Write a toolbox talk on working at the height

Source excerpt

Construction Prevent Falls: Guardrails Toolbox Talk NIOSH CPWR [● Falls are a leading cause of construction injuries and fatalities. Workers can fall from ladders, scaffolds, vehicles, heavy equipment, aerial lifts, platforms, and roofs, and through holes or openings in floors or roofs. Guardrails can prevent a fall. ## Bill's Story Bill was repairing an air conditioning unit on the roof of a three-story building. He was about a foot from an unguarded edge. When he stood up, he lost his balance. Bill fell 23 feet to the cement floor below and died. *What caused this incident? - How could this have been prevented? * Have you ever fallen because of a missing guardrail, or do you know someone who has? If so, what happened? ## How can we stay safe today? What will we do at the worksite to prevent fall injuries? ## Remember This • Your employer must provide every employee with training on how to recognize a fall hazard and on fall protection. • Guardrails, safety nets, and/or personal fall-arrest systems must be in place if there is a risk for falls. • Guardrails are required on work surfaces where workers are at risk of falls greater than 6 feet. - Guardrails must be 42 inches high (+/- 3") and have a mid-rail. • Body harnesses with lanyards and secure attachment points provided by employers must be used if guardrails cannot be provided. OSHA Standards: 1926.501 and 1926.503 CD C National and Health NIOSH® CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION CPWR 【O THE CENTER FOR CONSTRUCTION RESEARCH AND TRAINING

Source excerpt

# Fall Protection - Working at Heights Rescue Plan (cont.) ## What is a working at heights rescue plan? (cont.) Relying only on calling for local emergency services after an incident as a rescue plan is not appropriate. Workers who fall and become suspended in their fall arrest harness need to be rescued immediately. Suspension trauma (also referred to as orthostatic intolerance) involves blood pooling in the lower body, reducing the amount of oxygen available to the brain and other vital organs. It occurs when a worker hangs in the harness for too long. The harness may create pressure, preventing the blood from circulating, or the worker may be in shock, unconscious, or otherwise not able to move their legs, causing blood to pool in their lower limbs. This trauma can occur in minutes and can cause serious health effects such as damage to the brain, kidneys or other organs. Death may occur in less than 30 minutes. The worker may have sustained an injury from the fall or be unconscious and be unable to rescue themselves or assist the rescuers. A rescue may be needed if a worker experiences a medical emergency while working at heights, such as heat stroke, fainting, and cardiovascular or respiratory distress, and is unable to get down on their own or requires immediate medical assistance. The plan must also consider that the conditions or hazards that caused the fall may also be a risk to other workers, including the rescuers. ## What elements should a rescue plan include? Before a specific task begins, make sure that the plan covers any possible scenarios experienced at the specific worksite. Adjust and modify the rescue plan as needed. A rescue plan should include the following details: - Be written, reviewed and posted before work begins - Identify who will conduct the rescue and their roles and responsibilities - Include procedures for identifying, assessing, and controlling hazards - Outline training requirements for both rescue personnel and work…

Source excerpt

# PLANNING AHEAD FOR FALL PROTECTION Date Posted: 02/17/2024 According to the Labor and Industries Department of Safety and Health (DOSH), Falls are the number one serious hazard for workers in most industries that can result in injuries or even death and accounted for 17 fatalities from 2017-2022 in Washington State. From a national perspective and according to statistics published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were 351 workplace fatalities in construction nationally due to falls to a lower level in 2020. ## HOW AND WHERE FALLS ARE OCCURRING According to a recent national survey conducted by the BLS: - 17% of the workers who fell were loading and unloading material when the fall occurred. • 13% of the workers who fell were involved in operating, repairing, cleaning, or installing equipment. • 10% of the workers were performing carpentry tasks. • The remaining activities that resulted in falls included painting, welding, roof work, sheet metal work, and bricklaying. The BLS study also asked participants to describe their specific movements during the fall. - 28% percent of the workers who fell said they were climbing up or down from an elevated position or location. • 13% of the workers were walking at the time they fell. • 11% of the workers were stepping from one surface to another. - 10% of the workers were moving backward. Adequate fall protection and equipment use could have prevented most of the fatalities and injuries reported in the BLS study. ## UNSAFE ACTS AND UNSAFE CONDITIONS The risk of falls is virtually present in every single workplace. However, the factors that can lead to a fall vary greatly. Many unsafe acts by employees as well as unsafe conditions, lead to fall incidents. Falls often result from series of contributing factors. They are often the result of multiple dangerous conditions and hazardous actions combined. Because of this, it is essential to look at unsafe conditions and unsafe acts to recognize dange…

Source excerpt

# Fall Protection - Working at Heights Rescue Plan (cont.) ## What elements should a rescue plan include? (cont.) - Include procedures for: - rescue, including rope rescue, ladder rescue, retrieval lines, self-rescue, and location of anchor points - using any powered mobile equipment, mechanical hoisting systems or elevating devices that may be required during the rescue - first-aid and medical care for rescued or injured workers, including transport of the worker to the hospital - Identify the communication system that will be used. Make sure there is a backup system for the main method of communication - Identify all emergency exits and access routes within the worksite, including the roof and work area - Include procedures to clear and secure work areas that are unsafe or may interfere with a rescue - Provide contact information for local emergency medical and fire services, as appropriate (NOTE again: Relying only on calling local emergency services after an incident as a rescue plan is not appropriate.) - Review and update as needed (e.g., on a regular schedule, after changes to the worksite or tasks, and after a rescue or related incident) ## What should be included in a working at heights rescue plan? There are many factors to consider when developing a rescue plan. It is important to begin planning well before any work is done at heights to make sure the rescue plan is appropriate and that the rescue team is thoroughly trained. When developing the plan, involve qualified individuals competent in rescue at heights and those workers doing the work. Make sure the plan is specific for the job and considers the hazards, location, tasks being performed, environmental conditions, how and where a worker could fall and the type of rescue that would be needed, among other factors. Identify the hazards associated with the rescue. This information determines the rescue procedures, what equipment will be required, who will be on the rescue team, and w…

Source excerpt

# Fall Protection - Working at Heights Rescue Plan (cont.) ## What are some important considerations for the anchor system? (cont.) The applicable legislation will include requirements for anchor points. The anchor system should be used and installed according to the manufacturer's specifications and may need to be certified by an engineer. ## How will the rescue team communicate during an emergency? During the rescue planning and risk assessment, identify the most effective means of communication. Consider how a worker requiring rescue will communicate with their supervisor and rescue team, and how the supervisor and rescue team will communicate with each other. Methods may include using radios, cell phones, headsets, or direct voice communication. Make sure all workers and rescuers know the communication protocols, including how a rescue will be initiated. The roles and responsibilities of each team member should be clearly defined and understood, including who is responsible for calling the rescue team and emergency services when a fall occurs. ## What kind of training does the rescue team need? Rescuers require a comprehensive set of skills and expertise which is gained through specialized training and experience. Frequent training, including drills and simulated rescues, is important to ensure the safety of workers and rescuers. They also need to be trained and familiar with the rescue plan and procedures, required equipment, and the hazards associated with the work and rescue. Training should occur multiple times a year and before a specific job requiring a rescue plan begins. Consult with fall rescue experts to develop a training regimen that is specific to the tasks, work environment, and the types of possible rescue procedures that will be used. Do your due diligence when selecting a training provider. Ask for references and the qualifications and experience of the trainers. Consult the local fire department and health and safety regulator for addit…

Source excerpt

# Fall Protection - Fall Protection Plan (General) (cont.) ## What is working at heights? (cont.) - elevated work platforms, - fixed suspended work platforms, - swing staging, - boatswain's chairs, - aerial devices, - suspended equipment, or - personnel carrying equipment (e.g., personnel lifting units raised by cranes or hoists) Occupational health and safety laws generally require action when a worker has the potential to fall about 3 metres (10 feet). Check with your jurisdiction as exact requirements do vary. Note that most jurisdictions require the use of specific fall protection measures before, or in addition to, personal protective equipment (PPE). These measures generally include the use of some of the following: - fixed barriers (e.g., handrails, guardrails) - surface opening protection (e.g., covers, guardrails, etc.) - warning barriers or control zones - fall or travel restraint systems (i.e., a system to prevent a worker from falling from a work position, or from travelling to an unguarded edge from which the worker could fall) - fall containment system (e.g., safety nets) - fall arrest systems (ie., a system that will stop a worker's fall before the worker hits the surface below) There may also be specific legal requirements around use of equipment like ladders and scaffolding. ## What are fall protection plans and why are they important? A fall protection plan is a general term for the policy and procedures used to identify fall hazards, and the measures taken to prevent injury. Included in this plan is selecting, assembling, maintaining, inspecting, using, and dismantling equipment such as ladders, scaffolds, or platforms used for working at heights as well as any fall protection equipment. Emergency procedures for rescuing fallen workers (including those who are hanging in midair by their harness) are also needed. Fall protection plans must be specific to each site where workers are at heights. There is "no one size fits all" plan.…

Source excerpt

# SCAFFOLD SAFETY Date Posted: 08/27/2016 Every year nearly 100 fatalities and 10,000 injuries occur on scaffolding across the country, despite numerous safety regulations aimed to prevent such incidents. There are a number of different scaffold types, having different rules and regulations surrounding their assembly, fall prevention requirements, and inspection procedures. ## GENERAL RULES FOR ALL SCAFFOLDING • All employees who work on scaffolding must receive training from their employer. • A competent person shall be clearly identified for all scaffolding work. • Guardrails & toeboards shall be installed on all open sides/ends of scaffolding platforms 10 feet or more above ground or floor level. • Employees shall not climb cross braces or end frames unless end frames are designed and constructed to be climbed. An access ladder, stair tower equivalent safe access shall be provided for all scaffolding. or • - Do not use a ladder or other device on scaffolding platforms to increase height or reach. • Never use scaffolding until it is inspected and signed off by the competent person. ## INSPECTIONS • At the beginning of each shift scaffolding must be inspected by a competent person. In addition, scaffolding must also be inspected after an event that may have compromised the structural integrity of the system. ## ASSEMBLING AND DISASSEMBLING SCAFFOLDING. • Scaffolding must be plumb, level, erected and used on a firm, level surface and capable of supporting the loaded scaffold without settling or displacement. • Wheels or base plates must be used to establish a firm, level base. • - Mud sills must be used if the scaffolding is constructed on soft or unstable ground. • Where people are required to work or pass under or near any scaffolding, a mesh screen shall be provided between the toeboard and the top guardrail. • Planks shall not extend over the end supports less than 6 inches or more than 12 inches. • Free-standing scaffolding towers shal…

Source excerpt

# Appendix A Eight OSHA standards that protect workers at elevated heights. • General requirements for all types of scaffolding. 29 CFR 1926.451. This standard has eight subsections governing: (a) scaffold capacity; (b) scaffold platform construction; (c) criteria for supported scaffolds (e.g. guys, braces, and poles and frames); (d) criteria for suspension scaffolds (e.g. outrigger beams, cornice hooks, parapet clamps, counterweights and tiebacks), (e) access requirements (e.g. "hook-on ladders shall be position so as not to tip the scaffold,"); (f) scaffold use (e.g. specifications for clearance between scaffolds and power lines, scaffolds must be inspected before each work shift); (g) fall protection requirements (e.g. requirements for personal fall arrest systems and guardrails; and (h) falling object protection (e.g. toe board requirements and criteria). • Fall protection scope/applications/definitions. 29 CFR 1926.501. Prohibits unprotected sides and edges with guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest system. Protects workers in hoist areas, workers near wall openings and holes including skylights, workers near excavation edges, workers toiling near dangerous equipment, workers on the face of formwork or reinforcing steel, workers on roofs, engaged in pre-cast concrete erection. Requires the use of guardrails, fences, barricades and/or personal fall arrest systems in these areas and sets criteria for such equipment. - Fall protection systems criteria and practices. CFR 1926.502. Contains provisions governing guardrail systems, such as required height of guardrails above the working surface; requirements for mid-rails and mesh and screens; requirements for safety nets; requirements for lifelines and lanyards; requirements for personal fall arrest systems; provisions governing warning line systems; control line requirements; requirements for covers for holes in floors, roofs, and other walking/working surfaces; requirements for protection against fa…

Source excerpt

# AERIAL LIFT SAFETY ## WHAT IS AN AERIAL LIFT? According to OSHA, an aerial lift is any vehicle-mounted device used to elevate personnel, including: • Extendable boom platforms • Aerial ladders • Articulating (jointed) boom platforms . Vertical towers • Any combination of the above. Work from or around aerial lifts presents many significant hazards. These include Power line contact or contact with other overhead obstructions, falls from elevation, tip-overs, being ejected from the lift basket, structural failure of the lift, objects falling from the and striking persons below, causing injury. Injuries from aerial lift accidents can be devastating and life-threatening, life-altering, or fatal. When broken down by trade, electricians had the most deaths (25%), followed construction laborers (15% ), electrical power installers and repairers (13%), painters (8%), and carpenters (5%). lift Additionally, most falls/collapses/tip-overs were within the height category of 10-29 feet. Tip-overs comprised 44-46% of boom-lift falls and 56-59% of scissor-lift falls. Constructing and repairing activities were associated with fall/collapse/tip-over incidents. ## HAZARDS AND HAZARD PREVENTION TIPS WHEN OPERATING AERIAL LIFTS Falls: This is the most common cause f aerial lift fatalities. Severe injuries or deaths can result from falls. Falls from aerial lifts often occur from improper lift operation and/or not using adequate fall protection equipment. To prevent falls from aerial lifts: • Ensure that access gates or openings are closed • Stand firmly on the floor of the lift platform or bucket • Do not climb on or lean over guardrails • Do not use planks, ladders, other devices to extend the working position • Use a body harness with a tether or lanyard attached to the boom bucket If Tip-overs can occur if proper safety precautions are not followed when using aerial lifts. Ensure the ground a lift is traveling or positioned on is free from bumps, holes, depres…