Falls can end a person’s life, their career or just their ability to work for the rest of that day. Avoiding them is in the interest of employers and employees alike.
The following options can help reduce the likelihood or severity of falls.
Eliminating dangers and marking them when they occur
Many falls happen at ground level. Someone slips on a wet or otherwise low-traction surface and ends up going over. Quickly clearing up spills and placing warning signs can help avoid this. So, too, can barriers when someone could fall from the ground to somewhere lower, such as into a hole or off a broken section of path.
Considering alternatives to ladders
People often favor the use of ladders for tasks at height because they are cheap to buy, easy to keep on hand and quick to deploy. Someone can quickly change a light bulb, swap a sign over or touch up the paintwork while balancing on wooden or metal rungs.
The problem with ladders is that they are easily toppled. Firstly, the ground is not always perfectly flat and stable. Secondly, the higher up a ladder someone is, the more leverage they exert, so the easier it is for it to fall, especially if someone or something knocks it.
Scaffolding is one alternative, and mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPs) are another. In other cases, ropes and harnesses are the best option, for example, for a team working on a roof. They can prevent a fall from occurring or at least stop it if it does occur. Safety nets may also be appropriate in some cases.
Employers need to consider the best way to prevent workers from falling and getting injured. They also need to ensure proper training of staff to this end. Accidents could still happen, which is why understanding how to file a workers’ compensation claim may be necessary.