OSHA: Walking Working Surfaces
true statements about fixed ladders
- any worker ascending fixed ladders must be qualified climbers w/ additional training - Employers are required to have ladder safety/personal fall arrests systems for fixed ladders extending more than 24 ft. - fixed ladders are permanently attached to a structure, a building, or equipment.
Under which circumstances must an employer provide a guardrail?
- around every floor hole into which a worker can accidentally walk - around every open-sided platform, floor, or runway that is 4 feet or higher off the ground or next level - if a worker can fall into or onto dangerous machines or equipment, regardless of height.
Guardrail Construction
Must be smooth enough to protect workers from cuts and avoid snagging their clothes.
Guardrail Opening Size
Openings cannot exceed 19 inches.
To access a landing that is nine feet above the adjacent floor, a worker climbs an unsecured 10-foot ladder that has slip-resistant feet. Does this ladder pose a fall hazard to the worker?
yes
When is a handrail required for stairs?
after 4 steps
How do handrails on stairs help keep you safe?
allow you to maintain 3 points of contact
Wall opening
an opening in a wall or partitions that is at least 30 inches high and 18 inches wide through which persons may fall
Wall openings
at least 30" high and 18" wide in any wall or partition through which persons may fall must be guarded.
Toeboard
barrier along the floor or base of a platform that keeps materials from falling over the edge.
A worker sets up to begin a painting job. He lays down a drop cloth and makes sure that the floor is even so that the ladder is stable. The worker also makes sure that the area around his painting zone is free of clutter or objects lying on the ground. He then stands with both feet on the top step of the ladder and starts to paint. What does the worker do incorrectly?
he is standing on the top of the ladder
Examples of slip hazards
ice, oil, coffee spill
A patient wakes up after surgery and begins vomiting. A healthcare worker gets a slip pad from the holder near the doorway to reduce the likelihood of someone slipping on the wet surface. This is an example of which OSHA requirement?
keeping floors clean and dry
Floor holes
less than 12" but more than 1", through which materials but not persons may fall must be guarded.
Wire Rope Guardrails
must be flagged with highly visible materials at least every six feet.
Guardrail Screens and Mesh
must extend from the top rail to the working level.
To access a landing that is nine feet above the adjacent floor, a worker climbs an unsecured 10-foot ladder that has slip-resistant feet. Is a 10-foot ladder long enough to safely reach the landing?
no; because the railings do not extend 3 ft above the landing
top rail
secured to a guardrail's vertical posts and must: - Be at least ¼ inch thick to prevent cuts and lacerations - Be 39-45 inches from the working surface - Withstand at least 200 lbs. of force
mid rail
secured to a guardrail's vertical posts and must: - Be installed when there are no walls at least 21 inches high - Withstand at least 150 lbs. of force
Examples of trip hazards
trash bag, power cord, air hose
If workers are likely to be exposed to fall dangers, what kinds of trainings must their employers provide?
-Fall hazard training -Personal protective equipment training -Ladder usage training -Scaffold safety training
What should you do when you use a ladder?
1. keep your hands free. 2. tie the top and bottom of the ladder to fixed points when necessary. 3. choose the right ladder for the job.
Floor openings
12" or more in its least dimension, in a floor, platform, or yard, through which persons may fall must be guarded.
how many points of contact must you have on a ladder?
3
example of a fall prevention system?
Guardrail; stops person from falling in 1st place
Guardrails Near Holes
Guardrails close to holes at points of access, like a ladder way, require a gate to prevent someone from falling through the hole, or be offset preventing someone from walking into the hole.
Open-sided platforms
Guardrails must be placed around every open-sided platform, floor, or runway that is 4 feet or higher off the ground or next level.
Dangerous machines or equipment
Regardless of height, if a worker can fall into or onto dangerous machines or equipment there must be guardrails installed.
One way of reducing fall hazards is to keep floors clean and dry. What else can be done to reduce the hazard?
Use non-slip material on floors
Standard toeboard
blocks opening along base/floor of stairs or other walking or working surfaces where materials or body parts might otherwise inadvertently fall through. Should be 4 inches high, with not more than 1/4 in. clearance above the floor.
Standard railing
consist of top, mid, and posts; the height from the upper surface of the top rail to the floor level is 42 inches. Mid rail height is one-half as high as the top rail (or 21 inches)
