Module 2

Fall Hazards

Did you know? Falls from elevation account for one third of all deaths in construction.
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Training
Employers must provide fall protection training The training is to teach you: How to recognize hazards How to minimize hazards The training must cover: Fall hazards Fall protection systems Use of fall protection devices
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 In 2004, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that 1,224 construction workers died on the job, with 36 percent of those fatalities resulting from falls. Falls may result from a number of factors, including unstable working surfaces, misuse of fall protection equipment, and human error. Studies have shown that the use of guardrails, fall arrest systems, safety nets, covers, and travel restriction systems can prevent many of the deaths and injuries that result from falls
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An employee fell approximately 12 feet while setting trusses on a new home

An employee fell from a stepladder and was impaled on a 33 high steel stanchion

These are real fatal incidents

The people talked about here did not make it home the day of the accident.

An employee fell while trying to climb down the side of a home under construction
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An employee fell 20 feet from a steel structure

Top Fall Protection Citations (FY 2005)

Scaffolding General

1926.451
Fall Protection Scope

8410 5728
Ladders

1926.501 1926.1053 1926.503 1926.453 0

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2122
Fall protection training

1581
Manually propelled scaffolds - Lifts

1379 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000

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Citation statistics from Federal OSHA data for OSHA fiscal year 2005

Causes of Fall-Related Fatalities

Unprotected sides, edges and holes Improperly constructed walking/working surfaces Improper use of access equipment Failure to properly use PFAS Slips,Trips & Falls (housekeeping)

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Case study
A steel erection worker, working approximately 51' above the surface below, fell causing fatal injuries. The worker was sitting (straddling) an I- beam, using the pointed end of a spud wrench to align bolt holes of two beams that where to be bolted together. The worker was wearing a full body harness, along with a tether line and a 5/8" steel safety line. The steel safety line and tether were not attached to a tie off point and/or to the beam. The worker was not tied off. During the work process of aligning the bolt holes the worker dropped his spud wrench. The worker then used a "sleeving" bar to finish the alignment work. The bar slipped out of the bolt hole as the worker placed pressure on to it. When the bar slipped, the worker lost his balance and fell.
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Falls in Construction
Falls are the leading cause of deaths in the construction industry. Most fatalities occur when employees fall from open-sided floors and through floor openings. Falls from as little as 4 to 6 feet can cause serious lost-time injuries and sometimes death. Open-sided floors and platforms 6 feet or more in height must be guarded.

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Other challenges of fall protection

Working in a manufacturing facility brings a different set of challenges to fall protection. Most of the work performed in an existing facility requires workers to perform on cat walks, above existing production tools, and in the immediate vicinity of various types of dangerous chemicals and gases. The problem of providing fall protection is amplified by the danger of falling on, and perhaps breaking, the piping systems that carry them.
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Fall Protection Hierarchy in order of effectiveness

ELIMINATION PREVENTION FALL ARREST WARNING LINES SAFETY - MONITORING ADMINISTRATION
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Duty to Have Fall Protection 1926.501 (b)

Protection is required for:
Unprotected sides & edges Leading edges Ramps, runways, other walkways Steep roofs Residential construction Roofing work Excavations, wells, pits & shafts
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SUBPART M -

Fall Protection
Major Points
Open sided floors require guardrails at 6 feet. Guard wall openings if the inside bottom edge is less than 39 inches above the walking/working surface Floor openings and holes are to be covered at all times. Floor covers must withstand twice the anticipated load. Fall protection is required if the worker may fall on dangerous equipment

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Fall Protection Residential Construction

In residential construction, you must be protected if you can fall more than 6 feet
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Sky Lights and Other Openings

An employee servicing an evaporative cooler fell through an unprotected skylight, 30 feet to the concrete floor

Holes more than 6 feet high must be protected This opening could be made safe by using a guardrail, or strong cover
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Floor Holes
An employee fell approximately 17 feet during roof deck installation Improperly Covered

Cover completely and securely If no cover, can guard with a guardrail

Twice the anticipated load
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Good Work Practices

Perform work at ground level if possible Example: building prefab roofs on the ground and lifting into place with a crane Tether or restrain workers so they can't reach the edge Designate and use safety monitors (This is the least desirable of all the systems) Use conventional fall protection

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Summary
If you can fall more than 6 feet, you must be protected Use fall protection on: walkways & ramps, open sides & edges, holes, concrete forms & rebar, excavations, roofs, wall openings, bricklaying, residential construction Protective measures include guardrails, covers, safety nets, and Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS)
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