Preventing falls doesn't necessarily require any fancy systems, new programs, expensive equipment or burdensome procedures. No, in many instances fall protection is a matter of maintaining some basic common sense.

First, it's important to realize that more accidental deaths are attributed to falls than any other cause except motor vehicle accidents. This holds true across industries, gender lines and age. The only exception is that the number of fall-related deaths is even higher among the elderly. This means falls kill more people than confined space entries, lockout violations, process mishaps and all the other areas that safety professionals address.