Every worksite has the potential for a falling accident, whether it’s from a roof, short ladder, medium-sized truck or a tall scaffold.
Falls usually result from a combination of hazards, including working at heights without fall protection; not following safe-work procedures; slippery surfaces; and overexertion.
In 2021, WorkSafeBC accepted 4,050 claims related to injuries caused by falls from elevation, and of those claims, 497 were reported as serious injuries and six were fatalities.
These types of falls are more likely to occur in construction, manufacturing, and forestry industries.
“Falls from elevation can cause serious, life-altering injuries, and even death,” says Suzana Prpic, Senior Manager of Prevention Field Services at WorkSafeBC. “Many of these falls can be prevented by fall protection planning and proper and consistent use of fall protection equipment.”
As outdoor construction increases, WorkSafeBC is reminding employers that the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation requires workers to use fall protection systems when a fall from three metres or more could occur, or where a fall from a lesser height could result in injury.
Of all workplace injury claims in BC, 20% of them are related to slips, trips, and falls. These injuries have cost BC businesses more than 260,000 lost workdays and more than $206 million in workers’ compensation payments.
“Workplace injuries can happen in an instant and without warning. That’s why employers must ensure they take preventative steps to reduce or eliminate the risks of slips, trips and falls at work,” says Prpic.
Learn more about preventing the risk of slips, trips, and falls here.
