WORKING AT HEIGHT

   Falls

Did you know?

Falls from elevation account for one third of all deaths in construction.

Falls are the leading cause of fatalities in the construction industry. An average of 362 fatal falls occurred each year from 1995 to 1999, with the trend on the increase.

It is important that safety and health programs contain provisions to protect workers from falls on the job. The following hazards cause the most fall-related injuries:

Unprotected Sides, Wall Openings, and Floor Holes

• Am I in Danger?
  Almost all sites have unprotected sides and edges, wall openings, or floor holes at some point during construction. If these sides and openings are not protected at your site, injuries from falls or falling objects may result, ranging from sprains and concussions to death.
  How Do I Avoid Hazards?
  • Use at least one of the following whenever employees are exposed to a fall of 6 feet or more above a lower level:
    • Guardrail Systems
    • Safety Net Systems
    • Personal Fall Arrest Systems
  • Cover or guard floor holes as soon as they are created during new construction.
  • For existing structures, survey the site before working and continually audit as work continues. Guard or cover any openings or holes immediately.
  • Construct all floor hole covers so they will effectively support two times the weight of employees, equipment, and materials that may be imposed on the cover at any one time.
  • In general, it is better to use fall prevention systems, such as guardrails, than fall protection systems, such as safety nets or fall arrest devices, because they provide more positive safety means.

Improper Scaffold Construction

Am I in Danger?

Working with heavy equipment and building materials on the limited space of a scaffold is difficult. Without fall protection or safe access, it becomes hazardous. Falls from such improperly constructed scaffolds can result in injuries ranging from sprains to death.

                                                                                                    

This scaffold is not in compliance with the regulations because it mixes several different scaffold components in the same scaffold. The guardrails are also improper because they are not complete.

Improper Guardrails on Tubular Welded-Frame Scaffolds

• How Do I Avoid Hazards?
  • Construct all scaffolds according to the manufacturer's instructions.
  • Install guardrail systems along all open sides and ends of platforms.
  • Use at least one of the following for scaffolds more than 10 feet above a lower level:
    • Guardrail Systems
    • Personal Fall Arrest Systems
  • Provide safe access to scaffold platforms.
  • Do not climb cross-bracing as a means of access.

          

                     Unguarded Protruding Steel Rebars

Am I in Danger?

Unguarded protruding steel reinforcing bars are hazardous. Even if you just stumble onto an unguarded rebar you can impale yourself, resulting in serious internal injuries or death.

These rebar should be bent over or protected with caps so that a worker would not be injured by falling on them.

Not Guarding Protruding Steel Rebars

How Do I Avoid Hazards?

• Guard all protruding ends of steel rebar with rebar caps or wooden troughs, or
• Bend rebar so exposed ends are no longer upright.
• When employees are working at any height above exposed rebar, fall protection/prevention is the first line of defense against impalement.

            Misuse of Portable Ladders

Am I in Danger?

You risk falling if portable ladders are not safely positioned each time they are used. While you are on a ladder, it may move and slip from its supports. You can also lose your balance while getting on or off an unsteady ladder. Falls from ladders can cause injuries ranging from sprains to death.

This ladder is being used at the proper angle, and appears to be stable and secure.

Misuse of Portable Ladders

How Do I Avoid Hazards?

• Position portable ladders so the side rails extend at least 3 feet above the landing.
• Secure side rails at the top to a rigid support and use a grab device when 3 foot extension is not possible.
• Make sure that the weight on the ladder will not cause it to slip off its support.
• Before each use inspect ladders for cracked or broken parts such as rungs, steps, side rails, feet and locking components.
• Do not apply more weight on the ladder than it is designed to support.
• Use only ladders that comply with OSHA design standards.