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We’ve talked about the importance of fall protection and some of the best product investments out there. However, only some of these products are recommended for permanent use. Why is that?

The answer is simple: the material and the design of the product determine whether it is better suited for long- or short-term use.

The leading cause of occupational injuries and fatalities is falls. In fact, within the past decade, it is the #1 OSHA-violated standard, resulting in workplace tragedies, costing businesses a substantial amount of money and damaging their reputations.

Perhaps it is fair to say that one of the most dangerous work environments is industrial spaces, including factories, warehouses, and manufacturing plants. Such settings create numerous opportunities for tripping, slipping, and falling from greasy floors and damaged steps to clutter and uneven walking surfaces. 

When it comes to workplace safety, it’s critical for construction companies to look at what could happen instead of what is (or isn’t) currently happening. Incidents can take place at any time and can happen to anyone. You must not take signs of potential danger lightly. A small crack on the wall or a rusty handle bar might be all it takes to cause a major workplace hazard.

All forms of fall protection exist to decrease the number of fall-related worker incidents, maintain safety in the workplace, and enhance productivity. However, not all fall protection solutions are created equal.

As falls consistently account for the highest number of fatalities in the construction industry, it’s no wonder that OSHA highlights very specific guidelines to correspond with each system of fall protection. Identifying and addressing these details is the key to sustained workplace safety.

Retail workers perform a wide array of tasks in a typical day that demand both physical and mental energy. It may seem that most of the retail industry is part of a low-risk environment. However, falls can occur in any type of situation; more than 1 million workers’ comp claims are filed each year.

Falls are a significant cause of serious injuries. In most cases, the failure to use any kind of fall protection equipment has led to many unfortunate tragedies.

One small mistake can kill. Many people think that as long as they spend a lot of money on fall protection, they’re doing the right thing. The truth is fall protection doesn’t only involve planning, training, and appropriate use of personal protective equipment; it also includes regular inspections and proper maintenance.

For your own safety and the safety of others, it’s important to know the basic types of fall protection and what works best for each situation and your budget. Understanding the concept of fall protection correctly will safeguard you from falls as well as minimize potential damage and losses resulting from possible incidents.

Falls are one of the leading causes of accidental deaths in America. A 2011 study by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported that more than 30,000 people died from falls that year. While falls may affect anyone, they are particularly dangerous in the workplace. Each year, more than 1 million workers’ comp claims are filed and falls account for nearly 40% of all construction deaths.

Here, we hope to educate you about the most common fall situations and provide simple guidelines to help you prevent fall-related injuries and deaths. It’s important to remember that this is just a starting point. If you have any further questions, refer to the OSHA website for more information.

Portable fall protection equipment varies extensively across industries and sites, but the general purpose remains constant. Like fixed and permanent fall protection systems, portable protection exists to eliminate workplace accidents caused by falls in adherence to OSHA requirements.

Since its formation in 1970, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, has set standards to ensure all private-sector employers provide optimal workplace safety and health to their employees. Failure to comply with OSHA standards, even if it’s a small mistake, can penalize your construction company in a big way. As such, no business wants to account for the high costs that result from OSHA violations.

Here are the top 5 OSHA violations that every construction company should proactively avoid.

At Dakota Safety, we believe in the power of fall protection guardrails. But, we also admit passive fall protection isn’t always applicable to every situation. For construction sites, roofing tasks, or sites that need guardrails removed, an active fall protection solution is required, like a safety harness. That being said, a harness is only as good as its anchor point.

Anchorage points are your connection point to a solid structure. Required by OSHA standard 1910.66, each worker’s personal fall arrest system must have a reliable point of attachment for lifelines, lanyards, or deceleration devices. Anchor points can be beneficial if your work site is temporary or your workers need to cover lots of ground.