The facts about fall hazards

05/31/2016
Cotterman Fall Protection

Fall hazards are present at most worksites and many workers are exposed to these hazards on a daily basis. A fall hazard is anything in the workplace that could cause an unintended loss of balance or bodily support and result in a fall. OSHA recommends any time a worker is at a height of 6 feet or more (construction industry) or 4 feet or more (general industry) the worker must be protected.

Anytime you are on a roof or at a roofs edge there is an inherent danger present. Installing an OSHA-rated fixed ladder to your building along with roof edge guardrails can greatly reduce these risks and allow you to confidently gain roof access. Not only is this important during the construction process, but perhaps more importantly moving forward for the life of the building as roof/hvac accessories need to be maintained for years to come.

In 2009, the Bureau of Labor reported that ladder related falls were responsible for 16% of all workplace fatalities. Often times untrained individuals set up portable ladders incorrectly. The common mistakes are not tying the ladder off, improper slope, and not extending it 3 feet above the roofline.

To learn more about fall protection, please let me know if you would like to have a free roof evaluation so I can help determine the best solution for your fall protection and roofing needs.

Thanks,
Jon Plattner's Signature
Jon Plattner
Cotterman & Company, Inc.
jplattner@cottermanroofing.com
Cell: (419) 234-1340
Office: (800) 713-3190
Minster, Dayton & Columbus, OH