Philadelphia Construction Companies Asked to Act Now After Five Fatalities in One Month
OSHA is asking companies to make sure employees use the proper equipment when required.
OSHA is calling on the greater Philadelphia area construction companies to ensure employee use proper protection when working at heights after five fatal incidents occurred in the area since June 13, 2016.
The latest incident occurred on July 7, when a working worker died after falling 25 feet to the ground at a Harvard work site.
"With basic fall protection in place, these employers could have prevented these tragedies. Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of the deceased worker and with those who must learn to cope with permanent disabilities because their employers failed to ensure a safe workplace," said OSHA Philadelphia Area Office Director Nicholas DeJesse. "Falls are the leading cause of death in the construction industry, and the use of proper fall protection can be the difference between death and workers going home to their families. We at OSHA cannot – and will not – tolerate employers who jeopardize worker safety."
According to OSHA, 40 percent of all fatalities in Philadelphia investigated by OSHA are the result of falls.
A safety awareness campaign titled "Grassroots Injury-Illness Prevention" has been announced by the City of Philadelphia's Licenses and Inspections and the Philadelphia Project on Occupational Safety and Health.