Federal OSHA Region IXInstructor: Peter Wilsey, Safety Manager

OSHA’s Fall Prevention Campaign

PURPOSE

To provide you with information to recognize potential fall hazards and take corrective actions to

PROTECT

YOU!

OSHA FALL CAMPAIGN

To raise awareness among workers and employers about the hazards of falls from:

•Ladders

•Scaffolds

•Roofs

•Walking and working surface

FALLS ARE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH

In 2010, there were 264 fatalities (255 falls to lower level) out of 774 total fatalities in construction.

These deaths are preventable

FALLS CAN BE PREVENTED

Lives can be saved through three simple steps:

•PLAN ahead to get the job done safely

•PROVIDE right equipment

•TRAIN everyone to use the equipment safely

FALLS CAN BE PREVENTED

PLAN ahead to get the job done safely:

•When working from heights

•Begin by deciding how the job will be done

•When estimating the cost of a job, employers should include safety equipment

•For example, in a roofing job, think about all of the different fall hazards.

FALLS CAN BE PREVENTED

PROVIDE the right equipment:

•Workers who are 6 ft / more above lower levels•Employers must provide fall protection and the right equipment for the job•Different ladders and scaffolds are appropriate for different jobs•For roof work, there are many ways to prevent falls •Make sure the Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS) fits

FALLS CAN BE PREVENTED

TRAIN everyone to use the equipment safely:

•Falls can be prevented •Employers must train workers in hazard recognition •OSHA has provided numerous materials and resources

FALLS CAN BE PREVENTED

Employees must be trained to properly use a ladder:

•Maintain three points of contact

•Place the ladder on level footing

•Always face the ladder

•Secure the ladder

•Don't overreach

•Don't walk the ladder

FALLS CAN BE PREVENTED

Scaffold Safety:

•Employees must be trained

•During setup:

•Ensure proper access to scaffolds

•A competent person must inspect before use

•Don't climb over cross braces

•Don't stand on guardrails

•Don't use a ladder on a scaffold

FALLS CAN BE PREVENTED

Roof Safety:

•Employees must be trained

•Make sure their harness fits

•Always stay connected/tie off

•Ensure that all anchor points are safe

•Protect all holes, openings and skylights

•Don't sit or walk on skylights or other openings

•Proper wearing of Personal fall arrest systems.

WHEN FALL PROTECTION IS NEEDED?

• Walkways & ramps

• Open sides & edges

• Holes

• Concrete forms & rebar

• Excavations

• Roofs

• Wall openings

• Bricklaying

• Residential Construction

FALL PROTECTION OPTIONS

Personal Fall Arrest System

(PFAS)

Guardrails Safety Net

PERSONAL FALL ARREST SYSTEMS

Must be independent of any platform anchorage and capable of supporting at least 5,000 lbs. per worker

Safety Line Anchorages

Positioning Device (PD)

29 CFR 1926.502(d) & 1910.66

• Use PFAS when working on formwork or rebar• Cover or cap protruding rebar

Positioning Device

Positioning Device

Use PFAS and PD when working on formwork or rebar0.66

Guard ramps, runways, and other walkways

Walkways and Ramps

• Toeboards at least 3 1/2 inches high• Top rails between 39 and 45 inches tall• Midrails at midway of top edge of the guardrail

system and the platform surface

Top Rail

Mid- Rail

Toeboard

Temporary Guardrail Systems

Place as close as possible, but no more

than 30 feet below where employees work

Safety Nets

Unprotected sides and edges must have guardrails or equivalent. Use PFAS

Unprotected sides and edges must have guardrails or equivalent. Use PFAS

This 1/4" nylon rope alone

is not a proper way to guard this open floor

• Holes more than 6 feet high must be protected• This opening could be made safe by using a guardrail, or strong cover

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

ImproperlyCovered

If you work near wall openings 6 feet or more above lower levels you must be protected from falling

• • Top rails between 39 and 45 inches tall• Midrails at midway of top edge of the guardrail

system and the platform surface

• Top rails between 39 and 45 inches tall• Midrails at midway of top edge of the guardrail

system and the platform surface

Unprotected sides and edges must have guardrails or equivalent. Use PFAS.

Unprotected sides and edges must have guardrails or equivalent. Use PFAS.

Unprotected sides and edges must have guardrails or equivalent. Use PFAS.

• Toeboards at least 3 1/2 inches high• Top rails between 39 and 45 inches tall• Midrails at midway - top edge of the guardrail system

and the platform surface

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 less desirable of all the systems)

• Use conventional fall protection

TRAINING

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

Employers must provide fall protection training

SUMMARY

• PLAN ahead to get the job done safely

• PROVIDE right equipment

• TRAIN everyone to use the equipment safely

Protective measures: guardrails, covers, safety nets, and PFAS

Use fall protection on: walkways & ramps, open sides & edges, holes, concrete forms & rebar, excavations, roofs, wall openings, bricklaying, residential construction

QUESTIONS?