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Toolbox Talk - Working at Height

Toolbox Talk - Working at Height
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Introduction

What is the purpose of a toolbox talk on working at height?

The purpose and scope of the talk is to provide information and guidance on how to prevent falls and protect workers from fall hazards in the construction industry.

Falls are the most common cause of death and injury in the construction sector, and OSHA requires employers to provide workers with a personal fall protection system when working at heights.

The talk will cover the causes of falls, the types of fall protection systems, and the best practices to avoid falls.

The talk aims to raise awareness and educate workers on how to protect themselves and others from fall hazards, and to comply with the OSHA standards and regulations.

This article goes into more depth about fall protection, the toolbox talk is a scaled down version of this article which can be delivered to your team in 5 minutes.

Why is fall protection important when working at height?

The importance and relevance of the topic is that falls are the most common cause of death and injury in the construction sector, and OSHA requires employers to provide workers with a personal fall protection system when working at heights.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2020, there were 1,061 fatal work injuries in the construction industry, of which 401 (37.8%) were caused by falls.

This means that more than one in three construction workers who died on the job were killed by a fall. Moreover, falls also accounted for 23% of the nonfatal injuries that resulted in days away from work in the construction industry in 2020. These statistics show that falls are a serious and prevalent occupational hazard in the construction sector, and that they have a significant impact on the workers’ health, well-being, and productivity.

Additionally, OSHA requires employers to provide workers with a personal fall protection system when working at heights of 6 feet or more in the construction industry. This is because OSHA recognises that falls are the leading cause of fatalities in the construction industry, and that providing workers with a personal fall protection system can prevent or reduce the severity of falls.

OSHA also enforces strict standards and regulations for the selection, use, and maintenance of fall protection systems, and imposes penalties for violations. Therefore, employers and workers have a legal and ethical obligation to comply with OSHA’s requirements and to ensure that workers are protected from fall hazards when working at heights.

What's covered in the working at height toolbox talk

The main points of the talk are the causes of falls, the types of fall protection systems, and the best practices to avoid falls. These are the key topics that you need to know and understand in order to prevent falls and protect yourself and others from fall hazards in the construction industry.

The talk will explain how falls are caused by unsafe conditions and unsafe actions, and what are the consequences and costs of falls for workers, employers, and the industry.

The talk will also describe the different types of fall protection systems, such as elimination or substitution, passive fall protection, fall restraint, fall positioning, fall arrest, and administrative controls, and how to select and use them properly.

Finally, the talk will provide practical tips and recommendations on how to avoid falls and protect workers from fall hazards, such as conducting a hazard assessment, using the hierarchy of controls, wearing and inspecting the personal fall protection equipment, securing and maintaining the work area, training and supervising the workers, etc. The talk aims to help you improve your safety and health, and to comply with the OSHA standards and regulations.

Toolbox talk on fall prevention

Causes of falls

Conditions and actions that lead to falls

Unsafe conditions and unsafe actions are two main factors that lead to falls in the construction industry.

Unsafe conditions are environmental or physical hazards that increase the risk of falling, such as slippery surfaces, uneven floors, poor lighting, cluttered work areas, defective equipment, etc.

Unsafe actions are human behaviours that disregard or violate the safety rules or procedures, such as improper ladder use, overreaching, not wearing or inspecting the personal fall protection equipment, etc.

Both unsafe conditions and unsafe actions can cause workers to lose their balance, footing, or grip, and fall from a height or on the same level.

Therefore, it is important to identify and eliminate unsafe conditions, and to avoid and correct unsafe actions, in order to prevent falls and protect workers from fall hazards.

Examples of actions that can lead to falls at work

Some common unsafe conditions and actions that cause falls in the construction industry are:

  • Slippery surfaces: Wet or slippery surfaces can cause workers to lose their traction and fall on the same level or from a height. This can happen due to rain, snow, ice, oil, grease, or other substances on the ground or on the work platforms. To prevent this, workers should wear appropriate footwear with good grip, clean up any spills or leaks, and use grit or mats to cover slippery areas.
  • Faulty equipment: Equipment that is defective, damaged, or poorly maintained can malfunction and cause workers to fall. This can include ladders, scaffolds, lifts, cranes, hoists, or personal fall protection systems. To prevent this, workers should inspect the equipment before each use, follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and report any defects or malfunctions to the supervisor.
  • Improper ladder use: Ladders are one of the most common sources of falls in the construction industry. Workers can fall from ladders if they use the wrong type or size of ladder, set up the ladder incorrectly, overload the ladder, or climb the ladder unsafely. To prevent this, workers should use the right ladder for the job, ensure the ladder is stable and secure, follow the 4-to-1 rule (for every 4 feet of height, move the base 1 foot away from the wall), and maintain three points of contact with the ladder at all times.
  • Overreaching: Overreaching is when workers extend their arms or bodies beyond their balance point or the edge of their work platform. This can cause them to lose their balance and fall, or to pull down objects or materials that can strike them or others. To prevent this, workers should work within their reach, use tools or equipment that can extend their reach, or move their work platform closer to the work area.
  • Falling objects: Falling objects can cause workers to fall if they hit them or make them dodge or duck. Falling objects can also injure workers on the ground or on lower levels. This can happen due to poor housekeeping, improper stacking or securing of materials, or lack of overhead protection. To prevent this, workers should keep their work areas tidy, store and transport materials safely, use toe boards or nets to catch falling objects, and wear hard hats and other personal protective equipment

Consequences of falls for workers

The consequences and costs of falls for workers, employers, and the industry as a whole are serious and significant. Falls can result in injuries, fatalities, lawsuits, fines, delays, and other negative impacts that affect the health, well-being, and productivity of everyone involved.

According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), in 2020, there were 1,061 fatal work injuries in the construction industry, of which 401 (37.8%) were caused by falls.

Moreover, falls also accounted for 23% of the nonfatal injuries that resulted in days away from work in the construction industry in 2020.

These statistics show that falls are a serious and prevalent occupational hazard in the construction sector, and that they have a significant impact on the workers’ health, well-being, and productivity.

Falls can also result in other costs and consequences for employers and the industry, such as lawsuits, fines, delays, reputational damage, and loss of contracts.

For example, slips, trips, and falls contribute to almost 12-15 percent of all workers’ compensation costs and these injuries cost employers approximately $40,000 per incident.

Slips, trips, and falls account for nearly 20 percent of all workplace injuries. Furthermore, employers who fail to comply with the OSHA standards and regulations for fall protection can face penalties for violations, such as citations, fines, or even criminal charges.

Therefore, it is clear that falls have serious and significant consequences and costs for workers, employers, and the industry as a whole, and that they should be prevented and protected from as much as possible.

Types of fall protection systems

There are different types of fall protection systems that can be used to prevent or reduce the risk of falls in the construction industry. The main types of fall protection systems are:

  • Elimination or substitution: This is the safest and most effective way to prevent falls, as it involves removing the need to work at heights or replacing the hazardous task with a safer one. For example, using drones to inspect roofs or scaffolds, or assembling parts on the ground before lifting them to the desired height.
  • Passive fall protection: This is the use of barriers or guards to prevent workers from falling, such as guardrails, fences, covers, or nets. These systems do not require any action from the workers, and they can protect multiple workers at the same time.
  • Fall restraint: This is the use of a personal fall protection system that prevents the worker from reaching the edge or the fall hazard, such as a harness, a lanyard, and an anchor point. These systems require proper selection, use, and maintenance of the equipment, and they can only protect one worker at a time.
  • Fall positioning: This is the use of a personal fall protection system that allows the worker to work with both hands free at a height, such as a harness, a positioning device, and an anchor point. These systems also require proper selection, use, and maintenance of the equipment, and they can only protect one worker at a time. They also provide limited fall protection, as the worker can still fall a short distance before being stopped.
  • Fall arrest: This is the use of a personal fall protection system that stops the worker from hitting the ground or a lower level after a fall, such as a harness, a shock-absorbing lanyard, and an anchor point. These systems are the last resort when other methods are not feasible or effective, and they also require proper selection, use, and maintenance of the equipment, and they can only protect one worker at a time. They also involve a high risk of injury, as the worker can experience a sudden impact or a swing fall.

The choice of the appropriate fall protection system depends on the specific task and work environment, and the hierarchy of controls should be followed to eliminate or reduce the fall hazards as much as possible.

OSHA also has standards and regulations for the selection, use, and maintenance of fall protection systems, and employers and workers have a legal and ethical obligation to comply with them.

Tips on preventing falls at work

Here are some practical tips and recommendations on how to prevent falls and protect workers from fall hazards:

  • Conduct a hazard assessment before starting any work at height. Identify the potential fall hazards, such as unprotected edges, slippery surfaces, or unstable structures. Evaluate the risks and decide on the appropriate control measures to eliminate or reduce them.
  • Use the hierarchy of controls to select the most effective and feasible method of fall prevention. The control hierarchy when planning any working at height activities is:

Avoid working at height - so far as is reasonably practicable work should be conducted at ground level.

Prevent falls – where working at height cannot be avoided, prevent falls using an existing safe place of work or use the correct type of equipment, such as guardrails, scaffolds, or aerial lifts.

Minimise the consequences of falls – where the risk of falling cannot be eliminated, minimize the distance and consequences of a fall by using personal fall protection equipment, such as harnesses, lanyards, or self-retracting lifelines. Ensure that there is a suitable and safe means of rescue in case of a fall.

  • Wear and inspect the personal fall protection equipment before each use. Check for any signs of wear, damage, or defects. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to use, adjust, and maintain the equipment. Do not use any equipment that is faulty or expired.
  • Secure and maintain the work area. Keep the work area clear of any tripping hazards, such as loose tools, materials, or cords. Use warning signs or barriers to alert others of the fall hazards. Ensure that the work surface is stable, level, and strong enough to support the workers and the equipment. Inspect the work area regularly and report any changes or problems.
  • Train and supervise the workers. Provide workers with adequate training on how to work safely at height, how to use the fall protection equipment, and how to respond to emergencies. Ensure that workers are competent and qualified to perform the work at height. Supervise the workers and monitor their compliance with the safety rules and procedures.

By following these tips and recommendations, you can help prevent falls and protect workers from fall hazards. Remember, falls are preventable, but only if you take action to prevent them. Stay safe and work smart!

Encourage workers to report any fall hazards or incidents, and to ask questions or seek help if they are unsure about anything.

Reinforce the message that fall prevention is a shared responsibility and a priority for everyone’s safety and health.

fall on a construction site

Conclusion

Falls are the most common cause of death and injury in the construction industry, and OSHA requires employers to provide workers with a personal fall protection system when working at heights.

Despite falls being the leading cause of death at work, there are plenty of options to reduce the risk of working at height - from control measures to fall protection equipment.

Call your workers to action: urge them to apply the information and guidance from the talk to their daily work, and to be proactive in preventing falls and protecting themselves and others from fall hazards.

Thank the workers for their attention and participation, and invite them to ask questions or provide feedback.

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