General Contractors Must Formulate and Enforce Fall Protection Plans

Michael Myers

Attorney
(866) 735-1102 Ext 580

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A recent Seattle Times article highlights an important issue in the construction trades--especially with so much building taking place in Seattle and around Puget Sound.

The Times reported the following:

A 73-year-old man was rushed to Bremerton's Harrison Medical Center with life-threatening injuries after he fell down a 30-foot shaft at a construction site this afternoon.

Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue crews responded to a 911 call at a commercial oyster processing plant under construction on Misery Point in Seabeck at 1:15 p.m., said fire spokeswoman Theresa MacLennan.

The man was unconscious when he was pulled from the shaft. MacLennan said he was helping build the plant.

There is virtually no reason for a fall at a commercial (or residential) construction site in Washington. Workers should not be exposed to fall hazards unless they are properly tied off. The general contractor is responsible for making sure that all safety precautions required under WISHA (and by common sense) are put in place.

For more information on this subject matter, please refer to the section on Worksite Injursies and Workers Compensation.