It is common knowledge that employers in any industry in the workplace should have particular safety regulations that they must follow to ensure that their employees are well protected. However, there are still workplace accidents that take place all because employees are not properly educated about the matter and are unaware about what their employers should be able to provide them. Nevertheless, when workplace accidents take place, it is the obligation of the employer to be able to provide proper compensation to the employees who have been injured. This is most especially necessary if it was established that it was the fault of the employer first and foremost.
One of the most common workplace accidents that happen among employees working in construction sites is falling from elevated heights. Employees who fall from elevated structures and platforms often suffer from serious consequences because of the fall. The height of the structure where the employee has fallen is telling of how severer their injuries are. Some of the most common consequences of falls include broken bones, head and neck injuries, spine fractures, and more.
Though there are various causes of employees falling from heights while working like unstable structures, employee error, and the weather, as the employer, you should be able to provide a safe working environment for your employees. As per safety regulations, the employers are tasked to assessing the structural integrity of their walkways, platforms, and other structures where employees must cross or stand. It is important to take note that employees should only be allowed to work on any surface or structure after it has been assessed, tested, and considered safe to bear the total weight of the employees.
Furthermore, the use of fall protection systems like roof fall protection systems is also necessary. These include the installation of leading edges and guardrails to make sure that the people can grip on something while standing on elevated surfaces. When the employer is not able to have guardrails installed in the workplace that is more than six feet from the ground, the employees should be provided other safety protection equipment. These include safety nets, safety harnesses, and other protective gear to keep each and every employee safe or suffer only from less serious injuries in case they will fall.
Employees who must be working on rooftops should be safer from hazards like unfinished areas in the roof area. They should also be secured from glass viewing windows, skylights, and tripping hazards. When an employee falls through these structures, they can suffer from serious injuries and once they do, they are eligible for compensation.
Read more here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guard_rail.