According to the National Safety Council, 46,653 people died in falls at home or work in 2022. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, private industry reported 674,100 workplace injuries (19.9% of all cases) resulting in days away from work, job restrictions, or job transfers due to slips, trips, or falls in 2021–22.
Issues:
Slips, trips, and falls are a major cause of injuries on construction sites. Hazards include slippery surfaces (wet or oily substances), uneven surfaces (debris, elevation changes, pipes, and holes), and poor lighting. Hole hazards on construction sites are a significant safety concern.
Examples include:
- Wet or oily surfaces: spills of water, oil, grease, or other liquids.
- Weather conditions: rain, snow, ice, and tracked-in mud.
- Loose materials: dust, powders, or metal shavings.
- Poor housekeeping: failure to clean spills or remove debris.
- Changes in elevation: steps, ramps, and floor level changes.
- Uneven ground: loose gravel, uneven terrain, or shifting tiles.
- Floor holes: missing floorboards, drains, ladder openings, roof/floor drains, chipped concrete, and precast openings.
- Building shafts: elevator shafts, ventilation shafts, stairwells, and service shafts.
- Excavations and trenches: collapse risk and burial hazards.
- Skylights: unprotected skylights that can be stepped on or fallen through.
- Irregular surfaces: damaged flooring, metal grates, or uneven carpeting.
Sources of Hazards:
- Slippery surfaces: liquids (water, oil, grease), wet cement, mud, and debris.
- Uneven surfaces: holes, protruding materials (rebar), gravel, and debris.
- Poor lighting: reduced visibility of hazards.
- Working at height: scaffolds, ladders, and elevated work areas.
- Unprotected openings: floor holes, missing floorboards, drains, vents, and removed materials.
- Roof openings: skylights, hatches, and incomplete roofing.
- Wall openings: unprotected wall openings near elevated work areas.
- Elevator shafts: unguarded openings.
- Manholes: uncovered or improperly covered openings.
- Improperly secured scaffolding: instability or missing guards.
- Ladders: defective or unsecured ladders.
- Walkways/platforms: unprotected or poorly maintained surfaces.
- Trench/excavation walls: collapse risk without proper support.
- Improper sloping/benching: risk of cave-ins.
- Equipment near edges: soil displacement and collapse risk.
- Lack of access: missing ladders or ramps.
- Poor housekeeping: debris obscuring hazards.
- Inadequate lighting: reduced visibility of hazards.
- Lack of safety equipment: missing harnesses, guardrails, or fall protection.
Regulations:
OSHA Standard Subpart R – Floor Opening (1926.754(e)(3))
- Covers must support twice the imposed load.
- Covers must be secured against displacement.
- Covers must be marked “HOLE” or “COVER.”
- Skylights not considered covers unless meeting strength requirements.
OSHA Standard Subpart M – Falls (1926.503(a)(1))
Employers must provide training to recognize fall hazards and minimize risk.
OSHA Standard Subpart X – Ladders (1926.1053)
- 1926.1053(b)(1): Ladder must extend 3 feet above landing or be secured with grabrail support.
- 1926.1053(b)(6): Use only on stable, level surfaces or when secured.
- 1926.1053(b)(7): Must not be used on slippery surfaces unless properly secured.
- 1926.1053(b)(22): Do not carry loads that could cause loss of balance.
OSHA Standard Subpart C – Housekeeping (1926.25(a))
Work areas must be kept free of debris, nails, scrap lumber, and hazards.
OSHA Standard Subpart L – Scaffolding (1926.451(b)(1)(i))
Platforms must be tightly installed with gaps no greater than 1 inch unless necessary.
Example Incidents (OSHA Reports):
Multiple fatal incidents from 2022–2024 include:
- Falls through floor holes
- Falls through skylights
- Falls from elevation
- Elevator shaft falls
- Roof hole incidents
- Fatal injuries from cutting or working near floor openings
What You Need To Know
- Identify and assess slip, trip, and fall hazards.
- Establish controls to eliminate or reduce exposure.
- Ensure controls are working effectively.
- Maintain housekeeping: clean spills, remove debris, store materials properly.
- Provide adequate lighting in all work areas.
- Mark hazards with signage and barriers.
- Cover, mark, and secure all holes per OSHA requirements.
- Use proper slip-resistant footwear.
- Ensure safe access using ladders, scaffolds, and guardrails.
- Maintain awareness and avoid distractions.
- Provide training on prevention and hazard recognition.
Do’s:
- Do remove clutter from walking surfaces.
- Do identify and mark all holes.
- Do use two hands when climbing/descending ladders.
- Do maintain three-point contact on ladders.
- Do provide wet floor signage.
- Do design work to reduce overreaching, obstruction, and pushing/pulling hazards.
- Do wear proper slip-resistant footwear.
- Do select and maintain fall protection equipment properly.
Don’ts:
- Don’t ignore spills or wet/slippery conditions.
- Don’t ignore uneven surfaces, holes, protrusions, or debris.
- Don’t ignore floor openings or missing material hazards.
- Don’t ignore obvious hazards such as poor lighting, unprotected openings, elevated work risks, scaffolds, trenches, or lack of access equipment.
