From 1995 to 1999, there were an average of 362 falls at construction sites every year, with every incident resulting in fatality. Unfortunately, this is just one of the many types of accidents that can befall construction workers: according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), at least 1,000 of these workers are injured on the job every year. And due to the varying nature of the different risks, as well as the constantly-changing nature of the profession, it can be extremely difficult to assess and prevent these construction safety risks.

Safety regulations to reduce these industry risks have existed for decades: for example, the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 was designed to help enforce safety regulations in a variety of different trades. As a result of this act, OSHA conducts regular safety inspections and creates new safety rulings for several occupations. Of them, construction is a special focus, as construction work typically causes more fatal injuries than any other industry. OSHA randomly inspects a number of construction sites every year to ensure that everything from protocols to machinery and safety equipment are up to standards. But because OSHA does not have the resources to conduct inspections on every construction company and job site annually, the agency recommends that workers receive construction safety training courses, as well as safety gear, such as fall protection equipment.

While there are a number of different types of construction company courses, OSHA typically advises companies to invest in slip, trip, and fall protection training. However, it may be wise to invest in crane safety training and other courses as well, particularly with the prevalence of heavy machinery in modern construction work. Likewise, it is often advisable to purchase lifting slings and fall protection equipment to further prevent injury and fatalities. Investments like these have helped decrease the annual number of construction accidents in the United States: from 2008 to 2013, an average of 200 fewer workers were fatally injured. By investing in the proper protective equipment and training, construction companies can not only better protect their employees, but can also prepare for an OSHA inspection in the future. Help your company and employees: research OSHA-approved safety training and equipment today.
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