout for fall hazards like unguarded openings, unsafe access to heights, lack of fall protection at elevated spaces, and other risks.

Checklists should be used to thoroughly inspect guardrails, scaffoldings, ladders, fall arrest systems, and PPE. Workers should visually inspect and test their gear before each use. Finding and eliminating fall risks before work begins each day is the best way to prevent accidents.

Provide Engineering Controls and the Right Safety Equipment

Construction firms have a duty to provide suitable engineering controls like guardrails, safety nets and personal fall arrest systems for workers doing high-risk jobs at heights. Companies should not force workers to pay for their own fall protection gear or PPE.

Safety managers need to ensure roofers and those working on scaffolds have access to and wear a full body harness, connecting devices like shock-absorbing lanyards, and secure anchor points or tie-offs. All gear should fit correctly and meet OSHA and ANSI safety standards.

Ladders, aerial lifts and scaffolds should be set up properly per standards and placed on stable, level ground to improve safety. Use barricades or screens around floor openings, edges and other hazardous areas.

Hire and Assign Appropriate, Qualified Workers

While trying to quickly complete projects, construction managers should not assign height work tasks to unqualified or inexperienced workers. Workers without proper training and expertise performing roofing, scaffold or ladder work are at much higher risk of accidents and falls. Managers should verify worker qualifications and only assign those with the right skills.

Provide Extensive Fall Protection Training to Workers

Due to high turnover, training on fall risks should be conducted regularly, not just once. Teach workers about the gravity of fall hazards, how to use safety gear properly, how to inspect for defective equipment and report problems, safe techniques for climbing ladders or working on scaffolds, and how to stay safe on elevated worksites.

Promote the buddy system for roofers. Select competent workers for first aid and rescue training. Post emergency response protocols clearly. Conduct drills of post-fall rescue procedures. Re-training ensures skills and knowledge retention.

Maintain Clean and Organized Job Sites

As mentioned, cluttered work zones lead to slips, trips and falls. Make it a daily habit for crews to tidy up the site, dispose debris in bins, stack materials neatly in designated low-traffic areas, keep walkways clear and floors dry. Regularly maintain all equipment to prevent failures. A clean and organized site is a safer site.

Conclusion

By adopting broad and clever fall protection safety measures that focus on hazard identification, engineering controls, purchasing of safety appliances, conducting extensive training for workers and adopting a series of work protocols, the chances of falling will be greatly reduced.

If the safety of employees takes precedence over everything else then there will not be any accidents. It is therefore important for companies to invest in fall arrest systems as well as integrate safety into their organizational culture.