Final answer:
A major fall hazard in construction could be inadequate fall protection or faulty fire safety equipment, as highlighted by historical events like the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, which featured locked doors and a collapsed fire escape.
Step-by-step explanation:
A major fall hazard in construction can be identified from historical events such as the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory disaster. A major fall hazard commonly found in construction settings could be related to inadequate or missing fall protection measures or faulty fire safety equipment. The tragedy at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory highlighted several hazards, including locked stairwell doors to prevent theft, which prevented workers from escaping during the fire and led to numerous deaths.
Also, the poorly constructed fire escape that collapsed signifies the crucial need for robust and reliable emergency exit routes in a construction environment. All these factors contribute to a fall hazard by either increasing the likelihood of a fall or by failing to provide safe egress in the event of an emergency. Today, OSHA standards mandate employers to provide appropriate fall protection and ensure the safety of emergency exits, which directly addresses issues that contributed to the high death toll in historical workplace disasters like this one.