Fall Protection Is Imperative for Every Construction Jobsite

Falls continue to be one of the deadliest hazards in construction. Despite years of warnings and awareness campaigns, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) still cites fall protection violations more than any other issue, and Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data shows more than 300 workers die in falls each year — a number that hasn’t budged in a decade.

The risks are widespread, but not uniform. Smaller contractors carry the greatest burden; between 2011 and 2022, 70% of fatal falls happened in businesses with fewer than 10 employees. Yet larger businesses aren’t immune, despite greater resources to dedicate to the issue. With multiple subcontractors working side by side, a single gap in planning or communication can cascade into tragedy and liability.

Beneath those company-level risks, the data tells an even sharper story about who is most vulnerable:

• New hires — Workers with less than two years on the job make up more than half of fall claims since 2020, according to Nationwide’s claims data.
• Specialty trades — Roofing, electrical, plumbing and painting account for nearly 70% of both fatal and nonfatal falls from 2011 to 2022, reflecting the high-exposure nature of this work.
• Hispanic workers — National data from the BLS and the Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR) shows Hispanic construction workers are disproportionately affected by falls, which rank as the second leading cause of death for this group. In 2020, their fatality rate was 41.6% higher and injury rate 14.5% higher than non-Hispanic workers. Even more concerning, from 2018 to 2020 their fatality rate rose 46.5% while declining for others.

 

The data makes one thing clear: Without smarter, more targeted safety efforts, the same tragic numbers will continue to repeat. Protecting workers requires tailored training for new hires, trade-specific safeguards, and safety programs designed to reach people in the languages and formats they use every day. Without that commitment, the industry will keep seeing the same fatal statistics year after year.

 

What’s Behind the Issue

A recent CPWR study into the root causes of construction falls revealed that most incidents could have been prevented. Researchers gathered responses from workers who had either experienced or witnessed a serious fall, and the findings highlight systemic gaps in planning, communication and accountability:

• Planning failures lead the list. Insufficient or ineffective planning was cited as the top contributor to falls. In fact, use of fall protection was 71% lower when employers failed to address fall protection needs before work began. This shows that prevention isn’t just about equipment — it’s about foresight.
• Lack of protection remains common. A large percentage of respondents (48.8%) reported that no fall protection was in use at the time of the incident, underscoring how often the most basic safeguards are missing.
• Clear expectations matter. 
  Workers who believed fall protection was required by their employer were eight times more likely to actually use it. Consistent messaging from leadership can be the difference between compliance and risk.
• Subcontractors increase fall risks. Workers employed by subcontractors were nearly three times more likely to die from a fall compared to those working for general contractors, pointing to uneven safety standards across the industry.

 

More Than Compliance

Federal OSHA requires a fall protection system to be implemented in construction when workers are exposed to falls of 6 feet or more to a lower level. But OSHA standards are the floor, not the ceiling. A strong safety culture protects lives, strengthens worker retention and shields a business’s profitability. Consider the costs beyond medical expenses: Falls also lead to expensive project delays, drive up insurance premiums and damage your company’s reputation as a safe employer.

 

4 Essential Steps for Business Owners

1. Plan Ahead

Integrate fall prevention into project planning from the outset. The ultimate goal should be to eliminate fall hazards altogether, whether by resequencing work, prefabricating components, or using tools and equipment from the ground. When that’s not possible, the next best step is to implement engineering controls, such as erecting guardrail systems to keep employees away from the hazard, before crews ever step on-site.

 

2. Provide the Right Protection

Every jobsite where crews work at height — whether it’s a small renovation or a complex commercial build — requires a clear and effective fall protection plan. Start by trying to eliminate the hazard by using tools or methods that allow work to be completed without exposing workers to height-related risks.

If elimination isn’t feasible, follow the fall protection hierarchy: passive systems like guardrails, fall restraint setups (harness, anchor, lanyard) and fall arrest systems to stop a fall before impact. Administrative controls, such as warning lines or safety monitors, are an alternate and less preferred method when other measures aren’t feasible. Just as critical as selecting the right system is ensuring that workers are properly trained to use each one correctly.

 

3. Train — & Retrain

All workers, and especially workers who are new to the industry or workers with language barriers, need targeted, hands-on training. Safety instructions should be clear, repeatable and culturally accessible.

 

4. Enforce Without Exception

Safety rules only work if they’re applied consistently. Supervisors should have authority to stop unsafe practices, and leadership must back them up without hesitation or consideration of project timelines.

 

Protecting People, Protecting Business

With the industry working to make up a shortfall of more than 430,000 workers, protecting your current workforce is not just a moral obligation, but a competitive advantage. Preventing falls saves lives, reduces claims and strengthens your ability to deliver projects on time and on budget.

For construction firms of all sizes, fall protection is not just about OSHA compliance; it’s about safeguarding people, protecting profits and ensuring your company thrives in a tight labor market. A company’s most valuable asset is its workers.

 

Rising Above the Risk

Falls may remain the industry’s most persistent killer, but they are also one of its most preventable. By investing in planning, equipment, training and enforcement, contractors can not only meet regulatory requirements but build a culture of safety that pays dividends in worker loyalty, project reliability and business performance.

For today’s construction leaders, fall protection is not optional. It is the foundation of a thriving, resilient and responsible business.