For the ninth year running, general requirements for fall protection was OSHA's most-cited violation in 2019 with more than 6,000 violations. Fall protection training requirements had 1,773 violations, putting it at the number eight position on the annual Top 10 list. A few years ago, a study of 200 residential construction work sites found a full 41 percent in violation of safety standards.
Given the seriousness of a fall hazard, why does fall safety continue to be ignored year after year, resulting not only in steep fines for those caught in violation, but in life-threatening injuries for fall victims?
One of the reasons for the high number of violations is that fall safety hazards are easy to spot by inspectors. It's pretty obvious when guardrails are missing or when employees are walking around on a roof untethered. However, if an OSHA inspector can see the problem at first glance, so should you. There's no excuse for such obvious hazards to go unchecked, yet, as the recorded violations and injury statistics show, it's still happening. Here are a few reasons why:
Failure to Adopt or Properly Use Rooftop Fall Protection
Even if employees have access to the proper equipment and knowledge of the safety protocols, they still may not use it or follow them. There are several potential reasons for this:
· The equipment fits poorly and is uncomfortable to wear. It may be too tight or, because of the discomfort, the employee wears it in a position that is too loose to be effective.
· The equipment is poorly organized, making it difficult for the employee to find what they need. They feel like they're wasting time, so they go to work without it.
· The employee thinks it's not worth putting the equipment on because the elevated surface isn't very far off the ground, or the employee only intends to be up there for a few minutes.
· The employee may feel overconfident after years of experience working at heights without incident.
· The employee is using the equipment incorrectly or has failed to inspect it for damage prior to use.
All these situations point to a failure in the culture of safety within an organization: it should be clear that the company as a whole values people over productivity, with a thorough understanding that accidents can happen at any time, even to the most experienced professionals. The use of fall safety equipment should be prioritized over any deadlines or time-saving measures.
OSHA states, "Employers must set up the work place to prevent employees from falling off of overhead platforms, elevated work stations or into holes in the floor and walls." This includes properly implementing a safety railing or other fall safety equipment, keeping the area clean and clear of fall hazards, and setting up the PPE in a way that allows the employees to access it safely and easily.
OSHA also requires employers to "Select and provide required personal protective equipment at no cost to workers." That means ensuring that every employee has equipment that fits his or her unique body shape and size.
Improper use of safety equipment can easily be corrected with proper training. This helps protect the employees from injury—and it protects the employee and company from both fall hazards and safety training violations.
Budget Concerns
Some companies skimp on rooftop fall protection equipment in an attempt to save money. The cost of providing a safety railing, harnesses, and more is an investment in the organization and the people who make it work.
The cost of not providing rooftop fall protection is actually far greater than what a company will spend on guardrails and PPE. Workers' compensation claims, lawsuits, lost productivity, damaged morale and trust among remaining employees, the cost of training a new employee, fines for safety violations: these add up in a big way. You can use the $afety Pays calculator from OSHA to give you an idea of the direct and indirect costs your company will incur as a result of a certain workplace injury.
In 2018, work injuries cost the country $170.8 billion and 103 million lost days. It's also estimated that for every dollar you invest in safety, you get a return of up to six dollars thanks to increased productivity and employee retention. Imagine the savings and earnings if some of those companies had invested in an appropriate OSHA-compliant safety railing, guardrail system or other fall protection equipment. They certainly wish they had.
Confusing or Often-Changing Regulations
OSHA carefully outlines fall safety regulations, but they can be confusing at times. Different workplaces call for slightly different safety precautions, and sometimes it's hard to determine where your company fits in. Not only that, but OSHA regularly makes updates as new information and technology becomes available. Keeping up with that can be a challenge.
However, you should remember that OSHA doesn't want you to fail. Inspectors would rather see safe, compliant workplaces instead of issuing fines. With that in mind, there are a lot of resources to help you stay compliant. Videos, training guides, and other resources are available to help businesses of all sizes meet safety requirements. Standards are frequently clarified as a result of questions and letters to OSHA. Small and medium-sized businesses across the country can request a no-cost onsite consultation, and Compliance Assistance Specialists are available for seminars, workshops, and speaking engagements.
How to Make Rooftop Fall Safety a Priority
Start here:
· Conduct regular safety trainings
· Use properly-fitted personal safety equipment
· Make regular inspections of your workplace and the equipment to identify potential hazards and ensure everything is working properly
· Develop a strong culture of safety where everyone in the organization, from employees to owners, values safety, respects the rules, and feels empowered to report dangers
· Use OSHA resources to help you work through any confusing points
· Work with a trusted company that provides OSHA-compliant equipment
Selecting your guardrails, safety gates, lifelines, harnesses, and more from the experts takes the guesswork out of equipment selection: your job becomes ensuring the equipment gets used consistently and correctly.
We can help. Contact us for more information about OSHA-compliant rooftop safety solutions.