Falls remain one of the most significant and preventable hazards in construction. But year after year, they are still the leading cause of deaths in industries such as construction, manufacturing, and warehousing. For companies, it's not a matter of mere regulation compliance, but of keeping their most valuable assets—people—safe.

This blog discusses effective prevention strategies and proven systems for fall prevention at the workplace. By identifying risks, instituting strict fall protection measures, and building a culture for safety, companies can minimize injury, reduce lost productivity, and save lives.

Why Fall Protection Should be Your Priority

OSHA categorizes falls as being part of the “Fatal Four” workplace threats that kill several hundred people each year. The danger is obvious, but so is the pay-off of prevention:

• Save Lives: By implementing proper fall prevention, OSHA estimates that over 300 lives could be saved annually.

• Improve Productivity: When employees are safe, they work better. A safe working environment eliminates fear and encourages effectiveness.

• Avoid Financial Sanctions: Failing to comply with safety standards means expensive legal penalties, lawsuits, and suspended operations.

• Guard Reputation: Businesses with good safety records foster a higher level of trust with employees and customers alike, building retention and business relationships.

Causes of Workplace Falls

Knowing why falls occur is the beginning of prevention. Falls at work usually result from:

• Inadequate fall protection equipment when working at height or within confined spaces.

• Inappropriate use of safety equipment, e.g., harnesses or anchor points

• Spilled substances or adverse weather conditions that are slippery.

• Inadequate training on optimal practices and equipment inspections.

This makes the application of effective fall prevention measures and technology absolutely necessary.

Practical steps to help prevent workplace falls

How can an organization establish a culture of safety and make their workspace safe with minimal risk of falls? Below are steps that you can take today:

1. Conduct Thorough Risk Evaluations Before implementing any safety system, evaluate the specific risks at your work environment.

• Are employees regularly raised higher than four feet from the ground?

• Are they all stable and non-slip work surfaces?

• Are confined areas or manholes suitably protected during use? This evaluation assists with identifying dangerous areas, ranking interventions based on priority, and implementing efficient safety measures.

Before implementing any safety system, evaluate the specific risks at your work environment.

2. Invest in the Proper Fall Protection Equipment Quality fall protection systems form the foundation of on-site safety. A good system has three primary components, commonly referred to as the ABCs of Fall Protection:

• Anchorage connects the fall protection system to ground through a frame or pole. In a rescue situation, you are pulled out of the confined space towards the anchorage.

• Body Support is what allows workers to attach themselves to the fall protection system. It’s the harness that clips on to the line and applies lifting pressure to the body. 

• Connection is the rope or cable line that links the anchorage and the body support. In a rescue, it is what pulls you up toward the anchorage.

3. Perform Regular Equipment Inspections You are only as safe as the equipment that protects you. Check fall protection equipment on a regular basis for:

• Wearing on ropes or harness straps

• Damage to anchor points or davits

• Mechanical malfunctions of SRLs or hoists Immediately take compromised equipment out of commission and have the manufacturer repair or replace it.

4. Train and Educate Your Workforce Even the most reliable fall protection equipment is no good if workers are not trained to use them properly. Conduct regular trainings to:

• Provide usage and adjustment guidelines for full-body harnesses.

• Show how to install anchor systems and lines of connection.

• Proceed with rescue missions when there are falls so that the first responders are ready to respond quickly.

5. Implement Preventative Measures In addition to the responsive measures of fall arrest equipment, proactive measures minimize fall risk. Take:

• Installation of guardrails on raised workstations

• Employing anti-slip floors and mats on risky spots.

• Installing safety barriers such as Pelsue’s manhole shields on open areas. Preventive actions prevent danger before it materializes, ensuring workers' well-being at each step along the way.

6. Foster a Culture of Safety Fall prevention is not so much about the equipment you employ but rather the attitude that you develop. Encourage safety by:

• Fall prevention is not so much about the equipment you employ but rather the attitude that you develop. Encourage safety by:

• Rewarding those employees who exemplify safe behaviors

• Developing anonymous reporting programs for employees to report possible risks.

• Conducting frequent "toolbox talks" to keep safety on everyone's mind When everyone commits to safety, the entire organization is better served.

Demonstrating the Impact of Safety

Not only does comprehensive workplace safety abate risks, but also, it improves performance overall. Look at this case from OSHA’s fall prevention campaign: a factory that enforced rigid fall protection measures had a 72% decrease in workplace injury in a single year. This meant fewer workers’ compensation claims, better performance measures, and higher worker satisfaction.

Equipment that Improves Workplace Safety

At Pelsue, our expertise is in tailor-made safety solutions that are designed to fit your individual work situation. With a history of more than six decades, our long-lasting Made-in-USA equipment ranges from:

• Confined space systems for tight working spaces and manholes.

• Fall Arrest Posts to safely anchor and recover professionals.

• Ventilation systems for better air quality and minimized risks when performing confined work tasks.

Explore our complete line of fall protection solutions on our website.

Elimination of Workplace Falls to Zero

Zero-fall is not a goal; it is a requirement. By focusing on preventive measures, investing in sophisticated protective equipment, and building a culture of watchfulness, organizations are able to see quantifiable success with reduced accidents. Start by making sure that your personnel is equipped with the tools and knowledge to be safe.

Call Pelsue today at 303.936.7432 for proven solutions that fulfill the needs of your most challenging issues. Together, let's keep lives safe and improve workplace performance.