Tag Archives: height safety

Fall Safety

Ensuring the Safety Of Employees Who Work At Heights

Image source: Unsplash.com

Nobody needs reminders that working at great heights can be dangerous. Construction is one area where height is a near-omnipresent danger. Lots of things can go wrong when you’re working with a lot of equipment and machinery. Keeping your employees safe is an absolutely crucial aspect of working on a construction site. To prevent them from falling and injuring themselves, you need to take some special precautions.

  • Make use of railings

Passive protection is the best way to keep your workers safe when they’re working at great heights. Your workers will often tread on walkways and areas that are unprotected and pretty high up. Relying on them to protect themselves when they’re in a rush might not be feasible. Railings take that element of choice away from them. Unless they purposely decide to jump the fence, there’s no way that they are going to fall over the railing.

You can find a railing for every style of rooftop. If the roof has a low slope, you can make use of non-penetrating railing. There are prefabricated railing options that can be affixed permanently or temporarily, which makes them pretty versatile for construction sites.

There are other benefits that come with using sturdy railings. They can be used as a point of stability when the worker is carrying a load in one hand. Many of them make it very difficult to climb outside the protective area, which will provide additional protection from employee negligence.

  • Select proper active protection systems

Personal fall arrest systems can be a great tool to protect from injuries on the worksite. Even when something goes catastrophically wrong, they will make sure that the worker remains unscathed. When you opt for fall arrest systems, make sure you’re getting quality safety technology. A full body harness might perform similarly in a controlled environment, but you should consider other variables. Does it have proper heat and arc protection? How comfortable is the suit for workers in any environment? These are all factors you have to take into account before making your decision.

The fall arrest system has to have all the amenities you need to protect from work accidents. If it meets ANSI standards, it should have every functionality available. Extra D-rings have to be available on the equipment. Remember to select your lanyards properly. Workers should be able to fit snuggly into their harness and adjusting them should be a breeze. Convenience of use is extremely important when you’re talking about safety measures.

  • Understand fall distance

All the active fall protection equipment in the world won’t save you from a miscalculation of distance. If it doesn’t engage by the time an employee hits the ground, it’s going to be completely useless. It might seem like common sense, but a lot of employers don’t take into account the math that goes into lanyard length and fall protection.

For example, if you have an employee working six meters off the ground while wearing a three-meter lanyard with a decelerator, that seems like it should be enough to prevent any kind of fall injury. Unfortunately, the math in question isn’t that simple. First of all, you need to take into consideration the time it takes for the deceleration device to activate. By the time it’s functional, your employee has traversed some distance. This is usually in the range of a meter or so. When you take into account the height of the worker and any sag in the harness. With these additional numbers, the length of the lanyard seems a bit too short for complete safety.

  • Use lifts properly

Lift operators have an enormous responsibility to keep employees safe during the lifting process. Employees need to keep their harness properly tied-off. This means that they need to be secured to the engineered anchor point of the lift in order to prevent any mishaps. Not only does it keep them safe from falling over, but it also prevents them from wrapping their lanyard around the rails

Lift protection extends to safety measures that need to be taken while on the lift. Proper training of employees during lift usage is crucial for preventing injury in the event of machinery failure. Many experts like Sydney Rescue Consultants urge construction managers to train their workers to comply with safety measures when operating lifts.

  • Create an acceptable anchor point

If you visited an average construction site right now, you might be appalled to see the things workers use as anchor points for their harnesses. Not everything is strong enough to take that kind of weight. Many are under the misconception that something that can hold a human body is adequate for use as an anchor point. Unfortunately, this is not true. There are more factors at play in the physics of a fall. You have to take into account the inertia from a moving body, which will create additional tension on the harness and anchor.

A lot of workers will just strap the harness to just about anything in sight. A PVC pipe is completely unacceptable for fall protection systems. Not even steel is safe from accidents. If the steel beam is decorative, it won’t hold the weight of an employee when they fall. Teaching your employees how to anchor their harness is extremely important because without a proper anchor you don’t have any protection whatsoever.

Conclusion

When you work at a great height, you only need one mistake for tragedy to occur. This is why many regulatory agencies make sure to stress the importance of proper fall protection. Without it, you could be looking at hundreds of injuries per year. Fatalities aren’t uncommon on construction sites that don’t follow the safety measures by the book. If you make sure your employees follow the rules set by regulatory agencies, your construction site will be all that much safer from any potential fall injuries.

 

Fall Safety, General Safety Issues

3 Grain-Handling Hazards & How to Prevent Against Them

Written by Ellie Batchiyska

The agricultural industry is one of the most hazardous in the United States. Most people are not as familiar with its hazards as they are with the construction industry’s, making them often overlooked. This contributes to further danger, however.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the fatality rate for workers in the agricultural industry is seven times that of other private industry workers. Even workers who are injured often face permanent impairment, making it extra important to know the primary hazards associated with this kind of work.

Grain-handlers are particularly impacted by agricultural hazards. These are workers in facilities that process, ship, and handle corn, wheat, oats, barley, and other similar commodities.

There are three main hazards grain-handlers face, but the Occupational Safety and Health Administration fortunately offers sustainable solutions to prevent against them.

Engulfment & Suffocation in Grain Bins

Although not dangerous unto themselves, grain bins can be a risky environment. This is where grains are stored in large volumes, and unfortunately, where a vast number of deaths occur. Workers that maintain grain bins can become suddenly buried or trapped by grain while on the job. As a result, they can suffocate.

There are four causes of sudden grain engulfment.

  • Standing on flowing grain. Flowing grain turns into quicksand. This is most common when the auger is operating. The auger drains grain from the bin, causing a steady flow until the bin is emptied. If a worker is standing on flowing grain, they will sink into it, and the constant movement will make it impossible to get out. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) states that a 6-foot tall worker can become enveloped by grain in 11 seconds, and escape becomes impossible after 5 seconds. Workers should never enter grain bins while the auger is in operation.
  • Standing on or below bridging. Bridging refers to moist or moldy clumps of grain that stick together to form a “bridge”, therefore resulting in an empty space underneath them. If a worker steps on one of these, it will break and the walls of grain beside the bridge will begin to cave in.
  • Trying to loosen a pile of grain. Never overestimate a wall of grain’s sturdiness. Trying to loosen or un-clump it will cause a domino effect, and the rest of the grain will begin to avalanche. Clumped grain should be loosened from the outside of the grain bin, by knocking against it with a pole or stick through an access cover.
  • Dangerous atmospheric conditions. Sometimes, oxygen levels in a grain bin can be low, or hazardous gases may be present. The air quality and oxygen levels should be evaluated before any workers enter, or they could suffocate.

Most of these can be prevented by making workers aware of the preventative measures. Workers should avoid walking on grain, always wear a body harness, and have an observer/partner present at all times.

Combustible Dust Explosions

In the last 35 years, there have been more than 500 grain dust explosions in grain handling facilities. These have taken the lives of more than 180 people, and injured approximately 675. Grain dust can easily combust if it becomes airborne or accumulates on a surface. Ignition sources, such as overheated motors, misaligned conveyor belts, and welding surfaces, can serve as sources of danger.

If the accumulation of grain dust occurs in an enclosed space, the pressure will rise, causing an explosion. Usually, there is an initial explosion, which dislodges the dust into the air. If ignited, this dispersed dust will cause a secondary (and far more deadly) explosion.

To prevent this, there should be consistent monitoring and assessment of potential ignition sources and enclosed spaces. Cracks and corners should always be investigated for grain dust particles.

Falls from Heights

Much like in construction, this is a major factor to consider, and one that is continuously overlooked. Grain-handling employees can experience falsl from heights much like any other workers in manual labor: from machinery, unguarded/unlabeled floor openings, platforms, etc.

However, the exterior ladders on grain bins also pose a risk. These ladders are usually used to gain entry to the grain bin. As workers move from the ladder to the roof of the grain bin or grain entrance, one minor misstep can endanger their life.

For this reason, a body harness should always be worn when accessing a grain bin, as previously mentioned. Someone on the ground should also be supervising at all times, and be available to direct the worker into the entrance or onto the roof in case visibility is hindered for any reason.

Other Hazards

Amputations can also occur in grain-handling facilities, though less common. Grain bins contain mechanical equipment, covers, augers, and other fixtures that workers can easily get caught in. Spoiling grains can also release hazardous gases, and pesticides or other fumigants can cause poisoning.

Grain-handlers should not underestimate the dangers of working amongst large volumes of grain. The casualness associated with this profession often makes its employees even more vulnerable to hazards. Frequent housekeeping and assessment of grain bins is essential to the safety of workers in this industry, so managers should ensure this work is well-distributed.

 

Ellie Batchiyska is a writer for Advance Online, the first web-based training provider to be accepted by the OSHA Outreach Program for DOL OSHA completion cards.

 

Fall Safety

5 Most Common Causes of Accidents When Working at Heights

By Juhlian Pimping from SafetyCulture

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OSHA recently announced its preliminary top 10 most frequently cited workplace safety violations for fiscal year 2018. “Fall protection” once again topped the list with 7,270 violations along with “Scaffolding” which came in at #3 with 3,336 violations. Falls remain the leading contributor of deaths in the construction industry, representing close to 40% of total deaths in construction in CY2016.

Here are the 5 most common causes of accidents when working at heights and some tips on how to avoid them:

1. Fragile Roofs –
Refer to elevated surfaces that are at risk of falling when under the pressure of unexpected loads. All roof surfaces should be considered fragile until a competent person has examined it. Examples of fragile roofing material can include skylights, asbestos cement-roof sheeting and corrugated steel.

Workers who step or sit on fragile roof materials are at risk of falling or slipping from heights which can lead to tragedy. Also, falling material and equipment can pose critical safety risks to those working below.

To reduce these risks, a risk assessment should be conducted before working on roofs to identify fragile roof surfaces and materials. Appropriate access and support material should be used such as ladders, crawling boards and load-bearing supports. Workers should also wear appropriate footwear.

2. Unprotected Edges –

This refers to walking or working surfaces both horizontal and vertical with no fall protection. Examples of unprotected sides and edges include scaffolding, platforms, and towers without guardrails, toeboards, or fencing.

Working from surfaces with unprotected edges puts workers at risk of falling, suffering major injuries and in extreme cases, fatalities.

To mitigate such risks, OSHA requires each employee to be protected by guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems if they are walking or working on surfaces 6 feet or more above a lower level.

3. Falling Materials –
This refers to tiles, bricks, wood cuttings, tools and other materials common in a construction site which may come loose and fall on workers.

Even small items can cause considerable damage to people and structures if dropped from a height. Injuries range from bruises to fractures, and even fatalities. Damage to structures can also affect work schedules due to repair-work.

The following hazards should be actively identified and controlled in order to lower the risk of falling materials injuring workers:
  • Gaps in platform surfaces or between platforms
  • Unprotected edges
  • Improper transportation of materials, equipment, or tools from ground level to the working area
  • Improper transportation methods of getting materials down to ground level, e.g. throwing
  • Improper storage of materials, e.g. on scaffold edges or in unstable stacks
In addition, adequate warning should be provided to both workers and civilians entering the jobsite where the risk of falling materials cannot be completely eliminated. This can be done by posting a signage, wearing appropriate PPE/ head protection, verbally communicating the hazards, or providing civilian or guest routes to get around the jobsite.

4. Unstable Equipment –
Refers to access equipment such as scaffolding, towers, platforms, and ladders that aren’t stable enough to be considered safe.
Using unstable equipment puts workers at risk of losing their balance which can lead to falling and dropping materials.

Though there are inherent risks in using such equipment when working at heights, proper maintenance and use should be observed in order to reduce the risks to acceptable levels. Unstable equipment deemed unsafe by a competent person must not be used.

5. Weather Conditions –
This refers to adverse weather conditions that may affect work surfaces, workers, materials, and equipment. Here are some examples in which the weather can affect working at heights:

  • Rain or ice can cause workers to slip and fall
  • Strong winds can blow loose materials/ tools away, make access equipment unstable, and affect the balance of workers
  • Cold conditions may affect workers’ dexterity and increase the risk of injuries
  • Overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can cause cancer, sunburn, and eye problems
OSHA requires employers to provide safety equipment to their workers in almost all cases free of charge, and workers are encouraged to wear PPE suitable for the weather condition they have to work in to minimize the risk of hazards.

Conclusion
Considering the high-level of risk when working at heights, employers and workers should first assess its necessity in relation to the work that needs to be done. Where it is unavoidable however, employers and workers need to be aware of the common causes of accidents when working at heights so they can take the necessary precautions to avoid them.

Performing regular safety inspections can help identify hazards when working at heights and prevent tragedies from occurring. Using safety checklists can help with performing inspections: here are seven working at heights safety checklist templates you can download and use. Using a mobile app like iAuditor can help you perform paperless inspections while onsite and streamline your reporting.
Fall Safety

Roof Fall Protection Systems For Complete Safety

                  Roof Fall Protection Systems For Complete Safety

It hardly matters to which industry you belong. It can be a construction field, telecommunication sector or wind turbine industry. You must have the best fall protection and fall arrest system or equipment. For construction workers, warehouse keepers and renovators, falls are major safety hazards. People who work at extreme greater heights, they are at more risk. Workers who are involved in constructing bridges, dams and erecting towers or buildings may fall at any moment if construction safety is not ensured. Death of the construction worker can land a company in serious trouble. This is why it is important to install proper Roof fall protection systems at your premise.

Roof fall protection systems are crucial aspects when working at greater heights. When choosing a fall protection system, make sure you choose something which provides hands-free operation. Your workers may move around the roof without having to use their hands. Their hands will be free and they don’t need to hold attachments. This way, they may carry out work at great heights, do the inspection and maintenance job with ease.

The Comprehensive Fall Protection System 

A comprehensive Roof fall protection system means arranging a range of fall protection units and getting them installed. Some of the worth considering items are horizontal lifelines, roof anchors and rail systems. Such products are available in the market and may be procured quite easily. Before buying from a company, carry out a background check on the company. Choose the company which offers you a bespoke solution tailored towards the needs of the clients. The fall protection solution must be as per your needs. There are a number of roof fall arrest systems.

The Horizontal Rail System is The Foremost Roof Fall Protection System

Install horizontal rail system to get a number of benefits with respect to fall arrest. It offers ultimate protection and is the solution to protection issues. Being unobtrusive in nature, it may also complement the appearance and look of the modern building. They won’t be any compromise on safety while the design of the building continues to look good. The rail system is convenient to use whereby the ones who access the roofs may stay attached to it. It safeguards from falls and injuries. They also may be easily integrated into the building design. Horizontal rail system offers hands-free operation. The fall protection system is flexible and might also be used during inspection or maintenance works. Your employees get suspended rope access.

The Horizontal Cable System Is Equally Worthy 

The benefits you get from Horizontal cable system are similar to that of the horizontal rail system. It also facilitates hands-free operation while the solution is flexible. Just like a horizontal rail system, the horizontal cable system is also unobtrusive and may blend with modern homes or older ones. It won’t affect the design of the house or building in any way. The horizontal cable system is an affordable fall protection system.

Conclusion 

Just to get lower prices you must not compromise on the safety of employees and workers. Look for the best company for roof fall protection system a complete range of fall arrest systems. Before you choose any consult with an expert. As an employer, you should find out the correct methods to access the roofs. Tasks must be performed at greater heights in a safe and secure manner. Safety precaution should be followed at all times and must be put in place. By doing so, you may prevent falls and accidents. Always remember, Roof fall protection system is not just beneficial for your employees but for you as well.

Fall Safety, General Safety Issues

Right Type Roof Height Safety – Preventing Accidents at Workplace

Right Type Roof Height Safety – Preventing Accidents at Workplace

Roofs play an essential role in enhancing the overall look of any house. It is a fact that working on roofs can be dangerous and many people have fallen off and suffered injuries in the process in order to avoid frequent mishaps, roof height safety must be given utmost importance.

Introduction of Roof Height Safety – Done for Convenience

Earlier, there was nothing like a height safety system. With the advent of technology, roof height safety has been introduced for the convenience of workers. The introduction of fall prevention systems has proved to be really convenient. However, people need to be trained to install the same on the roofs.

It takes a few minutes to get a job done but working on roofs asks for safety measures, unlike other construction works. Accidents cannot be prevented; however, certain inclusions can reduce the risk of accidents to a great extent.

Height Safety of Roofs – Great Concern!

Gaps and holes inside the roof enhance the risk of accidents. As numerous accidents occur at the time of working on roofs, roof height safety is a great concern. It will allow people to carry out their day-to-day roof construction work with utmost precision. In case of any type of height safety system, fall prevention is the first priority. This is the reason close analysis of the roof is duly carried out. Installation of a guard rail is mandatory to ensure a high level of safety to workers. It will also prevent objects from being kicked off the roof. As there are higher chances of materials falling off the roof, heavy precaution must be taken from day one.

Importance of Anchor Points – Used in Special Situations

Situations where guardrails are impractical, anchor points must be installed. It is preferable especially in case the roof has small inclinations. Workers equipped with a harness of appropriate length are less prone to fall off.  An ideal anchor point system purely functions on the principle of roof height safety at its best.

The anchor point is positioned in such a manner that the worker can easily prevent himself from any mishap. As they are unable to reach the edge of the roof, it is highly imperative for the lanyard to comprise of an appropriate length. It will prevent any unpredictable risk. More space will help you easily manage your task in the best possible manner.

Beware of Hazards!

You may expect to get the best equipment set along with highly innovative safety systems installed. But at the same time, your employees need to be trained to make the best use of all including roof height safety. With proper training, it will become easy to prevent all types of mishaps.

Inexperienced workers must be supervised by experienced personnel e. properly designed roof height safety serves to be the only barrier between a healthy work environment and serious accidents. It is highly imperative to install the best system with the guidance of a qualified team of Experts. People who desire to install height safety for roofs must do their research well. As this is a fairly new inclusion in the list of roof height safety systems, you might not find enough people who can guide you through. Also, there are several companies that guarantee high quality roof height safety systems; however, you cannot trust them blindly. You must consult those who have installed the height safety systems, seek their assistance and then invest in one. It is an expensive buy and thus you would not want to goof up on that front. To avoid frequent repairs, invest in a durable variety.

Fall Safety

Create a Safe Environment with Height Safety Installers

Create a Safe Environment with Height Safety Installers

 

With the ever rise in population, the problem of space crunch has become a crucial issue that engineers have dealt with by resorting to multiplestoreyed buildings. With the construction of high-storied buildings, safety concerns too were being questioned. Thus, a group of engineers came up with height safety installers to curb the safety concerns. The height safety installers are not only restricted to construction sites but also installed by other professionals involved in maintenance and repair of high rise buildings.

Where are these Installed?

These height safety installers are used in different arenas. The application is Varied. Roof access has been made easy by the use of these height safety systems. Roof access is required in large number of buildings for varied purposes. Very few people agree owing to high risk factor. They can prove beneficial in large factories where production is held on a large scale.

The cleaning of windows in high-rises may it be a mall, corporate building or also a hospital is a herculean task. The height safety installers can help to accomplish the task of cleaning the windows.

There are Various Equipments under this line which will help you Ensure Height Safety:

  1. Roof Anchor Points: These points help workers to ascend and descend. These systems are basically anchor points which help workers work without fear.
  2. Roof Access Hatches: These systems ease the process of climbing rooftops. Roof guardrails- These are installed to ensure the safety of inhabitants occupying the property. These guardrails can be customized to suit one’s need according to the premises that you live in or want to occupy in the future.
  3. Roof Walkway System: This system is installed for smooth access to all kinds of roofs. Be it a concrete roof or a roof of any other material, it is tough for the workers to work, risking their lives. The roof walkway system is a type of height safety installers which helps provide safety to workers.
  4. Roof Access Ladders: These ladders are factory made, tailor suited ladders made of fabricated metal which is generally installed to ease the process of approaching the roof top. These ladders are a safe option.
  5. Static Lines: These are basically a network of metal wires attached to anchors which are meant to provide support system to the roof and also ensures easy access across many elevated systems.
  6. Fall Arrest Harness: This is one of the simplest systems in the range of height safety installers. This is something very basic which almost every company opts for.

There are many other systems that help workers to function in high-rises. With multi-storied buildings occupying most of the space especially in the big cities, safety of workers working in these high-rises has become a concern. People employing workers are bound to ensure that they will be provided with the best of safety gears and a safe working condition.

Height safety installers have emerged as a blessing especially for the promoters and builders. These safety installers offer long term assistance also after the construction process is completed. The high rise needs proper maintenance, if left unattended for long, the property might face frequent wear and tear.

From cleaning, to water leakages and emergency situations, the high safety installers come in handy. In fact, most commercial buildings today house several thousand people and their safety is of prime concern. Thus owners of malls, hospitals or even residential complexes ensure that there is a team of professionals who are looking into its maintenance. All safety installers are made available to them.

Fall Safety, General Safety Issues

All About Height Safety Systems And Aluminum Roofs Guards

All About Height Safety Systems And Aluminum Roofs Guards 

Industrial accidents are one of the leading causes of fatal injuries and deaths. Falls from ladders and roofs are pretty common. To avoid such dangerous occurrences at your worksite, you may consider the use of height safety systems. Working at heights has its own set of hazards and difficulties. Common causes of falls are roof edges, slippery and damp surfaces, fall prone or fall risk surfaces. Roof has to be safety compliant under any circumstance. If you do not ensure this, you can land in trouble. There are hundreds of companies offering height safety systems to make working at greater heights, a safe and secured task. There is no chance of injury due to fall, if you tighten the safety system at your worksite. Fall protection systems or components may be constituted of aluminum material, due to the range of benefits it offers. Simply providing the employees their monthly salary will not do. As an employer, you must take necessary steps to save them from any type of accident or injury. This is important from the point of workers’ safety and from the point of your business reputation as well. Worker’s law of your state is really strict and if any worker is injured while working, your business place may be shut down or you may have to give hefty amount as compensation. To avoid such circumstances, it is better to choose suitable height safety system. Workplace must be safe for working to ensure the well-being, health and safety of employees.

Height Safety Systems made of Aluminum 

Aluminum is the best material for height safety systems. If you are confused what material to consider for fall devices, you cannot go wrong with aluminum. Items used in the site must be lightweight, rust resistant, durable and must require low maintenance. It is only aluminum which solves the whole purpose. It can bear any kind of weather condition, whatsoever. Even if the condition is wet, the items will not rust or corrode. The material is flexible and may be customized easily. Steel material is extremely strong and is difficult to customize much, unlike aluminum which is lightweight and flexible. Wood, on the other hand, can expand, chip and warp when the conditions are wet. So, Using Fall Protection and Height Safety System of Aluminum can Render the Following Benefits:

  • You can easily customize fall safety system to suit the roof specification and layout
  • You can get the entire range of roof protection system in aluminum material
  • Aluminum material is so flexible that you may create walkways out of them and make several roof safety zones as well
  • You can make changes to the items of aluminum to suit the roof layout

High Grade Height Safety Systems 

Roof safety systems of aluminum material can be used together to enhance the safety level. You may use aluminum walkways, guardrails or the access ladders as well.

Some of the Items that form the part of Height Safety Systems are as the following:

  • Roof walkways provide safe access to the roof. You may make wonderful walkway areas, free of hazards and trips. Aluminum walkway may be used on the roof to protect skylights and roof
  • To reduce the number of falls, use aluminum guardrails on your site. They may be installed around the roofs, fire escape areas, stairways and access hatch
  • to provide access to the roof mounted tools and equipment, one needs to use static lines
  • roof access ladder can be used to access any area situated at a greater height

To access roof edges or the fall risk areas, you must consider the installation of roof anchor points. All the items relating to height safety systems can last for decades if you consider aluminum material. Look for permanent height safety and fall protection solutions. The fall guard system must comply with Australian standards.