“The winter season poses an even greater risk of fall hazards and serious injuries…”
Says Suzana Prpic, Senior Manager of Prevention Field Services for WorksafeBC.
“With cooler and sometimes unpredictable weather approaching, we’re encouraging all industries to take additional precautions.”
WorkSafeBC reports that falls from heights are some of the company’s most significant workplace injury claims. WorkSafeBC accepted 4,520 claims for fall-related injuries, over a third of which were classified as serious, and 21 workers lost their lives due to falling from heights in 2023.
“It’s important to engage workers in discussions relating to safety protocols and working with heights before work starts each day,” says Prpic. “The primary causes of falls include improper ladder use, unguarded stairs, and edges of buildings. These risks can be mitigated”
Prpic adds that employers are responsible for ensuring proper planning, supervision, and training
“Employers need to carefully consider some of the very important steps to eliminate or control those fall hazards,” Prpic says. “Starting with guardrails, permanent or temporary, where fall hazards can’t be eliminated. After that fall restraints and work procedures are key steps that have to be considered.”
For anyone decorating their homes and maintaining their properties, Prpic suggests never working alone, always having someone holding the ladder, avoiding working on roofs as much as possible, and having someone capable of calling emergency services if required.
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