 |
 |
Different Level As statistics show, falls from elevated surfaces are generally less frequent but, in most cases, more severe than same-level falls, such as slips and trips, in the workplace. More so, the degree of elevation varies considerably, ranging from simply uneven surfaces such as sidewalks to working on elevated platforms such as docks and ramps. Uneven Surfaces Injuries from falls reported by covered state agencies cover the entire spectrum; however, interesting to note, a majority of these occur on walking and working surfaces that are not necessarily of any significant height. For example, a number of injuries have been reported involving stepping off the edge of a curb or sidewalk to stepping into animal holes by those agencies in the suburbs and outlining areas. For an overview of the various types of surfaces and surrounding terrain that are potential fall hazards, visit the Social Planning Council for the North Okanagan website. << back to top >> Stairs
Steps and stairways can be found in various dimensions and numerous locations. Stairways are constructed out of many common building materials (metal, wood, concrete, etc.) and used to permit transit from one level or floor to another in applications too numerous to detail here. In the home or the office, at the mall or the factory, indoors or out, the act of climbing or descending a stairway will occur many times each day. Naturally, to prevent a stairway fall, awareness and prevention remain the keys. Before setting foot on a stairway, the following preventative measures should be physically in place or consciously in your mind.
In addition to the preventative measures outlined above, steps and stairways located outside must be kept free of ice, snow, or water puddles. Keep in mind that the chances of falling on stairways can be increased by inattention, illness, fatigue, haste, and the use of alcohol or drugs. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have developed excellent guidelines for stairway construction, maintenance, and safety in industrial applications. These guidelines can be found at: Stairway safety reference materials and "hot links" that may be of use to risk managers, industrial safety officers, or homeowners are listed below. Technical Description
of Stair Dimensions and Requirements -- Virginia Polytechnic Institute
and State University A Workplace Self-Inspection
Checklist -- Cornell Labratory Safety << back to top >> Ladders There are inherent hazards associated with ladder use. Typical ladder hazards include:
Employees should follow certain rules when placing, ascending, and descending ladders, which include the following.
Other recommended general practices include the following.
Safety devices are available for both portable and fixed ladders to prevent a climber from falling. Safety devices for portable ladders include slip-resistant bases, safety tops, and any other device to increase the ladder stability. A portable ladder positioned at a location where it may be tipped over by work activities should be securely fastened at the bottom and top. Safety devices for fixed ladders include cages (which enclose the stairwell) or a restraint belt attached to a sliding fixture anchored to the ladder.
Additionally, portable ladders must be maintained in good condition at all times and inspected frequently. Tag any ladders that have developed defects with "DANGEROUS -- DO NOT USE" and remove from service for repair or disposal. For portable wood ladders, all wood parts should be free from sharp edges and splinters, sound, and free from accepted visual inspection from shake, wane, compression failures, decay, or other irregularities. For portable metal ladders, the design should be without structural defects or accident hazards such as sharp edges, burrs, etc. The selected metal should be of sufficient strength to meet the test requirements and should be protected against corrosion. Portable wood ladders may be coated with a water-repellent preservative to provide a suitable protective material. Metal ladders and metal parts on wood ladders should be corrosion-resistant and kept free from nicks. If nicks occur, they should be promptly treated to prevent possible metal fatigue due to rust. Standards for Manufactured Portable Ladders Portable manufactured ladders obtained after Jan. 21, 1998, should bear identification indicating they meet the appropriate ladder construction requirements of the following standards: Per
OSHA
Standard 29 CFR 1910.21: For Further Information, Visit the Following Websites:
For fixed ladders, all wood parts shall meet the criteria of wood ladders. All metal parts shall meet the criteria of metal ladders. What You Should Know When Climbing a Fixed Ladder
Use the appropriate safety devices (e.g. restraint belt, traveling fixture). Maintain three-point contact by keeping two hands and one foot on the ladder always. The proper way to store ladders is:
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
<< back to top >> Docks and Ramps The biggest reason to put a priority on dock safety is not so much related to the frequency of accidents in the dock areas as it is to the potential severity of injuries that can occur in these types of accidents. Injuries sustained when pedestrians are impacted by a lift truck, falling loads, or tractor-trailer tend to be very serious and even fatal. Prevention of these types of accidents can be achieved through proper equipment, training, and enforcement of safe operating procedures. When people think of dock safety one of the first things that come to mind is the wheel chock. This is a wedge-shaped block placed in front of the rear wheel of a trailer to prevent the trailer from moving away from the dock while the trailer is being loaded. OSHA regulations require the use of wheel chocks or other vehicle restraining devices when loading and unloading trucks and trailers. This keeps the trailer from moving away from the dock during the loading process.
To prevent slips, trips, and falls from happening, the walkways, stairs, and walking surfaces of ramps and dock plates should be coated with a non-skid paint. Also mark all walkways with yellow lines to control traffic. Be aware of sharp drops or uneven ground such as a cargo loading areas and try to eliminate these drop points in docking areas by using mechanical substitutions such as tailgate loaders in trucks or ramps that store flat when not in use. Warning signs should be posted in these areas. Never jump from a dock; be careful not to step backward off docks; keep your mind and your eyes on what you are doing. Ramps and gang planks have hazards similar to loading docks. The slopes should be as gradual as possible, as wide as possible and as dry as possible. Spills may affect how quickly powered equipment can stop and make walking surfaces very slick for pedestrians. Correct sources of leaks, and clean up an oil and grease spot immediately. Dock workers must also be aware of procedures to contain spills, be trained to recognize chemical hazards, and know what personal protective equipment (PPE) to wear when handling chemicals. Safety awareness is not enough to reduce dock hazards. You must have systematic inspections and auditing, and you must have safeguards in place. Identify sources and types of injuries by reviewing past mishap reports. Management must take steps to organize product movement, control pedestrian traffic, and secure racking. Enforce compliance to all procedures. Plant safety is directly related to the enforcement of safety procedures. If you don't enforce it, it won't happen. << back to top >> Powered Industrial Lifts Lift trucks commonly leak oil and other fluids, which is a hazard for both walking and driving on the surface. Spills may affect how quickly powered equipment can stop and definitely make a slick walking surface for pedestrians. As mentioned in the housekeeping section, policies and procedures should be in place to prevent or minimize spills and leaks on walking and working surfaces.
ROLL-OVERS: Methods or means to prevent mishaps and to protect employees from injuries vary considerably for different types of equipment. For example, operators of sit-down rider trucks are often injured (fatally) in roll overs when they attempt to jump clear of the equipment as it tips over. Because this occurs vary fast and the natural tendency of the operator to jump downward, the operator normally lands below the equipment and is crushed by the vehicle or the vehicle's over-head guard. Therefore, operators of sit-down rider trucks need to be trained to remain in the vehicle and lean opposite the direction of the roll. Conversely, when a stand-up rider truck tips over, the operator can merely step back and perpendicular to the direction of the roll to avoid contact with the equipment. In this situation, the operator should be trained accordingly. OSHA Federal
Registers 63:66237-66274 SEAT BELTS: When falls are discussed, one cannot avoid mentioning the use of seat belts on mobile powered vehicles. The rule is, if your forklift is equipped with a seat belt, it must be worn. OSHA, for instance, enforces the use of existing seat belts under the Section 5a, of the General Duty Clause. But, this should be expected since the practice would be no different than disabling a safety guard on a table saw. A more frequent question and concern is: What if the particular vehicle never came with a seat belt or similar restraint device? The answer is: Has the manufacturer of the particular equipment offered an operator restraint system or seatbelt retrofit program? Secondly, has the employer taken the initiative (documented) to take advantage of this program? Otherwise, no excuse. OSHA Standard
Interpretation PERSONAL FALL ARREST SYSTEMS: Any time there is a potential for a worker to fall more than four feet or if the work area is elevated and not properly guarded, fall arresting systems must be used. A classic example here is an order picker truck that elevates the operator on a platform that normally does not have enclosed railings, toe boards, or other similar fall protection devices. Here the operator must wear a personal fall arrest system such as a body harness or lanyard attached to the mast of the vehicle or overhead guard. A word of caution: Of all the restraining devices available and as recognized by both OSHA and ANSI, the full-body harness is the most preferred. This particular piece of equipment distributes the impact shock of a fall over the shoulders, thighs, and buttocks. This is extremely important in that it permits prolonged suspension without restriction of blood flow, thereby, preventing internal injuries, and keeps the victim in an upright position, making it easier for rescuers. OSHA Standard
29 CFR 1910.66 App C OSHA Standard
29 CFR 1910.67 For OSHA regulations on this, go to www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=DIRECTIVES&p_id=1533
<< back
to top >>
|
