OSHA bulletin addresses construction hazards of lifting framed walls

December 19, 2005—The risk of injury or death from collapsing framed walls during construction is the reason behind OSHA’s newest Safety and Health Information Bulletin, “Hazards of Manually Lifting Balloon Framed Walls.”

OSHA recorded 22 incidents involving collapses of balloon-framed walls during the five-year period ending in July 2004. During that period, five workers were killed and 28 others injured as a result of these incidents. The bulletin describes how such incidents occur, and offers safe lifting methods and recommendations to help prevent collapse of the walls.