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OSHA’s 3-Step Guide to Fall Prevention

by Andrew 03/06/2017

Falls are the leading cause of death on construction job sites (40 percent) and account for 15 percent of accidental workplace deaths across all industries each year. In an effort to raise awareness among both workers and employers, OSHA teamed up with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and the Health and National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) to organize a Fall Prevention Campaign. Here are three simple steps to fall prevention in your workplace:

PLAN ahead to get the job done safely.
Different jobs require different safety precautions. If your employees are going to be working from heights on ladders, scaffolds and rooftops, you should provide them with additional safety equipment to limit the risk of falls, like personal fall arrest systems (PFAS). Even when estimating the cost of the job, it’s important to account for the safety equipment required to ensure every employee stays safe on the job site.
PROVIDE the right equipment.
Employees working heights of six feet or more (measured from the lower level) are at risk for serious injury or death should they should fall. Make sure those individuals have proper fall protection equipment as well as safe ladders, scaffolds and more. In a roofing job, for example, every one of your workers should be equipped with a harness to tie off to an anchor. Regularly inspect all fall protection equipment to ensure it’s in good condition and make sure all PFAS fit your workers!
TRAIN everyone to use the equipment safely.
Having the right equipment will do your workers little good if they don’t know how to properly use it. Teach employees about fall hazard recognition and reinforce safe practices to prevent falls on the job.

From Safety Harnesses and Lanyards to Body Belts, Straps & Anchors, Emedco has all the products you need to keep your workers safe, regardless of the heights at which they work. Just give our team of professionals a call at (877) 859-2155 or visit Emedco.com to find safety solutions for every challenge.

Stand Down For What? Fall Prevention

by Julianne Bass 04/05/2016

You don’t know the true impact of gravity until it hits ya! In all seriousness, fall prevention and protection is a huge deal when it comes to working safely at heights. Falls from as little as 6ft can be fatal, heck falls while standing on the ground can be fatal. While the likelihood of serious injury while walking may not be high, the likelihood drastically increases as heights do. According to OSHA falls accounted for 40% of all deaths for the construction industry in 2014.

How can a difference be made? Participating in the National Safety Stand Down to prevent falls in construction is a good place to start. This event now in its third year has helped to raise awareness around preventing fall hazards, reaching over 2 million workers last year alone.

In addition to the event, OSHA shares tips on preventing falls from roofs, ladders, and scaffolding; three very familiar areas in which falls happen too often.

Falls from Roofs:

Don’t forget your harness, and make sure it is worn properly and connected
Always perform a fit test
If guardrails or lifelines are part of your prevention program, Use them
Inspect all fall protection to make sure that it is in proper working order
Cover or properly mark all openings

Falls from Ladders:

Choose the right ladder for the job
Maintain three points of contact
Secure the ladder
Always face the ladder
Guard or cover all holes, openings, and skylights

Falls from Scaffolding:

Fully plank scaffolds giving workers a safely maneuverable working space
Make scaffolding easily accessible
Only build scaffolding on a level and secure foundation
Assigned a knowledgably person to inspect all scaffolding before use

Eliminating The Top 10 OSHA Safety Violations from Your Workplace in 2016

by Julianne Bass 01/20/2016

Every year on the last week of September the NSC Conference has a big unveiling of the year’s 10 OSHA Top Violations, but when you look at the hard facts, much of those top ten OSHA safety violations have remained unchanged for quite a few years running. If these are the most troubling violations leading to injury and death year over year, why hasn’t there been more of an effort to make a change? Why wouldn’t we eliminate these workplace safety hazards from continuing to be a danger to workers? Where is the ball being dropped? Is it with OSHA, or with individual companies?

Here are some helpful tips that will help you eliminate top 10 OSHA safety violations from your workplace in 2016.

Fall Protection (29 CFR 1926.501), 7,402 total violations

Fall protection has been at the top of OSHA’s list for 5 years in a row, with much concern and attention paid to the impact it has on the safety of workers specifically in the construction industry. When working at heights of 10’s or even 100’s of feet in the air it is critical to ensure that your workers not only have the right fall protection supplied to them but that they also know how to properly use it before any work begins. Incorrect implementation of safety precautions and fall protection safety signs are just as dangerous if not worse than having none at all.

Want to learn more about fall protection? Read Don’t Fall Out Of Compliance: What You Need To Know About Fall Protection

Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200), 5,681 total violations

2016 will bring with it the final GHS deadline in June 2016. While it has been a long and difficult process to implement protocols all the way up the supply chain and stick to deadlines, once all is said and done, GHS compliance will have a great impact on osha safety standards and safety for workers who interact with dangerous substances on a regular basis. Through cost reductions, productivity improvements and decreased instances of injury and illness GHS will begin saving a total of $745 million annually across all industries it has impacted.

Want to learn more about GHS?

Scaffolding (29 CFR 1926.451), 4,681 total violations

In another issue specific to the construction industry, 72 percent of workers injured in scaffold accidents identify the planking or support giving way or slipping, or being struck by a falling object. Ensuring that scaffolding is erected properly before work begins goes a long way in protecting workers in addition to having regularly scheduled assessments, proper implementation of osha safety signs and fall protection guardrails in place for those who will be working on or around scaffolding areas. Enforcing PPE rules for those who will be working in these areas is also crucial when it comes to preventing struck by hazards caused by falling objects.

Respiratory Protection (29 CFR 1910.134), 3,626 total violations

2016 may become a year of big changes when it comes to respiratory protection as it concerns permissible exposure limits and the passing of OSHA’s workplace safety long awaited Silica rule. Outside of reducing the levels of acceptable exposures, when it comes to providing protections against chemicals that cannot be eliminated from work processes, selecting the proper respiratory protection can prove to be tricky. The most important step to selecting the correct respiratory solution for your workplace starts with have a good understanding of the substance you are trying to protect against. Not all respiratory protection is created equally and each workplace safety hazards come with its own rules and solutions for protecting your workers against them. Choose wisely and make sure your solutions properly fit your workers.

Want to learn more about respiratory protection? Read up on Respiratory Protection: Compliance Myths

Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout) (29 CFR 1910.147), 3,308 total violations

Number 5 on the 10 OSHA Top violations, Lockout Tagout often is an area that can easily become overwhelming for those in charge of keeping their procedures up to snuff. If one little thing changes, the whole procedure may need rewriting. However, never fear technology is on your side with many different procedure writing software’s and services available it is easy to get someone out to your facility and assist you in creating a plan that is sustainable and can be easily maintained.

Want to learn more about Lockout/Tagout? Read Are You Creating Effective Lockout Tagout Procedures?

Powered Industrial Trucks, General Industry (29 CFR 1910.178), 3,004 total violations

Forklift safety is only one piece of the pie when it comes to creating an effective powered industrial trucks safety plan. Realizing that these trucks are interacting with humans the battle of man -vs- machine is important to keep in mind (HINT the loser is always man). When creating a game plan to keep all workers safe consider the physical conditions of your facility; how pedestrian traffic will interact with truck traffic, and also if there are any hazardous areas that should be deemed off limits to forklifts such as areas that are enclosed or have little ventilation. Lastly, make sure that OSHA safety signs are properly implemented in your facility.

Want to learn more about forklift safety? Read Forklift Safety Best Practices: How Workplace Conditions Affect Safety Operations

Ladders (29 CFR 1926.1053), 2,732 total violations

Ladder safety seems like a no brainer when you get down to it. Make sure it is in working order, that it is clean, and that it has secure placement before use. However, there is no way to account for the unexpected. A number of things could go wrong while climbing to heights at which a fall could prove fatal. Ladder safety should not be overlooked and starts with having a clear understanding of the basic principles. But a workplace should always have fall protection safety signs in place and a backup plan when unexpected hazards emerge such as wind, flying objects, animals, ladder malfunction etc.

Want to learn more about ladder safety? Read Step up: Best Practices of Ladder Safety

Electrical (Wiring) (29 CFR 1910.305), 2,624 total violations

The misuse of cord and cables, uninsulated wiring and extension cords are where this violation saw the most offenders, with the silver lining being the number of total incidences for this standard are trending downward from 2014 to 2015. Other good news from OSHA shows that they are revisiting these OSHA safety standards for updates after 40 years of being untouched and on the books. Changes made to this 40 year old rule are thought to be able to save an additional 20 lives per year while preventing 118 other injuries.

Want to learn more about Electrical (Wiring)? Breaking Down the Regulation

Machine Guarding (29 CFR 1910.212), 2,540 total violations

Losing an arm or eye because of exposure to blades, getting caught in a machine, or particles flying off of a machine are all causes for concern when it comes to machine guarding. When production timelines are tight, these are the times that machine guarding accidents are most likely to occur. When chaos ensues workers are more likely to begin to cut corners and could land themselves in a very dangerous situation. With the proper OSHA safety signs implementation and guarding in place facilities are able to eliminate the possibility of these life altering injuries from occurring. Protecting workers from points of exposure and improving anchoring of a fixed machine are two ways to improve any machine guarding safety plan.

Want to learn more about machine safety? An Introduction to Machine Guarding

Electrical, General (29 CFR 1910.303), 2,181 total violations

Improper installation or use of tolls and equipment are main concerns for the Electric Standard to round out the 10 OSHA top violations. As with the wiring regulations, OSHA is also putting a fresh set of eyes to this standard as well in hope to continue to drive incidents and violations because of this standard down.

Want to learn more about Electrical Safety? Preventing Facility Hazards: Electrical Safety Tips You Need to Know

It goes without saying that OSHA will have a busy year ahead of it in 2016 and with fines increasing by 80% and inspectors performing longer and more comprehensive audits, it is in the best interest of all facilities to do everything within their power to comply before OSHA safety violations occur or even worse—before injury or fatality occurs.

Need help assessing the safety needs around your facility? We can help. Click here.

Q&A: Creating the Best PPE Safety Program

by Julianne Bass 01/07/2016

PPE should be considered the last line of defense when it comes to protecting workers from the unavoidable hazards of their jobs, but let’s face it many companies rely on PPE to get the job done. When selecting, training your workforce and implementing a proper PPE Protection Plan, make sure you have answers to all of the important questions before making any decisions.

Q: What are critical components to any successful PPE program?

A: A successful PPE program starts with a proper assessment of the hazard area to ensure that your selection of PPE is correct. While all areas of your facility should be assessed on a regular basis, if there is one in particular that has a high number of accidents and injuries and requires PPE while performing task, start with a hazard assessment to pinpoint an exact solution. Then move on to selecting the right PPE. Not all PPE is created equally make sure that the specification needed for the job are met by the piece of protective wear that you are selecting. Once your PPE is selected be sure to train your workers on its importance, the proper way to use it, and follow up with fit tests, proper care, and inspections to make sure that if the quality of the PPE deteriorates that it is replaced in a timely manner.

Q: How often should PPE programs be updated?

A: At the very least your PPE program should be audited and updated on an annual basis to remain in compliance with OSHA regulations. However, many safety authorities recommend making regularly scheduled updates throughout the year or as needed.

Q: Does PPE have to be tested/inspected?

A: Outside of annual updates, PPE must be regularly examined by a qualified worker to make sure that it is still performing to the standard it should be as stated on manufacturer labels. Simple maintenance should be done by the user such as cleaning and proper storage.

Q: How should PPE be stored?

A: All PPE does not have the same storage instructions. As a rule, the specific piece of PPE your workers are using should be stored according to the instructions that came with it. Depending on the type of PPE if not stored properly it could deteriorate more quickly due to exposures to elements like dirt, sun, heat, cold etc.

Q: Is it ok to share PPE?

A: In general it is not a good idea to share PPE among coworkers. Outside of the obvious issues around the spread of germs and infectious disease, PPE often requires fitting it to the specific user. Unless specifically stated in manufacturer instructions it is advised against sharing PPE. Only having one user will also help in keeping clear maintenance and replacement records.

Harness the Fall Protection Safety Basics: What All Safety Managers Need to Know

by Julianne Bass 08/17/2015

Fall hazards are a serious issue, and I’m not just talking the daily tumble we all take rolling out of bed in the morning. In any case if we all know falls are a clear and present danger, why isn’t anything being done to better protect those in harm’s way? Year over year, OSHA announces fall protection as the most cited violation, and year over year even with OSHA’s fall protection requirements, the dangers remain the same.

Mobility of the hazard

Some of the issues may have to do with the mobility of the hazard. Workers at heights have to constantly assemble and disassemble, move to different sites and start the process all over again. Think of it this way, if you had to go to work, build your desk and chair, and then take it apart every day before you left, over time you might start to cut corners. It’s human nature, we’re lazy! But now think of this, if your life was on the line to build that desk would that change the approach you took? Absolutely! Now what if it was someone else’s desk/ life that was in your hands. It is difficult to pinpoint the root issue but it doesn’t hurt to remain well versed on the basics and to understand what is personal protective equipment.

Falls don’t only happen at heights; climbing a ladder or even walking on an uneven surface can result in serious injuries.

The most common situations that cause fall injuries include unstable walking or working surfaces, slick or slippery walkways, clutter, unsafe ladder usage, unguarded edges, wall opening or floor holes.

Fall injury costs

Fall injuries sure are expen$$$$ive! They cost an estimated $70 billion annually in workers’ compensation and medical costs. WOWZERS! All tasks that involve working at any height should consider the available forms of fall protection equipment and which will best suit the job: PPE, fall arrest system, guard rails, personal protective equipment safety signs etc.

Successful fall reduction plan

The big question is now: What will it take to have a successful injury reduction plan complying with OSHA ppe requirements when it comes to workplace falls? It’s not a blink of an eye solution, an all encompassing action plan. The most important key to your plan will be how effectively you are able to engage you employees to retain the information they need to protect themselves and stop others from making dangerous mistakes. They can’t protect themselves from what they are not aware of.

Looking to find some more information about fall protection safety tips? Click here.

Safety Threads: All PPE is NOT Created Equally

by Julianne Bass 08/08/2014

For every dollar spent on PPE OSHA estimates $4 are saved in costs from work-related health care and productivity losses. A coating, a textile structure, or interweaving of common place threads are all that stand between you and a life altering injury. Do you know exactly what goes into making these superhuman products? When developing products that will protect against hazards such as, a chemical spill, a fire, abrasion, or general workplace injury. There are many different approaches that go into protecting the end user.

Here are some important terms to know to help you better select your safety options in the future. When it comes to the selection of materials the rates below can differ depending on weight, density, weave, elasticity, and even color.

Permeation rate: the rate at which the chemical will move through the material. For example a more tightly woven material will provide greater protection than a fabric you can see right through. The higher the permeation rate the less protective the material.
Breakthrough rate: the time it takes a chemical to permeate completely through the material. Breakthrough is measured using a standardized test ASTM F739
Degradation: measurement of the physical breakdown of a material due to contact with a chemical. The slower the rate the more protective the product is. Signs of degradation include swelling, stiffening, wrinkling, changes in color and other physical deterioration.
Inherent: materials that have resistance built into their chemical fiber structures. This can never be worn away or washed out. For example aramid fibers are lightweight and extraordinarily strong, with five times the strength of steel on an equal-weight basis.
Treated: materials that are made resistant by the application of chemical additives. These treatments wear over time and will no longer provide protection. For example polyethylene coatings are applied to materials to increase their ability to repel liquids, as well as dry particulates

It is important to remember that just because a product is certified doesn’t mean it is the best cost effective option. Naturally products with a longer breakthrough rate made up of inherent materials will cost more than treated products.

No industry is completely safe whether you work in healthcare, manufacturing, construction, mining, chemical handling; all of these industries come with their own set of dangers. Keep in mind, there is no single solution to protect against all hazards, make sure the product you are selecting matches the hazard you are protecting against.

Prevent Missteps in Fall Protection

by Julianne Bass 06/02/2014

Year over year falls remain a persistent concern for workplaces and one of the leading causes for injury and death, in addition to one of the top cited violations by OSHA for non- compliance. They cause 15% of all accidental deaths, and are second only to motor vehicles as a cause of fatalities. Falls encompass a wide variety of hazards from walking and ladder usage to construction workers at heights over 100 ft in the air. Not only should you be mindful of high level falls but also the everyday slips and trips that are far more common and can have lasting effects.

One of the construction industries fatal four hazards and the leading cause of fatalities –slips, trips and falls were responsible for 35% of all fatalities that occurred in 2012, as well as, 30,230 injuries When looking for ways to curb the dangers associated with falls in the workplace be sure to train your workforce properly by first identifying and describing fall hazards in the work area, providing the correct procedures for erecting, inspecting, maintaining, using and disassembling fall prevention systems, and training workers on the appropriate anchorage points that are suitable to arrest a fall when a fall arrest system is in place.

Dress for Safety! Use PPE to Prevent Injuries and Save Lives!

by emedco 01/02/2014

Wherever there is modern industry, there is risk of accident and injury. And yet through this danger — some of it fatal — people literally build the foundations of modern society and economy.

It’s your responsibility as a business owner to attend to your workers safety as best as you can, and one of the best ways to do that is through the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Protect yourself from construction’s top killer — a long fall!

Selecting the right kind of PPE can be complex and time-consuming. That’s why it’s usually simpler to match your choice of PPE with the threats your workers face.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) pays careful attention to every accident report, enforces safety standards, and regularly releases its own safety statistics. From their list of the top ten OSHA violations emerge the Fatal Four — the four most common causes of fatal accidents in the construction industry — and some PPE measures you can use to mitigate their dangers.

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Ten For Safety: 10 Common Hazards Your Business Might Face

by emedco 11/26/2013

Protect yourself from construction’s top killer — a long fall!

Through the construction industry, people literally build the foundations of modern society and economy. But construction is no lightweight craft. The risks construction workers face on the job are myriad; some of those dangers are even deadly.

That’s why the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which pays careful attention to every accident report and enforces safety standards, regularly releases its own safety statistics. OSHA standards set the tone for safety compliance, and making sure your sites and worker practices are in line with regulations isn’t just a good idea — it’s the law!

Check out the top ten OSHA violations, which are the most widely held potential causes of injury or fatal accidents in the country. When it comes to safety compliance, knowing which dangers your business should look out for helps you decide which items you need to invest in. Whether they are fall protection equipment or hazcom labels, it pays to know what your needs are.

Here are the ten most commonly cited violations of OSHA standards in Fiscal Year 2013 (October 1, 2012 to September 30, 2013):

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What to Look Out for When Checking Your Fall Protection Equipment

by emedco 09/24/2013

When your workers operate in high places, whether it be on scaffolding, catwalks, elevated machinery, or over long drops, see to it that they use the proper fall protection equipment.

Even falling from what seems to be a “safe” height can result in injuries that can become costly in the form of lost time, medical expenses, and suffering for the victimized worker. Prevent this by ensuring that all your fall protection equipment are in tip-top shape before they are put to use.

Make sure to inspect every inch of your fall protection harness or webbing!

Remember, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, it is your responsibility as an employer to select and provide effective personal protective equipment for your workers. Here are a couple of critical things you should look for when inspecting the most iconic of fall protection gears — the harness.

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