focus on safety: preventing the top four construction fatalities

Focus on Safety: Preventing The Top Four Construction Fatalities

State Building and Construction Trades CouncilFunded by Federal OSHA (2012)

OSHA Grant Number

This material was produced under grant number SH-23588-12-60-F-6 from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor. It does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Credits ─ Sources of Information

Center for Construction Research & Training (CPWR) Laborers International Union of North America U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Cal/OSHA Federal OSHA Occupational Health Branch, California Dept. of Public

Health The Construction Institute Associated General Contractors

Topics

The Construction Workforce Nationwide Fall Hazards Electrical Hazards Struck-by Hazards Caught-in/between Hazards

The Construction Workforce Nationwide

Construction

In 2010, construction workers were 6% of the workforce and 18.5% of the workplace deaths.

Non-English Speaking Workers

An estimated 4.5 million of California’s 17 million workers do not speak English.

Cal/OSHA states that employers must have a system to communicate with employees in a form readily understandable to them.

Nationwide Construction Fatalities by Hazard (2010)

Other 43% Struck-by 8% Caught-in/between 4%

Falls

35%Electrocutions

10%United States 2010

751 Total Fatalities

What Are the 4 Leading Causes of Death in Construction?

Falls Electrical hazards Struck-by hazards Caught-in/between hazards

Focus Four OSHA Citations

85% of all citations and 90% of dollars in OSHA construction fines are related to the Focus Four hazards.

57% of all construction fatalities are related to the Focus Four hazards.

Cal/OSHA’s High Hazard Industry List (2011-2012) - Construction

Roofing Contractors

Fall Hazards

Session Objectives

By the end of the sessionstudents will learn:1) The five main causes of fall fatalities.2) How to prevent falls.3) How to use a personal fall protection

system.4) How to use ladders safely.

What Occupations Have the Highest Number of Deaths From Falls?

1. Construction Laborers

2. Roofers3. Carpenters4. Painters5. Ironworkers

Falls Are Number One

Falls are the leading cause of construction fatalities.

Falls accounted for 35% of construction deaths nationwide in 2010.

Have you, or anyone you know, had a fall on the job? What happened?

Ironworker Dies After Falling Off Beam (California Case Study)

Break into small groups. Take 5-10 minutes to read the case

study and discuss the question. Report your answer back to the class.

What Should Have Been Done to Prevent This Accident?

Investigators said employers should: Require everyone working at heights to wear

fall protection equipment. Make sure openings are properly covered or

otherwise protected. If possible, provide alternate means of

access to the work, such as an aerial lift (zoom boom).

What Are The Main Causes of Fall Fatalities?

Unprotected sides and edges, roof and wall openings, and floor holes

Improper scaffold construction Improper use of portable ladders Falls from girders and structural steel Unguarded protruding steel rebars

Fatal Falls in Construction by Type

Causes of death from falls in construction, 2003-2008

Other (26%) From roof

(32%)

From girder, structural steel (7%)

From ladder (17%)

From scaffold, staging (18%)

How Can Workers Be Protected From Falling Off an Edge?

Protecting Workers From Falling Off an Edge

When workers are on a surface with an unprotected side or edge greater than 7.5 feet above the lower level, Cal/OSHA says employers must provide:

A guardrail system, A safety net, A fall arrest system such as a lifeline and harness, or A fall restraint system

Can You Catch Yourself If You Fall?

No! The average person’s reaction time is half a second.

In that time you fall 4 feet. Gravity pulls you down and your speed quickly

increases. A person who weighs 200 pounds and falls 6 feet will

hit the ground with almost 10,000 pounds of force.

Catching yourself during a fall only happens in the movies.

What’s Wrong With This Picture?

Unsafe Covers

Covers over openings must be properly marked, positively affixed, and capable of supporting twice the intended load or 400 lbs., whichever is greater.

Covers must be secured in place to prevent accidental removal or displacement.

Marking should read: “Opening-Do Not Remove.”

Working on Scaffolds

Scaffold deaths accounted for 5% of construction deaths in 2008.

About 1 in 5 of the fatal falls in construction are from scaffolds.

Cal/OSHA Scaffold Requirements

Scaffolds must be erected and dismantled under the supervision of a “qualified” person.

More Scaffold Safety Requirements

Scaffolds (and all people working on them) must be at least 10 feet from energized power lines.

Must be able to support their own weight and at least 4 times the intended load.

Must have toeboards and guardrails.

Improper Scaffold Construction

No guardrails on sides or ends of scaffold.

No safe access to scaffold platforms. Platforms are not fully planked from

side to side.Missing toeboards.

Steel Erectors

An average of 35 Ironworkers die each year during steel erection.

Fall arrest systems for steel erectors

are difficult to set up.

Cal/OSHA’s Steel Erection Standard

All steel erection employees (except connectors) working on an unprotected side or edge more than 15 feet high must use fall protection.

Connectors must use fall protection when working two stories or 30 feet above a lower level.

Then … and Now

Not Wearing Fall Protection on Roof Truss

Man on truss is not using fall protection. Cal/OSHA requires fall protection when

employees are walking or working on top plates, joists, rafters, trusses, beams, or similar structural members over 15 feet above the grade or floor level below.

Protruding Rebar Hazards

Guard all protruding ends of steel rebar with rebar covers or wooden troughs, or

Bend rebar so exposed ends are no longer upright.

When working above exposed rebar, fall protection/ prevention is your best defense against impalement.

What’s the Best Way to Prevent Falls?

Methods of Fall Protection

What is the difference between fall prevention and fall arrest?

Fall Prevention

Fall prevention systems use equipment to prevent workers from falling.

What are some ways you can prevent falls?

Use guard rails, covers, and fall restraint devices.

Fall Arrest

Fall arrest systems are designed to catch workers after they have fallen.

What are some examples of fall arrest systems?

Fall arrest includes personal fall arrest systems and safety nets.

Guardrail Systems

Safety Nets

Personal Fall Protection Systems (PFP)

Employer must fit and train each worker about PFPs.

Employer must train workers about types of fall hazards, how to protect yourself, and limitations of PFPs.

Inspect Fall Protection Equipment

User must inspect fall protection equipment before each use.

Competent person must inspect fall protection equipment twice a year.

What Are The Components of a Personal Fall Protection System?

Body harnessLanyard and

connectorsD-ringAnchorage point

Training for Fall Arrest Systems

Required training should include:

Explanation of the company’s fall protection policies and systems.

Selection and proper use of Fall Arrest Systems and related equipment.

Selection of adequate tie off point.

Why Don’t Workers Like To Wear Personal Fall Protection Equipment?

http://myconstructionphotos.smugmug.com/keyword/hazard/1/42442216_MJ3Ya/Large

Ladder Accidents

Each year, about 65 construction workers are killed by falls from ladders.

Most deaths happen from 10 feet or lower. Twice as many falls occur when stepping

down ladders than when going up ladders. The main cause of falls from straight and

extension ladders is the ladder sliding off its base.

Tie off extension ladders if they are being left in place for access.

Unsafe Ladder Use

It’s the wrong ladder to use in this situation. You should never work on the top step or cap

of a ladder. Make sure that the weight on the ladder will

not cause it to slip off its support.

How Do You Use a Ladder Safely?

Make sure the ladder is on a firm level surface.

Always face the ladder when going up or down.

Maintain three-point contact at all times Don’t carry anything in your hands. Secure the ladder to prevent slipping. Never over-reach to get at something off to

one side.

View DVD: Don’t Fall for It

Fall Prevention Summary

Cal/OSHA requires fall protection on a surface with an unprotected side or edge greater than 7.5 feet above a lower level.

Fall prevention: keeps workers from falling (guardrails and hole covers).

Fall arrest: catches workers after they have fallen (personal fall arrest systems and safety nets).

Fall Prevention Summary (cont’d)

Floor openings must be secured, covered, labeled, and covers should support twice the load.

Scaffolds must be erected and dismantled under the supervision of a “qualified” person.

Set ladders at 4:1 height-to-base ratio, and climb using 3-point contact.

Fall Prevention: Tips and Feedback

Class Brainstorm What tips do you have

to help prevent falls on the job?

What is your employer already doing to help prevent falls?

What else do you think should be done?

Electrical Hazards

Session Objectives

By the end of the sessionstudents will learn:1) The four main causes of electrical injuries.2) How to prevent injury and death from

electrical hazards.3) What to do if a co-worker gets shocked.

What Are The Main Causes of Electrical Injuries? Contact with Overhead Power

Lines Contact with Live Circuits Poorly Maintained Power

Cords Improper Use of Power Tools

Have you, or anyone you know, been injured by an electrical hazard on a construction site? What happened?

Electrocutions Are Number 2

Electrocutions are the second leading cause of construction fatalities.

Electrocutions accounted for 10% of construction deaths nationwide in 2010.

Workers can even be killed by ordinary household current.

Laborer Electrocuted By Energized Crane (California Case Study)




Investigators said employers should: Give workers information on what hazards to look for

and how to avoid them. Have strict safety procedures when working with a

crane near high voltage power lines. Contact the local electric power company and have

the power turned off when working within a certain distance of high voltage power lines.

Never operate a crane within 10 feet of a power line.

Death from Electrical Hazards

Causes of electrocution deaths among non-electrical construction workers, 2003-05

Effects of Electricity

Estimated Effects of AC Currents (U.S. Standard 60 Hz)

1 milliamp (mA)

Barely perceptible

16 mA Maximum current an average man can grasp and “let go”

20 – 30 mA Paralysis of respiratory muscles

100 mA Ventricular fibrillation threshold

2 Amps Cardiac standstill and internal organ damage

15/20/30 Amps

Common U.S. household breakers

PATH: Harm is related to the path by which current passes through the body.

Working Around Power Lines

Overhead power lines carry extremely high voltage.

Electrocution, burns, and falls from elevations are concerns for workers.

Contact with power lines can also cause explosions and fire.

What Equipment Might Contact Power Lines?

Crane Ladder Scaffold Backhoe Scissors lift Raised dump truck bed Bullfloat handle

Power Line Facts

Overhead lines are typically not insulated. Equipment operators are normally safe when

equipment accidentally touches a power line if they stay inside their equipment.

Workers on the ground who come in contact with power lines are 8 times more likely to be killed than workers inside equipment or vehicles.

How Can You Work Around Overhead Power Lines Safely?

Locate overhead lines before starting the job.

Keep equipment at least10 feet away.

Assume that lines are energized.

De-energize and ground lines when working nearby.

Use wood or fiberglass ladders near power lines―still keeping at least 10 feet away.

Contact with Live Circuits

Missing Ground Prong

Extension cord has a missing grounding prong.

If the power supply is not grounded or the path to ground has been broken, live current may travel through a worker's body causing electrical burns or death.

What Is This? What Does This Do?

Ground-fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI)

Protects you from shock.Detects difference in current between

the hot and neutral wires (including a ground fault).

If a ground fault is detected, the GFCI shuts off electricity in 1/40th of a second.

Use GFCIs on all 120-volt, single-phase, 15-and 20-ampere receptacles.

Improper Cord Use

These cords are improperly wired directly to the electrical circuit.

Not protected by a GFCI.Two-wire cords are not grounded and

not rated for hard or extra-hard service.

What’s Does This Tell Us?

How Can You Use Power Tools Safely?

Power Tool Safety Tips

Keep cords away from water, heat, oil, and sharp edges.

Disconnect tools when not in use, before servicing, and when changing accessories such as blades, etc.

Use double-insulated tools. Stop using any power tool that is wet,

overheating, smoking, starting to smell, or if you feel a tingle or shock.

What Should You Do If Someone Gets Shocked?

Call 911. Do not touch the worker in

contact with electric current. You could get shocked too.

Turn off the power. Use nonconductive material

(like a wooden stick) to remove him/her from the power source. This does not apply to high voltage lines.

Start CPR or other first aid.

Electrical Hazards Summary

Contact with power lines causes the most electrocutions. Stay at least 10 feet away.

Use GFCIs for protection. Make sure power is off when servicing or

repairing tools and equipment. Inspect all electrical tools before use. Do not touch a worker in contact with electric

current. Use nonconductive material like a wooden stick to move him/her.

Electrical Hazards: Tips and Feedback

Class Brainstorm What tips do you have to

help prevent electrical accidents on the job?

What is your employer doing to help prevent electrical accidents?


Struck-by Hazards

Session Objectives

By the end of the sessionstudents will learn:1) The three main causes of struck-by

fatalities.2) How to prevent struck-by fatalities.3) The safety requirements for nail guns and

powder-actuated tools.

Struck-by Hazards Are Number Three

Struck-by hazards are the third leading cause of construction fatalities.

Struck-by fatalities accounted for 8% of construction deaths nationwide in 2010.

Approximately 75% of struck-by fatalities involve heavy equipment.

One in four “struck-by-vehicle” deaths involve construction workers, more than any other occupation.

What Are The Main Causes of Struck-by Deaths?

Vehicle and Roadway Hazards

Falling Objects Flying Objects

Have you, or anyone you know, had an accident from a struck-by hazard on the job? What happened?

Construction Laborer Run Over by Front-End Loader (California Case Study)




Investigators said employers should make sure: Workers keep out of the immediate area where

heavy equipment is operating. When visual contact is lost with workers on foot, the

equipment operator stops the equipment until contact is re-established.

Equipment has a working back-up alarm. There is a written code of safe practices for all

hazards. Workers are adequately trained.

What Are the Leading Causes of Highway Worker Fatalities?

For highway workers on foot, the leading cause of fatalities is being struck by construction equipment.

For highway equipment operators, the most common cause of fatalities is equipment rollover.

What Precautions Should You Take Around Moving Vehicles or Equipment?

Stay clear of vehicles. Know traffic control plan. Communicate with operators

by radio and/or eye contact. Stay out of "blind spots." Wear an ANSI approved

1007-2004 high-visibility vest. Don’t stand under loads.

What Should the Employer Do?

Have a traffic control plan.

Set up barricades and warning signs.

Assign spotters and/or flaggers.

Equip vehicles with rear vision cameras and radar systems to detect workers.

Out of Driver’s Line of Sight

This worker is in the driver’s blind spot. There is no spotter. Worker is not wearing an ANSI approved

vest.

One in four "struck by vehicle" deaths involve construction workers, more than any other occupation.

How Can You Be Struck by Falling Objects?

Working under cranes or scaffolds.

Rigging failure. Loose or shifting

materials. Lack of overhead

protection. How can you be

protected from falling objects?

http://myconstructionphotos.smugmug.com/gallery/1592908/1/111636961/Large

Protection Against Falling Objects

Wear a hard hat. Secure all loads, tools,

and materials. Use toeboards. Use debris nets, catch

platforms, or canopies. Never walk or work

below moving objects overhead, like concrete buckets.

Falling Object Hazards in the Picture

Scaffold is constructed improperly. Workers could get struck by objects falling off

the scaffolding because there is no toeboard. No hardhats or safety glasses.

What Are “Flying Object” Hazards?

Tools can create particles when chipping, grinding, sawing, brushing, or hammering.

Particles from some tools move at amazing speed and can hit with the force of a bullet, like those from pneumatic and powder-actuated tools.

How can you be protected from flying objects?

Protection From Flying Objects

Wear eye protection.Wear hardhats. Inspect tools before use.Make sure you are properly trained

before using a power tool.

Powder-Actuated Tools

What do you think happened here?

How Should You Use Powder-Actuated Tools Safely?

According to Cal/OSHA: Training is required to use the tool. Eye or face protection should be worn (hearing protection too). The tool should always be held perpendicular to the

work surface when fastening into any material, except for applications recommended by the manufacturer.

A sign must be posted within 50 feet of the area where the tools are being used.

Improper Use of Nail Gun

The carpenter is firing a nail toward himself.

He has no protective equipment like a hardhat and safety glasses.

He doesn’t seem to be using hearing protection.

Struck by--Nailguns

Highlights of Cal/OSHA’s Nailgun Regs §1704. Pneumatically Driven Nailers and Staplers

All pneumatically-driven nailers and staplers shall:

Have a safety device on the muzzle. Be connected to the air supply with spring

loaded shut-off valve and a positive locking mechanism to prevent the tool from becoming accidentally disconnected.

Highlights of Cal/OSHA’s Nailgun Regs (cont’d)

Personal protective equipment shall be used. Tools shall be equipped with a fitting that will

discharge all compressed air in the tool at the time the fitting or hose coupling is disconnected.

Safety training shall be conducted prior to initial assignment.

Training shall be conducted by a qualified person.

Struck-by Hazards Summary

Use caution around vehicles and equipment, maintain eye contact with operators, and wear high-visibility gear.

Don’t stand under loads. Wear a hard hat and safety glasses to protect

yourself from flying objects. Don’t use powder-actuated tools unless you

are trained and certified. Pneumatically-driven nailers and staplers

must meet new Cal/OSHA safety regulations.

Struck-by Hazards: Tips and Feedback

Class Brainstorm What tips do you have

to help prevent struck-by accidents on the job?

What is your employer already doing to help prevent struck-by accidents?


Caught-in/between Hazards

Session Objectives

By the end of the sessionstudents will learn:1) The three main causes of

caught-in/between fatalities.2) How to prevent caught-in/between deaths.3) How to prevent equipment roll-overs.

What Are The Main Causes of Caught-in/between Deaths?

Being crushed by collapsing materials, such as in a trench or excavation.

Being caught in, or between, machinery or equipment.

Equipment rollover.

Caught-in/between Hazards Are Number 4

Caught-in/between hazards are the fourth leading cause of construction fatalities.

Caught-in/between deaths accounted for 4% of construction fatalities nationwide in 2010.Have you, or anyone you know, been injured working in a trench? What happened?

Plumber Dies When Trench Collapses (California Case Study)




Investigators said employers should make sure:

Workers don’t enter trenches deeper than 5’ without shoring, benching, or sloping.

Backhoe operators place excavated soil (spoil) from trenches at least 2’ from the edge of the trench.

Workers get safety training before they are assigned hazardous work.

Why Are Trenches Dangerous?

Most deaths from cave-ins occur in trenches 5 to 15 ft. deep.

Cave-ins happen suddenly with no warning.

Other risks: falls, electrocution, being struck by falling objects (or equipment), and bad air.

Bad air can make it hard to breathe, help cause a fire, or poison you.

Think You Can Run?

If a trench collapses, why not just run out of the way?

Soil falls too fast. Guess how fast it

falls from a height of:2 feet? 4 feet? 6 feet? Click your choice.

From Two Feet …

It takes only 0.35 seconds for soil to fall two feet.

Human reaction time is about 0.50 seconds.

There’s no time to escape.

Go Back Continue

From Four Feet …

It takes only 0.50 seconds for soil to fall four feet.


There’s no time to escape.

Go Back Continue

From Six Feet …

It takes only 0.61 seconds for soil to fall six feet.


In this example, it would take a worker another 0.11 seconds to reach the ladder.

There’s no time to escape. Go Back Continue

How Much Does Soil Weigh?

OK, the trench has collapsed. A little bit of soil can’t weigh that much, right? Maybe you could dig out?

Wrong! Assume you’re buried three feet deep. A cubic yard of soil is pressing on you.

How much do you think a cubic yard weighs?

Up to Two Tons! A cubic yard of wet

excavated clay weighs 3078 lbs.

A cubic yard of wet sand and gravel weighs 3375 lbs.

A cubic yard of sandstone weighs 3915 lbs. That’s almost two tons!

Weight of a Truck

Two tons is almost the weight of a small pickup truck.

Try to breathe or move with this weight on your arms, chest, and face. You can’t!

What Causes Trench Deaths?

No protective system (like shoring) is in place.

Trenches and excavations are not properly or regularly inspected.

Excessive weight, such as machinery and spoil, is close to the edge of the excavation.

No safe means is available to get in and out of the trench.

Water in trenches.

What Must an Employer Do to Make a Trench Safe?

Cal/OSHA says your employer must train workers about trench hazards and how to protect themselves.

Employer must name a “competent” person before a trench is dug.

What Should You Do Before You Work In a Trench?

Notify all Regional Notification Centers and all underground utility owners.

Notify two working days before starting the work.

Make sure the contractor has marked all utilities before digging.

Make sure the competent person say it’s OK to work in.

What Should You Do Before You Work In a Trench? (cont’d)

Make sure equipment, like water pumps and ventilators, are in good condition.

Make sure there is a ladder within 25’ so you can get in and out.

If bad air is expected, make sure there is a rescue plan.

How Can Cave-Ins Be Prevented?

Trenches 5 feet or deeper require support, unless they are in solid rock.

Excavations 5 feet or deeper require a permit from Cal/OSHA if workers will be entering them.

The type of trench protection depends on the type of soil, and only a competent person can classify soil.

What Are The Four Basic Ways To Support A Trench?

Sloping Benching Shoring Shielding

Sloping

Soil angled to increase stability

Benching

Steps in trench wall

Shoring

A support system made of posts, wales, struts, and sheeting.

Hydraulic shoring (shown here) is very common.

Shielding

A protective frame or box is used as a trench shield system.

Entering and Leaving a Trench

There must be a stairway, ladder, or ramp in excavations 4’ or more deep.

It must be within 25’ of the workers.

Ladder should extend 3’ above the top of the trench.

Unsafe Trench

There is no shoring. We can’t see if there is a way to safely enter

or leave the trench. Backhoe should not be on top of the trench.

Workers should be protected from equipment that could pose a hazard by falling or rolling into excavations.

Trenching Box Is Too Low

The trench shield should extend to the catch point (top) of the trench.

Ladders should be placed so that no worker is more than 25’ from an exit.

The backhoe is too close to the edge of the trench. Its weight might cause a cave-in.

Unsafe Spoils Pile

The spoil pile is required to be at least 2 feet from the edge of the trench and/or retained to prevent it from falling into the trench.

Hazardous Trench

This trench has: Inadequate slopingNo shoringNo trench shield

Excavation Rescue

Excavation rescue must be done carefully because rescue operations might:– cause additional cave-ins– create more soil pressure

on buried victim– injure the victim more

severely.

What Are Some Other Caught-in/between Hazards?

Caught-in machinery or mechanical equipment

Pinned between equipment and a solid object (wall or equipment)

Equipment service and maintenance

Rollovers

What Are Examples of Mechanical or Moving Equipment?

SawsPressesConveyorsBending, rolling, or shaping machinesPowered hand toolsForklifts

How Can Workers Be Protected From Moving Parts or Equipment?

Machine Guards

What Other Precautions Should You Take When Servicing or Repairing Equipment?

Lockout/blockout

Cal/OSHA says that employers should:

Set up a written lockout/ blockout program to make sure equipment is disconnected and locked before it is repaired.

Train you to use the program.

Rollovers

Have you, or anyone you know, experienced a vehicle or equipment rollover?

What happened?

What Can You Do to Prevent Rollovers?

Don’t work parallel to steep grades, embankments, or unstable soil.

Use equipment with a ROPS, and fasten the seatbelt.

If rolling over, don’t jump out if the vehicle has a ROPS and seatbelt.

You have a better chance to ride it out with a ROPS and your seat belt fastened.

What Happened Here?

Caught-in/between Hazards Summary

Trench protection is required for 5 ft. deep or more. Methods of trench protection – sloping, benching,

shoring, shielding. Trench inspections must be conducted by a competent

person. Only those who are trained and equipped should

perform trench rescues. Use lockout/blockout procedures when servicing or

repairing machines. Use heavy equipment that has a ROPS and fasten the

seatbelt.

Caught-in/between Hazards: Tips and Feedback

Class Brainstorm What tips do you have to

help prevent accidents from being caught-in/ between moving equipment on the job?

What is your employer already doing to prevent these accidents?


You’ve Come A Long Way! But We Still Have a Ways to Go…

focus on safety: preventing the top four construction fatalities

Documents