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