Many homeowners enjoy the additional sunshine that a skylight can bring. However, installing a skylight can be quite dangerous for construction personnel. In fact, occupational fatalities caused by falls remain a serious public health problem throughout the United States. Data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries indicate that falls are one of the leading causes of traumatic injury death in the workplace, accounting for 13.7% of such deaths (808 of 5,900) in 2001. During that year, 23 workers died in falls through skylights, 11 died in falls through existing roof openings, and 24 died in falls through existing oor openings. Most of these deaths occurred in the construction industry [BLS 2002(a)].

OSHA has developed standards to prevent workers in general industry and in construction from falling through skylights and roof and door openings. The OSHA General Industry Standard requires that “every skylight door opening and hole shall be guarded by a standard skylight screen or a fixed standard railing on all exposed sides” [29 CFR 1910.23(a)(4)].

Yet, in spite of such clearly defined regulations, accidents continue to occur.

In the hope that such accidents can be further avoided, the CDC recommends that employers and businesses take the following preventative measures:

1. Develop, implement, and enforce a comprehensive, written fall prevention program that, at a minimum, complies with applicable OSHA fall prevention standards.
2. Assign a competent person to inspect the worksite before work begins to identify fall hazards and to determine the appropriate fall prevention system for workers.
3. Conduct periodic scheduled and unscheduled inspections to ensure that the fall prevention system is used and maintained correctly and provides adequate protection against falls.
4. Train workers to recognize fall hazards associated with working near skylights and roof and door openings.
5. Train workers in the correct fall prevention procedures they are to follow.
6. Comply with child labor laws. Do not permit workers under age 16 to perform any type of construction work. Do not permit workers under age 18 to perform roofing work (including repair work) in any nonagricultural work setting.
7. For work around skylights and roof and door openings; require, provide, and ensure the use of appropriate fall prevention systems that use one of the following:

• Covers or screens
• Railings or guardrails
• PFAS,including a full-body harness, lanyard, connectors, and appropriate anchorage points (tie-offs)

As industry leaders, General Safety Services has everything you and your business needs to remain compliant with skylight safety regulations. If you are interested in learning more about our fall protection products, submit an inquiry via our website and someone will be in touch to discuss your needs

Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, OSHA, Center for Disease Control