Falls in Construction Falls in Construction Company Harlan McPhee North McPhee South Powerhawke Ravex Richards Company Using the Form Job Name * Job Name and/or Number Date * Falls in Construction A fall from any height can be fatal if one’s body strikes the ground in a certain way – this includes a fall from no elevation whatsoever. OSHA requires employers to control fall hazards at various heights depending on what type of work is performed. After identifying a worker might be exposed to a fall hazard, the employer must conduct a Fall Hazard Analysis to determine the appropriate control measures. Let’s keep in mind some fall prevention/protection measures: • Practice good situational awareness and job-site assessments to identify fall hazards. Make sure they are effectively controlled before performing the work. • Recognize fall hazards aren’t just when working aloft but can be found at any level such as working near an excavation. • Refer to the JHA for the task to figure out how to best control the hazard. Contact the safety department if you have any questions or need equipment. • Notify the safety department if there is an existing fall hazard and there are no prescribed fall prevention/protection control measure in the JHA. • Recognize the difference between fall prevention and fall protection. Prevention ensures workers do not fall. Protection ensure workers do not sustain injuries in the event they do fall. Prevention is better than protection. • Remember your hierarchy of controls. First, try to eliminate the hazard. Ex: Use a long tool and perform work from the ground rather than use a ladder. Next, use engineering controls or physical changes to the work area that prevents the worker from being exposed to the hazard. Ex: Guard rail system around the leading edge. Next, use administrative controls. Ex: Warning lines placed near the leading edge. If a Worker goes out of the warning lines, then they are required to use additional controls. Lastly, there is PPE. Ex: Personal Fall Arrest System such as a harness with a self-retracting lifeline attached to an appropriate anchor point. • Recognize a 6 foot lanyard does not protect you from falling 6 feet. A 6 foot lanyard is effective for falls of approximately 21 feet or greater depending upon your height. We should be using self-retracting lanyards/lifelines when a personal fall arrest system is needed. • Refer to the manufacturer’s guidance for any piece of safety equipment to ensure you are using it appropriately. Your employer is required to train you on how to you use the equipment. Let’s keep fall prevention/protection in mind every day we are doing work exposed to fall hazards. Take a moment to identify all the fall hazards at your jobsite. Are control measures in place? Have a discussion amongst your crew about the different types of control measures and what the best control measures are to protect against these hazards. Needing fall protection definitely puts this type of work in the Serious Injury or Fatality (SIF) category. This means we need to pay extra attention to the process, involve all the involved workers in the discussion and make sure that we have the hazards mitigated before proceeding. Additional Comments Foreman Name * Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Picture Upload Drop a file here or click to upload Choose File Maximum upload size: 52.43MB reCAPTCHA Submit Δ
