Fall protection

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A video on the value of fall protection measures

Fall protection is the use of controls designed to protect personnel from falling or in the event they do fall, to stop them without causing severe injury. Typically, fall protection is implemented when working at height, but may be relevant when working near any edge, such as near a pit or hole, or performing work on a steep surface. Many of these incidents are preventable when proper precautions are taken, making fall protection training not only critical, but also required for all construction workers. Fall Protection for Construction identifies common hazards and explains important safety practices to help ensure every team member is prepared to recognize fall hazards on the job and understand how to keep themselves and others safe.

Contents

There are four generally accepted categories of fall protection: fall elimination, fall prevention, fall arrest and administrative controls. [1] According to the US Department of Labor, falls account for 8% of all work-related trauma injuries leading to death. [2] The American Society of Safety Professionals stated that falls account for 80.1% of the slips, trips, and falls fatalities category. [3] According to the World Health Organization, falls are the second leading cause of death and unintentional injuries worldwide. [4] statutes, standards and regulations in the United States pertaining to the requirements for employers to provide fall protection are administered by OSHA. [5]

Falls in the workplace

Falls from elevations were the fourth leading cause of workplace death from 1980 through 1994, with an average of 540 deaths per year accounting for 10% of all occupational fatalities. 42% of all construction workers' deaths occur from falling. [6]

Falls are a concern for oil and gas workers, many of whom must work high on a derrick. A study of falls over the period 2005–2014 found that in 86% of fatal falls studied, fall protection was required by regulation, but it was not used, was used improperly, or the equipment failed. Many of the fatalities were because, although the workers were wearing harnesses, they neglected to attach them to an anchor point. [7]

Additionally, falls are the leading cause of death among construction workers in the United States. [8] Moreover, Hispanics face a disproportionate burden of fatalities from falls, as well as small business contractors. [9] Nevertheless, falls can be preventable through trainings, correct use of personal protective equipment and the implementation of hierarchy of controls. [10]

Types of fall protection

In most work-at-height environments, multiple fall protection measures are used concurrently.

Fall elimination

Fall elimination is often the preferred way of providing fall protection. This entails finding ways of completing tasks without working at heights. Although this solution is highly recommended, job performance may have an impact on whether this route is even possible or would be affected enough for the employees. One example of elimination is to moving equipment to a lower location, this will make it easier for any employee that needs to use the equipment for repairs or maintenance without having possession of a lift or ladder. [11] The main challenge with using elimination for fall protections is figuring out what change is need for the practice, procedures, or location of the equipment that is exposed to fall hazards. [12]

Fall prevention

Fall prevention will be used when working from elevated areas are unavoidable, the most efficient way to protect employees from fall injuries or casualties is to prevent them from being able to fall from the start. There are passive and safety systems that are put in place to aid fall prevention, some examples are listed down below. Aside from having elevated locations, hazardous machinery and open holes install fall prevention equipment around and in them, OSHA also required that all workplace apply the following: [11]

Passive Fall Prevention

This is a system that is stationary, non-dynamic, and can't move, change, or adapt when it is being used. [13]

Active Fall Prevention

This system involves the worker to be active participating and either for it to function or do its job to protect the worker. [13]

Fall arrest

Fall arrest is an active form of fall protection which main purpose is to stop a person from falling and the fall impact on the ground after they had fallen. These fall arrest assist of harness, single or multiple anchor points, and a self- retracting lifeline or safety lanyard. [11]

Full Body Safety Harnesses Exemplar NYONair supplemental harness.jpg
Full Body Safety Harnesses

Administrative controls

Administrative controls are used along with other measures, but they do not physically prevent a worker from going over an edge. [15] Examples of administrative controls include placing a safety observer or warning line near an edge, or enforcing a safety policy which trains workers and requires them to adhere to other fall protection measures, or prohibiting any un-restrained worker from approaching an edge.

Future Directions in Fall Protection

The future of fall protection is being transformed using advanced technologies such as camera footages, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and geofencing. Camera-based system combined with artificial intelligence (AI) can monitor worksites in real time, identifying potential fall hazards/Unsafe acts/Unsafe conditions and notifying workers and management before any mishappening. AR and VR are revolutionizing worker training needs by offering breathtaking simulations that allow workers to practice using fall arrest equipment and get used to heights/hazardous environments safely. For Example, the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) [16] has developed a VR Fall Protection Experience based on the ANSI/ASSP Z359 Fall Protection and Arrest standard, placing trainees in realistic scenario to identify common fall hazards. [17]

Geofencing is a technology that creates virtual boundaries around the periphery of hazardous area, restricted areas and floor openings etc. and automatically triggering alerts (mails/SMS/App notifications or buzzer alarm) whenever workers approach these zones without proper protective measures (PPE detection). This proactive approach ensures that safety protocols are adhered on field in real time. Also, wearable devices equipped with IoT capabilities can recognize and monitors a worker's movements and environmental condition, providing immediate feedback and datasets to cloud in real time and alerts to prevent falls. These advancements in technologies not only enhance worker safety but also offer data-driven insights and analytics to improve workplace health safety. As these technologies continue to grow, they hold the promise of significantly reduce fall-related incidents removing unsafe conditions and eliminating unsafe acts in various industries. [18]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Personal protective equipment</span> Equipment designed to help protect an individual from hazards

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is protective clothing, helmets, goggles, or other garments or equipment designed to protect the wearer's body from injury or infection. The hazards addressed by protective equipment include physical, electrical, heat, chemical, biohazards, and airborne particulate matter. Protective equipment may be worn for job-related occupational safety and health purposes, as well as for sports and other recreational activities. Protective clothing is applied to traditional categories of clothing, and protective gear applies to items such as pads, guards, shields, or masks, and others. PPE suits can be similar in appearance to a cleanroom suit.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is a regulatory agency of the United States Department of Labor that originally had federal visitorial powers to inspect and examine workplaces. The United States Congress established the agency under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, which President Richard M. Nixon signed into law on December 29, 1970. OSHA's mission is to "assure safe and healthy working conditions for working men and women by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education, and assistance." The agency is also charged with enforcing a variety of whistleblower statutes and regulations. OSHA's workplace safety inspections have been shown to reduce injury rates and injury costs without adverse effects on employment, sales, credit ratings, or firm survival.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Occupational Safety and Health Act (United States)</span> United States labor law

The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 is a US labor law governing the federal law of occupational health and safety in the private sector and federal government in the United States. It was enacted by Congress in 1970 and was signed by President Richard Nixon on December 29, 1970. Its main goal is to ensure that employers provide employees with an environment free from recognized hazards, such as exposure to toxic chemicals, excessive noise levels, mechanical dangers, heat or cold stress, or unsanitary conditions. The Act created the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Occupational injury</span> Bodily damage resulting from working

An occupational injury is bodily damage resulting from working. The most common organs involved are the spine, hands, the head, lungs, eyes, skeleton, and skin. Occupational injuries can result from exposure to occupational hazards, such as temperature, noise, insect or animal bites, blood-borne pathogens, aerosols, hazardous chemicals, radiation, and occupational burnout.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health</span> US federal government agency

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health is the United States federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related injury and illness. NIOSH is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Despite its name, it is not part of either the National Institutes of Health nor OSHA. Its current director is John Howard.

Construction site safety is an aspect of construction-related activities concerned with protecting construction site workers and others from death, injury, disease or other health-related risks. Construction is an often hazardous, predominantly land-based activity where site workers may be exposed to various risks, some of which remain unrecognized. Site risks can include working at height, moving machinery and materials, power tools and electrical equipment, hazardous substances, plus the effects of excessive noise, dust and vibration. The leading causes of construction site fatalities are falls, electrocutions, crush injuries, and caught-between injuries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Safety harness</span> Equipment designed to protect from falling

A safety harness is a form of protective equipment designed to safeguard the user from injury or death from falling. The core item of a fall arrest system, the harness is usually fabricated from rope, braided wire cable, or synthetic webbing. It is attached securely to a stationary object directly by a locking device or indirectly via a rope, cable, or webbing and one or more locking devices. Some safety harnesses are used in combination with a shock-absorbing lanyard, which is used to regulate deceleration and thereby prevent a serious G-force injury when the end of the rope is reached.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Occupational hazard</span> Hazard experienced in the workplace

An occupational hazard is a hazard experienced in the workplace. This encompasses many types of hazards, including chemical hazards, biological hazards (biohazards), psychosocial hazards, and physical hazards. In the United States, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conduct workplace investigations and research addressing workplace health and safety hazards resulting in guidelines. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) establishes enforceable standards to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses. In the EU, a similar role is taken by EU-OSHA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roofer</span> Profession specialising in building roof construction

A roofer, roof mechanic, or roofing contractor is a tradesman who specializes in roof construction. Roofers replace, repair, and install the roofs of buildings, using a variety of materials, including shingles, single-ply, bitumen, and metal. Roofing work includes the hoisting, storage, application, and removal of roofing materials and equipment, including related insulation, sheet metal, vapor barrier work, and green technologies rooftop jobs such as vegetative roofs, rainwater harvesting systems, and photovoltaic products, such as solar shingles and solar tiles.

The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP), formerly known as American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), is a global organization of occupational safety and health (OSH) professional members who manage, supervise, research and consult on work-related OSH concerns across all industries. Society members use risk-based approaches to prevent workplace fatalities, injuries and illnesses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roof edge protection</span> Rails installed on roofs to protect construction and roofing workers

Roof edge protection is fall protection equipment most commonly used during the construction of commercial buildings or residential housing. They can be used along with timber, steel, or concrete structures. It often consists of a toe board, a main guard rail and an intermediate rail.". Roof edge protection can take the form of personal fall arrest systems (PFAS), fall restraint systems, guardrail systems, warning line systems, safety monitors, or ladders. Since construction is one of the most dangerous professions in the world, roof edge protection offers much-needed protection against falls from heights which is one of the primary causes of fatalities for workers.

North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week is an annual celebration that happens during the first full week of May. The aim of the event is to raise awareness about occupational safety, health, and the environment (OSH&E) in order to avoid workplace injuries and illnesses.

Workplace health surveillance or occupational health surveillance (U.S.) is the ongoing systematic collection, analysis, and dissemination of exposure and health data on groups of workers. The Joint ILO/WHO Committee on Occupational Health at its 12th Session in 1995 defined an occupational health surveillance system as "a system which includes a functional capacity for data collection, analysis and dissemination linked to occupational health programmes".

An occupational fatality is a death that occurs while a person is at work or performing work related tasks. Occupational fatalities are also commonly called "occupational deaths" or "work-related deaths/fatalities" and can occur in any industry or occupation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Physical hazard</span> Hazard due to a physical agent

A physical hazard is an agent, factor or circumstance that can cause harm with contact. They can be classified as type of occupational hazard or environmental hazard. Physical hazards include ergonomic hazards, radiation, heat and cold stress, vibration hazards, and noise hazards. Engineering controls are often used to mitigate physical hazards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Occupational safety and health</span> Field concerned with the safety, health and welfare of people at work

Occupational safety and health (OSH) or occupational health and safety (OHS) is a multidisciplinary field concerned with the safety, health, and welfare of people at work. OSH is related to the fields of occupational medicine and occupational hygiene and aligns with workplace health promotion initiatives. OSH also protects all the general public who may be affected by the occupational environment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Occupational hearing loss</span> Form of hearing loss

Occupational hearing loss (OHL) is hearing loss that occurs as a result of occupational hazards, such as excessive noise and ototoxic chemicals. Noise is a common workplace hazard, and recognized as the risk factor for noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus but it is not the only risk factor that can result in a work-related hearing loss. Also, noise-induced hearing loss can result from exposures that are not restricted to the occupational setting.

Engineering controls are strategies designed to protect workers from hazardous conditions by placing a barrier between the worker and the hazard or by removing a hazardous substance through air ventilation. Engineering controls involve a physical change to the workplace itself, rather than relying on workers' behavior or requiring workers to wear protective clothing.

Hazard elimination is a hazard control strategy based on completely removing a material or process causing a hazard. Elimination is the most effective of the five members of the hierarchy of hazard controls in protecting workers, and where possible should be implemented before all other control methods. Many jurisdictions require that an employer eliminate hazards if it is possible, before considering other types of hazard control.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Workplace robotics safety</span>

Workplace robotics safety is an aspect of occupational safety and health when robots are used in the workplace. This includes traditional industrial robots as well as emerging technologies such as drone aircraft and wearable robotic exoskeletons. Types of accidents include collisions, crushing, and injuries from mechanical parts. Hazard controls include physical barriers, good work practices, and proper maintenance.

References

  1. ↑ Ellis, J. Nigel (2011). Introduction to fall protection (4th ed.). American Society of Safety Engineers. p. 28. ISBN   9781885581587.
  2. ↑ Bickrest, Ed. "Fall Protection: Failure is Not an Option". EHS Today. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
  3. ↑ "Work-Related Fatalities Up Nearly Six Percent in 2022". American Society of Safety Professionals. Retrieved 2024-04-08.
  4. ↑ "Falls". www.who.int. Retrieved 2024-04-08.
  5. ↑ "Duty to have fall protection. 1926.501". Occupational Safety & Health Administration. United States Dept. of Labor. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  6. ↑ "Worker Deaths by Falls: A Summary of Surveillance Findings and Investigative Case Reports". U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health : xi. 2000. doi: 10.26616/NIOSHPUB2000116 . Retrieved 2017-05-04.
  7. ↑ Mason, Krystal L.; Retzer, Kyla D.; Hill, Ryan; Lincoln, Jennifer M. (28 April 2017). "Occupational Fatalities Resulting from Falls in the Oil and Gas Extraction Industry, United States, 2005–2014". Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 66 (16): 417–421. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm6616a2. PMC   5657637 . PMID   28448481.
  8. ↑ "Welcome to OSHA's Fall Prevention Campaign". OSHA-Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Retrieved 2023-04-14.
  9. ↑ "Construction Statistics". NIOSH Directory of Construction Resources. CDC-Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2 February 2023.
  10. ↑ "Hierarchy of Controls". NIOSH-The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). 17 January 2023.
  11. 1 2 3 4 WRSadmin (2021-01-19). "The 4 Methods of Fall Protection | Webb-Rite Safety". WRS - Fall Protection Systems and OSHA Training - Webb-Rite Safety. Retrieved 2024-04-08.
  12. ↑ "Hierarchy of Fall Protection". Gravitec Systems Inc. 2016-06-07. Retrieved 2024-04-08.
  13. 1 2 3 "Passive and Active Fall Protection Systems – Environmental Health and Safety" . Retrieved 2024-04-09.
  14. ↑ "Fall Protection Harnesses". FallProtectionPros.com, Inc. Retrieved 2024-04-09.
  15. ↑ "Fall Protection". United States Department of Labor. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
  16. ↑ "ASSP Fall Protection VR Experience | Arch Virtual VR Training and Simulation for Education and Enterprise" . Retrieved 2024-11-24.
  17. ↑ Team, Construction Safety Network (2023-09-25). "The Future of Fall Protection Technology: Navigating a Safer Tomorrow". Construction Safety Network. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
  18. ↑ "Exciting Advancements in Fall Prevention Technology". Safesite. 2020-03-26. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
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