Fall protection rules extended to residential builders

This month, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced that they are extending fall protection rules once concerned only with commercial construction to residential construction projects as well.

Just before this announcement, the federal agency released their annual list of the top 10 safety violations they encountered in 2010.  Number 1 on the list of violations was fall protection violations.

Last year, OSHA issued 7,139 citations to employers for not providing the proper fall protection for employees.  260 workers died from elevated falls in 2010.  According to OSHA, about 29 percent of the fatalities were in residential projects.

Now, residential construction contractors are expected to follow the same regulations that are enforced in commercial construction projects.  These regulations include implementing safety net systems, personal fall arrest systems, and guardrail systems.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a workplace accident or construction accident, contact the San Diego workplace injury attorneys of Ritter & Associates at 619-296-0123 to speak with one of our experienced personal injury lawyers today.