Falls TOP OSHA's List... Again!

As 2024 draws to a close with significant developments, it's pivotal to reflect on the most frequently cited standard by OSHA this year. Intriguingly, the top spot in 2024 mirrors that of 2023, continuing a 13-year trend where falls have dominated this position.

The most cited violation remains the failure to protect workers from falls on the job, amassing fines totaling $47.4 million. This statistic highlights not just the rising costs associated with such violations, but also underscores the persistent and lethal nature of fall-related incidents. It’s a reminder of the crucial need for stringent safety measures and compliance to prevent these avoidable tragedies.

Fall Protection – General Requirements (1926.501)

2024 Violations: 6,307

2023 Violations: 7,271

Recognizing that progress is a continuous journey, it's noteworthy to acknowledge the significant decrease of 964 citations from 2023 to 2024. Let's continue this positive trend and aim to further reduce citations by the end of 2025!

I hope that sharing this "summarized version" of a chapter from my recently published book, which focuses on helping companies protect their people, property, and profits, proves beneficial. It provides insights into the top five construction safety regulations cited by OSHA in Fiscal Year 2023, offering effective tools and strategies to safeguard your team against falls in 2025.

In 2024, there were 7,271 violations of OSHA’s Fall Protection – General Requirements. This regulation mandates that any worker on a surface more than six feet above a lower level must have fall protection. This includes guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest systems, applicable in various construction scenarios such as unprotected sides, hoist areas, and roofing work.

Key Areas Requiring Fall Protection:

• Unprotected sides and edges
• Holes and excavations
• Overhand bricklaying and roofing
• Precast concrete erection and residential construction

Common Oversights:

• Employers often miss the requirement to check if surfaces can safely support workers.
• Fall protection plans must meet specific criteria under OSHA’s guidelines.
• Employers must protect against tripping hazards and falling objects, necessitating hard hats and other safety measures such as toeboards or guardrail systems.

Best Practices for Ensuring Safety:

1. Risk Assessments: Identify potential fall hazards before any project begins.
2. Fall Protection Plans: Develop detailed strategies for mitigating fall risks.
3. Safety Systems: Install guardrails and safety nets, and provide personal fall arrest systems to workers.
4. Training and Supervision: Regularly train workers on fall protection standards and supervise work sites to enforce these practices.
5. Equipment Maintenance: Keep all safety equipment in good working order and conduct regular safety audits.

Cost-effective Compliance:

• Plan safety measures early to integrate them seamlessly into projects.
• Use innovative technologies like drones for inspections to minimize direct risks to workers.
• Invest in versatile and reusable safety systems to spread costs across multiple projects.

Adhering to these guidelines not only complies with legal requirements but also significantly enhances worker safety, potentially saving lives and reducing workplace injuries.

Note: To make the extensive information more accessible, I've condensed the 12-page discussion from the book into the key points outlined in this newsletter. Please note that this is a summary and does not cover every possible scenario related to workplace falls. For further guidance, I encourage you to visit osha.gov where you can find a comprehensive list of resources.

If you need more detailed information, feel free to contact me, and I'll happily email you the full chapter of the book at no cost!

Let's Not Meet By Accident!