When Roofing Contractors & Construction Employers Expose Workers To Danger
The leading cause of injuries and death for workers in the construction industry is linked to hazards related to falls. According to the Bureau of Labor, out of 1,008 construction fatalities that occurred in just one year, more than 350 of them (or 33 percent) were due to fatal falls to a lower level. As a result, if a contractor or company doesn’t put in place basic safety measures for workers and someone is hurt or killed, they can be sued for negligence.
Basic Workplace Safety Standards for Roofing Work, Specifically
When it comes to fatal falls, specifically, there are a number of workplace safety standards that employers in this field must meet in order to ensure that workers are protected, including:
- Providing adequate fall protection for those workers who work at heights of seven to 21 feet
- Providing training to employees to recognize hazards
- Ensuring there are hardhats to protect workers from falling debris and materials
- Providing extending ladders at least three feet above upper landing surfaces accessed by employees & ensuring that those ladders are properly used when employees are carrying construction materials
- Conducting regular inspections of the worksite
- Ensuring that there are the right equipment and materials in place to identify hazards early on
In addition, when employees in these circumstances perform roofing work, specifically, they must be protected from fall hazards by the presence of a fall protection system. This means that those engaged in activities at a height of six feet or higher, above lower levels, must be protected by the presence of guardrail, personal fall arrest, or safety net systems. Employees can also use a reusable roof anchoring system attached at the roof’s ridge, along with a harness and retractable lanyard, as a means of fall protection.
OSHA’s “Top Ten”
In addition to falls, some of the most common dangers present at construction sites include the possibility of workers suffering a head injury due to impact, or falling, or flying objects, as well as dangers posed by electrical shocks and burns. This is why these employers must provide protective helmets and safety glasses to workers – where protective equipment is not provided, employees are exposed to struck-by hazards from overhead work and falling construction debris.
The Occupational Health and Safety Administration recently released its 2022 top 10 violations in terms of safety standards for workers, and they included violations involving:
- Fall protection
- Hazard communication
- Respiratory protection
- Ladders
- Scaffolding
- Control of hazardous energy
- Powered industrial trucks
- Fall protection
- Eye and face protection
- Machinery and machine guard
Reach Out to Us Today for Help
If you have any questions or concerns about an injury or wrongful death, including incidents within the workplace, contact our Macon personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Buzzell, Welsh & Hill today to find out how we can help.
Sources:
dailyvoice.com/massachusetts/norfolk/news/osha-slaps-quincy-roofing-company-with-137k-fine-for-lack-safety-standards-again/848834/
ohsonline.com/articles/2022/09/20/osha-top-10-for-fy-2022-announced-at-nsc.aspx?m=1
