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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.

Recently, OSHA’s updated regulations were released and the current administration has wasted no time in its enforcement.

While OSHA intends to protect workers and empower employers to maintain a safe, productive work environment, there is a gap in understanding exactly how to adhere to the regulations as the agency expects. It is often difficult to extract an accurate interpretation from the regulatory language and legalese.

Dealing with OSHA regulations is not an easy task for many companies. As an employer, you are responsible for the safety of your workers who are handling chemicals or working on surfaces with unprotected edges or sides above 6 feet on a daily basis. Therefore, it is crucial to stay on top of OSHA changes.

This year, the Obama Administration has set a rigorous agenda for new regulations and enhanced OSHA enforcement. This article will shed light on OSHA changes in 2016 to help you better prepare for them.

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.

In 2014, there were 4,679 worker deaths. That’s 13 people dying every day – mainly from falls. The unfortunate truth is these kinds of deaths are alarmingly common. The good news is they are also largely preventable with proper safety equipment. Previously, we covered many of the most common situations when fatal falls may occur, and in this article, we’ll discuss one of the best tools for preventing falls: safety gates.

It is important to remember that this is just a starting point to cover basic information. For more details about the rules and regulations surrounding proper safety gate usage, please refer to the official OSHA website.

It only takes a second. Someone is going about their business and a quick distraction causes them to trip, maybe fall. On a flat surface, this could mean nothing; but near an unprotected edge, falls can pose serious risks and result in broken materials, injuries, or even fatalities. In 2014, falls accounted for 40% of fatalities in construction.

Some risks can’t always be avoided, but they can be managed by putting preventative measures in place. Trips and stumbles may still happen, but railings will significantly reduce the danger to your workers. OSHA standards require employers to use some combination of guardrail systems, safety nets, or harnesses at their worksites.

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.