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Fall Protection

Fall Protection. Nick Senior, MPH Industrial Hygienist. Why is Fall Protection Important. Slips, trips and falls cause: the majority of general industry accidents 15 percent of all accidental deaths more fatalities than all other causes. The Numbers.

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Fall Protection

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  1. Fall Protection Nick Senior, MPH Industrial Hygienist

  2. Why is Fall Protection Important • Slips, trips and falls cause: • the majority of general industry accidents • 15 percent of all accidental deaths • more fatalities than all other causes

  3. The Numbers • Falls — 364 out of 937 total deaths in CY 2015 (38.8% of total fatality)

  4. Objective • The purpose of this presentation is to inform you about: • Fall hazards • Fall prevention

  5. Did You Know That… • If injured in a fall: • Half of the injuries are to the head • Nearly 1/3 involve multiple injuries • 2 of every 3 persons will die from that fall • Falls to lower level account for 85% of fatal falls

  6. Did You Know That… • When falling: • 28%are stepping or climbing betweenelevations (up or down) • 13% are just walking about • 11% are stepping from one surface to another • 10% are moving backwards According to Bureau of Labor Statistics

  7. The Danger is Real • Head – a prime target and often fatal • Chest • Neck • Back • Abdomen • Arms and Legs • Death, brain damage, paralysis, and severe internal injuries are common outcomes • Most falls involve fractures or other injury to:

  8. Did You Know That… • Why? I just have one quick thing to do

  9. I’ve been doing the same job for years, what could possibly go wrong?

  10. When Is Fall Protection Required? • If workers are working over dangerous materials, they have to have fall protection regardless of the fall height

  11. Fall Protection in Order of Effectiveness • Elimination • Engineering/ Prevention • Fall Arrest • Warning Lines • Safety – Monitoring/ Administration

  12. Eliminate the Hazard • If the job can be done without the worker going up, why place them in danger? • Design safety into building construction • If the worker isn’t exposed to a hazard, they cannot be hurt

  13. General RequirementsCovers and Guardrails • Provide covers and/or guardrails to protect workers from the hazards of open pits, tanks, vats, ditches, and the like.

  14. Floor Opening An opening measuring 12 inches or more in its least dimension in a floor, platform, pavement, or yard, through which persons may fall. Wall OpeningsWall Openings

  15. Wall Openings • Opening at least 30 in. high and 18 in. wide, in a wall or partition, through which persons may fall • Wall openings from which there is a drop of more than 4 feet must be guarded

  16. Stairway Floor Openings • Must be guarded by a standard railing on all exposed sides (except at entrance).

  17. Guardrails Requirements • Guardrail includes a top rail, a mid rail and a toeboard. The top rail is 42 inches high, and the mid rail is approximately halfway from the surface to the top rail. • Toeboards must be at least 4 inches high and distance from floor not over ¼.

  18. Open-Sided Floors and Platforms • Open-sided floors or platforms 4 feet or more above adjacent floor or ground level must be guarded by a standard railing (or equivalent) on all open sides, except where there is an entrance to a ramp, stairway, or fixed ladder

  19. Open-Sided Floors, Walkways, Platforms, and Runways • Regardless of height, a standard railing and toeboard must be used to guard: • - open-sided floors • - walkways • - platforms, or • - runways • above or adjacent to dangerous equipment, pickling or galvanizing tanks, degreasing units, and similar hazards.

  20. Stairways • Flights of stairs with four or more risers must have standard stair railings or handrails.

  21. Ladders

  22. Did You Know That… • Falls from ladders is the third leading cause of fatalities in the workplace.

  23. Portable Ladders • Ladders used to gain access to a roof or other area must extend at least 3 feet above the point of support • Withdraw defective ladders from service and tag or mark "Dangerous, Do Not Use“ • Never use ladders in a horizontal position as scaffolds or work platforms

  24. Ladder Angle • Use at angle where the horizontal distance from the top support to the foot of the ladder is ¼ the working length of the ladder (length along ladder between the foot and top support). • Caution: Never stand on the top two rungs of the folding ladder.

  25. Critical Outcomes for Ladder Safety • Three-point rule is applied • Climbing ladder only when facing ladder and using both hands while climbing up or down • Belt-buckle rule is applied: Keep body centered between the ladder rails

  26. Types of ladders • Metal – light weight – DO NOT USE AROUND EXPOSED ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT • Fiberglass – durable, use for electrical work • Wood – not as durable • Job Built – heavy duty, custom-made for the job • Straight Ladder • Extension Ladder • Step Ladder

  27. Ladder capacity and strength Read and follow all manufacturer instructions • Step ladder max. 20 ft • Single ladder max. 30 ft • Two-section ladder max. 60 ft

  28. Scaffolds

  29. Scaffolding Hazards • Falling caused by slipping, unsafe access, and lack of fall protection • Hit by falling tools/ debris • Electrocution by contacting overhead power lines • Scaffold collapsing due to instability or overloading • Bad planking giving way

  30. Did they forget to do something?

  31. Elevated Work Surfaces

  32. Elevated Work Hazards • Falling caused by slipping • Falling due to lack of fall protection • Falling due to poorly constructed fall protection • Falling due to improper types of fall protection

  33. Where they using the best form of fall protection?

  34. Fall Protection-Guardrails Top Rail withstand 200 pounds of force Mid rails withstand 150 pounds of force All rails at least 1/4 inch in diameter Top Rail at 42 inches (+ or – 3 inches) Mid Rail – Halfway between top rail and working surface Toe board must be a minimum of 3.5 inches tall

  35. Fall Protection-Mid Rail • Required if no wall or parapet at least 21" high • Installed midway between top rail and working level • May use screens, mesh or balusters instead of mid rail • Screens & mesh run all along entire opening • Balusters (vertical rails, when used, not more than 19 ” apart 19”

  36. Fall Protection- Personal Fall Arrest Systems Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS) includes D Ring Lanyard Carabineer Snaphook Anchor Point Harness

  37. Fall Protection- Personal Fall Arrest Systems • Must restrict free fall to less than 6 feet • No contact with lower level • Provide prompt rescue • Inspect prior to each use • No body belts (for fall protection)

  38. Fall Protection - Harnesses

  39. Summary • Slips, trips, and falls constitute the majority of general industry accidents • OSHA’s standards for fall protection include requirements for guardrails, floor and wall openings and holes, industrial stairs and ladders.

  40. Did You Know That… It is better to tie off, than to fly off

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