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NIOSH Comments to DOL on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Proposed Rule on Safety Standards for Fall Protection in the Construction Industry by R. W. Niemeier, November 3, 1992.

PB93146058

Publication Date	1992
Page Count	12
Abstract	The testimony summarized the position of NIOSH regarding the rulings on fall protection as applied to workers in the precast concrete construction industry. The average annual fatality rate for the construction industry from 1980 through 1989 was 25.6 deaths per 100,000 civilian workers. The fatality rate in this industry was 28.9 in 1980 and 21.7 in 1989. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Data System indicated that at least 22,911 construction workers per year were injured by falls from elevations during 1985 through 1987. Incident investigation isolated those falls concerned with the precast industry. NIOSH does not recommend the use of spotters or monitors to replace barriers or personal fall protection equipment. Reliance on passive measures, such as safety harnesses, has been generally shown to be more effective than reliance on active measures that require worker involvement and attention in order to function. NIOSH does agree with OSHA that a person be designated to observe clearance of the equipment and give timely warning for all operations where it is difficult for the operator to maintain the desired clearance by visual means.
Keywords	Occupational safety and health Industrial safety Construction industry Accident prevention Risk assessment Protective equipment Standards Working conditions Accidental falls Testimony
Source Agency	National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
NTIS Subject Category	57U - Public Health & Industrial Medicine 94H - Industrial Safety Engineering 89C - Construction Management & Techniques
Corporate Authors	National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH.
Document Type	Technical Report
NTIS Issue Number	199308

NIOSH Comments to DOL on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Proposed Rule on Safety Standards for Fall Protection in the Construction Industry by R. W. Niemeier, November 3, 1992.

NIOSH Comments to DOL on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Proposed Rule on Safety Standards for Fall Protection in the Construction Industry by R. W. Niemeier, November 3, 1992.
PB93146058

Publication Date	1992
Page Count	12
Abstract	The testimony summarized the position of NIOSH regarding the rulings on fall protection as applied to workers in the precast concrete construction industry. The average annual fatality rate for the construction industry from 1980 through 1989 was 25.6 deaths per 100,000 civilian workers. The fatality rate in this industry was 28.9 in 1980 and 21.7 in 1989. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Data System indicated that at least 22,911 construction workers per year were injured by falls from elevations during 1985 through 1987. Incident investigation isolated those falls concerned with the precast industry. NIOSH does not recommend the use of spotters or monitors to replace barriers or personal fall protection equipment. Reliance on passive measures, such as safety harnesses, has been generally shown to be more effective than reliance on active measures that require worker involvement and attention in order to function. NIOSH does agree with OSHA that a person be designated to observe clearance of the equipment and give timely warning for all operations where it is difficult for the operator to maintain the desired clearance by visual means.
Keywords	Occupational safety and health Industrial safety Construction industry Accident prevention Risk assessment Protective equipment Standards Working conditions Accidental falls Testimony
Source Agency	National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
NTIS Subject Category	57U - Public Health & Industrial Medicine 94H - Industrial Safety Engineering 89C - Construction Management & Techniques
Corporate Authors	National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH.
Document Type	Technical Report
NTIS Issue Number	199308