Fall Protection Stats & Facts

FACTS

Workers continue to fall because:

1. working conditions such as poor lighting, slippery walking surfaces, and poor housekeeping practices exist.
2. protective devices like guardrails are missing.
3. equipment such as ladders and scaffolds are in poor condition or not used properly.
4. fall-protection equipment is not available, not used, or is misused,
5. work practices are poor due to unclear job procedures, lack of training for workers and workers rushing and taking short-cuts to meet deadlines.
6. The highest frequency of fall-related fatalities was experienced by the construction industry, while the highest counts of nonfatal fall injuries continue to be associated with the health services and the wholesale and retail industries. (CDC)

STATS

• Falls are one of the leading causes of unintentional injuries in the United States, accounting for approximately 8.9 million visits to the emergency department. (NSC)
• A total of 5,190 workers were killed on the job in 2016; 849 of them died from falls. Of those, approximately 170 died from a fall off of a ladder, and falls of six feet or greater off of ladders are often fatal.
• In 2016 there were 229,240 nonfatal cases involving falls, slips, trips; the lowest since 2014.
• In 2016 there were 849 fatal work-related falls, slips, and trips (in all sectors), with an increase every year since 2011 with 681.
• Services, wholesale, and retail trade industries account for 60 percent of slip and fall accidents.
• At 25 percent, slip and fall injuries are the most frequently reported work accidents.
• Falls are the primary cause of lost time at work.
• 22 percent of falls result in more than 31 days of missed work.
• In Canada, more than 40,000 workers get injured annually due to fall accidents.