Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Fall Prevention Training Guide: a Lesson Plan for Employers Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Falls cause more deaths in construction than any other hazard. In 2011, falls accounted for over a third of the 721 total construction deaths. Workers performing tasks 6 feet or more above lower levels are at risk of fatal falls or serious injuries. This training guide will help you plan how to prevent injuries and fatalities from falls among your crew, and provide training to your workers. It includes the following tools: Instructions for using the Toolbox Talks to train workers in fall prevention; A series of Toolbox Talks about various fall prevention topics. Preventing falls can mean the difference between life and death. Hundreds of workers die from falls each year. You can prevent such deaths by planning to get the job done safely, providing the right fall protection equipment, and training all workers to use the equipment safely. Many construction workers perform tasks at a height that requires protection from fall hazards. Having a serious injury or death occur at work affects everyone at a worksite. A fall can occur in a split second without any time for the worker to react.