There are many jobs that are dangerous or even fatal without the proper safety precautions. Modern equipment and safety standards have decreased the number of worker injuries and illnesses from 10.9 incidents per 100 workers in 1972 to just 3.4 per 100 as of 2011. As technology continues to advance, employees and employers alike can breathe easy so long as the proper steps are taken.

Protecting Employees on the Job

Most injuries happen unexpectedly: workers who are as low as six feet in the air are at risk for serious injury or death in the event of a fall. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) uses a three step program to help prevent dangerous falls and save lives; these steps are to plan, provide, and train. It is the obligation of the employer to provide fall protection with the right equipment for each job.

Safety Hook Rigging Equipment

OSHA requires fall arrest systems like nets and lifelines on job sites where workers regularly operate over six feet in the air. All fall protection equipment must be capable of handling test weights of 300 pounds; the anchorage for these fall protection systems must be capable of supporting 5,000 pounds for a single individual in order to comply with OSHA standards. The actual safety hook rigging hardware determines the load limit of a sling; socket and clip fittings can take 75%-100% of the breaking load of the rope. Proper safety training must also be provided for employees. There are a number of fall protection courses available around the country to provide the experience and confidence needed on the job site in a controlled environment. Providing employees with the equipment and training needed to keep them safe ought to be a priority for all employers; by regularly inspecting and upgrading your current equipment, employers have the opportunity to prevent accidents and save lives.