Because falls from ladders and scaffolds are prevalent in the construction industry, considerable thought, time and planning has gone into fall prevention measures. Personal fall arrest systems are safety precautions that can help prevent serious injury from ladder and scaffold falls.
OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) requires that workers wear a full-body harness when working on a suspended scaffold that is more than 10 feet above the working surface area. They must also wear them when working in an aerial lift or bucket.
In New York, contractors are directly responsible for providing personal protective equipment to workers. Workers include subcontractors, staff and other firms working for the contractor. (Reference §107-05 SAFETY AND HEALTH REQUIREMENTS Based on this law, "the employer (is) to furnish employment and workplaces ‘free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm’ to employees.")
The personal fall arrest system must be inspected to ensure there is no damage prior to use, every time it is worn.
The system has three components:
If you experience a serious injury as a result from falling from a ladder or scaffold, consult with an attorney who is experienced in handling falls from ladders cases. A seasoned lawyer has in-depth knowledge of New York State laws. Such knowledge is vital for bringing legal action and obtaining compensation.