The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has developed a collection of compliance assistance resources to address falls in the workplace, the Department of Labor said on Jan. 11.
The Department of Labor, which noted that falls in the workplace are the leading cause of worker fatality in the construction industry, said OSHA’s goal is to promote awareness about common fall hazards in construction, educate job creators and workers on fall prevention and reduce the number of fall-related injuries and fatalities.
The compliance assistance resources are aimed at encouraging and facilitating compliance evaluations and additional details are available here.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees.
The American Public Power Association’s Safety Manual includes sections that address fall arrest measures. Part 2 of the Manual, Health and Environmental Control, outlines the requirements in Section 203 – Fall Protection. Fall protection is also addressed in Part 5, Section 507.3 – Climbing and Working on Poles, and Section 508 – Tree Trimming.
Revised in April 2017, the Safety Manual for an Electric Utility, 16th Edition promotes a safe and injury-free environment for employees. The manual is a must read for journeyman and apprentice lineworkers, operations professionals and safety professionals.
Additional information about the Safety Manual is available here.
