Fall Protection Analysis for Workers on Residential Roofs

I thought this analysis was very well prepared with a great deal of supporting facts that helped strengthen its case study. The analysis had few weaknesses due to all the alternatives and recommendations for every problem or situation.

To start off with, the study was limited to residential roof construction in Hawaii. Which in itself is specific; however, it further went on to say that the study included new construction, renovations, maintenance of single-family residences, town houses and commercial buildings. The investigation has a set of objectives that are clear and descriptive which give strength to the case study, because it gives the investigation goals to reach. In the abstract of the case, it states that the current state of compliance is poor, but it doesn't just tell you what state it is in; it goes into detail the reasons why and how it is in that state. It also analyzed several systems for fall protection so that each could be compared to the other.

When the case states that contractors have options protecting workers via alternative methods, it not only states the various methods, but describes each one in detail. The methodology section states all the steps that were taken in order to come up with all the information that was collected and analyzed. I believe they did an especially good job on point number two in which they interviewed all the people involved in the construction process so that no point of view was left out.

The only two weaknesses I found in the case study were in the case histories section and jobsite inspections section. It stated that records indicated twenty residential construction inspections resulted in fall protection during a two year span in which eight cases were reviewed. Of which the majority of citations were due to workers walking atop of plate unprotected during truss installation. I believe twenty inspections in a two year span aren't enough to make a complete and thorough analysis. One job-site alone can require twenty inspections, let alone the type of citation which was most frequently violated takes place in most job sites every day. The other weakness I found which takes away the element of surprise and realistic observation; was that they arranged beforehand the inspections and interviews. With prior notice, most people can fix improper infractions or violations. The employer can also speak with his workers prior to inspection and either punish or

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