WIESBADEN, Germany - Falls continue to be the leading cause of death in the construction industry across both the United States and Europe. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2023 falls from elevation represented nearly 40 percent of construction deaths in the United States and are a leading cause of construction deaths across Europe as well.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is committed to safety on its construction sites, which is why Europe District and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers districts across the globe recognize the National Safety Stand-Down focused on fall safety each year in May. In Europe, that includes training sessions, informational displays and a wide range of outreach.

"Education and awareness are key in ensuring our contractor partners utilize the most effective forms of fall protection to maintain a safe and successful project," said Europe District Safety & Occupational Health Chief Brad Lein.

National Fall Safety Stand-Down activities are just part of Europe District's commitment to safety on construction sites throughout the year.

In Italy, Europe District's commitment to fall prevention is on display at an active site where contractors are ahead of schedule repairing the roof at Vicenza Elementary School on the Caserma Ederle portion of U.S. Army Garrison Italy. This site provides an example of the latest best practices when delivering projects that involve working at significant heights. That includes passive fall-protection systems like newly designed guardrails around the construction site on the roof that provide workers with more effective fall protection while allowing them better freedom of movement.

"Fall protection measures reflect a strong commitment to site safety," said Europe District Project Engineer Valeria Baliva. "By prioritizing fall protection, we're not just meeting compliance standards-we're upholding a safety-first culture and ensuring mission-critical operations continue without disruption."

Fall safety isn't just for initial construction though. Europe District personnel make sure projects like the roof repair in Vicenza include long-term safety features to ensure the safety of our customers after the project is complete. This includes built-in anchors so future maintenance workers can hook up horizonal lifelines.

Europe District construction personnel at construction field offices across the continent took a moment to discuss the importance of safety when working at heights and preventing falls in conjunction with the National Safety Stand-Down.

In Bavaria, Europe District's Bavaria Area Engineer Edwin Vasquez even highlighted the dangers of falling from height by demonstrating gravity's impacts on an apple dropped from an elevated lift bucket for an informational safety video.

"Fact, gravity accelerates an object like this apple - or your body - at 9.81 meters per second squared," Vasquez said before demonstrating the destructive impacts of a fall on a soon-to-be-destroyed apple. "Inspect your gear, wear your harness and follow safety procedures so that you don't become a statistic. Remember, don't be this apple."

Source: U.S.Army