• Falls account for 8% of all fatal occupational injuries from trauma.
• Falls are responsible for approximately 36% of construction fatalities.
• Nearly 300,000 disabling injuries occur in work-related falls each year.
• The vast majority — 85% — of workers surviving falls lose time from their jobs.

• Lost productivity and revenue
• Costly fines
• High insurance premiums
• Criminal penalties, including imprisonment, for those individuals found to be negligent

» OSHA: The U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) has established specific regulations for employers whose workers are in danger of injury from falls on the job. OSHA Standard 29 CFR Part 1910 specifies that every employer must provide a safe work environment for its employees and must have in place programs to eliminate hazardous conditions. OSHA Standard 29 CFR Part 1926 pertains specifically to the Construction industry. OSHA Standard 29 CFR Part 1926.555(a)(5) addresses regulations that pertain specifically to the Conveyor safety.

Subpart M, OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1926.500-503, outlines the requirements for fall protection. 29 CFR 1926.501(b)(1) states that “Each employee on a walking/working surface (horizontal and vertical surface) with an unprotected side or edge which is 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above a lower level shall be protected from falling by the use of guardrail systems, safety net systems or personal fall arrest systems." The standard stresses that employers are required to "determine if the walking/working surfaces on which its employees are to work have the strength and structural integrity to support employees safely." Employers must also provide guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems for employees working at heights above 6 feet.

» ANSI: The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) also has regulations in place to help protect workers from fall-related injuries. And new, tougher regulations are on the way: Revisions to the ANSI Z359 family of standards have been proposed to establish a more comprehensive, managed approach to fall protection.

The new revision of ANSI Z359.1 Safety Requirements will provide guidance for employers on how to develop programs, training, and key personnel to manage fall-related hazards. The standard will also provide an excellent framework for construction contractors to protect their employees from falls. The proposed standards include sections for revised definitions, full body harnesses, personal energy absorbers, connectors, self-retracting lifelines, vertical lifelines, and fall arresters and design guidelines.