Falls have been a leading cause of workplace fatalities in Michigan. To ensure that a strong effort is made to reduce falls, OSHA has begun a National Emphasis Program (NEP). MIOSHA has adopted the program to continue our focus on preventing injuries and deaths from falls. This NEP directs more enforcement and educational resources to prevent worker injuries and deaths from falls.

Of the 36 fatalities between years 2019-2022, 17 occurred in construction, with the highest risk jobs being roofer, construction laborer, and carpenter. In general industry, the fatalities were concentrated in tree trimming operations; work on trees accounted for eight of the fall-related deaths during 2016-2018. In addition, falls, slips, and trips cause thousands of nonfatal injuries involving days away from work each year, according to BLS. These nonfatal injuries happen across industries, from manufacturing to construction and from retail to healthcare.

During the last decade, between 2013-2022, over 100 workers died from falls in Michigan. Recently, the number of fatalities from falls was:

• 22 in 2016
• 16 in 2017
• 7 in 2018
• 12 in 2019
• 9 in 2020 
• 4 in 2021
• 11 in 2022

Nearly half of the 43 fatalities MIOSHA investigated in 2016 were fall-related, occurring largely in the construction and tree-trimming industries. Falls on the same level and falls to a lower level represent 27 percent of the most disabling work-related injuries and in 2014, cost U.S. employers $19.3 billion. Eleven of the 44 fatalities MIOSHA investigated in 2022 were fall-related, occurring largely in the construction industry. In addition, falls, slips, and trips cause thousands of nonfatal injuries involving days away from work each year across the United States, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. These nonfatal injuries happen across the spectrum of industries from manufacturing to construction and from retail to healthcare.

Click on the tabs below for resources on fall prevention, including fact sheets, tool box talks, relevant MIOSHA rules and regulations for construction and general industry, free video streaming and video loan services, and more.   

Watch the video below for an important message from MIOSHA Director Bart Pickelman

Stop Falls. Save Lives. Public Service Announcement (English / Spanish) Transcripts

MIOSHA Stop Falls. Save Lives. Leadership Webinar Forum Recording - May 4, 2021