LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In an effort to stem a rising tide of workplace injuries resulting from preventable falls, Builders Insurance – the original private workers’ comp coverage provider for the Nevada construction industry – along with Risk Services-Nevada, administrator for Builders Insurance, have jointly named October as Fall Protection and Ladder Safety month. Governor Gibbons, who chairs an annual workplace safety conference state-wide, has been asked to formalize this proclamation. Injuries resulting from falls of all types are devastating to both employers and to employees and their families, both in terms of lost production and cost, but most of all because of the resulting pain and suffering workers endure as a result of trauma sustained from a fall. For instance, according to Ron Landram, Vice President of Operations for Risk Services, through October 1 in Southern Nevada, 26 percent of the 23 on-the-job construction industry fatalities were related to falls – either these workers fell to their deaths or retaining walls fell on them. “Falls are the second largest cause of injuries in the workplace nationally,” Landram explained. “Falls are also the single leading cause of on-the-job construction fatalities. Unlike the impact of other more common workplace accidents, injuries resulting from a fall usually range from severe to critical, and often are accompanied with the unpleasant prospect of a long term recovery – or even permanent disability. These statistics are particularly frustrating because fall-related accidents are always preventable – and they are always costly.” Landram pointed out that encouraging construction workers to simply follow basic common sense methods of fall protection and ladder safety can make a life-saving difference. “These include following safety guidelines such as using safety lanyards and harnesses,” Landram said, “making sure that guard rails are in place, and inspecting ladders for damage – then taking them out of service when defects are discovered – can reduce or eliminate employee fall injuries completely.
