Solid Science Practical Solutions

GSE ADVISOR

Preventing Falls is Good Business

PREVENTING FALLS IS GOOD BUSINESS 
 fall off ladder 
The economy is improving, housing starts are up, warm weather is here and we hope you are growing, working hard and hiring and training good people.  Of course, with increased activity comes increased risk of accidents and injuries.
 
FALLS ARE THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IN CONSTRUCTION. 
 
In 2010, there were 264 fall fatalities (255 falls to lower level) out of 774 total fatalities in construction.
 
These facts are the basis of OSHA's new Fall Prevention campaign.  The program kicked-off the summer with a region-wide Summer 2013 "Falls in Construction" Stand-Down event.  This event was part of a nationwide outreach campaign to raise awareness about the hazards of falls from ladders, scaffolds and roofs.  The program contains three simple steps to prevent falls and save lives:
 
  • PLAN ahead to get the job done safely
  • PROVIDE the right equipment
  • TRAIN everyone to use the equipment safely
Educating workers about fall safety is not only about saving lives, it is a sustainable business practice that can save you money over the long term.  According to the National Council on Compensation Insurance, the nation's largest provider of worker compensation data, the average cost to an employer when a roofer falls from an elevation is about $106,000 per injured roofer - that's enough to put a small roofing company out of business.
 
Many of you know Garden State Environmental (GSE) as an Industrial Hygiene, environmental, indoor air quality and mold consulting firm.  While we certainly have many years of experience in those areas, our OSHA compliance and training division is also actively working with construction companies to ensure compliance and reduce injuries and related costs.
 
Examples of related GSE services offered include:
 
  • Job Hazard Assessments
  • Development of Health and Safety Plans (HASP)
  • On-site Health and Safety Officers
  • Hazardous Material and Dust Exposure Monitoring during construction
  • Development of OSHA compliance policies and plans
  • Training on numerous health and safety topics including:
    • OSHA 10 and 30 hour training
    • OSHA 10 and 40 hour HAZWOPER
    • Ladder Safety and Fall Protection
    • Respiratory Protection
    • Hearing Conservation
    • Site specific EH&S training
Please give us a call for help with implementing the OSHA Fall Protection Plan and other efforts to reduce injuries and related costs and maintain cost effective compliance with OSHA regulations.

OSHA Fall Prevention Resources: