OSHA calls on construction companies after four tragic falls, in Pennsylvania, in the past week

Following four fatal construction accidents that recently took place in southwestern Pennsylvania, OSHA is calling on construction companies to ensure that employees working above six feet have the proper equipment to protect themselves from falls on the job.

"One worker fall accident is unacceptable, but four falls within a few days' time is completely incomprehensible," said Robert Szymanski, the area director for OSHA's Pittsburgh office.

Three more construction-related deaths from falling have occurred within the past week in southwestern Pennsylvania. Carl Beck, 29, of Butler, fell 42 feet from a roof in North Strabane, Washington County, on Saturday morning. On Friday morning, Gary E. Dwire, 56, fell from a house in New Kensington, and Michael Grinder, 40, fell two stories at a site in Monessen. The fourth fall happened this Tuesday, August 18th, when Roy Pfoertner, 53, of New Kensington, fell 13 stores to the sidewalk when he was working on a roof of a Pennsylvanian apartment building. He was part of a crew doing masonry work on the roof for the contractor, Mariani and Richards.

In the construction industry nationally, falls account for nearly 50 percent of all fatalities, Mr. Szymanski said. "If you eliminate fall hazards in construction, you would eliminate 50 percent of fatalities right off the bat," he said. "These recent accidents in Allegheny and Washington counties are tragic reminders of the dangers posed to workers when adequate protection is not provided."

OSHA reminds employers that there are a number of ways to protect workers from falls including guardrail systems, safety net systems and personal fall arrest systems, including properly anchored body harnesses and lanyards, as well as through the use of safe work practices and training. These tragic accidents should encourage all construction companies to reassess their fall prevention methods to ensure worker safety.

For more information on fall protection, visit our website www.hysafe.com

Sources:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09232/992116-455.stm#ixzz0OjbeC4SC
www.osha.gov