A spate of fall incidents in the greater Philadelphia area prompted OSHA to call on the region’s construction companies to ensure that their employees have and use proper equipment when required to protect them from work-related falls.
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According to OSHA, On July 7, 2016, a 37-year-old roofing worker died after he fell 25 feet (ft) to the ground at a Haverford worksite. His death was the latest in a series of five incidents since June 13, 2016, that resulted in the death or injury of workers without proper fall protection.
“With basic fall protection in place, these employers could have prevented these tragedies. Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of the deceased worker and with those who must learn to cope with permanent disabilities because their employers failed to ensure a safe workplace,” said OSHA Philadelphia Area Office Director Nicholas DeJesse. “Falls are the leading cause of death in the construction industry, and the use of proper fall protection can be the difference between death and workers going home to their families. We at OSHA cannot—and will not—tolerate employers who jeopardize worker safety.’
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