According to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), falls are one of the leading causes of traumatic occupational death, accounting for 8% of all occupational fatalities from trauma. Fall protection must be provided at 4 feet in general industry, 5 feet in maritime, and 6 feet in construction. Although the construction industry has made great strides in increasing the need for fall protection awareness and implementation, falls continue to occur. Citing the latest national research, of the 835 fatal falls documented in 2007, more than one-third involved falls from roofs or ladders (see chart).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, 2008
$397 billion
Total amount of residential construction expected in 2008, which makes up 37% of all U.S. construction. In 2005, this number swelled to nearly $618 billion, accounting for 56% of all U.S. construction.
Source: FMI Corp.
-21%
Percent decline in the nonfatal workplace injuries and illness rate over the past six years. The number of incidents reported by private industry employers declined from 4.4 cases per 100 workers in 2006 to 4.2 cases in 2007.
Source: OSHA
-7%
The percentage that construction starts as a whole is expected to decline in 2009. This is following the 12% decline predicted for 2008.
Source: McGraw-Hill Construction
$1.3 billion
Approximate amount of money spent on new wind farm construction this year in the states of Oregon and Washington.
Source: Industrial Info Resources