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Over head work

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Overhead work requires a planned system of fall prevention and falling-object control. Before work starts, assess the site for fall hazards, falling-object hazards, ground conditions, nearby structures, overhead utilities, and weather. For elevated work, use the appropriate access method and fall protection for the task, such as guardrails or a personal fall arrest system on scaffolds, and ensure ladders, aerial lifts, and climbing systems are inspected, maintained, secured, and used according to manufacturer instructions. A competent or qualified person should inspect the work area and equipment, determine whether the structure or tree can support the work, and verify that lifting, rigging, and access methods are safe. [3] [6] [2]

Key falling-object hazards include unsecured tools and materials, dislodged items from roofs or scaffolds, unstable stacked materials, dropped loads from cranes, hoists, forklifts, or vehicles, environmental effects such as wind, and structural or attachment failures. Injury severity increases with the height and weight of the falling object, so even small tools or fasteners can cause serious injury. Loads must be stable and secured before lifting or moving, and workers must never work under suspended or moving loads or allow hoisted loads to pass over people. [1] [1] [7]

Safe work procedures for overhead work should include:

  • Conduct a pre-job risk assessment and task briefing covering work at height, dropped-object hazards, access/egress, weather, power lines, lifting operations, and who may be exposed below.
  • Use the safest practicable means of access and fall protection: properly erected scaffolds with guardrails and toe boards, inspected ladders secured against movement, or aerial lifts used only within design limits and with required tie-off.
  • Do not carry tools or materials while climbing ladders; raise and lower them by hand line, hoist, or other controlled method.
  • Secure tools, equipment, and materials at height using tool lanyards, containers, tethering systems, or other retention methods, especially near edges and open elevations.
  • Store and stack materials so they cannot slide, topple, or be blown off elevated surfaces.
  • Inspect cranes, hoists, slings, hooks, chains, and other rigging before use; remove defective equipment from service and never exceed rated capacity.
  • Use tag lines or guide ropes where needed to control suspended loads while keeping workers out of the fall zone and swing radius.
  • Stop work when wind, storms, ice, poor visibility, or unstable conditions make overhead work unsafe.

[1] [13] [6] Dropped-object prevention should follow the hierarchy of controls: first eliminate the exposure where possible, then use engineering controls, administrative controls, and PPE. Effective engineering controls include toe boards, guardrails with sufficiently small openings, paneling or screening, debris nets, catch platforms, canopies, and overhead protection structures. Administrative controls include planning lifts, restricting access below, sequencing work to avoid simultaneous overhead and below work, and maintaining good housekeeping. Large or heavy items that cannot be contained by passive protection must be moved away from edges and secured against falling. [4] [4] [4]

Exclusion zones are a critical control for overhead work. Establish and clearly mark drop zones or barricaded areas wherever objects could fall, and keep nonessential personnel out. Use signs, cones, barricades, or physical barriers, and define who may enter, under what conditions, and how communication will occur. Ground workers should remain clear until overhead workers confirm it is safe to approach. For tree work, OSHA guidance requires marked drop zones and specifies minimum separation distances for ground workers during felling operations. [1] [2] [3]

Communication and supervision are essential. Before starting overhead work, establish a visual or audible communication system between workers aloft and workers on the ground, especially during rigging, lifting, or piecing-out operations. The system should clearly signal when the drop zone is active, when personnel must stand clear, and when it is safe to re-enter. A competent person should monitor changing conditions, inspect scaffolds and access equipment before each shift, and stop work if controls are not effective. [2] [6]

PPE for overhead work commonly includes:

  • ANSI-approved hard hat or protective helmet wherever there is potential for falling or overhead objects; inspect it routinely and replace it after a heavy blow or electrical shock.
  • Eye and face protection when there is exposure to flying particles, dust, cutting, grinding, drilling, or similar operations.
  • Safety-toed footwear where falling or crushing objects are possible.
  • Gloves appropriate to the task and hazard.
  • Personal fall protection equipment for workers in aerial lifts, on suspension scaffolds, or where required by the fall hazard assessment.
  • Electrical-rated head and other PPE when exposure to energized conductors exists.

[12] [5] [8] Risk assessment should be documented and task-specific. At minimum, identify the overhead work location, fall exposures, falling-object sources, people who could be struck, access methods, lifting/rigging needs, environmental conditions, required controls, rescue arrangements, and training needs. A written fall protection work plan is a strong model: it identifies fall hazards, methods of fall protection, overhead hazard protection methods, procedures for securing tools and materials, methods of overhead protection for workers below, and rescue procedures. Reassess whenever the task, weather, equipment, or site conditions change. [11] [11] [11]

A permit-to-work system is recommended for nonroutine or higher-risk overhead work, even where not explicitly required by the cited documents. The permit should verify that the risk assessment is complete; the work area and exclusion zone are defined; fall protection and dropped-object controls are in place; lifting gear and access equipment have been inspected; power-line clearances are maintained or utilities isolated; rescue arrangements are ready; and affected workers have been briefed. The permit should identify the person in charge, the authorized workers, start/stop times, and conditions that require the permit to be suspended, such as high winds, poor visibility, or changes in scope.

Relevant OSHA and closely related regulatory requirements include the following: hard hat/head protection requirements for construction; scaffold fall protection and falling-object protection; independent anchorage requirements for personal fall arrest systems; and equipment-specific rules for ladders, aerial lifts, and power-line clearances. The cited materials specifically reference OSHA construction head protection, scaffold standards, and fall protection provisions for suspended scaffolds. [10] [9] [9]

In practice, a compliant and effective overhead-work program should ensure that no one works beneath suspended loads, overhead tasks are barricaded and communicated, tools and materials are secured, workers at height are protected from falls, workers below are protected from dropped objects, PPE is selected from a documented hazard assessment, and a competent person verifies conditions before and during the job.

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Sources used for this answer

[1] FATALITY NARRATIVE: Crane Rigger Killed When Struck by Falling Crane Load

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FACE/WA Fatality Assessment FATALITY NARRATIVE and Control Evaluation # Crane Rigger Killed When Struck by Falling Crane Load* Industry: Heavy construction / Crane service Task: Guiding load being lifted by crane Occupation: Crane inspector, rigger, and operator Type of Incident: Struck by falling object / crane related Release Date: November 5, 2010 Incident Date: November 25, 2008 Case No.: 08WA06001 SHARP Report No.: 71-98-2010 On November 25, 2008, a 46-year-old rigger died when he was struck by a falling load being lifted by a crane. The victim worked for a heavy construction and crane service company. He had been inspecting, rigging, and operating cranes for over 20 years and had been trained Please help us improve FACE publications by taking a 1-minute survey and certified as a crane inspector. On the day of the incident the victim was working as the rigger. The job involved moving two crane gantry legs from a staging area to a work area. Each weighed nearly 49,000 pounds. One gantry leg had been successfully picked, placed on a lowboy trailer, and then unloaded by the crane. The second gantry leg was loaded onto the trailer and moved to the work area. The victim was standing by to steady the load with his hand to keep it from swinging. As the crane picked the load off the trailer and began to swing it over to the work area, the rigging straps failed and the load fell on the victim. An investigation Incident scene determined that the rigging slings failed due to heat friction. ## Requirements ! Remove damaged synthetic web slings from service. See WAC 296-24-[redacted postal code]. ! Ensure those responsible for rigging loads when preforming overhead hoisting of material are trained and qualified. See WAC [redacted identifier]. ! Inspect rigging prior to and if necessary during the hoisting of materials or equipment. If equipment is defective, it must be taken out of service. See WAC [redacted identifier]. ! Use sling protection mate…

[2] Toolbox Talk: Head Protection

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CPWR TOOLBOX THE CENTER FOR CONSTRUCTION RESEARCH AND TRAINING TALK # Head Protection The hard hat is one of the most widely used and important pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) on the job. Hard hats protect workers from head injuries due to falling objects and overhead hazards. ## Bob's Story Bob and his crew were putting a new roof on a house. During his lunch break, Bob was on the ground eating a sandwich. A worker on the roof dropped his hammer. The falling hammer struck Bob's hard hat. Although Bob had some pain and discomfort, he did not need hospitalization. - Have you or someone you know ever had their hard hat prevent an injury? If so, what happened? - How could this incident have been prevented? ## Remember This ➤ On a jobsite, always wear a hard hat that fits properly. ➤ Always wear your hard hat with the bill facing forward. Certification by ANSI does not cover hard hats worn backwards. ➤ Always avoid contact between the hard hat and electric wires. ➤ Always keep the space between the shell and the head clear. For example, don't wear a ball cap or other object under your hard hat. Never alter its shell or suspension, because that could drastically reduce the protection it gives. ➤ Never use a cushion-support suspension that is intended for use with a different hard hat shell or that is made by a different manufacturer. ➤ If you wear eye protection, use a kind designed to work with hard hats. Be sure to follow the maker's instructions for use. How can we stay safe today? What will we do at the worksite to promote hard hat use and prevent head injuries? - 1. - 2. OSHA Regulation: 1926.100 ©2017, CPWR-The Center for Construction Research and Training. All rights reserved. CPWR is the research and training arm of NABTU. Production of this document was supported by cooperative agreement OH 009762 from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The contents are solely the responsibility of the authors an…

[3] OSHA Hazard Bulletin - Tree Care Work: Falls and Falling Object Hazards

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# Tree Care Work: Falls and Falling Object Hazards (cont.) ## Prevention (cont.) falling object hazards due to tree condition. The American National Standard Institute's (ANSI) Z133 consensus standard on tree care work defines "qualified arborist." - Determine if rigging is necessary and, if so, that workers can use it safely. This determination helps prevent sections of the tree from falling while performing tree care work. - Determine if workers will need to climb or use aerial lifts. In making this determination, ensure that: - o Ladders are: - Well maintained and not defective, such as having missing or broken parts; - Kept at least 10 feet away from power lines and other electric equipment. For lines and equipment over 50 kV, the distance should be 10 feet plus 4 inches for every 10 kV over 50 kV.* - Inspected before each use, and remove damaged or defective ladders; - Secured to avoid slippage; and - Used according to the manufacturer's instructions. - o Aerial lifts are: - Maintained and properly set up for use; - Used according to the manufacturer's instructions; - Not used as cranes to lift or hoist tree parts or material unless designed for that purpose; - Only used with fall protection equipment including tie-off; and - Kept at least 10 feet away from power lines and other electric equipment. For lines and equipment over 50 kV, the distance should be 10 feet plus 4 inches for every 10 kV over 50 kV.t - o Workers who climb trees are trained on: - Climbing techniques; - Using climbing spurs with gaffs that are compatible with the tree they will climb; † This guidance is intended as a general warning for all tree care workers. In situations where employees other than qualified workers, as defined in 29 CFR 1910.269(a)(1)(i)(E)(1), are clearing trees and brush around electrical lines, minimum approach distances are given in 29 CFR 1910.269(r)(1). For further information see the Electric Power eTool at www.osha.gov/SLTC/ …

[4] OSHA Hazard Bulletin - Tree Care Work: Falls and Falling Object Hazards

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OSHA HAZARD BULLETIN # Tree Care Work: Falls and Falling Object Hazards There are many serious hazards in tree care work. This Hazard Bulletin focuses on the hazards from falls and falling objects which can result in serious injuries or death. These hazards also account for a high proportion of the tree care fatalities investigated by Federal OSHA. ## Fatal Incidents: Two Examples The following fatal incident descriptions involve the serious hazards of falls and falling objects: ## Falling Object Incident A tree care worker was dragging trimmed branches to a mobile wood chipper. A second worker, a trimmer, was working from a mobile bucket truck. The trimmer was piecing out a large maple tree scheduled for removal from the rear of a residence. The trimmer cut a piece of a limb that was approximately one foot in diameter and 20 inches long. When the limb fell, it struck the tree care worker on the head, killing him. An investigation of this incident determined that ground personnel should not have been in the tree- trimming area, or "drop zone", while the trimmer was performing overhead work. The employer was required to establish a system of verbal and visual communications that the trimmer could use to inform ground personnel to stand clear when an overhead hazard existed. ## Fall Incident A worker climbed a large hickory tree to remove the top of the tree. After he cut one section off the top of the tree and was roping down a second section, the trunk of the tree he was working from snapped in half. This caused the worker and the entire top of the tree to fall approximately 65 feet to the ground, killing the worker. The employer could have prevented this incident by performing a preliminary examination of the tree before starting work. A thorough preliminary examination would have shown that the tree could not support the forces resulting from rigging and roping down cut tree sections. ## Prevention Before beginning any tree care operation, employers n…

[5] OSHA Letter of Interpretation | Suspended scaffold and fall protection requirements applicable to elevator construction

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# Occupational Safety and Health Administration (cont.) d. Conveyance utilizing any combination of one or more of the aforementioned temporary devices (temporary or incomplete guides, temporary suspension cable(s), or a temporary hoist machine) with a permanent elevator car frame and enclosure (for example, see Attachment D); - Response: Conveyance utilizing any combination of one or more of the aforementioned temporary devices with a permanent elevator car frame and enclosure would meet the definition of a suspended scaffold under 29 CFR 1926.450(b). e. Conveyance utilizing any combination of one or more of the aforementioned temporary devices with a permanent elevator car frame with a temporary working platform (for examples, see Attachments E and F); and - Response: Conveyance utilizing any combination of one or more of the aforementioned temporary devices (temporary or incomplete guides, temporary suspension cable(s), or a temporary hoist machine) with a permanent elevator car frame with a temporary working platform would meet the definition of a suspended scaffold under 29 CFR 1926.450(b). 2. In each of the configurations above, what type of fall protection, overhead protection and falling object protection is required? - Response: Each configuration described above meets the definitions of a suspended scaffold, therefore the fall protection must meet the requirements found in 29 CFR 1926.451(g), Fall protection. Overhead and falling object protection for employees working from a suspended scaffold must meet the requirements of 29 CFR 1926. 451(h), Falling object protection. - Second Letter regarding Fall Protection 1. When an employee is performing work in or near a hoistway and a vertical lifeline is used, may the lifeline be anchored to the same overhead beam that is used to suspend a car frame, platform, or other hoisting and rigging apparatuses? How do the anchorage requirements differ for platforms subject to the scaffold standard? - Response…

[6] OSHA Quick Card: Construction Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

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# OSHA QUICK CARD™ ## Protect Yourself Construction Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) ## Eye and Face Protection - Safety glasses or face shields are worn any time work operations can cause foreign objects to get in the eye. For example, during welding, cutting, grinding, nailing (or when working with concrete and/or harmful chemi- cals or when exposed to flying particles). Wear when exposed to any electrical hazards, including working on energized electrical systems. - Eye and face protectors - select based on anticipated hazards. ## Foot Protection - Construction workers should wear work shoes or boots with slip-resistant and puncture-resistant soles. • Safety-toed footwear is worn to prevent crushed toes when working around heavy equipment or falling objects. - Hand Protection - Gloves should fit snugly. - Workers should wear the right gloves for the job (examples: heavy-duty rubber gloves for concrete work; welding gloves for welding; insulated gloves and sleeves when exposed to electrical hazards). - Head Protection • Wear hard hats where there is a potential for objects falling from above, bumps to the head from fixed objects, or of accidental head contact with electrical hazards. - Hard hats - routinely inspect them for dents, cracks or deterioration; replace after a heavy blow or electrical shock; maintain in good condition. - Hearing Protection - Use earplugs/earmuffs in high noise work areas where chainsaws or heavy equipment are used; clean or replace earplugs regularly. For more complete information: Occupational OSHA Safety and Health Administration U.S. Department of Labor www.osha.gov (800) 321-OSHA OSHA 3260-09N-05

[7] Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Guide

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# Head Protection (cont.) <table><tr><th>If exposed to this kind of hazard</th><th>Examples of work place situations</th><th>Use this type of PPE</th></tr><tr><td rowspan="5">falling objects or materials</td><td>working below other workers who are using tools and materials which could fall</td><td rowspan="7">Protective helmet (ANSI-approved Class A, B, or C)</td></tr><tr><td>working around or under conveyor belts which are carrying parts or materials</td></tr><tr><td>working below machinery or processes which might cause material or objects to fall</td></tr><tr><td>working around or under scaffolds or other overhead structures</td></tr><tr><td>working around objects suspended by overhead cranes</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="2">flying or propelled objects</td><td>working around or with machinery, tools, or processes which throw/shoot out particles</td></tr><tr><td>working in roadways while directing traffic</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="2">contact with overhead objects</td><td>working in areas where overhead heights change, or where one must walk/maneuver under low beams or other structures, or under vehicles, equipment</td><td rowspan="2">Protective helmet or Bump cap*</td></tr><tr><td>working in tight spaces</td></tr><tr><td>hair-catching hazard</td><td>working around machinery or in locations where hair can get caught into nip points, revolving shafts, or other moving parts</td><td>1,3 Hair net, hat, or cap that completely covers hair or controls all loose ends</td></tr><tr><td>hair fire hazard</td><td>✰working around machinery or in locations where an employee is exposed to an ignition source and may run into an area containing a combustible/flammable atmosphere if their hair is on fire</td><td>2.3 Hair covering of solid material</td></tr><tr><td>electrical hazards</td><td>working near exposed electrical conductors that could contact the head</td><td>Protective helmet designed to reduce electrical shock hazard (ANSI-approved Class A or B) Make sure headwear has no meta…

[8] WAC 296-874-[redacted postal code] - Provide falling object protection

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# WAC 296-874-[redacted postal code] Provide falling object protection. Reference: - Hardhats and possibly other personal protective equipment has to be used to protect employees exposed to overhead hazards. 1. Those requirements are found in the safety and health core rules, chapter 296-800 WAC. 2. Go to personal protective equipment (PPE), WAC [redacted identifier]. (1) You must protect employees from being struck by tools, mate- rials, or equipment falling from a scaffold by doing one or more of the following: (a) Use a barricade to keep employees out of the area where fall- ing objects could be a hazard. (b) Install a toeboard along the edge of the platform anywhere an object could fall on an employee below. (c) Install paneling or screening that covers from the top of the guardrail to the toeboard or platform anywhere the toeboard is not high enough to keep objects from falling off the platform. (d) Install a guardrail system with openings small enough to keep potential falling objects from passing through. (e) Erect a canopy structure, debris net, or catch platform over employees that does all of the following: (i) Will contain or deflect falling objects; (ii) Is strong enough to withstand the impact forces; (iii) Is installed between the falling object hazard and the em- ployees. (2) You must make sure potential falling objects that are too large or heavy to be contained or deflected by the falling object pro- tection you are using are: (a) Moved away from the edge of the surface they could fall from; and (b) Secured, as necessary, to prevent falling. [Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050. WSR 15-23-086, § 296-874-[redacted postal code], filed 11/17/15, effective 12/18/15. Statu- tory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060. WSR 05-01-054, § 296-874-[redacted postal code], filed 12/7/04, effective 3/1/05.] Certified on 2/20/2023 WAC 296-874-[redacted postal code] Page 1

[9] Fall Protection Work Plan

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Washington State Department of Labor & Industries Division of Occupational Safety and Health # Fall Protection Work Plan WAC 296-880-[redacted postal code]: You must develop and implement a written fall protection work plan including each area of the work place where the employees are assigned and where fall hazards of 10 feet or more exist and be available on the job site for inspection by the department. Company Name Date Company Name:<empty> Date:<empty> Site Address:<empty> (If additional space is needed, use the back of the sheet.) Identify all fall hazards 10 feet or more above the ground or lower level. Check all that apply. [ ] Open-sided floors [ ] Openings [ ] Leading edge work [ ] Decks/Balconies [ ] Roof [ ] Mobile lift work [ ] Hole [ ] Skylights Methods of fall protection to be used: (LSO = Low Slopes Only. Low Slope = 4 x 12 or less) [ ] Personal fall arrest system [ ] Safety watch system (LSO) [ ] Warning line system (LSO) [ ] Catch platform [ ] Positioning device system [ ] Safety net [ ] Covers [ ] Horizontal life lines [ ] Vertical life lines & rope grab [ ] Personal fall restraint system [ ] Warning line with safety monitor (LSO) Name of safety watch or monitor (if used):<empty> Overhead Hazard Protection Methods [ ] Hard Hats [ ] Toe boards on guardrails [ ] Other:<empty> [ ] Overhead Hazard Signs [ ] Screens on guardrails [ ] Other:<empty> [ ] Debris Nets [ ] Barricade to control access to area Describe procedures for assembly, maintenance, inspection, disassembly of fall protection system to be used.:<empty> Describe procedures for handling, storage, and securing tools, equipment, and materials.:<empty> Describe methods of overhead protection for workers who may be in, or pass through work area.:<empty> Describe method for prompt rescue of employees in the event of a fall.:<empty> Employees who received fall protection training on the above site specific fall protection work plan. Name(s):<empty> Date:<empty> <empty> <empty> <e…

[10] Toolbox Talk: Falling Objects

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# FALLING OBJECTS Date Posted: 01/30/2024 Each day, countless workplaces are subjected to the risk of falling objects. According to a recent survey conducted by the Center for Construction and Research and Training (CPWR), in 2022, falling/flying objects accounted for approximately 30% of injuries on construction sites. Falling objects from above cause severe injuries and account for fatalities every year. Falling object occur due to: incidents • A lack of hazard communication. • Improper storage of materials. • Improper protection of elevated storage areas. • Not moving or securing loads properly when protective headgear is not worn. • Improper housekeeping. Workers' most common injuries from falling objects are bruises, fractures, strains, and sprains. The objects that commonly fall range from large items such as roof trusses and steel beams to items such as fasteners and small hand tools. Understanding these hazards and implementing effective control measures is crucial in maintaining the safety of workers and bystanders alike. small ## COMMON FALLING OBJECT HAZARDS Tools, materials, and other objects can fall from roofs, cranes, and scaffolds, and even objects falling from lower levels, such as a truck bed or dolly, can lead to injuries. Several factors increase the risk of more severe injuries, including the object's shape and where on the body the person is struck. The height at which the object falls and the weight of the object are also extremely important, with injury severity increasing as the height and weight of the falling object increase. - of Objects during Work at Height: As workers perform tasks at elevated positions, items such • Dislodgement as tiles can be dislodged from a rooftop, causing hazards to those • Falling Objects due to Environmental Factors or Deterioration: Harsh weather conditions can lead to objects like scaffold planks cast off scaffolds in robust winds. Similarly, fixtures ductwork might fall from a ceiling due t…

[11] Toolbox Talk: Equipment: Falling Objects

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CPWR TOOLBOX RESEARCH AND TRAINING THE CENTER FOR CONSTRUCTION TALK Being struck by falling objects is a leading cause of construction fatalities. Even a small object, falling from a height, can cause serious or fatal injuries. ## Ted's Story Ted was picking up debris at a construction site. A forklift was lifting a pile of lumber to the second floor next to him. The lumber was not secure and fell from the forklift. One board struck Ted in the head. He was wearing a hard hat, but the incident left him with a concussion. - What could have been done to prevent this incident? * Have you or someone you know ever been injured by a falling object on a job site? # Equipment: Falling Objects ## Remember This ➤ Do not hoist loads or allow them to pass over people. ➤ Secure loads before lifting them by forklifts. ➤ Secure all tools in elevated work areas if they are close to leading edges. ➤ Always wear a hard hat. ➤ Ask your employer to place toe boards on all scaffolding and open elevations to protect workers below from falling materials. ➤ Stack materials neatly to keep them from toppling over. How can we stay safe today? What will we do at the worksite to prevent workers from being struck and injured by falling objects? 1. 2. OSHA Standard: 1926.250 ©2017, CPWR-The Center for Construction Research and Training. All rights reserved. CPWR is the research and training arm of NABTU. Production of this document was supported by cooperative agreement OH 009762 from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of NIOSH. CPWR 【● THE CENTER FOR CONSTRUCTION RESEARCH AND TRAINING

[12] Scaffolding Safety

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WORK SAFE KENTUCKY Free safety resources provided by KEMI HOME SAFETY RESOURCES SAFETY TRAINING SAFETY BLOG ABOUT KEMI CONTACT US O # Scaffolding Safety ## Print a Sign-In Sheet | Spanish Version Most of the construction projects in the United States have some sort of scaffolding on the jobsite at some point during the various phases of construction. There are three main types of scaffolds: suspension, supported, and aerial lifts. The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that scaffold accidents result in 4,500 injuries and over 60 deaths each year. Common hazards working off scaffolding include falls, falling objects, electrical hazards, scaffold collapse, scaffold access, bad planking, and weather conditions. of • Always use scaffolding according to the manufacturer's instructions. • If a worker is working 10 feet or higher off scaffolding, then the worker must be protected by guardrails or a personal fall arrest system (PFAS). • Guardrails must be installed along all sides and ends to protect from fall hazards. Top rails must be between 38 to 45 inches high, midrails should be halfway between the platform and top rail, and toe boards must be at least 3 1/2" high. • PFAS must include an anchorage point, lifeline, and full-body harness. A PFAS can be used instead of guardrails on some scaffolds. A PFAS and guardrails must be used on all suspension scaffolds. Scaffold erectors and dismantlers use a PFAS when feasible. • Wear hard hat, utilize the toeboard, and barricade the area beneath a scaffold to help with falling object hazards. • Barricade an area around a scaffold to keep equipment and vehicles from running into and striking the scaffold. • Working near overhead powerlines is a serious electrical hazard when working off the scaffolding. Stay back at least 10 feet or check the clearance distances in the standard. Contact Us | Privacy Policy ©2022 KEMI • Scaffolding must be on good support with mudsills and base plates. Be sure to use a…

[13] FACT SHEET: Personal Protective Equipment

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# Employer responsibility (cont.) ## Hazard key (cont.) PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT ## Select appropriate equipment Provide appropriate PPE to employees who need protection from the hazards. Select PPE that properly fits workers and ensure equipment is inspected and maintained. Communicate the PPE selection decision to employees. Require that employees use the equipment and use it correctly. Hazards that cannot be eliminated through engineering or administrative controls are the ones to control with PPE. Table 2 matches appropriate personal protective equipment with common workplace hazards. The list is not intended to be exhaustive. ## Train employees Although not required, employers should keep a record of employees who receive PPE training. The record should document the worker's name, the type of training, and the training date. Employees must receive the following information in training: - What PPE is necessary • When PPE must be worn • How to put on, adjust, wear, and remove PPE - The limitations of PPE ● Proper care, maintenance, and useful life of PPE • When to replace worn-out PPE • How to discard contaminated PPE Table 2 <table><tr><th>Body part</th><th>Hazard</th><th>Appropriate PPE</th></tr><tr><td rowspan="4">Eyes and face</td><td>Flying particles or dust</td><td>Safety glasses with side shields, goggles, face shields, sand-blasting helmets</td></tr><tr><td>Molten metal</td><td>Splash goggles, face shields</td></tr><tr><td>Liquid chemicals</td><td>Gas-tight goggles, face shields</td></tr><tr><td>UV or IR light</td><td>Laser-safety lens with appropriate filter</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="4">Head</td><td>Falling or overhead objects</td><td>Hard hat, helmet</td></tr><tr><td>Electrical conductors</td><td>Class B hard hat or helmet</td></tr><tr><td>Power-driven machinery</td><td>Head covering or caps that completely cover hair</td></tr><tr><td>Molten metal</td><td>Heat resistant hood &amp; neck covering</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="5">Feet</td…

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