February 25, 2002—Preventing falls, particularly at construction sites across the Southeast, is the goal of a special emphasis program announced recently by the US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). According to OSHA statistics, last year 33% of all fatal workplace accidents in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi were caused by falls, and 70% of these fatal falls occurred at construction sites. During that period, OSHA’s southeastern area offices investigated 83 fatalities involving falls, 58 of which were in the construction industry.
“Many of these lives could have been saved if a means of fall protection had been provided for these workers,” said Cindy Coe, OSHA’s Atlanta regional administrator.
OSHA’s commitment to reducing fall hazards is a three-pronged effort. First, nine compliance assistant specialists, who operate independently of OSHA’s enforcement efforts, will be available to help employers and employees recognize and prevent fall hazards. Second, OSHA will conduct educational outreach sessions. And finally, compliance officers specifically trained to identify fall hazards and perform on-the-spot inspections will conduct enforcement operations at worksites.
Coe is hopeful that providing fall protection training, raising awareness of OSHA’s regulatory requirements, and increasing enforcement activity will save lives. Involved in the program are OSHA offices in Alabama: Mobile 334/441-6131, Birmingham; 205/731-1534; Florida: Jacksonville; 904/ 232-2895, Tampa; 813/626-1177, Fort Lauderdale; 954/424-0242; Georgia: Atlanta-East; 770/493-6644, Atlanta-West 770/984-8700, Savannah 912/ 652-4393; and Mississippi: Jackson 601/965-4604. For more information visit OSHA.
