The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), OSHA, and The Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR) have announced the re-launch of the construction fall prevention campaign, the collaborative, national initiative to prevent falls at construction sites. Falls continue to be the leading cause of work-related injury and deaths in construction.
According to data from BLS, an average of two construction workers die each day in the U.S. Deaths and injuries from falls represent a major, persistent, yet preventable public health problem. In 2011, the rate of fatal injuries in construction was the second highest of any U.S. industry. Within the industry itself, falls on construction sites are the leading cause of death, accounting for 35% of deaths among private industry construction workers.
The residential construction industry holds an important role in the economic vitality of our nation and the health of this industry is tied to the health of its workers, says NIOSH. The re-launch of the campaign demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that contractors and workers stay safe on the job by providing the knowledge and tools they need.
Says OSHA, as the nation's economy grows we are seeing a steady increase in new construction activity and an influx of new, inexperienced workers. Falls are the leading cause of death in construction so it is vitally important for employers to provide the right equipment and properly train their workers in a language they understand so they can do their jobs safely. Falls can be prevented and lives can be saved by planning ahead to get the job done safely.