Objectives
• Identify common fall hazards
• Know when to provide fall protection
• Discuss hierarchy of controls for fall hazards
STATISTICS
Falls are the number one cause of fatalities in the construction industry.
• Falls 33%
• Struck By 18%
• Caught In 18%
• Electrical 17%
In 2004, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 1,224 workplace fatalities resulted from falls with more than 100,000 injured.
• 40% of fall fatalities were from heights over 40 ft.
• 25% of fall fatalities were from heights of 20-30 ft.
• 25% of fall fatalities were from heights of 11-20 ft.
Most falls occur on scaffolds or roofs.
Data from
US BLS
Identifying and Evaluating Fall Hazards
- Fall Hazards
A fall hazard is any condition in the construction workplace which exposes an employee to an unprotected fall that may result in injury or death.
1. Fall from an elevation
2. Fall on same level
3. Being struck by falling object
Common Injuries Associated with Falls from Height
Falls from height can result in;
• fractures
• serious head injuries
• in some cases, death
It is therefore, essential that special care is taken to protect workers when they are working at height.
Elevated locations which require increased fall hazard awareness
- Scaffolds
- Ladders
- Roofs
- Open sides & edges
- Excavations
- Bridges
- Floor openings
- Form works
Falls from any of these locations may occur while accessing,
climbing, traveling, or working.
Duty to Have Fall Protection
- Fall protection is required when one or more employees have exposure to falls of six feet or greater to the lower level.
Unsafe Practices and some Common Hazards at Elevated Workplaces
Working Unsafely at the Edge of Roof
Excavation
Wall Openings
Unsafe floor openings
No stair rails
Hierarchy of Fall Hazard Control
• Eliminate the fall hazard
• Prevent / prohibit exposure to fall
• Control the fall
Eliminating the fall hazard
(from elevated work-area)
- Fall hazards can be eliminated through engineering controls and/or alternative work methods.
Engineering Control
- Performing as much work on the ground as possible to eliminate the hazard of climbing/working at elevation.
Examples:
1. Assembling guardrail systems at ground level rather than at elevation.
2. Maximize pre-assembly of structural components on the ground.
Alternative Work Methods
Example:
Use of radio communication for signaling instead of employees hanging over the edge giving signals.
Preventing employee exposure
Fall prevention methods include:
- Use of a properly erected scaffoldings
- Protecting openings with covers or guardrails
- Providing leading edges with guardrails
- Providing proper access to elevated work area using standard ladders and stairs with handrails
- Use of fall restraint system
Guardrail
• A guardrail is a permanent or portable horizontal structural system consisting of a top rail, mid-rail and toe board secured to vertical posts intended to stop a worker from inadvertently stepping off a working level and falling to a level below. May be of wood or pipe material.
1064.03: Manholes and Other Openings:
1. Manhole floor openings shall be guarded by manhole covers of adequate strength, which need not be hinged.
2. Other floor openings into which persons can accidentally walk shall be guarded either by permanent railings and toeboards on all exposed sides or by hinged-floor opening covers of adequate strength.
Rule 1064.04 Construction of Railings
1. All railings shall be permanently constructed of wood, pipe, structural metal or other material of sufficient strength.
2. Standard railings shall be at least 1 meter (3.3 ft.) from the floor level to the upper surface of the top rail.
3. Standard railings shall have posts not more than 2 meters (6.6 ft.) apart and an intermediate rail halfway between the top rail and the floor.
4. The dimensions of railings and posts anchorage and framing of members shall be such that the completed structure shall be capable of withstanding a load of at least 100 kgs. (220 lbs.) applied from any direction to any point of the top rail.
Rule 1964.05 Construction of Toeboards
1. Toe boards shall be at least 15 cm. in height.
2. Toe boards may be made of wood, iron, steel or other equivalent material.
3. Toe boards shall be securely fastened in place, with not more than 6 mm. clearance above the floor level.
Safe Construction of Stairs
Rule 1065.07 Railings
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Item (1) All stairs having four or more risers shall be equipped with stair railings on any open side.
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Item (4) Stairs railings shall be constructed in a permanent and sufficient manner of wood, pipe, structural metal or other materials of adequate strength.
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Item (5) The height of the stair railings from the upper surface of the top rail to the tread in line with the face of the riser at a forward edge of the tread shall not be more than 90 cm. or less than 80 cm.
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Item (6) Handrails shall be continuous throughout a flight of stairs and at landings without obstruction other than those intended to prevent persons from sliding.
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Item (10) The completed structure shall be capable of withstanding a load of at least 100 kgs. applied in any direction at any point of the trail.
LADDER SAFETY
Ladder Angle
Non-self-supporting ladders: (which lean against a wall or other support)
- Position at an angle where the horizontal distance from the top support to the foot of the ladder is 1/4 the working length of the ladder
Painting Wood Ladders
- Don’t paint ladders
- Don’t use an opaque covering (like varnish) on a wood ladder
LADDER INSPECTION
Inspect ladders before each use.
• All rungs and steps are free of oil, grease, dirt, etc.
• All fittings are tight.
• Spreaders or other locking devices are in place.
• Non-skid safety feet are in place.
• No structural defects, all support braces intact
FIVE RULES OF LADDER SAFETY
1. Select the right ladder for the job.
2. Inspect ladder before you use it.
3. Setup the ladder with care.
4. Climb and descend ladders cautiously.
• Face ladder and hold on with both hands.
• Carry tools on belt or raise and lower with hand line.
• Check shoes and rungs for slippery surfaces.
5. Use safe practices when working on a ladder.
• Always hold on with one hand and never reach too far to either side or rear to maintain balance.
• Never climb higher than second step from top on a stepladder or third from the top on a straight ladder.
• Never attempt to move, shift, or extend ladder while in use.
Fall Restraint Systems
Travel Restraint System – is an assembly composed of body belt and proper accessories that prevent a
worker from traveling to an edge where the occurrence of a fall may happen.
Use of Body Belts
- Effective January 1, 1998, body belts are prohibited as a fall arrest device. (OSHA)
- Body belts can still be used as a travel restraining device.
Fall Restraint Systems
- Use to prevent the user from reaching an area where free-fall could occur (e.g. leading edge roof work)
Controlling the fall
- Least desirable method of protection because it minimizes the consequences of a fall rather than preventing its occurrence.
- Should only be considered after determining that the fall hazard cannot be eliminated or the possibility of falling prevented.
Fall Arrest Systems
- Protect you AFTER you fall by stopping the fall before you hit the surface below.
- Requires the use of personal fall protection equipment or a safety net to prevent a complete fall.
Components of a personal fall arrest system
Full-Body Harness
- It consists of straps passed over the shoulders, across the chest, and around the legs. In a fall, a full body harness protects you more than a safety belt, because it distributes the force of impact over a greater area of your body.
Anchor
- A secure point of attachment capable of withstanding the anticipated forces applied during a fall.
- Shall be located above the worker.
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Anchoring Points
– Structural Members
– Imbedded Eyebolts
►
Non-Anchor Points
– Guardrails
– Railings
– Ladders
– Scaffoldings
– Ductworks/Pipe Vents
– Conduit/Plumbing
– C-clamps
– Roof stacks, vents, fans
Lifeline
- is an independent length of synthetic fiber or steel wire rope attached to a point of anchorage at one or both ends. It is used to guide a fall arrest device.
Horizontal Lifeline
- Consists of a fixed rail or synthetic fiber rope or wire rope rigged between two substantial anchor points
- Allows a worker to move horizontally
Vertical Lifeline
- An independent length of synthetic fiber or steel wire rope attached to a point of anchorage. It is used to guide a fall arrest device.
- It allows a worker to move vertically on an aerial lift device.
Lanyard
- Flexible line of webbing or a synthetic rope used to secure a body belt or full body harness to a lifeline or anchor
- Inspect the lanyard before each use
Shock-absorbing Lanyards
- Extend deceleration distance during a fall, significantly reducing fall arresting forces by 65 to 80 percent (below the threshold of injury).
- Make certain the lanyard is the proper length to allow the necessary worker movement and positioning.
Shock absorber
- A shock absorber slows and cushions the fall, reducing the force of stopping the fall.
Warning: The shock absorber may increase the length of the lanyard by as much as 1.2 m (4 ft)during a fall. Allow for this extra fall distance when you include a a shock absorber in your personal fall protection system.
Swing fall hazard
- If involved in a fall with an anchorage point that is not positioned directly overhead, a swing fall or pendulum effect will occur.
- Striking an object while swinging can lead to serious injury. It is very important to position your anchorage point directly overhead whenever possible to minimize swing falls.
Accessories of a Fall-Arrest System
After A Fall
• Immediately remove from service all equipment used to arrest the fall. You cannot use the equipment again until it’s been inspected and approved by the manufacturer or other approved agent, or by a professional engineer.
Safety Net/Mesh
- Constructed of materials of sufficient strength to catch a falling person or debris
- Sufficient tension and clearance to prevent a falling person against contacting any surface or structure below the net
- Inspected at least once a week for wear, damage and other deterioration
- Place as close as possible and no more than 30 feet below where employees work
Training
Employers must provide fall protection training
The training must cover:
> Fall hazards
> Fall protection systems
> Use of fall protection devices
Thank you!
