Why is Fall Protection important?
Falls are among the most common causes of serious work related injuries and deaths. Employers must set up the work place to prevent employees from falling off of overhead platforms, elevated work stations or into holes in the floor and walls.
Steps to reduce falls?
Employers must guard every floor hole into which a worker can accidentally walk (using a railing and toe-board or a floor hole cover). Provide a guard rail toe-board around every elevated open sided platform, floor or runway. Regardless of height, if a worker can fall into or onto dangerous machines or equipment (such as a vat of acid or a conveyor belt) employers must provide safety measures to prevent workers from getting injured. Other means of fall protection that may be required on certain jobs include safety harness and life lines, safety nets, stair railings and hand rails.
