fall protection ii training 1

TRAINING

Openings & Skylights Falls are among the most common causes of construction fatalities, in part because of poor safety practices concerning uncovered wall and floor openings and skylights. Ensure that your employees understand fall risks and the steps they can take to stay safe at any height. In your training session: 1 Show the following 2 minute fall simulation clip from OSHA in English or Spanish.

2 Describe the following fatal fall

incident involving an improperly covered hole in the floor: A 30 year old laborer was laying plywood to finish a section of the second-story subfloor of a private residence. Despite working over an uncovered hole, he was not using the personal fall arrest system with which his employer had provided him. He stepped on a part of the plywood sheathing that had not been secured properly by the workers who had been constructing the subfloor before him. Under the victim’s weight, the unsecured plywood collapsed, causing the victim to fall over 10 feet through the uncovered opening onto a cement floor. He was pronounced dead at the emergency room, having experienced severe head trauma. (Source: NIOSH’s 2007 Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation. For more on this case, see NIOSH’s full account.)

• The subfloor had not been secured and/or constructed properly. • The victim did not recognize the fall hazard or poor floor construction.

4 Ask your employees to identify ways

that accidents like this one could be prevented. • Fall protection must be provided by employer and used by employees when working at a height of 6 feet or more above the next lowest level or at any distance above a hazardous operation or exposure (i.e., uncapped rebar). • Employees must be trained to recognize fall hazards and use fall protection equipment correctly. • Employees responsible for covering skylights and floor openings must be trained to construct coverings properly.

5 Have your employees list similar floor

opening hazards that they encounter at your workplace. (Examples could be stair openings or skylights.) How can your employees prevent falls in those situations?

3 Ask your employees to name some

of the factors that contributed to the accident. • The victim did not use the personal fall arrest system provided to him by his employer.

VOCABULARY Fall – Caer [kah-YAIR] Floor opening – Abertura en el suelo [ah-bair-TOO-rah en ell SWAY-low] Guardrail system – Sistema de barandas [seese-TAY-mah day bah-RAHN-dahs] Hole – Hueco [WAY-koh] Hole cover – Cubierta protectora de huecos [koo-BEE-YAIR-tah pro-taik-TOHrah day WAY-kohs] Skylight – Claraboya [klah-rah-BOH-yah] Skylight cover - Cubierta protectora de claraboyas [koo-BEE-YAIR-tah pro-taikTOH-rah day klah-rah-BOH-yahs] Training – Capacitación [kah-pah-see-tah-SEE-OWN]

USEFUL EXPRESSIONS At a height of 6 feet or more – A una altura de seis pies o más [ah OO-nah allTOO-rah day sace PEE-yace oh mahs] Fall protection equipment – Equipo de protección contra caídas [ay-KEE-poh day pro-taik-SEE-OWN KOHN-trah kah-EE-dahs]

Unprotected edge – Borde expuesto [BOHR-day ex-PWACE-toh] Disclaimer: This information and any noted recommendations are advisory only: Chesapeake Employers' Insurance Company assumes no liability for identification or correction of conditions or hazards as the safety and health of employees remains the employer’s responsibility. Not all foreseeable hazards or conditions in need of correction, and not all possible controls to address them, may be listed. Use of all or part of this safety information does not relieve employers of their responsibility to comply with all current and applicable local, state and/or federal laws, regulations and codes. While the information herein is believed to be current as of the date published, the reader should rely upon the most current standards as laws, codes, and regulations are updated frequently. For more information on our safety services, go to www. CEIWC.com.

© 2014 Chesapeake Employers’ Insurance Co., Rev. October 2014

Photo used with permission from The Safety Rail Source

fall protection ii training 2

TRAINING

Leading Edge Work As an employer, it is your duty to provide and enforce the use of correct fall protection measures, and leading edge work is no exception. For leading edge work you may use a controlled access zone (CAZ) with a safety monitor only if conventional fall protection would expose workers to a greater hazard than would otherwise exist. In your training session: 1 Show OSHA’s 4 minute clip simulating

a fall from a leading edge (in English or Spanish).

2 Discuss the following questions after

watching the video. What factors led up to this fall? • The employer did not provide or enforce use of fall protection equipment. • The employer did not implement a controlled access zone. • The employees did not use any kind of fall protection equipment. What kinds of fall protection could be used in this situation? • Fall prevention measures such as: • a guardrail system • a controlled access zone with a safety monitor • a personal fall protection system (PFPS) such as rope grabs • Fall arrest equipment such as: • a personal fall arrest system (PFAS), preferably one that incorporates a rescue ladder • a safety net What kind of fall protection method is preferred in the video? • Conventional fall protection systems such as guardrail system, safety net system, PFAS or PFPS • Controlled access zone with a safety monitor only as a last resort

3 If you have job sites that do not allow

conventional fall protection systems, go over the following information regarding CAZ safety: • The guidelines for safe CAZ set-up (see OSHA standards) • The limitations of this fall prevention method for keeping workers safe • The rules that employees must follow when working in or around a CAZ, including who is authorized to cross the control line • The role of the safety monitor, who must be: • a competent person capable of identifying and communicating hazards • positioned on the same walking/working surface as the CAZ workers, close enough to see them and orally communicate with them • occupied solely with supervising the safety of CAZ workers

VOCABULARY Controlled access zone – Zona de acceso controlado [SO-nah day ahk-SAY-so kohn-troh-LAdoh] Fall – Caída [kah-EE-dah] Fall protection equipment – Equipo de protección contra caídas [ay-KEE-poh day pro-taik-SEE-OWN KOHN-trah kah-EE-dahs] Leading edge work – Trabajo en cornisa [trah-BAH-ho en kor-NEE-sah] Personal fall arrest system – Sistema personal de detención de caídas [seese-TAY-mah pair-so-NAHL day dayten-SEE-OWN day kah-EE-dahs] Safety monitor – Supervisor de seguridad dentro de la zona de acceso controlado [soo-pair-vee-SOHR day say-goo-reeDAHD DEN-troh day la SO-nah day ahkDisclaimer: This information and any noted recommendations are advisory only: Chesapeake Employers' Insurance Company assumes no liability for identification or correction of conditions or hazards as the safety and health of employees remains the employer’s responsibility. Not all foreseeable hazards or conditions in need of correction, and not all possible controls to address them, may be listed. Use of all or part of this safety information does not relieve employers of their responsibility to comply with all current and applicable local, state and/or federal laws, regulations and codes. While the information herein is believed to be current as of the date published, the reader should rely upon the most current standards as laws, codes, and regulations are updated frequently. For more information on our safety services, go to www.

© 2014 Chesapeake Employers’ Insurance Co., Rev. October 2014

Photo used with permission from Garlock Equipment Co.

fall protection ii training 3

TRAINING

Ready to Re-Roof? Because of the demanding, physical labor it requires at dangerous heights, re-roofing often exposes workers to greater fall risks than other roofing tasks. Prepare your employees to do the work right and to stay safe at any height. In your training session: 1 Show OSHA’s 3 minute Re-Roofing Fall Simulation clip in English or Spanish.

2 Ask your employees to identify the

hazards involved in re-roofing work. Examples may include: • Fall hazards from: • the roof edge • uncovered holes and/or skylights • ladders • roof collapse • tripping hazards in the form of roofing debris, tools, nails, etc. • Falling materials and debris that pose “struck by” hazards for ground workers

3 Explain the steps you take as a

supervisor (before beginning a job) to prevent injuries. For steps 3 and 4, review and follow OSHA's re-roofing safety recommendations, including: • Evaluating fall protection needs for the site • Providing employees with all necessary personal protective equipment • Having a competent person verify that the roof is structurally sound • Training employees to recognize hazards and use appropriate fall protection • Creating a perimeter around the roof and using slide guards to protect ground workers from falling materials

4 Ask your employees what they must

do to stay safe while re-roofing. Examples may include: • Wearing personal protective equipment provided to them for a task, including: • Hard hats when working on ground level below roof • Personal fall protection or fall arrest systems • Foot protection appropriate for demolition work • Handling and positioning materials carefully: • Hold materials to the side of the body to avoid being struck if the material drops. • Place tools in a designated area to reduce tripping hazards. • Inspecting, positioning and climbing ladders safely

VOCABULARY Fall – Caer [kah-YAIR] Hard hat – Casco [KAHS-koh] Re-roofing – Retechado [ray-tay-CHAH-doh] Roof – Techo [TAY-choh]

USEFUL EXPRESSIONS Fall protection equipment – Equipo de protección contra caídas [ay-KEE-poh day pro-taik-SEE-OWN KOHN-trah kah-EE-dahs] Good housekeeping practices: Buenas prácticas de orden y limpieza [BWAY-nahs PRAHK-tee-kahs day OR-den ee leem-PEE-AY-sah] Hole cover – Cubierta protectora de huecos [koo-BEE-AIR-tah pro-taik-TOH-rah day WAY-kohs] Structurally stable – Estructuralmente estable [ace-trook-too-RAHL-MEN-tay aceTAH-blay] Disclaimer: This information and any noted recommendations are advisory only: Chesapeake Employers' Insurance Company assumes no liability for identification or correction of conditions or hazards as the safety and health of employees remains the employer’s responsibility. Not all foreseeable hazards or conditions in need of correction, and not all possible controls to address them, may be listed. Use of all or part of this safety information does not relieve employers of their responsibility to comply with all current and applicable local, state and/or federal laws, regulations and codes. While the information herein is believed to be current as of the date published, the reader should rely upon the most current standards as laws, codes, and regulations are updated frequently. For more information on our safety services, go to www. CEIWC.com.

© 2014 Chesapeake Employers’ Insurance Co., Rev. October 2014

fall protection ii training 4

TRAINING

After a Fall OSHA requires that employers provide "prompt rescue of employees in the event of a fall or… assure that employees are able to rescue themselves." (OSHA Standard 1926.502(d)). Train your employees to perform a post-fall rescue with the following recommendations from OSHA:

In your training session: 1 Coordinate a retrieval system with your

employees, considering: • What steps the workers should take immediately after the accident (calling 911 and communicating the situation to medical/emergency personnel and co-workers) • Who will be in charge of each action • What equipment will be needed and who can operate it safely • How to stay safe while conducting a rescue • How the rescue plan will differ at each worksite Keep a written copy of your retrieval plan on site so that employees can access it. Update it constantly as your exposures change.

2 Go over the cause, symptoms and risks

of suspension trauma. • Cause: restricted blood flow resulting from suspension in a harness system • Symptoms: light-headedness, dizziness, palpitations, nausea, weakness, headache, loss of consciousness • Risks: Serious injury or death possible within 30 minutes of suspension or if victim changes position too quickly post-rescue

3 Explain how you can prevent serious

injuries or death by suspension trauma: • Ensure that harnesses fit and are worn correctly. • Encourage suspended workers to move as they are able, such as by pumping their legs and flexing muscles to increase blood flow. The risk of trauma is much higher for a person in a vertical position with his/her legs hanging straight down. • Instruct suspended workers to place their feet on a rescue ladder to alleviate the strain on the body. • Act quickly when performing a rescue. Death from suspension trauma can occur within 30 minutes. • Call 911 so that medical professionals are ready to attend the victim immediately.

4 Go over the precautions workers should

take after completing a rescue: • Ensure that the victim is given standard trauma resuscitation and first aid for additional injuries. • Do not allow the rescued worker to change quickly to a horizontal position, which can result in injury or death. • Continuously monitor the rescued worker for signs of suspension trauma or other bodily injury while waiting for medical personnel to arrive.

5 Consider having all employees sign a

safety agreement consenting to follow the fall-prevention measures covered by this series of training sessions.

VOCABULARY Rescue – Rescate [race-KAH-tay] Suspension trauma – Trauma por suspensión [TRAW-mah por soos-pen-SEE-OWN]

USEFUL EXPRESSIONS After a fall - Después de una caída [dace-PWACE day OO-nah kah-EE-dah] Can cause death in less than 30 minutes– Puede causar la muerte dentro de un lapso de treinta minutos [PWAY-day kow-SAR lah MWAIR-tay DEN-troh day oon LAP-so day TRAIN-tah mee-NOO-tohs] Change positions slowly – Cambiar de postura lentamente [kahm-BEE-AHR day pohs-TOO-rah LAIN-tah-MEN-tay] Restricted blood flow – Flujo sanguíneo restringido [FLOO-ho sahn-GWEE-nay-oh race-treen-HEE-doh] Disclaimer: This information and any noted recommendations are advisory only: Chesapeake Employers' Insurance Company assumes no liability for identification or correction of conditions or hazards as the safety and health of employees remains the employer’s responsibility. Not all foreseeable hazards or conditions in need of correction, and not all possible controls to address them, may be listed. Use of all or part of this safety information does not relieve employers of their responsibility to comply with all current and applicable local, state and/or federal laws, regulations and codes. While the information herein is believed to be current as of the date published, the reader should rely upon the most current standards as laws, codes, and regulations are updated frequently. For more information on our safety services, go to www. CEIWC.com.

© 2014 Chesapeake Employers’ Insurance Co., Rev. October 2014

fall protection ii

T

SAF

AG

RE

ING

Y TRAIN ET

EME

TRAINING

N

(Name of Company) considers the safety of its employees to be first priority. We do all in our power to reduce the risk of accidents for our employees, including providing fall protection training for employees that work at heights. Upon completion of our fall prevention training, we require all of our employees to agree to follow certain safety rules to protect themselves during potentially hazardous activities.

Please read and initial the following statements to indicate that you understand and agree.

Initial

I will use the necessary fall protection equipment provided to me by my supervisor when: • I am on any elevated, unguarded surface or roof at a height of 6 feet or more. • I am working around uncovered wall or floor openings, skylights or unprotected edges. • I am above dangerous equipment or machinery regardless of the height. I will not rest my weight or any load on a skylight or hole cover that is not intended for that purpose. When a controlled access zone has been established at a job site: • I will only cross the control line if I have been authorized to do so for a specific task. • I will obey all safety recommendations that the safety monitor gives. While working at any elevated surface (such as a roof or scaffold) I will practice good housekeeping, such as by: • staging materials as specified by my supervisor • keeping the roof or platform clear of any materials that are not being used • never throwing debris or materials to lower levels or to co-workers When working in areas below overhead work: • I will wear appropriate head protection. • I will not cross into any area that has been barricaded off by my supervisor. I, (Employee Name), understand and agree to follow the aforementioned safety rules related to fall-prevention. I understand that violating of any of these rules may affect my position here at the company, up to and including termination of employment. Name:

Date:

Signature: © 2014 Chesapeake Employers’ Insurance Co., Rev. October 2014

T

SAF

AG

RE

ING

Y TRAIN ET

EME

fall protection ii

TRAINING

N

(Nombre de la empresa) considera la seguridad de sus empleados como algo de primera importancia. Hacemos todo al nuestro alcance para disminuir el riesgo de accidentes, incluso por proporcionar capacitación en la prevención de caídas para los empleados que trabajan en alturas. Tras cumplir nuestra capacitación sobre cómo prevenir las caídas, todos los empleados tienen que firmar un acuerdo en el cual aceptan unas condiciones de mantenerse a salvo durante actividades potencialmente peligrosas. Lea y firme cada de las siguientes frases si entiende y se decide a seguirlas.

Firma

Usaré todo el equipo de protección contra caídas necesario que me provee mi supervisor cuando:

• estoy en una superficie elevada o un techo a una altura de 6 pies o más. • trabajo cerca de aberturas en la pared o en el suelo, claraboyas o bordes sin protección. • trabajo encima de maquinaría o equipo peligrosos (no importa la altura).

No apoyaré mi peso ni ninguna carga sobre una cubierta de hueco o claraboya si ése no es su propósito pretendido. Cuando hay una zona de acceso controlado en el sitio de trabajo: • Solo entraré en la zona si mi supervisor me autoriza para hacer una tarea específica. • Seguiré todas las recomendaciones que me hace el supervisor de seguridad. Cuando trabajo en cualquier superficie elevada (como el techo u otra plataforma), seguiré las normas del buen mantenimiento del sitio a través de: • el buen posicionamiento de materiales según especifica mi supervisor • el retiro de materiales que no estén en uso del área de trabajo • no tirar escombros o materiales a los niveles inferiores, incluso a los compañeros de trabajo



Cuando trabajo en áreas debajo de trabajo elevado: • Llevaré un casco apropiado. • No cruzaré ninguna barrera establecida por mi supervisor en esa zona. Yo, (Nombre de empleado) entiendo y acepto las antedichas reglas de la prevención de caídas. Entiendo que una violación de cualquiera de estas reglas podría acarrear acciones disciplinarias, incluyendo la terminación del contrato laboral. Nombre:

Fecha:

Firma: © 2014 Chesapeake Employers’ Insurance Co., Rev. October 2014