Fact sheet provides tips for preventing construction falls from heights

Falls are the leading cause of construction worker deaths on the job

Posted May 3, 2019

Each year in the U.S., more than 310 construction workers are killed and more than 10,350 are seriously injured by falls from heights. A new NIOSH fact sheet provides recommendations, reports, and resources to help employers, safety professionals, and workers prevent fall injuries and deaths from roofs, ladders, and scaffolds.

The fact sheet notes that falls remain the leading cause of construction worker deaths on the job, and in 2016 – the latest year data were available – falls from roofs caused 124 deaths; ladders, 104 deaths; and scaffolds, 60 deaths.

While the fact sheet provides specific recommendations for each hazard, general recommendations to prevent falls from heights include:

Providing training on how to properly use equipment and how to identify fall hazards,
Using a buddy system when working at heights, and
Monitoring weather conditions.

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