• 26
  • October
    2011

A 60-foot fall from the roof of the old Clairol building in Stamford fatally injured Danbury construction worker Javier Salinas. The site has been under construction for some time; the 36-year-old was working on the roof prior to the fall and was likely killed on impact with the pavement below.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will be investigating the fall. Early rumors indicate that strong winds may have played a role in the Connecticut construction fall accident.

Falls are the leading cause of death on construction sites throughout the United States, according to OSHA. Falls from heights can include falling from rooftops, from scaffolding, from ladders or from another lift system.

A Safe Connecticut Workplace is Your Employer's Responsibility

Each year, up to 200 workers are killed in fatal falls while on the job at a construction site; another approximately 100,000 are injured. Employers have a duty to each worker to evaluate a construction site for fall hazards and to provide adequate protection and training to workers who may be at risk of serious injury or death from a construction site fall.

OSHA details specific protections related to roof work. Low-slope roofs that are 6 feet or more above ground must be protected by guardrails, safety nets, personal fall protection or a warning system coupled with any of those already listed. Steep-slope roofs require even greater protection against falls from heights by construction workers.

Additionally, employers must properly train construction workers to identify potential fall hazards and to how to minimize the risk of a workplace fall. Construction workers should also be trained in how to properly set up fall protection systems, guardrails and/or safety nets to protect against fatal falls by themselves or their coworkers.

Source: Hartford Courant, "Construction Worker Identified Following Fatal Fall In Stamford," 25 October 2011