Is Your Workplace Up to Date on OSHA Fall Safety?
Falling on the job is a risk that many workers face on a daily basis, and nearly one-third of fatal workplace accidents in a recent year involved falls. Fall-related injuries and fatalities are often preventable, and every employer needs to be sure that they operate according to fall safety standards set out by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Fall Protection
Many employers need to take steps to prevent falls, including construction companies, roofers, painters, utility companies, and more. All companies with employees at risk of falling should be up to date on fall safety and protection measures, as well as regularly notify employees of safety instructions. The following are only some recommendations by OSHA regarding fall safety:
- Use railings, toe-boards, or covers to prevent falls through floor holes
- Have toe-boards and railings around all elevated runways, platforms, or floors
- Install and maintain guardrails around any equipment, machinery, or chemicals that workers might fall into
- Provide safety harnesses, lines, nets, railings, handrails, and other safety equipment at no cost to the workers
Employers must update their safety procedures in accordance with OSHA standards, and they should regularly inspect and repair all protective equipment. If fall safety falls behind, workers are at a greater unnecessary risk of falling and sustaining serious injuries. Some common fall injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Skull fractures
- Other fractures, including limbs or pelvis
- Spinal cord injury and paralysis
- Internal injuries
- Back injuries
The treatment for these injuries can be costly, and the recovery time can be long. Employers can prevent their own losses, as well as the struggles of employees, if they follow current safety procedures.
Stand Down for Fall Safety
OSHA encourages employers to hold Safety Stand-Downs for Fall Safety, which involves gathering employees to refresh them on fall prevention policies. These are important so employees can rest assured of the updated measures being taken to keep them safe, as well as learn new information from OSHA about preventing falls. While such stand-downs do not prevent 100 percent of falls, they can increase employee safety and security, limiting workplace fall injuries and the need for workers’ compensation claims. When falls do happen, employees should get the treatment they need as soon as possible, and employers should take all measures to ensure employees get proper care and benefits through the workers’ compensation system.
Consult with Our Missouri Workers’ Compensation Attorneys
Even with the right prevention efforts, fall accidents can still happen on the job, and injured employees should know how to seek the workers’ compensation benefits they need to cover their medical bills and lose income. The Law Firm of Webster & Carlton helps workers with the claims process, as well as appeals and other concerns about benefits. We have offices in both Springfield and Joplin to best serve Missouri’s workers, so please contact us for more information about our Missouri workers’ compensation lawyers and our services.