The importance of fall prevention training in the workplace

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Workplace injuries are often the result of employer negligence. The most frequently cited violation of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards is fall protection. Occupational falls and other injuries can be prevented by ensuring that proper training is given to all workers who may face occupational falls and reviewing fall risks periodically.

Fall prevention training applies to every workplace as any surface can cause individuals to fall and slip. Among the most frequent causes of slips and falls is the lack of traction between the surface of the floor and a person's foot. Some types of footwear provide good traction while others lack the grip one needs to walk without slipping, shares Captain Martin Lloyd Sanders, Ph.D., CSP.

It's integral for employers to hold fall protection training to provide employees the proper knowledge to face the common occupational health and safety issue. Along with adequate fall protection and prevention training, employers must also provide employees working in hazardous environments with personal protective equipment to decrease the occurrence of falls and slips in the workplace. Fall prevention training and guidelines on tasks that involve scaffolding, roofing work, and ladders are available online.

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For Capt. Martin Lloyd Sanders, Ph.D., CSP, conducting safety inspection and hazard assessment are other important steps employers need to take to address the occupational health and safety concern. In addition, some employers can opt to develop solutions that are specific to their workplace issues and tailor-fit training appropriate for their work environment. These steps are especially integral in workplaces where certain hazards are present in one's line of work.

Captain Martin Lloyd Sanders, Ph.D., CSP, has been greatly involved in the field of occupational health and safety. His expertise lies in biological safety, occupational safety and health, environmental health services, and infectious disease epidemiology. Head over to this page for related posts.

Disclaimer: This site was prepared by Martin Sanders in his personal capacity. The opinions expressed are the author's own and do not reflect the views of the USPHS, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Homeland Security, or the United States Government.