More work to limit falls on construction sites

More than 2000 falls of height gave rise to occupational accidents in Brittany in 2016. A problem that remains current despite prevention campaigns.

Falls at workplaces are still numerous and continue to kill workers every year. 2,100 work stoppages were recorded for falls from height in Brittany in 2016 under the general scheme, and 250 more by the Agricultural Social Mutuality.

In the region, fragile roofs that break under the weight of a worker are a particular problem: there are a hundred falls of this nature per year in Britain, including between one and three mortals. The cause is brittle fibrocement sheets, time-worn translucents or entire structures that collapse due to rusty or worm-eaten beams.

"We still had a fatal accident during the summer," laments Julien Boudier, in charge of construction and quarrying at Carsat Bretagne, the pension and occupational health insurance fund.

" Accidents are due to interactions between two companies"

Since 2014, Carsat has been carrying out prevention plans against these falls. "We see an improvement in working conditions on construction sites, especially on large sites" appreciates Julien Boudier. The body focuses on falls from height, with the most serious consequences. And because acting to limit them also reduces the number of falls on the same level or accidents at work following manual handling.

The idea: secure construction sites at all levels. And this translates into a number of actions directly on the ground: installing guardrails from the beginning of the work, backfilling immediately the ground foundations, avoid cables lying around, poorly lit places or put grids under the windows to retain the weight of a man who would pass through.

But it's all about coordinating all the actors involved. "We consider that half of the accidents are due to interactions between two companies" details Julien Boudier. He works with contractors to improve the coordination of different trades and create a common safety culture.

One of the actions that contribute to a long-term vision of the prevention of professional falls. Preventors try to think of security as far upstream as possible, as Julien Boudier explains: "We work with architects upstream to design the building site and the building. It's much more efficient and much more durable than patching. He also thinks about the following: the maintenance and upkeep of the building. This is to add railings for workers who would remove the foam from a roof or a staircase secured to access an antenna height.

Julien Boudier will be present at the Safexpo exhibition and safety at the Brest Exhibition Center on Thursday, October 10, at 10:30 am, for a workshop on the prevention of falls on construction sites. Entry reserved for professionals.

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