A company inspected in January as part of OSHA’s Local Emphasis Program on fall hazards in construction was cited for two repeat and two serious safety violations for failing to provide required protective equipment and to protect workers from serious fall hazards.

A new NIOSH-funded study on fatalities in the construction industry suggests roofers in residential construction are among those most likely to die in falls from roofs. The study, "Fatal falls from roofs among U.S. construction workers," finds that "the odds of fatal falls from roofs were higher for roofing and residential construction than any other construction sector."

Employers must set up the work place to prevent employees from falling off of overhead platforms, elevated work stations or into holes in the floor and walls. OSHA requires that fall protection be provided at elevations of four feet in general industry workplaces, five feet in shipyards, six feet in the construction industry and eight feet in longshoring operations.

Falls from elevations are severe accidents that occur in many industries and occupations. Falls from elevations result in injuries which are produced by contact between the falling person and the source of injury, under the following circumstances:

Contractors have been put on notice: ensure you use fall protection systems, or face fines. In May 2011, a WorkSafe WA inspector observed a self-employed roofing contractor working on a roof at a construction site in Mandurah. He had been engaged by a roofing company to fit all the roofing material, including flashing and capping.

The World Steel Association (worldsteel) has announced plans for a Steel Safety Day that will focus on the safety and health of the people who work in the steel industry. The event is timed to coincide with World Safety Day, International Labour Organisation event which is held each year on April 28.

Workers who perform tasks at elevation - such as structural metalworking, roof assembly and repair, tree trimming, and green energy construction - are at risk of falls from heights, with frequently serious or even fatal consequences.