OSHA uses a three step process to prevent dangerous falls and save lives. The steps are plan, provide, and train. These three steps should be present in every construction industry and company. They are the best way to prevent life risking falls and injuries when on the job. Each step requires careful planning and strict regulations and rules.
Plan for emergency
A plan prevents emergencies by considering all the ways that they might happen. When giving sufficient time to planning, you are likely to see a reduction in worker injury. Planning requires the project manager or construction company owner to consider all dangerous possibilities. From there, the project manager should decide which specific products and safety training regulations will prevent those same injuries from occurring. For example, OSHA requires that fall protection be provided at four feet in general industry workplaces, five feet in shipyards, six feet in the construction industry, and eight feet in long shoring operations. OSHA had to consider the best heights for these regulations when considering a safety plan for all workers.
Provide for safety
Providing means implementing the same safety precautions that were originally set during the planning process. Fall protection equipment should be provided to all workers for the decided upon projects. Some of the most common fall protection equipment that you will see on a construction job include chain slings, crane services, and netted fall protection equipment. It is the responsibility of the company, or project manager, to provide these pieces of safety equipment. Construction workers have a right to all and any fall protection they need to complete a construction project without risk to their life.
Training for safety
Training is the process of educating all construction workers on proper safety practices. The same practices that were decided during the initial planning phase now should be shared with workers. Workers should also be informed of the requirements for fall protection equipment. In addition to these requirements, proper training is required. Any time a construction employee operates new equipment or complete new types of projects, training should be offered. Fall arrest training teaches workers what to do to prevent falls. Fall protection courses ensure they are absorbing the information and are ready for high risk work. Training is extremely important and has already resulted in a significant reduction in on the job injuries.
The importance of the plan, provide, and train strategy
Planning, providing, and training are extremely crucial aspects to ensure a safe work zone. Workers who are six feet or more above levels are at risk for serious injury or death if they should fall. To protect these workers, employers must provide fall protection and the right equipment for the job, including the right kinds of ladders, scaffolds, and safety gear. OSHA also monitors these three steps. Construction company owners and project manners who are not giving their workers the right tools for safety can face severe fines, and the risk of losing the business. It is also sometimes required to follow these three strategies of safety to carry insurance policies.
Construction employees face a lot of risk. They are often required to scale large buildings with heavy equipment. Fortunately, OSHA has the following safety plan in action. All construction industries must plan for safety, provide the right tools for safety, and educate workers on the best safety practices. Since the implication of this safety strategy, the construction industry has seen safer build practices and a reduction in on the job falls and injuries.
