Did you know that falls are the leading cause of death in the construction industry? Falls cause one of every three construction worker deaths. Many of these falls are preventable. Prevention starts with the implementation of a Fall Protection Plan.
Who needs a Fall Protection Plan? According to Washington Administrative Code 296-880-10020 an employer must develop and implement a Fall Protection work plan wherever employees are assigned and where fall hazards of ten feet or more exist. (PDF version of code) Plans must include the following:
• Identify all fall hazards in the work area
• Describe the method of fall arrest or fall restraint to be provided
• Describe the procedures for assembling, maintaining, and disassembling the fall protection system
• Describe the proper procedures for the handling, storage, and securing of tools and materials
• Describe the method of providing overhead protection for workers on the ground
• Describe the method for prompt and safe removal of injured workers
• Ensure that employees are trained and instructed in the above
• The plan must be available on-site for inspection by Labor & Industries (L&I)
On its website, L&I has templates in English and Spanish that businesses can fill out to help meet these requirements.
Also, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has many valuable resources for education and training on fall prevention. An excellent fact sheet can be found here. A comprehensive publication can be found here. Video resources can be found here. Note: The previous three links are OSHA resource documents and may contain requirements that may differ from the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act (WISHA) codes.
A Fall Protection Plan is the necessary starting point for fall prevention. Specific hazards such as elevated platforms, ladder safety, and harness inspection deserve individual attention. These and other topics will be broken out specifically and discussed in greater detail in separate posts.
Do you have questions about safety, or anything else L&I related? PIM Savvy is ready to help you with these and other topics individually over the phone, via online meetings, or in person at one of our virtual workshops. We have safety and labor expertise to share with you and we can connect you with L&I. Call or text our workplace safety info line at 206-565-2961. Not only that, in partnership with L&I, these services are FREE to you!
Cheers!
PIM Savvy Inc.
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