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Myths and Facts about Falls in Residential Construction Myth I: Residential contractors don't get injured as badly as commercial construction workers. FACT: One third of all construction workers who have fallen to their death in Massachusetts worked in residential construction. A 30 year old roofer was rolling tar paper on a new pitch roof of a 2 story Cape when he backed off the edge. He fell 24 feet to his death, and left behind a wife and children. A 68 year old painter died after falling 10 feet from a small front porch of a 2 story home. The painter fell when he climbed down a step ladder and leaned into a rotted porch railing. He had painted homes for over 40 years. Myth 2: You have to fall a long distance to kill yourself. FACT: Half the construction workers who died in a fall fell from a height of 21 feet or less. If you hit your head hard enough, you can die at any height. Even if you survive a fall, you may be laid up for some time with a disability. Myth 3: Experienced workers don't fall. FACT: The average age of construction workers who have fallen to their death was 47 - people with many years of experience. "It just happens so fast. It's when you think you're safe that you need to be more careful." - Gene, Homebuilder Myth 4: Working safely is costly. "I fell three stories and was out of work for 8 weeks. I was subcontracting and didn't have comp. This was a long time ago, but I probably lost around $5,000. A harness would have cost me $50 back then." ~ Dan, General Contractor Myth 5: Fall protection equipment is more of a hindrance than a help. FACT: Nothing is more of a hindrance than a lifetime disability. Fall protection equipment is improving. New retractable lifelines allow for maximum flexibility. Roof anchors can be nailed into the structural members of wooden roofs. FACT: Falls Can Be Prevented Bring the right equipment to the job, and use it correctly.
Follow OSHA Regulations OSHA standards are a basis for safe work practices. Complying with them could save your life. Construction Standards CFR 29 Part 1926 Scaffolding - Subpart L, 1926.450-454 Stay Alert Always think first and don't take risks. Watch out for others on the job. Train Your Workers Make sure that your employees know how to work safely at heights. Additional Information Contact the Massachusetts Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation Project (MA FACE) or the Occupational Safety &Health Administration (OSHA) MA FACE Project OSHA Consultation Program OSHA Regional Office
This paper appears in the eLCOSH website with the permission of the author and/or copyright holder and may not be reproduced without their consent. eLCOSH is an information clearinghouse. eLCOSH and its sponsors are not responsible for the accuracy of information provided on this web site, nor for its use or misuse. FACE is an occupational injury prevention project conducted by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health; it is not responsible for enforcement of safety standards. FACE investigates workplace fatalities with the aim of identifying risk factors that lead to fatal injury. The FACE Project is funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Many thanks to the contractors and others who helped develop this brochure. |
FACT: Much equipment is inexpensive, such as ladder stabilizers, guardrail holders, and fall protection kits. Other items such as scaffolds are more costly. Invest in this equipment, just as you would a quality tool. Injury is much more expensive in the end.
