title: Fatal falls and PFAS use in the construction industry: Findings from the NIOSH FACE reports.
abstract: This study analyzed the Construction FACE Database (CFD), a quantitative database developed from reports of the Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) program conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The CFD contains detailed data on 768 fatalities in the construction industry reported by NIOSH and individual states from 1982 through June 30, 2015. The results show that falls accounted for 42% (325) of the 768 fatalities included in the CFD. Personal fall arrest systems (PFAS) were not available to more than half of the fall decedents (54%); nearly one in four fall decedents (23%) had access to PFAS, but were not using it at the time of the fall. Lack of access to PFAS was particularly high among residential building contractors as well as roofing, siding, and sheet metal industry sectors (∼70%). Although the findings may not represent the entire construction industry today, they do provide strong evidence in favor of fall protection requirements by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). In addition to stronger enforcement, educating employers and workers about the importance and effectiveness of fall protection is crucial for compliance and fall prevention.
authors.affiliation: CPWR - The Center for Construction Research and Training, 8484 Georgia Ave, Suite 1000, Silver Spring, MD 20910, United States. Electronic address: sdong@cpwr.com.
authors.forename: Xiuwen Sue
authors.initials: XS
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.affiliation: CPWR - The Center for Construction Research and Training, 8484 Georgia Ave, Suite 1000, Silver Spring, MD 20910, United States.
authors.forename: Julie A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Largay
authors.affiliation: University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Department of Occupational & Environmental Safety & Health, Hyland Hall 3509, 800 West Main St., Whitewater, WI 53190, United States.
authors.forename: Sang D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: CPWR - The Center for Construction Research and Training, 8484 Georgia Ave, Suite 1000, Silver Spring, MD 20910, United States.
authors.forename: Xuanwen
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: CPWR - The Center for Construction Research and Training, 8484 Georgia Ave, Suite 1000, Silver Spring, MD 20910, United States.
authors.forename: Chris Trahan
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Cain
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Division of Safety Research, 1095 Willowdale Rd., Room 1714, Morgantown, WV 26505, United States.
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Romano
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000401:mortality*; D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000401:mortality*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D060389:Construction Industry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016208:Databases, Factual; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009314:National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, U.S.; D011482:Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D058028:Research Report; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014489:United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Construction industry; Fall hazards; Fall height; Fall protection; Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation; Personal fall arrest systems