What is a significant safety hazard associated with working in high places?

Working in high places presents a considerable risk of falls from heights, which is recognized as one of the leading causes of injuries and fatalities in construction and ironworking. When performing tasks at elevation, whether on girders, scaffolding, or rooftops, the potential to lose balance or underfoot stability increases dramatically.

Safety measures such as harnesses, guardrails, and proper scaffolding are essential to reduce this risk. Training in fall protection techniques is critical for workers to understand how to use safety equipment effectively and recognize hazards related to working at heights. Other hazards like exposure to cold weather, electric shocks, or inhalation of harmful fumes, while significant, do not pose the same direct and immediate risk as falls when working on elevated surfaces.