The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) will continue to provide fall protection safety training next year thanks to a federal safety grant. The association will use the $120,000 Susan Harwood Training Grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to offer the fall protection safety training designed to prevent potentially fatal falls among construction workers, officials said.
“The expanded program will help give construction workers the training they need to remain safe on the jobsite,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer.
According to the latest safety statistics, fall-related fatalities remain the single largest cause of construction deaths while the overall number of construction fatalities has declined by nearly 50 percent over the past five years, Sandherr said. In 2010, fall-related fatalities account for 35 percent of the total - 260 out of the 751 construction fatalities - he added.
The fall protection safety program will be offered in eight different locations next year, reaching as many as 500 construction workers, Sandherr said. The program will provide comprehensive information about fall protection for both commercial and residential construction, he added.
Video: OSHA's Fall Protection Policies for Residential Construction
In addition to the fall protection program, the association offers a variety of safety programs and materials.
Additional Resources:
OSHA Fall Prevention Fact Sheet
Global Safety Council Video: Fall Protection in Construction Environments
Video: Falls in Construction - Bridge Decking
Safety Video: Falls in Contruction - Leading Edge Work
Safety Video: Falls in Construction - Fixed Scaffolds
Video: Falls in Construction - Floor Openings
Article: The Height of Safety
