Construction workers are at the highest risk of fatal falls on the job among all occupations, according to an infographic put together by Avetta, a supply chain risk management services company. Avetta put together the infographic to help people understand the causes and effects of often preventable injuries. It details the costs, causes, and prevention tips for preventing accidents.
According to the company, falls are the second leading cause of workplace accidental deaths in the world, with nearly 646,000 individuals globally dying from falls each year. The most recent Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries Report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated that roofers, an occupation at a high risk for falls, had a fatality rate more than 10 times the national average in the United States in 2018. Avetta reports slips, trips, and falls account for 15% of all accidental deaths.
Common causes for slips include wet or oily surfaces, unanchored mats or rugs, and uneven floors and walking surfaces, while common factors in trips are poor lighting, obstructed views, uncovered cables, wrinkled floor mats or carpets, and uneven walking surfaces. Poorly maintained or dimly lit staircases and workers attempting to use ladders while carrying objects are common causal factors in fall accidents, according to Avetta.
The costs of such workplace accidents are steep, with slips, trips, and falls accounting for over $11 billion in compensation for businesses globally. The cost burden of such incidents is $20,000, according to Avetta, and the average time of recovery for non-fatal work accidents is 38 days.
Avetta’s infographic offers tips to help prevent workplace accidents, including the use of proper footwear for better traction, coverage for exposed cables and cords, walkways free of clutter or debris, the use of safety equipment while climbing ladders, and the regular implementation of safety trainings.
