The source of this information is OSHA, the Department of Labor (DOL), or the Center for Disease Control (CDC):
- 14% of all fall accidents are fatal.
- Since 1992 serious injuries and fatalities due to falls have been on the rise in spite of new regulations and better operations and practices.
- In 2006 there were 809 fall accident fatalities in the USA; from roofs, unprotected walks, ladders, scaffolding, staging, etc.
- Surprisingly, the distribution of falls of various heights from 6' to over 100' is roughly evenly spread out. Fatalities from falls of under 6' are rare. Falls to hard surfaces tend to be more fatal (abrupt deceleration causes severe unjuries, head injuries substantial).
- Falls cost businesses over $170B a year in medical, wages, lower productivity, lower morale and other negative impacts.
- The actual number of non-fatal fall accidents is unknown, as not all are reported.
- The costs of litigation and settlements is unknown.
- The costs of OSHA citations can be quite substantial.
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