osha fall hazards
Employers are also required to maintain safe walking and working surfaces by:
-Assessing the workplace to determine if walking and working surfaces have the strength and structural integrity to support workers safely. -Preventing workers from working on these surfaces until they are deemed safe. -Inspecting walking-working surfaces regularly and as needed and correcting, repairing, or guarding against hazardous conditions -Providing a permitted fall protection system to workers, if a fall hazard exists. The employer must select an appropriate fall protection method to protect the worker. -When using personal fall protection systems, identifying attachment points and ensuring that workers know how to put on and inspect the equipment.
If you see fall hazards or have questions about fall prevention, you can:
-Contact your supervisor or employer. -Stop work until your employer has provided safe conditions. -Contact OSHA and file a complaint, if employers do not rectify hazards.
According to OSHA, to help workers StartSafe and StaySafe, employers must provide workers with training on various topics, including:
-Fall hazards -Personal protective equipment -Ladder usage -Scaffolds
Poor housekeeping can lead to clutter and debris in the workplace, creating additional slip, trip, and fall hazards. Employers must follow OSHA's housekeeping rules to:
-Keep work areas clean, orderly, and sanitary. -Keep floors clean and dry, or covered by the proper non-slip material. -Remove other waste and trash. -Maintain ladders and any fall protection equipment properly to avoid serious injuries.
OSHA defines fall protection standards that:
-Require employers to provide workers with fall protection when exposed to a fall hazard. -Set the criteria and practices for fall protection systems and the related training. -Cover hazard assessment, fall protection, and safety monitoring systems. -Address controlled access zones, safety nets, guardrails, personal fall arrest systems, warning lines, and positioning device systems. -Following these standards will help you StartSafe and StaySafe.
provide a guard rail and toeboard around an open sided platform, floor, or runway that is
4 feet or higher off the ground or the next level
Ladder Safety System
A Ladder Safety System attaches to a fixed ladder to eliminate or reduce the possibility of a worker falling off a ladder. This system consists of a carrier, safety sleeve, lanyard, connectors, and body harness. Cages and wells are not considered ladder safety systems.
Personal Fall Arrest System
A Personal Fall Arrest System stops a fall before the worker contacts a lower level. The system consists of a body harness, anchorage, and connector, and may include a lanyard, deceleration device, lifeline, or a suitable combination. OSHA strictly prohibits the use of body belts as a part of a personal fall arrest system.
Positioning System
A Positioning System contains connectors that, when used with a body harness, allows a worker to be supported on an elevated vertical surface, such as a wall or window sill, and work with both hands free.
Travel Restraint System
A Travel Restraint System is a combination of an anchorage, anchorage connector, lanyard (or other means of connection), and body support to eliminate the possibility of a worker going over the unprotected edge or side of a walking-working surface.
Guard rail system
A guard rail system is a barrier erected along and unprotected or exposed side, edge, or other area of walking-working surface to prevent workers from falling to a lower level
fall hazard
anything that may cause a person to lose his or her balance or bodily support resulting in a fall
Fall protection guideline 2
attend and participate in fall prevention training
Fall protection guideline 6
choose the correct ladder for the task and ensure the ladder is in good condition. check for surrounding hazards, stable footing, and the proper angle.
fall hazard prevention 5
conduct fall prevention training, including hazards and fall protection systems on a regular basis
fall hazard prevention 7
conduct regular inspections of fall protection equipment in accordance with the manufacturers recommendations in the OSHA's requirements
Fall protection guideline 8
contact your supervisor if you see fall hazads or have any questions about fall prevention. do not work until unsafe conditions are corrected.
fall hazard prevention 1
develop a written fall protection plan
fall hazard prevention 3
eliminate the need for fall protection where possible by rescheduling, isolating, or changing the task
fall hazard prevention 8
emphasize fall hazards unique to the workplace, such as open floor holes or shafts, riser penetrations and skylights
fall hazard prevention 4
ensure that fall protection equipment is appropriate to the task, in good condition and use properly
_____ are among the most common causes of serious work related injuries and deaths.
falls
fall hazard prevention 2
identify potential fall hazard prior to each project and during daily walk-throughs associated with routine and non-routine tasks
Fall protection guideline 7
identify skylights and make sure they are properly protected
Fall protection guideline 4
inspect fall protection equipment and devices before each use
Fall protection guideline 1
know your company's written fall protection plan
Fall protection guideline 6
make sure floor holes, open shafts, and riser penetrations are protected by sturdy guardrails or covers
employers are required to_____ when there is a change in workplace operations or equipment, or if the employer believes that a worker would benefit from additional training based on a lack of knowledge or skill.
retrain
fall hazard prevention 9
take specific measures Involving the use an inspection of rope dissent systems (RDS), portable and fixed ladders, and personal fall protection for work on residential roofs.
fall hazard prevention 6
train workers on fall and equipment hazards including fall protection systems. re-train workers to workplace operational changes in situations where a worker requires additional knowledge or skills
Fall protection guideline 3
use fall protection equipment, if required, for the job. be shre to use the equipment selected by the employer for the task
OSHA requires employers to:
• provide working conditions that are free of known dangers •keep floors in work seeas in a clean and sanitary condition • select and provide required personal protective equipment at no cost to workers • train workers ablut job hazards in a language that they can understand
OSHA expects employers to take every precaution to protect workers from falls by
• providing working conditions that are free of known dangers • keeping floors and work areas in a clean and sanitary condition • selecting and providing required personal protective equipment at no cost to workers • training workers about job hazards in a language that they can understand
3 methods to protect yourself from fall hazards
• using fall protection equipment, such as guard rail systems, safety net systems, personal fall arrest systems, and more • using ladders safely • obtaining adequate training