Fall Safe Project

Background

Program Goals:

To reduce falls in the construction industry by targeting construction contractors with the aim of increasing the use of established fall prevention practices and technologies, and using a certification program to improve the use of existing fall prevention strategies.

Intent:

Unintentional

Risk Factors Addressed:

Construction safety

Place of occurrence:

Workplace

Age/Age Range:

Working adults, 16-65+

Resources

Year Developed:

2001

Collaborative Organization(s):

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OHSA)
Center to Protect Workers’ Rights (CPWR)
Construction Safety Council (CSC)
St Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company (St. Paul FMIC)
Appalachian Construction Users Council (ACUC)

Funding Resource(s):

NIOSH - $2.41 million
CPWR $1.1 million

Costs:

Approximately $12,000 US per contractor, per year

Implementation

Context/Setting:

Construction sites

Strategies Used:

Education, Engineering, Economic, Enactment

Activities Used:

Training, inspections, incentives. Program involves a partnership between WVU and West Virginia construction contractors (10 experimental contractor companies and 6 control companies). Participant handbook created; incentives to participate; marketing strategies; media coverage; contract agreement. Intense intervention procedures to produce a measurable outcome. Accountability systems to ensure ongoing adherence to safety practices. Program content complies with OHSA standards

Program Evaluation:

Adherence to and evaluation of SOHSA standards were tracked with an auditing computer (pilot)

Impact of pilot was also measured through opinion and activity questionnaires distributed to company owners, workers, supervisors

Source of Best Practice:

Volpe, R., & Lewko, J. (2007). A Sourcebook of Evidence-Based Practices in the Prevention of Severe Injuries.

Original Source:

Becker, P., Fullen, M., Akladios, M., & Hobbs, G. (2001). Prevention of construction falls by organizational intervention. Injury Prevention, 7(1S): i64-67

Supplementary Material:

http://www.fall-safe.com/trainingprogram.html

Local Example(s):

Pizak, D. (1989). Construction Safety in Ontario. Ontario Ministry of Labour, Occupational Health and Safety Division, Construction Health and Safety Branch.

Contact Information: 

Mark Fullen
Co-Principal Investigator – Fall Safe Project
West Virginia University
WVU Safety & Health Extension
130 Tower Lane, P.O. Box 6615
Morgantown, WV 26506-6615
Email: mfullen@wvu.edu
Tel: (304) 293-5430 (1-800-626-4748)

Outcomes

Long-term outcomes/Effectiveness:

Program was deemed practical and applicable and was well received by participating companies and in local communities. West Virginia has extended the intervention to more construction contractors and further development of computer-based audit equipment.

Short-term outcomes:

Program effective in significantly improving use of prevention practices. Incidence reductions are assumed through increased use of safe practices and observations of prevented injury at individual construction sites.

Other Benefits:

Follow up study in progress to track long-term efficacy of program.

Other

Date of Review:

2005

Classification:

Best Practice