A study by The Center for Construction Research and Training shows that between 1992 and 2009, falls from roofs accounted for one-third of construction-related fatalities, with 67% of deaths from roof falls occurring in small construction companies of 1 to 10 employees. Workers under age 20, and those older than 44, as well as Hispanic and immigrant workers, had higher roof fatalities than other workers. Though it may be too soon to tell if it has made a difference, OSHA spent the past two years conducting outreach — priority free on-site compliance assistance, penalty reductions, extended abatement dates, and other measures to ensure consistency — to help decrease the incidence of falls. In mid-March, OSHA’s temporary enforcement measures ended. See OSHA’s compliance web page for safety information.
Related articles:
Height of Safety: OSHA Fall-Prevention Campaign
OSHA Roof Safety Rules: Fall protection is now OSHA’s No. 1 national priority, but a lot of roofing contractors don’t know it. Here’s what you need to know
Secure for Safety: Tool Tethering Tips
Safe House: Benefits of Holding Site-Specific Safety Meetings
