With the economy making a big bounce back over the last decade, construction sites are popping up all over the country. That means more heavy machinery and more construction workers, but also more chances for accidents.
According to OSHA, falls account for one-third of all fatalities in the construction industry, making it the leading cause of fatalities in the industry. Per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 291 fatal falls to a lower level in construction in 2013, out of 828 total fatalities. And that doesn’t even include all of the falls that weren’t fatal.
With falls being a consistent issue on construction sites, OSHA established Subpart M:
Subpart M lays out the requirements and criteria for fall protection in construction workplaces. For example, it applies when workers are working at heights of 6 feet or more above a lower level. It also covers protection from falling objects, falls from tripping over or falling through holes, and protection when walking and working around dangerous equipment without regard to height. Subpart M provisions do not apply, however, to workers inspecting, investigating, or assessing workplace conditions prior to the actual start of work or after all construction work has been completed. The provisions of Subpart M can be found in Title 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Subpart M – Fall Protection, 29 CFR 1926.500, 29 CFR 1926.501, 29 CFR 1926.502, and 29 CFR 1926.503.
As a responsibility to the employer, and with Subpart M in place, fall protection guardrail has become a critical piece of equipment for every construction site that has workers working near a 6-foot+ drop. But, like with all protective equipment, not all fall protection railings are made equally. That is why you’ll need the best, and we have that for you here at Ideal Shield.
Ideal Shield’s Roof Fall Protection Railing with base plates
Ideal Shield’s Fall Protection Railing guarding an excavation construction site.
Our Fall Protection Railing is a modular system and is manufactured for easy installation and use. The railing is weather resistant and will not fade, chip, peel, or rust, which means it can be used in all different types of weather. Lacking trip hazards and having a bright appearance, this is the perfect solution for roof fall protection at construction, excavation, and scaffolding sites.
We’re also offering custom non-slip decals or custom plasma cutting etches for the footings.
If you’re interested in improving your construction site safety measures and fall protection safety equipment, contact Ideal Shield’s experienced sales team today! They’ll be happy to discuss how our Fall Protection Railing is the right fit for your needs.