Industry Insights: Construction Site Fall Protection

The Continuing Need for Fall Protection on the Construction Site

Why Does OSHA Have a Standard for Fall Protection?

The majority of deaths in the construction business historically have been caused by falls, which account for around one-third of all fatalities. For instance, out of the 828 deaths recorded overall in 2013, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 291 fatal falls to a lower level.

OSHA is aware that accidents involving falls are usually complicated occurrences that involve a number of variables. In order to safeguard employees from fall dangers, these fall protection standard address both equipment-related and human-related accidents. The purpose of this document is to provide employees and employers with a better understanding of the standards and rationale for the fall protection standards in construction.

OSHA’s 2021 Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Violations

The following is a list of the top 10 most frequently cited standards following inspections of worksites by OSHA for all industries. 

Fatal and nonfatal falls, slips, and trips in the construction industry

2019 saw 1,102 fatal injuries in the construction industry across both the commercial and public sectors. These fatalities accounted for 20.7% of all occupational fatalities in the US (5,333). The majority of fatal incidents in the construction sector—representing 37.9% of all fatalities—were caused by falls, slips, and trips (418 of 1,102). The number of fatal falls, slips, and trips increased by 22.9% from 2017 to 2018. Falls to a lower level account for the majority of fatal falls, slips, and trips.

Number of fatal work injuries in the construction industry by selected events or exposures, 2016-2020

Number of nonfatal injuries and illnesses involving days away from work by selected event or exposure, private construction industry, 2015-2019

Rate of nonfatal injuries and illinesses involving days away from work per 10,000 full-time workers by selected events or exposures and industries, 2020

Construction Fatalities in the United States.

On the job site, construction workers encounter a variety of dangers on a daily basis. Since 2016, more than 1,000 people have suffered a fatal injury at work each year, with falls to a lower level accounting for more than one-third of these fatalities, despite continued attempts to increase safety.

Number of fatal injuries in construction top 4 states