OSHA Focus Four Hazards | Fall Hazards Free

Most worksites have fall hazards, and many workers are exposed to them on a daily basis.

What is a fall hazard? A fall hazard is anything at your worksite that could cause you to lose your balance or lose bodily support and result in a fall. Any walking or working surface can be a potential fall hazard.

**Use fall protection equipment ** The three generally accepted methods of protection for workers on a construction site who are exposed to vertical drops of 6 feet or more are:

Practice safe ladder use

Undergo training Your employer must provide you with training if you are exposed to fall hazards. The training program must train you to recognize the hazards of falling and explain the procedures to be followed in order to minimize fall hazards. You must also be trained before working on scaffolds and when working with ladders.

What are the three generally accepted methods of protection for construction workers who are exposed to vertical drops of 6 feet or more?

What are the three generally accepted methods of protection for construction workers who are exposed to vertical drops of 6 feet or more?

What are the three generally accepted methods of protection for construction workers who are exposed to vertical drops of 6 feet or more?

What are the three generally accepted methods of protection for construction workers who are exposed to vertical drops of 6 feet or more?

What does my employer have to do to keep us safe from falls?

** Provide fall protection** OSHA’s fall protection standards require employers to provide fall protection for you when you are exposed to a fall hazard.

**Ensure proper scaffold construction ** Employers must construct all scaffolds according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Ensure safe ladder use and condition Employers are required to provide ladders where necessary and maintain the ladders in proper condition. Employers must also train workers to recognize ladder and stairway hazards.

Conduct worksite maintenance Employers are required to keep worksites free of form and scrap lumber with protruding nails and other waste and trash, including combustible debris.

Provide training As discussed, your employer must provide you with training on fall hazards and the required personal protective equipment.

Fall Hazards Guardrail and Safety Net

Fall Hazards Personal Fall Arrest System

Snaphooks and D-rings Your employer should provide you with snaphooks that are ** locking type.** They should have a minimum tensile strength of 5,000 lbs.

Horizontal Lifelines This system increases the protected area of your PFAS. They should maintain a safety factor of at least two.

Vertical Lifelines & Lanyards Lanyards must be protected against cuts and abrasions. They should have a minimum breaking strength of 5,000 lbs. Note: Each worker must be attached to a separate vertical lifeline.

Self-retracting Lifelines and Lanyards There are two types: Self-retracting lifelines and lanyards that can automatically limit free fall distance to 2 ft. or less should be able to withstand a load of at least 3,000 lbs. Those that do not have this capability should sustain at least 5,000 lbs.

Ropes & Straps Webbings of straps and ropes must be made of synthetic fibers.

Anchorages Anchorages should be able to support at least 5,000 lbs per worker. They should not be attached to any anchorage used to support or suspend a platform.

Use your PFAS properly. Your fall protection is only as effective as your commitment to using it the right way.

Do not directly connect snaphooks to: webbing, rope or wire, to other snaphooks, to a D-ring to which another snaphook or other connector is attached, to a horizontal lifeline, to any other object that can accidentally open the snap

Your body harness should be a snug fit for you. When straps and buckles are too loose or in the wrong places, they can cause injury to your ribs, arms or groin.

Which among the images show a proper way to wear a body harness? There may be more than one correct answer. The attachment of the body harness should be centered at your back between your shoulder blades. Adjust the straps so that they are not too loose, or not too tight. If you can slip two fingers under the leg straps, then you have the perfect fit.

Which among the images show a proper way to wear a body harness? There may be more than one correct answer. The attachment of the body harness should be centered at your back between your shoulder blades. Adjust the straps so that they are not too loose, or not too tight. If you can slip two fingers under the leg straps, then you have the perfect fit.

Which among the images show a proper way to wear a body harness? There may be more than one correct answer. The attachment of the body harness should be centered at your back between your shoulder blades. Adjust the straps so that they are not too loose, or not too tight. If you can slip two fingers under the leg straps, then you have the perfect fit.

Personal Fall Arrest System Checklist You can use a checklist for systematic pre-use inspection of your PFAS. Here's a template you can use: iAuditor PFAS Checklist

Fall Hazards Safe Ladder Use

Ladders are one of the most common pieces of equipment on a construction site. But that doesn't mean they are safe.

There are construction workers who are injured or killed falling from a height every day. Using ladders more safely is one way to start preventing falls at your work site.

Safety tips when using extension ladders:

Extend the top of the ladder 3 feet above the landing.

Safety tips when using stepladders:

Do not use a stepladder with spreaders unlocked. Do not use the top step or cap as a step.

Safety tips when using job made wooden ladders:

What is the worker in the picture doing wrong? Select all that apply

Basics of Scaffold Safety

What is Scaffolding? Scaffolding is a temporary structure in the form of a timber or steel framework over which the workmen can sit and carry on the construction work.

It is needed for the **new construction, repairs of structure **or even demolition of a building.

Scaffolding is generally needed when the height of the structural member (wall, column, etc.) is greater than 1.5m.

Scaffolding is made from sufficient strong and stable materials to easily support and carry workman and construction materials placed on it.

Overloading Hazard Scaffold boards when overloaded can break or shatter.

Risk of scaffold collapse When scaffolds are not designed or installed properly, they may collapse from their own weight or the load (worker and materials).

Struck by Falling Objects Materials and tools may fall down from the scaffolding and hit a worker underneath.

Risk of Falling Because scaffolds are used when working at a height, a fall can cause minor to fatal injuries.

Access Requirements

Employers must provide access when the scaffold platforms are more than 2 feet (0.6 meters) above or below a point of access.

Direct access is acceptable when the scaffold is NOT more than 14 inches (36 centimeters) horizontally and NOT more than 24 inches (61centimeters) vertically from the other surfaces.

Steps and rungs of ladder and stairway type access shall line up vertically with each other between rest platforms.

The OSHA standard strictly prohibits the use of crossbraces as a means of access.

The OSHA standard strictly prohibits shore and lean-to scaffolds.

Employees are also prohibited from working on scaffolds prior to removing snow, ice, or other slippery materials on its surface.

The OSHA standard for the specific distance clearance between scaffolds and powerlines must be strictly followed.

Scaffolds and scaffold components shall be inspected for visible defects before each work shift, and after any occurrence which could affect a scaffold's structural integrity.

Any part of a scaffold damaged or weakened shall be immediately repaired, replaced, or removed from service until issue has been fixed.

LEARN MORE To learn more about scaffold safety and related OSHA standards, you may download this booklet: A Guide to Scaffold Use in the Construction Industry