Working at height is one of the leading causes of workplace injuries and fatalities. This section covers work at height safety, including fall hazards, equipment use, and prevention strategies. Learn how to apply control measures, use fall protection systems, and ensure safe working practices.
TL;DR I was halfway through a steel erection walkdown on a commercial build in the Midwest when I saw a connector working two stories up with a harness on his back — unclipped. The lanyard was coiled over his shoulder like a garden hose. When I stopped the job, the foreman told me the crew … Read more
TL;DR I was halfway through a routine walking-working surface inspection at a food processing plant when I grabbed a stairway handrail on a mezzanine access stair — and it moved. Not wobbled. Moved. The entire rail section shifted about two inches laterally because three of four mounting brackets had sheared from the wall. Workers had … Read more
I once walked onto a Tier-1 petrochemical expansion project and stopped a crew of pipefitters working on a pipe rack 12 meters up. They had their harnesses on, but they were clipped to a 2-inch conduit—a “perceived” anchor point that would have snapped like a twig in a fall. This is the reality of work … Read more
Working at heights is often unavoidable in construction, maintenance, and rescue operations. Ensuring workers’ safety and efficiency in such conditions is paramount. Enter the man basket, a specially designed platform that allows workers to perform tasks at elevated heights safely and effectively. This guide explores everything you need to know about man baskets, their design, … Read more
Falls are among the leading causes of workplace injuries and fatalities, particularly in the construction industry. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), falls accounted for 38.4% of construction fatalities in 2022. Whether working at heights, using ladders, or walking on unstable surfaces, employees are at risk if proper safety measures are not … Read more
Working at heights is one of the most hazardous activities in construction and industrial environments. Whether you are on scaffolding, climbing ladders, accessing rooftops, or working on elevated platforms, a single moment of imbalance can lead to a life-changing injury—or worse. This toolbox talk provides a comprehensive look at why fall protection matters, common hazards, … Read more
Falls remain one of the leading causes of workplace fatalities worldwide. According to , falls consistently rank as the top killer in the construction sector, and they also cause severe injuries across general industry settings. To counter this persistent hazard, safety regulators have established specific heights — called “trigger heights” — at which fall protection … Read more
Falls are one of the leading causes of serious injury or death in many industries. In construction alone, about one worker dies from a fall every day. To combat this, safety experts use a tiered “hierarchy of fall protection,” which ranks control measures from most effective to least effective. At the top are solutions that … Read more
Roofing is among the most hazardous jobs in construction. Every step, from scaling ladders to walking across sloped surfaces, presents serious risks. According to occupational safety statistics, roofing-related falls and accidents are a leading cause of workplace injuries and fatalities globally. Whether you’re a contractor, safety officer, or property owner, understanding the common hazards and … Read more
Working at height is one of the most hazardous activities in many industries, from construction and maintenance to telecom and warehousing. Every year, numerous accidents and fatalities occur due to falls—most of which are preventable by adhering to essential requirements for working at heights. This is where the Hierarchy of Control for Height Work comes … Read more