It’s not just the fall that hurts you!
In the busy and often dangerous world of construction, safety is a top priority. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) constantly stresses the need for strong safety practices and regular inspections to prevent accidents and save lives. One key issue OSHA highlights is fall protection in construction, which had the highest number of violations last year. Additionally, fall protection training requirements ranked eighth, with 2,109 citations issued for training failures alone. These numbers show how important it is to document safety practices and inspect safety gear regularly.
Fall protection in construction is not just a rule; it saves lives. OSHA requires employers to provide fall protection systems for workers who are six feet above the ground or higher. Despite these clear rules, violations are common, leading to serious fines and tragic accidents. The lack of proper fall protection training makes things worse because untrained workers can’t properly identify and deal with hazards. Construction companies need to not only use fall protection systems but also make sure their workers know how to use and fit them correctly. Conducting that training is essential, but even if you conduct it, and you fail to properly document the training, or put equipment into service without documentation, you can face significant fines.
I’ve conducted thousands of equipment inspections, and the most common violations I uncover are training documentation of Authorized Persons, and no record of equipment inspection, which includes the date of first use. So, we’re seeing the easiest wins forfeited. Now, these two are generally recoverable, but at a cost. You are still likely to face fines if OSHA uncovers these issues, your workers may be pulled from the site to re-take training to satisfy OSHA or GC requirements, and time can be lost researching training dates, catching up on equipment inspections, or hiring out someone like me to come do it for you.
Ignoring fall protection standards can lead to more than just accidents. Financial penalties and damage to a company’s reputation can be devastating. OSHA fines for not following the rules are high, and bad publicity from safety violations can drive away clients and partners. This makes it essential for construction companies to focus on safety training and documentation.
Good documentation is the foundation of a strong safety program. Detailed records of safety practices, training sessions, and gear inspections show that a company is serious about safety. In case of an inspection or accident, thorough documentation can prove that a company is following the rules, possibly reducing fines and legal trouble. Regular inspection of safety gear ensures that all equipment is in good shape, lowering the risk of failures and accidents.
To help construction companies in these areas, Malta Dynamics offers many resources to make safety documentation and training easier. Their free resources, available to members of the Masonry Contractors Association of America (MCAA), include templates to help companies document their safety practices. These templates make it easier to keep accurate and up-to-date records.
Malta Dynamics also provides special training for Authorized and Competent Persons. These training programs, which can be done virtually or in-person, teach workers how to use fall protection systems correctly. Additionally, Malta Dynamics inspects safety gear to ensure it meets regulatory standards and is safe to use.
To access our free plans and templates, visit here: https://maltadynamics.com/plan-templates/ or call 855-756-0672.
Greg Brown – President, Malta Dynamics
