Occupational Safety & Health Administration

Falls to lower levels - The number one cause of fatal injuries in construction

In 1998, 22 workers in New England fell to their

deaths

In all industries, falls to lower levels resulted in 607 fatalities and 98,544 lost workday injuries in 1996 (BLS data)

607 Fatal Falls in U.S. in 1996

10.8%1.2%

7.7%

29.3%

54.4%

0.0%

20.0%

40.0%

60.0%

ConstructionAll General Industry (Including Manufacturing)ManufacturingMiningAgriculture, Fishing, Forestry

Breakdown By Industry

178 330

A Significant Problem In Nearly All Industries

21382

17096

3628

17858

28901510

14579

7856

11746

0

4000

8000

12000

16000

20000

24000

Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing Mining

Construction Manufacturing

Transportation & Pub. Utilities Wholesale Trade

Retail Trade Finance, Insur., Real Estate

Services [1996 BLS Data]

LWDI’s Resulting From Falls To A Lower Level

By Industry Division

19

28

47

1719

36

17

39

56

25

32

57

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

FY 1995 FY 1996 FY 1997 FY 1998

Construction

General Industry

Total

Occupational Fatalities in Region I

Fatal Falls in New England by State

10 1 1 1

8 5 4

10 3 2 1

6 9 1 2 1 3

0 10 20 30

1995 (13)

1996 (17)

1997 (16)

1998 (22)

MA CT RI

NH VT ME

In Construction - Fatal Falls Are Most Often From:

Roofs (37%) - Includes fall through roofs or roof openings

Scaffolds, Staging (20%)

Ladders (15%)

Building Girders, Structural Steel (9%)

Floors, Loading Docks, Ground Level (4%)

Nonmoving Vehicles (3%)

In Construction - Non-Fatal Falls Are Most Often From:

Ladders (35%)

Scaffolds, Staging (15%)

Falls Not Classified (13%)

Roofs (12%) - Includes fall through roofs or roof openings

Nonmoving Vehicle (9%)

Stairs, Steps (7%)