Since 2012, OSHA has partnered with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) - Construction Sector on the Fall Prevention Campaign to raise awareness among workers and employers about common fall hazards in construction, and how falls from ladders, scaffolds and roofs can be prevented. Through its partnerships, the National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction was created in 2014. The event is intended to prevent fall-related deaths and injuries by raising awareness of jobsite hazards.

(Photo: JLG)

The top three

Whether working at height from a ladder, roof, scaffolding, mast climber, boom or scissor lift, planning ahead is of utmost importance. By assessing risks and choosing the right equipment for the job at hand, employees and employers will have taken the first steps toward a safer work environment.

According to data from OSHA, NIOSH, and the CPWR, the top three causes of death from falls include roofs (33.3 percent,) ladders (23.8 percent) and scaffolds (14.8 percent.) Between 2015-2017, one out of four fall-related deaths occurred from ladder use.

Jennifer Stiansen, director of marketing for JLG, recently researched and wrote “The Hidden Cost of Ladders: Construction Injuries” where she states, “Though a ladder initially may seem like a relatively inexpensive, one-time investment for your construction site, when injuries are factored in, the returns quickly diminish.”

According to Stiansen, the cost of construction accidents takes many factors into account. A 2007 study evaluated direct medical costs, indirect wage losses and quality of life costs. It found that the average construction injury is $27,000 due to downtime, overtime, insurance premium increases, OSHA fines and more.

“For an injured worker, it can mean medical treatment expenses, time away from work, rehabilitation, and the possibility of needing to find a different role or job that pays less — or it may prevent working at all in the future,” Stiansen says. “One study showed that even 3.5 years after a ladder injury, workers earned an average 7 percent less annually than before the injury.”

Safer solutions

While the initial purchase point of $200-300 for a ladder might seem cost-effective, one work injury will cost thousands of dollars — if not more.

So, what other options are there?

“A safer alternative and emerging category of solutions now exist that lower the risk of costly construction injuries: low-level access products,” Stiansen notes. “One such solution is the new JLG 1030P, a push-around lift with a 30-inch by 60-inch platform.

The 1030P is an indoor-only, 753-pound lift that features a 16-feet of working height and a 550-pound platform capacity. It can be maneuvered on jobsites without causing damage to walls and door frames, a concern commonly experienced with drivable machines, Stiansen says.

Not only do low-level access products reduce unnecessary climbing and wear on the back and knees from bending, they also eliminate other risks. Proper ladder use requires three points of contact, which can be challenging if trying to perform work overhead, such as electrical or mechanical work.

And here is another major point: The risk of a costly construction injury while using a low-level access product, compared to a ladder, goes way down.

According to Stiansen, in a three-year span, 360 workers were injured using a mobile elevated work platform (MEWP) from slips, trips and falls to a lower level. That works out to be about 120 injuries annually, and not all of them from falls.

Compare that to an average of 93 ladder-fall injuries each day that send workers to the hospital.

Lastly, Stiansen notes, over a seven-year period, there were 23 fatal falls from scissor lifts. “That is an average of three fatal falls a year, compared to about 100 fatal falls a year from construction workers using ladders. Remember, a single construction injury averages $27,000.

“The cost of renting a safer low-level access product for a year averages out to be: $6,000.”

Thinking long-term can benefit your business, even if it means spending more upfront initially.

Step-by-step guidance

Conducting a Safety Stand-Down to address falls is a strong first-step in the safer direction. These can be one-time events or weekly and monthly happenings. When preparing to conduct a Stand-Down, OSHA suggests managers plan for what best suits their workplace by considering the following:

• Hold a toolbox talk focused on ladder, scaffold or roof safety
• Conduct a safety inspection along with employees
• Developing a rescue plan
• Holding a training session
• Showing a safety video

OSHA also suggests planning these events early by first designating a coordinator to organize the Stand-Down. If a contractor has multiple work sites, identify the team that will lead the Stand-Down at each site. Ask subcontractors, owners, architects, engineers and others associated with the project to participate in the stand-down.

A top consideration is to review fall prevention programs currently in place. This will help provide a road map on what the next steps and practices can be. Think about what types of falls could happen:

• Falls from ladders
• Falls from a roof
• Falls from a scaffold
• Falls down stairs
• Falls from a structural steel
• Falls through a floor or roof opening
• Falls through a fragile roof surface

From there, ask:

• What needs improvement?
• Is your program meeting its goals?
• Are you experiencing fatalities, injuries, or near misses?
• Are employees aware of the company’s fall protection procedures?
• What training have you provided to your employees?
• Does it need revision?
• What equipment have you provided to your employees?
• Is better equipment available?

Managers can then develop presentations or activities that will meet their needs. Decide what information will be best for the workplace and employees. The meeting should provide information to employees about hazards, protective methods and the company’s safety policies, goals and expectations. Hands-on exercises (a worksite walkaround, equipment checks, etc.) can increase retention, according to OSHA.

It is also worth considering how long the Stand-Down will last and when it will take place (e.g., over a break, lunch period, start of the day or other time.) Make the presentation or event interesting for employees, whether that means having interactive elements or snacks. It’s also important to promote the event in all ways possible (flyers, e-mails, posters, direct communication, etc.)

After you hold the Stand-Down, let employees talk about their experiences and encourage them to make suggestions and then follow-up and make changes if necessary.