FALLS FROM HEIGHTS


Hello and welcome to MOL Radio.

Today's health and safety segment focuses on falls from heights.

Falls from heights are responsible for a significant number of worker injuries - and worker deaths each year. In fact, falls from heights are the source of the majority of critical and fatal injuries in Ontario workplaces.

Falls can happen anywhere, in any workplace - construction, industrial settings, retail, health care… any workplace.

Even though falls result in the majority of injuries, most can be prevented by simply stopping and thinking about what you are doing.

Your first action should be to stop and think about how you are going to perform a task, especially if you are performing a task that requires you to be above ground level.

Some of the more common fall hazards include the incorrect use of suspended platforms and fall protection systems, when people are working on platforms, raised floors, mezzanines and balconies. Also, the improper use of ladders often leads to frequent workplace injuries.

When working from heights, workers must be protected by a proper guardrail system and fall-arrest equipment.

Supervisors must advise workers of any actual or potential health and safety danger. Supervisors must ensure workers use or wear the appropriate protective equipment, device and or clothing required for the job.

Workers must be trained by a competent person about the proper use of protective equipment. In many cases, ministry inspectors will ask for proof of training,

Falls from heights can happen in any workplace, and all workers should be aware of the hazards. Most important… workers and supervisors should stop and think about what they are going to do before they do it. It's common sense, and it can prevent critical injuries… even deaths.

For more information on falls from heights, go to our website at Ontario.ca (forwards slash) labour (that's l-a-b-o-u-r)

Once again Ontario.ca (forward slash) l-a-b-o-u-r.

There, on our health and safety pages you can find information, interactive tools and videos that address the various hazards that can lead to falls from heights

Remember, your best defence is to use your head and think about what you are doing. If you don't think it's safe, then it probably isn't.

That's it for this segment of MOL Radio.

Remember … you have only one life … Work safe! Work smart!

Back to page