NEW FALL PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS
If today follows the usual pattern for a typical day in the construction industry, three workers will be absent today because they are dead, and 16,000 others will not show up because they have been injured on the job, according to Secretary of Labor Robert Reich when he announced revised standards for fall protection. Although construction workers make up only about 5 percent of the U. S. workforce, the industry accounts for 17 percent of all job related fatalities with about 21 percent of those fatalities a result of falls. In 1991, there were at least 158 fatalities and 115,000 injuries to construction workers due to falls according to OSHA. Other studies indicate the actual injury and fatality rates could be as much as two times higher due to differences in the way injuries are recorded. Recognizing the magnitude of this tragedy, OSHA published new requirements for fall protection in August of 1994. These new requirements will become effective on February 6, 1995 and full compliance with these rules are expected to save 79 lives each year and prevent 56,000 other injuries. The requirements of this revised standard apply to all employers in the construction industry including general building, heavy construction, and specialty trade contractors. It should be noted that some states already have enacted stringent fall arrest/fall restraint standards for the construction industry. Other employers are covered by similar requirements included in the General Industry Safety Orders. Some of the highlights of this recently revised OSHA construction standard are:
* Sets a uniform threshold height of six feet for providing consistent fall protection. The only permitted exceptions are for employees making an inspection, investigation, or assessment prior to the start of actual construction work, or after all of the construction work has been completed. Protection can generally be provided through the use of guardrails, safety nets, or fall arrest systems. If none of these protection systems is feasible, employers must develop and implement written alternative fall protection plans.
* Phases out, then prohibits the use of body belts as part of the fall arrest system in favor of a body harness system after December 31, 1997. This is based on studies indicating persons suspended in body belts often suffer severe internal injuries and cannot tolerate suspension long enough to allow for rescue. The use of non-locking type snap hooks in personal fall arrest systems and positioning systems will be phased out by the same date.
* In some cases the establishment of a warning line six feet back from the unprotected edge continues to be permitted if other measures are infeasible or create a greater hazard. However, any work outside of this area is defined as a controlled access zone which requires the presence of a competent safety monitor with no other responsibilities than to warn employees of impending fall hazards, or other unsafe conditions, if fall arrest systems are not employed in the controlled access zone.
* Requires a training program for every employee that might be exposed to fall hazards. Required training includes the nature of the fall hazards in the work area, and the correct procedures for inspecting, maintaining, and disassembling the fall protection systems used. Training is also required on the use and operation of guardrail systems, fall arrest systems, the role of safety monitors (if used), the handling and storing of equipment, and a number of other requirements. Written certification of all required training must be maintained by each employer. Retraining is required if any changes occur in the workplace, or if it appears that the employee has not retained the knowledge and skill necessary to properly use fall protection equipment.
IT'S THE SUDDEN STOP THAT HURTS
Each year, falls result in many serious injuries, and approximately 20% of all falls are fatal. This means that for every five persons involved in a falling accident, one dies. Let's spend the next few minutes talking about where falls occur and what we can do to prevent them.
HOUSEKEEPING
Good footing is the best way to avoid falls and good housekeeping is the best way to ensure good footing. Scrap lumber; trash; wire; and slippery areas caused by water, grease, or oil can cause falls.
LADDERS
Taking ladders for granted has caused many falls. Many workers believe that they can use any ladder for any job. To be safe, however, select a ladder that suits the purpose. Be sure it's in good condition and that you place it securely. Keep both hands free for climbing and always face the ladder when going up or down. Don't carry tools with you.
SCAFFOLDS
A scaffold should be solidly constructed like a permanent structure, even if it will be used for only a short time. Be sure uprights are uniformly spaced, plumb, and set on a good foundation. Use mudsills. Use horizontal or diagonal bracing to give stability. Provide guardrails and toeboards to help prevent falls. Inspect planking before installation. It should be overlapped by a minimum of 12 inches or secured from movement. The planks should extend over the end supports by not less than 6 inches not more than 12 inches. Whenever you're on a single-point or a two-point suspended scaffold, wear your safety gear or equipment. Be sure it's tied to a secure independent life line.
FLOOR AND WALL OPENINGS
Depending on their size, cover floor openings or protect them with standard guard-rails and toeboards. Also, protect wall openings, except for doorways and stair-ways through which persons could fall. This protection should be substantial and secured to prevent displacement.
STAIRWAYS
Falls on stairways are caused by running, carrying objects that block your view failure to use handrails, or just not paying attention. Watch your step and concentrate on what you are doing.
Remember, it's not the fall that hurts. It's the sudden stop.
MEANS OF COMPLYING WITH FALL PROTECTION STANDARD
We have discussed the major changes in the OSHA Fall Protection Standard for Construction such as the Body Belts, the Six Foot Rule, Non-Locking Snap Hooks, etc... But what are the options which will provide us Fall Protection and help us to comply with the Standard?
OSHA has listed 15 general areas where some form of fall protection will be needed if the potential for a fall over 6 feet exists. The list of fifteen types of work and the means allowed for providing fall protection is provided on the attached chart.
Remember these changes to the Federal OSHA Construction Standards are there to protect you and are minimum requirements. Those of you with STATE Standards should consult your state regulations. Many of the State OSHA Programs have adopted the Federal OSHA Standard as written.
FALL PROTECTION information for some specific areas, that you might want to know about, is covered in many different Subparts of your Federal or State Standards. Some of these that you may want to refer to are: Subpart L -- Scaffolds, Subpart N -- Cranes and Derricks, Subpart R -- Steel Erection, Subpart S -- Underground Construction, Caissons, Cofferdams, and Compressed Air, Subpart V -- Power Transmission and Distribution, Subpart X -- Stairways and Ladders.
Knowing the tools that are available to protect you is smart. Using them is even smarter. If there is a potential for falling - you need protection.
BE SAFE OUT THERE!
Attachment to SMO 95-0606SUBPART M - FALL PROTECTION
TYPE OF FALL PROTECTION ALLOWED
MEANS ALLOWED FOR PROVIDING FALL PROTECTION
TYPE OF WORK
requiring fall protection /
Guardrail System /
Safety
Net
Systems /
Fall Protection Plan /
Warning Line
Systems /
Controlled Access zone /
Covers /
Positioning Device Systems /
Fences
Or
Barricades /
Safety Monitoring Systems /
Personal
Fall Arrest Systems
Unprotected sides
& edges / X / X / X
Leading edges / X / X / X / X
Hoist areas / X / X
Holes / X / X / X
Formwork &
reinforcing steel / X / X / X
Ramps, runways &
other walkways / X
Excavations/Pits,
shafts, wells / X / X / X
Dangerous equipment/
On or above / X / X / X
Overhead bricklaying
& related work / X / X / X / X
Roofing work - low
slope roofs / X / X / X / X / X
Steep roofs / X / X / X
Precast concrete
erection / X / X / X / X
Residential
construction / X / X / X / X
Wall openings / X / X / X
Other walking &
working systems / X / X / X
Fall Causes
Injury due to falls is a major problem in construction today. Injury and death from falls is second only to traffic accidents taking some 21,000 lives each year.
Falls are placed in two categories:
1. Falls on the same level.
2. Falls from different elevation.
First, let's look at some of the causes of falls on the same level such as slipping, tripping, and bumping into.
Slipping could be due to ice on the walk, oil or grease on the floor, a banana peel left over from lunch, a small piece of pipe, a soft drink bottle, or a welding rod stub, just to name a few. We can avoid these hazards in two ways; first, we must practice good housekeeping by keeping our work areas clean and orderly; second, we must be alert and watch our step.
Tripping can be caused by an irregular surface, lines or hoses across walkways, tools not in their proper place, poor lighting, and many others. The rules for avoiding tripping hazards are much the same as for slipping hazards; that is, practicing good housekeeping, watching your step, and in addition, keep your shoes (safety shoes) in good condition. Bad soles and heels have caused many falls.
Falls caused by bumping into also result in serious injuries. We should be especially careful in hallways, warehouses, and places where blind corners exist. We sometimes get in too much of a hurry; maybe we are late in the morning or in a hurry to get home in the evening. In this rush we go around a corner too fast and collide with another person and we go spinning.
Falls from different elevation are usually more serious than falls on the same level. These too, can be caused by slipping and tripping but are also caused by many other factors such as misjudging a step or a grab bar on a piece of heavy equipment, over-reaching a ladder or scaffold, not tying a ladder off properly, faulty handrails on scaffolds, not using safety belts when we should; you can name many more.