• Safety Alerts

  Two fatal falls in construction within a seven day period

  Posted by Nigel on 2 June 2020 at 2:42 pm

  WorkSafe Victoria Australia issued a reminder about the potentially deadly risks associated with working from heights without adequate fall protection, after two construction employees died in separate incidents.

  Background

  In separate incidents, two construction employees have sustained fatal injuries after falling from height.

  A male employee at a residential construction site fell from scaffolding to the ground. He suffered severe head injuries and passed away in hospital two days later.

  A self-employed male was undertaking work on a pergola under construction at a residential site. Roof sheeting had been removed from the pergola and he fell through an opening to the ground below, suffering fatal head injuries.

  Safety issues

  Falls are a leading cause of fatalities within the construction industry. Falls often occur as a result of inadequate fall prevention or incomplete systems of work.

  Recommended ways to control risks

  Where there is a risk of falling more than two metres, employers must eliminate that risk so far as is reasonably practicable. For example, by undertaking work on the ground or on a solid construction.

  If the risk of a fall cannot be eliminated, employers must reduce any remaining risk as far as is reasonably practicable by implementing the below controls in the following order:

  • passive fall prevention device such as guard railing or scaffolds
  • work positioning systems such as a rope access system or travel restraints
  • fall arrest systems such as catch platforms, safety nets or safety harnesses
  • fixed or portable ladders or administrative controls

  When working near perimeter edges ensure that:

  • perimeter edge protection is in place (scaffolding, guard rails or catch platforms incorporating guard rail systems) and
  • safe access is provided to the work at height location(s)

  When undertaking work on roofs where there is risk of internal fall, ensure that internal fall protection is in place, such as:

  • guard railing around openings and a travel restraint system
  • safety mesh installed across openings
  • mobile scaffolding set up beneath the work area
  • an appropriate fall restraint system

  When using scaffolding, ensure that:

  • the scaffolding is complete
  • all scaffolding components are compatible
  • internal access (stair or ladder) is provided
  • scaffold planks are secured
  • scaffold is fit for purpose and can withstand the intended load
  • the scaffold is adequately secured to the structure (tie-ins)

  Falls are preventable yet continue to kill so many people worldwide, so why do workers risk their lives for employers that fail to provide them with the legal duty of care

  Nigel replied 4 years, 6 months ago 1 Member · 0 Replies
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