Construction sites rife with fall hazards, review finds

Although this article talks specifically about Canada, it's a problem that is often seen in many construction sites all around the world. In the United States, the US Department of Labor (DOL) lists falls as one of the leading causes of traumatic occupational death. In the construction industry falls are the leading causes of worker fatalities. Each year, on average, between 150 and 200 workers are killed and more than 100,000 are injured as a result of falls at construction sites.

The article titled "Construction sites rife with fall hazards, review finds" discusses the lack of fall protection and the abundance of fall hazards in Ontario. A safety blitz, following the Christmas deaths of four migrant workers, led to the shut down of 784 dangerous jobs on sites throughout Ontario. Check out the article and let us know what you think.

Do you think a "safety blitz" such as the one conducted in Ontario is necessary in your state/country? Will the construction and general industry eventually take the hint and protect their workers?

Article: The publicity surrounding the tragedy jolted the provincial government into action with a three-month safety audit of 2,800 sites across the province.

Results of the inspections, revealed Thursday, paint a troubling picture. Inspectors found problems at slightly more than half of the sites, including fall hazards, a lack of properly trained staff or supervisors and workers using broken or inadequate equipment.

Labour Minister Peter Fonseca called the numbers “unacceptable” and said the ministry will soon open up a 1-800 line for workers and members of the public to call if feel they’ve spotted a safety violation.

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Source:

osha.gov

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