Fall Protection – Taking It to a Whole New Level 1

1. Fall Protection – Taking It to a Whole New Level 1

2. Fall Protection 2017 This material was produced under Susan Harwood Grant number SH-21006-SH10and revised under Grant number SH-27643-SH5 from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor. It does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. This presentation has been developed by Sunflower Community Action in Wichita, KS and El Centro in Kansas City, KS. We would like to acknowledge and thank the University of Alabama for allowing us to use their original material from which this curriculum was developed.

3. The purpose of this training is to inform you about: Fall hazards. Fall prevention. How to create a basic safety system that will prevent you from becoming a victim of a fall. Safety procedures while using ladders, scaffolding, and aerial lifts. Welcome!

4. What is OSHA? Who is covered by OSHA? You have the right to a safe workplace. What should I do if there is a safety risk at my workplace? What should I do if I have been injured at work? You have the right to file a complaint with your employer or OSHA. You have 30 days to file a retaliation report about your injury. Call 1-800-321-OSHA (6742) and ask them to mail you a complaint form. Ask OSHA to keep your identity confidential. Know Your Rights

5. falls kill more construction workers than any other workplace hazard. Why? Did you know that… 1

6. the majority of falls occur from roofs. Did you know that… 2

7. falls from scaffolding or the collapse of scaffolding are the second most common type of fall. Did you know that… 3

8. falls from ladders are the third most common? Did you know that… 4

9. the majority of falls happen on low-budget construction projects? Why? Did you know that… 5

10. Example: In 2010 in Iowa City, IA a worker suffered a fatal injury after losing his balance and falling from 24 feet onto a concrete slab. He was using an industrial jigsaw on a ladder. OSHA Fall-Related Death Reports industrial jigsaw • In 2015, there were 903 fatal accidents involving Hispanic workers. • This is equivalent to 4 workers in 100,000.* • For Hispanics, this is the highest rate of fatal accidents since these statistics were first recorded. *Full-time workers.

11. 65% of falls happen from less than 30 feet? In roofing, 45% of falls happen from less than 20 feet? Why? Did you know that… 6 I’m safe. I’m only working 15’ above the ground.

12. you are more likely to misjudge the risk of falling when you are working at less than 20 feet? Why? Did you know that… 7 I just have to do something quick here.

13. age and experience significantly reduce the risk of falls? Why? Do you think that… 1

14. workers ages 45-65 experience fatal accidents more frequently than younger workers? Why? Did you know that… 8 Years of Age Deaths 2014 2015

15. the head (the main and often fatal target) the chest the neck the back the abdomen arms and legs Common outcomes are death, brain damage, paralysis, and severe internal injuries. The Risk Is Real • The majority of falls involve fractures and injury in:

16. The risks of life and limb is everywhere, but people continue to work at heights, without adequate protection against falls. Why? What is the real story here?

17. John Doe Myths 1 • Myth #1: • Fall protection is for weaklings. • “There's a correct way to fall… One just needs to know how to do it.” • “I have fallen and I’m not dead yet.” • The Reality: • Free falls from 6 foot heights can result in serious injury, because most falls are unexpected. • In two-thirds of a second, you have already fallen 7 feet.

18. Reality Check • Assuming that you don’t die after a fall, you should be prepared for: • the loss of your personal capacity and means of earning a living. • the loss of your freedom and independence. • depending on others for the rest of your life. • the mental and emotional consequences of your disability for yourself and your family.

19. Myth #2: – Harnesses are the best way to avoid a fall. The Reality: – Harnesses should be considered the last option; if they fail, you’re toast (dead). John Doe Myths 2 • Eliminate the risk. • Doing your work at ground level is the safest option. • Find engineering changes to eliminate risk. • Fall protection that doesn’t depend on PPE?

20. Myth # 3 – “Time is money.” Fall protection costs time and money. The Reality – Fall protection is highly economical. When you compare it to the real costs of a fall: John Doe Myths 3 • the cost of Worker’s Compensation for workers • third-party claims • OSHA fines • losses in production and lost work time • damage to the image of the company • the loss of work opportunities

21. The Disaster at Willow Island 1 May 1978 • A company was constructing a 400 foot cooling tower. • As concrete was being poured at 170 feet, the scaffolding began to fall off of the concrete. • When the scaffolding collapsed, 51 workers were killed, 10 from the same family, and no one survived. Mrs. Lillie Steele, the matriarch of the Steele family, lost 1 son, 4 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren in the tragedy.

22. The Disaster at Willow Island 2 Afterwards, the OSHA investigation discovered: • The scaffolding was connected to concrete that wasn’t cured (not dry and solid). • There was only 1 ladder, which limited escape capacity. • The contractors wanted to increase the speed of construction. • Construction was delayed for 17 months (almost a year and a half) after the accident.

23. What could the workers have done to avoid this accident? Question: 1

24. More fall protection regulations / enforcing them. More financial incentives to prevent falls. More training on fall protection. Empowering workers to create a culture of safety. How to improve our procedure?

25. to create a culture of safety. to improve morale. for a good reputation. to lower Worker’s Compensation Insurance. Why develop safety systems? 1

26. An organizational culture is a set of values shared by the members of the organization and the workers. The heart and soul of the organization. The Cultural Component 1

27. Values are deeply-held beliefs and principles that guide our decisions and behavior. The Cultural Component 2

28. What are the values held in a culture of safety? I have the right to work safely. I am responsible for my own safety. I am responsible for the safety of my coworkers. I have a responsibility to provide for my family. The Cultural Component 3

29. You represent the “hands and feet” of the organization. You all do the work that enriches the company. Likewise, the company has a responsibility to provide a safe working environment for you all. Shared Responsibility

30. Eliminate risks through: Cleanliness and order. Proper maintenance. Safety controls: Hole covers and guardrails Personal Protection Equipment The Operational Component

31. The areas of construction that cause the majority of injuries and fines due to lack of fall protection are: ladders scaffolding roofing or working at heights The Operation of the Fall Protection Safety System

32. Protection is required for: Unprotected sides and edges Leading edges Ramps and walkways Roofs with excessive slope Residential construction Roofing Excavations, wells, pits and gaps The Obligation to Provide Fall Protection

33. When is fall protection required? 15’ 10’ 6’ 4’ Construction Scaffolding Steel Beam Erection General Industry • If construction workers are working above hazardous materials, they must use fall protection below 6 feet.

34. Use protective railings to prevent workers from falling. This is the 2nd best option, after eliminating the risk. Fall Prevention

35. On some jobs, you can place a cord or metal cable as a barrier around the edge of the roof to warn workers that they are approaching the edge. Warning Lines or Strings

36. They consist of ropes or cables and uprights to support them. They should be able to resists a force of 16 lbs. directed outwards and applied to a 30” span. With a minimum tensile strength of 500 lbs. If working between the roof edge and the warning line, other precautions should be taken. Fall Protection - Warning Line Systems 1 Warning Line Edge of Roof

37. Warning lines should be raised around all sides of the area of roof work, and be at least 6’ from the roof edge. If mechanical equipment is being used, the lines must be at least 10 feet from the edge. When the point of access is not being used it should be closed. The lines should not be higher than 39” and no lower than 34.” Fall Protection - Warning Line Systems 2 If mechanical equipment is being used. 10ꞌ 6ꞌ Access Point (closed when not in use) 6ꞌ Warning Line 6ꞌ Edge of Roof Work at least 6 feet away from roof’s edge.

38. In some jobs, you may have the ability to designate a person to stand on site and verbally alert workers when they are close to the edge. Safety Monitor

39. Why should we have these rules and norms? Question: 2

40. Ladders 1

41. Risks when working with ladders: Incorrect placement or position Ladder slides (above or below) Loss of user’s balance Over-reaching of the body Slipping when stepping on rungs Damaged or defective ladders Improper ladder to do the job 3’ above the surface Ladders 2

42. Critical Outcomes for Ladder Safety 1 • Use a ladder when it’s the safest option. • The areas around the top and bottom of the ladder are clear. • The rungs (steps) are level and evenly spaced. • Ladders are raised and placed correctly. • Use ladders according to the purposes for which they were designed.

43. Critical Outcomes for Ladder Safety 2 • DO NOT tie ladders together to make a longer one. • Tools should be carried in a tool belt or pulled up by a rope. • Do not varnish or paint wooden ladders. • Grab the ladder rungs (stairs/crossbars) with your hands, not the vertical side rails.

44. Critical Outcomes for Ladder Safety 3 • Follow the 3 points of contact rule. • Always go up and down while facing the ladder, using both hands. • Use a tool belt to carry tools: keep your body centered between the vertical rails of the ladder.

45. The employer must provide a training program on how to use portable ladders and fixed staircases: The training must be provided in a language that workers understand. The training must be provided by a competent person. In addition, re-training should be provided to each worker, as necessary, so that workers retain the information, and maintain the knowledge required to comply with the standard. Ladder-Related Training

46. A man was cleaning windows. The highest point to be cleaned was 9 feet. A normal ladder wasn’t available. An Example 1

47. An Example 2 • The worker was working backwards on the ladder. • The spacer bar was fully extended and locked. • The worker went up the ladder with a sponge and squeegee in one hand, and a towel in the other. • He was working on the next to last rung (step).

48. 35 minutes later… • The foreman was approaching the hall and heard a loud noise. • He saw the victim lying on the floor trembling and trying to get up. • The foreman called 911. • The victim was taken to the hospital. • The victim died the next day.

49. What happened? • Note the ladder: • The rungs were placed in front of the window. • The cross sections were facing away from the window. • The opposite of what a witness saw during the preparation of the work.

50. Did he choose the right ladder for the job? Did he need to do the work with the help of a ladder? OR Was there another way to do it from ground-level? What was the safest way to do the job?