National Safety Stand-Down Week and Protecting Construction Workers in Texas

Fatalities caused by elevation falls continue to be a leading cause of death for construction workers. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics discovered that in 2017, elevation falls accounted for 366 of the 971 construction recorded fatalities. The fact that these fatalities were preventable makes them even more tragic.

National Safety Stand-Down Week, a campaign to prevent falls in construction, is from May 6th to May 10th this year. Construction employers are asked to participate in this annual campaign by setting aside time to openly discuss falls and fall prevention with their employees.

If you have sustained an injury or lost someone you love as a result of construction fall, it is in your best interest to reach out to an experienced Texas work injury lawyer at Begum Law Group Injury Lawyers. We can inform you of your legal rights and may be able to recover compensation for your damages. To schedule a free consultation of your case with The Law Giant, contact us today at (866) 523-4167.

How Construction Employers Can Participate in National Safety Stand-Down Week

It is important for construction employers to get involved in National Safety Stand-Down Week and use it as an opportunity to prevent falls in their workplaces. Some tips to help them discuss construction falls with their workers include:

• Make sure everyone takes part. Rather than just asking construction workers to participate in the discussion, employers should include subcontractors, architects, engineers, owners, and others who may be prone to falls in some way.
• Explain what types of falls can occur. There are a number of different types of falls in construction, including those from ladders, roofs, scaffolds, stairs, structural steels, floors, roof openings, and fragile roof surfaces. It’s vital to discuss each of these falls and how they can be prevented.
• Include hands-on exercises. To keep employees engaged, hands-on exercises should be included in the discussion. Equipment checks and a worksite walkaround are two great options.
• Encourage interaction. Employees should be encouraged to discuss their personal experiences pertaining to falls and ask questions related to how they can be prevented.
• Invite a speaker. Some regional Stand-Down Coordinators may be able to speak and provide employees with valuable fall prevention advice.

Most Common Causes of Construction Falls

Construction falls can happen at any moment. They are typically the result of:

• Lack of training or worker inexperience
• Improper ladder selection or use of a ladder
• No employer fall protection program
• Unstable work surfaces
• Working while it’s raining or snowing
• Ladder overloading
• No use of guardrails

Fall Prevention Tips

There are a variety of ways construction employers can reduce the risk of falls in their workplaces, including:

• Guard floor holes – If there are floor holes that workers can walk into by accident, they should be guarded using floor hole covers or railings and toe-boards.
• Keep elevated open-sided platforms safe – A guard rail and toe-board should be provided near every elevated open-sided platform, runway, or floor.
• Use various fall protection equipment – Safety nets, harnesses, stair railings, and handrails are all examples of devices that can help prevent falls.
• Perform training – Employees should be trained on job hazards and fall prevention techniques.

Contact The Law Giant for Help

Even if your employer takes the proper precautions to prevent falls, they can still occur. If you suffer from an injury or lose a loved one in a construction fall, reach out to Begum Law Group Injury Lawyers as soon as possible. We can investigate your situation, determine liability, and ensure your rights remain protected. Call us at (866) 523-4167 today, or reach out through the online form to schedule a free, initial evaluation of your case.