Consider Safety First

Falls are the leading cause of fatalities in the construction industry. In fact, falls are the most frequent cause of fatalities at construction sites and annually account for one of every three construction-related deaths.  In 2005, there were 1,243 of 5,734 (21.7%) work-related deaths caused by injuries in the construction industry, making it the fourth highest death rate that year. This number is disproportionately high compared to other major industries, given that only 8% of the overall workforce in 2005 was related to construction employment.

Although there are commonly available methods for preventing falls, the number of construction workers who fall to their deaths each year is staggering.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries Summary for 2007, there were 847 construction worker fatalities as a result of falls from all causes.

OSHA safety standards (29 CFR 1926) for construction requires the use of a guardrail system, a safety net system or a personal fall arrest system whenever employees are exposed to a fall of 6 feet or more above a lower level.   OSHA provides a list of resources to help those who work in the construction industry identify actions they should take to prevent construction-related falls and reduce the number of fatal and non-fatal injuries.

The HUGS Passive Fall Prevention Safety System meets or exceeds OSHA requirements, prevents fatal and non-fatal injuries caused by falls, and is cost effective.