Fall Protection Info


This photo shows the proper use of a temporary guardrail boot. Once the boot is secured to the floor, a double 2x4 is inserted into it to provide an upright for attachment of guardrails and midrails.


Proper use of a safety harness (above) will keep a worker safe and actually make him more productive. This worker is attached to a secure point to prevent serious injury in the event of a fall.


The WallWalkers™ are light weight aluminum scaffold brackets that are hung over the top plate or foundation wall on the inside of the wall to hold a walkboard. This is a quick and efficient way of providing a working surface on the inside of a wall so that the worker no longer has to work from the top plate. As a bonus, the framing process is expedited.

FATALITIES

The vast majority of residential construction workers DO NOT use fall protection on a regular basis. With a statistic like that, chances are you’ve seen workers without fall protection on your job site. If you looked away, you’re contributing to a problem that is now plaguing our industry. It’s a problem that is costing all of us needless expenses and is costing more and more workers their livelihood and even their lives.

In terms of dollars, fall-related injuries account for one half of all claims paid out by Builders Mutual. Falls are one of the most devastating types of injuries on a job site. When properly used fall protection is in place, falls should and can be prevented.

CLAIMS

Every fall becomes a claim. And while we treat every claim with the utmost urgency and legitimacy, we’ve always said we’d much rather prevent a claim than process one. With increased claims activity comes increased operating and administrative costs. We certainly have the staff and expertise to spend whatever time and effort is necessary to examine all claims thoroughly, but a great many of these claims would never exist if proper fall protection were in place on every job site.

DELAYS

Many workers don’t like using fall protection because "it takes too long" or "it gets in the way." What they don’t know is that workers who use fall protection are actually more efficient—it’s been proven. Workers who don’t use fall protection and then end up getting hurt—they’re the ones who create delays.

How much work is getting done waiting around for the ambulance? How much work gets done while the worker is in the hospital? How much time and productivity is lost because of a fall that could have been avoided in the first place?

PREMIUMS

The bottom line is it’s on your shoulders to ensure the safety of your workers. If you don’t, it could cost you many times over, in terms of lost productivity and lost workers, and in the form of increased premiums and OSHA fines. Builders Mutual is only able to offer you the best coverage in the business as long as you cooperate and do your part to make your workplace as safe as possible. Contact your Builders Mutual Risk Management expert if you need education or training materials regarding fall protection. You’re a professional. Please do your part to contribute to the professional image that benefits us all. Keep your productivity up, your premiums down and your workers safe.

You may obtain some of the fall protection equipment and literature described in this article from these companies:

  • National Welders Supply Co., Inc.
    303-C Concord St
    Greensboro, NC 27406
    Toll Free 800.326.3618
  • WallWalker™ LLC
    145 South 720 West
    Lehi, UT 84043
    Toll Free 877.844.9255
  • Safety Boot by Safety Maker
    www.safetyboot.com
    P.O. Box 842014
    Houston, TX 77284
    Toll Free 800.804.4741
  • OSHA 1926 Construction Industry Regulations
    Builders Mutual Insurance Company
    P.O. Box 150005
    Raleigh, NC 27624-0005
    Toll Free 800.809.4858

When inquiring about safety equipment from these suppliers, simply indicate your affiliation with Builders Mutual to obtain special pricing information.

Certain safety gear can be purchased at a discount by visiting our STUFF Site.

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