Falls are one of the most common causes of injuries on construction sites. They are even more common for smaller businesses than for larger ones. In fact, almost one-third of all accidents for construction workers are falls.
But why do falls happen so much in this industry? Are there conditions that make it more likely to suffer a fall or certain aspects of the job that lead to this risk?
High areas
Many construction jobs require working at heights. You may have to routinely climb ladders or work on top of buildings or on scaffolding. Being off the ground automatically increases the risk of falls.
Difficult environment
A construction site is also a difficult place to implement safety devices and other risk mitigation because you are working on a building that does not exist. You have to build it. So, you must include safety measures as you work. It may leave you open to falls.
Natural hazards exist on a construction site. The best way to prevent risks of falls is to put safety measures in place, but accidents can still happen even if you take all steps to provide as much safety protection as possible because some construction situations are just too difficult to prevent risks.
The best way to keep yourself safe from falls on a construction site is to follow all safety rules and use all protective equipment. If you notice a hazard, speak up. Do your part to keep your workspace as safe as possible and be cautious when working in a situation that could be a fall risk.
