Falls & Falling Objects

Falling is by far the most common cause of worker death in the construction industry. OSHA recognizes that incidents involving falls are generally complex events, frequently involving a variety of factors.

Consequently, both behavior- and equipment-related safety guidelines must be observed to protect workers from fall hazards. Preventing falls requires workers to consistently scan their work environment for hazards and take the time to follow safety best practices.

A fall hazard is anything at a worksite that could cause you to lose your balance or bodily support and result in a fall. Any walking or working surface can be a potential fall hazard. Falls on the same level (in other words, slips and trips) are a leading cause of injury in construction, while falls from heights are the leading cause of fatalities. Even a fall from a short distance can be fatal.

Construction workers are also at risk of being struck by falling tools, building materials, and equipment.

To learn more about Fall Protection visit our Construction Fall Protection Online Training web page.