Know which heights can cause fatal falls

Even with all safety measures taken, falling from a height is still the number one killer in the construction industry. Whether it is renting or buying scaffolding, it needs to be used safely.

Obviously, the higher you climb, the greater the risk of falling. However, this kind of common-sense thinking prevents workers from realizing how dangerous it is to work from any height.

Let's take a look at some of the things that workers might consider working at heights.

I don't work in high places in the area, so I'm safe.

Many workers think they are not dangerous because they work under 30 feet. Yes, about a quarter of fatal falls come from altitudes above 30 feet. However, according to data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics at BLS.gov, a quarter of fatal falls also come from an altitude of less than 10 feet.

Therefore, there are as many people falling from 30 feet or less as many people falling from 10 feet or less. If you think you are safe because you are not working at heights, then you are wrong!

If I fall, I will be able to catch myself.

This is not a smart idea, because you don't know how you will react if you start to fall. Whether you are renting scaffolding or buying scaffolding, you may fall down and have no way to hold yourself.

Usually, when someone falls from a ladder or scaffolding, they lose anything they can grasp in an instant. In addition, you may not realize that you are about to fall until it is too late. In fact, it takes only 2.5 seconds to fall from a height of 100 feet, and only 1 second from a height of 16 feet.

I have a good balance, so I will be fine.

Under perfect conditions, this might still be true, but what happens when mist is caught in or a bit windy? Maybe there is something slippery on one of the steps, but you don't know it. Even if you have a good balance, you can fall and get injured even at a very low height.

All heights are very dangerous, and proper safety measures need to be taken when using scaffolding or ladders. Don't be a victim. Practice the correct ladder and scaffolding safety every time.