Falls in the Construction Industry- The Necessity for Skylight Screens

Existing OSHA standards require the guarding of skylights and other roof openings. OSHA Regulation 29 CFR 1910.23 (Guarding Floor and Wall Openings and Holes) states "Every skylight, floor opening, and hole shall be guarded by a standard skylight screen or fixed standard railing on all exposed sides." OSHA construction standards also state that "Wherever there is a danger of falling through a skylight opening, it shall be guarded by a fixed standard railing on all exposed sides or a cover capable of sustaining the weight of a 200 pound person [29 CFR 1926.500(b)(4)]." OSHA regulates these standards and enforces them during and after construction is completed. NIOSH data shows that through 1980-85 there was a total of 28 deaths that resulted from falls through skylights, and 39 deaths resulted from falls through roofs or roof openings. "The recent increase in the use of smoke-vent skylights in new construction has increased the exposure of workers to these hazards (NIOSH Alert)." The lack of durability of skylights is one of the mains reasons OSHA requires fall protection for skylights.

The construction industry leads other major industrial classifications in the rate of injuries and illnesses due to falls. According the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 1993, the industry rate for lost work days due to falls was double the national average. Falls in the construction industry result in much longer absences than they do in the private industry as a whole. Disabling falls in the construction industry have an average of 14 days away from work, which is double the 7-day average reported nationwide (bls.gov). Statistics from the Bureau of labor indicate a scary fact- in 1994 the construction industry accounted for over half of the 577 American workers who fell from heights to their deaths.

A company's fall protection program should implement and enforce standards requiring the guarding of skylights and any roof openings. For some reason, many companies tend to overlook skylights and many don't realize that it requires fall protection. A skylight screen or guard can prevent, if not eliminate, most accidents. This past Sunday (December 20) a construction worker fell through a skylight and died. He was walking on the roof when the accident occurred. No details have yet been released on whether or not he was wearing fall protection equipment.

For more information on skylight screens or fall protection equipment, don't hesitate to call us 1-800-642-0775 or send us an email info@hysafetech.com

Sources:
bls.gov
osha.gov
cdc.gov/niosh/
Staff Reports. "Construction worker killed in Newbury Park accident." Vcstar.com. Web. 21 Dec. 2009.