Page 14 - Occupational Health & Safety, November/December 2019

FALL PROTECTION
Don’t Trip Over the Basics
Understanding the fundamentals of falls.
BY W. DAVID YATES, PIH. D
n 2017, there were 5,147 work-related fatalities in the United States, 971 of which were due to falls. Broken down further, 151 of those fatali- ties were the result of falls on the same level, and
slips and trips until they can be mitigated
■ Securing rugs, mats and carpets
■ Sweeping floors frequently
Lighting. Installing and maintaining lighting to
ensure adequate visibility is another key factor in the prevention of falls. The definition of “adequate” is very vague. OSHA has outlined specific standards for the construction industry in 1926.56—Illumination.3 The following are the required minimum standards:
■ Concrete placement, access ways, active stor- age areas, etc.: 3 foot-candles
■ First aid stations, infirmaries and offices: 30 foot-candles
■ General construction: 5 foot-candles
■ General construction plants and shops: 10 foot-candles
■ Indoors (warehouses, corridors, hallways, and exits): 5 foot-candles
■ Tunnels, shafts and general underground work areas: 5 foot-candles
A foot-candle is a unit of measurement based on the amount of light generated by a single candle one foot from the candle. Note: 1 foot-candle = 1 lumen per square foot = 10.764 lux.
Floor Friction. Floor friction is measured in terms of “coefficient of friction.” The coefficient of friction is a unitless measurement that defines the ra- tio between the force necessary to move one surface horizontally over another and the pressure between the two surfaces. The higher the coefficient, the more friction between the surfaces. OSHA does not have a defined standard for a coefficient of friction of floor- ing; however, it does have a minimum slip resistance recommendation (measured as coefficient of friction) of 0.5. This is a non-mandatory standard that has been identified in OSHA’s Letters of Interpretations.
Ladders. Ladders pose a significant threat in the home and workplace. Injuries and fatalities have oc- curred from the use of a common stepladder. OSHA outlines the requirements of a ladder safety program in 29 CFR 1910.23. Ladders include step ladders, ex- tension ladders, and fixed ladders. Ladders are classi- fied into use categories described below:
■ Special Duty: Up to 375 pounds
■ Extra Heavy Duty: Up to 300 pounds
■ Heavy Duty: Up to 250 pounds
■ Medium Duty: Up to 225 pounds
■ Light Duty: Up to 200 pounds
The load capacities are a combination weight
among the user, tools and any equipment. Labels on the side rails indicate the rating.
the remaining 820 were falls to a lower level. Falls ac- counted for 39.2 percent of work-related fatalities in the construction industry in 2018.1 OSHA requires employers to provide protection for each employee exposed to falls and falling object hazards in 29 CFR 1910.28. This article will not discuss the requirements for fall arrest systems.
General Causes of Falls
Trips. Most people have experienced a stumble or trip for no apparent reason. What they tripped over was not evident or even visible at times. Falls on the same level are generally caused when the foot or lower extremity strikes a fixed or semi-immobile object, structure or equipment, and suddenly stops. When the body is in motion and the lower extremity stops, the upper body continues the momentum and the person falls.
When a person walks, they will only pick their foot up approximately half an inch. As a result, any pro- trusion that extends vertically half an inch above the walking surface is considered a source of falls. Pro- trusions may include sidewalk cracks, rail systems in a manufacturing facility, dips in a walkway, cables or hoses in the walkway, thresholds and curled edges of floor mats. Other causes of trips can include obstruct- ed vision, clutter, holes in walking surfaces, uneven steps on ladders and stairs, and poor lighting.
Slips. Falls due to slips also represent a significant amount of injuries and fatalities. Injuries from slips include muscle strains, broken bones, and head inju- ries. Slips are caused when the friction between the walking surface and the footwear is too little.2 Com- mon causes include poor housekeeping, wet surfaces, oily surfaces, loose materials or debris on the surface, and poor friction rating on walking surfaces.
Prevention of Slips and Trips
Housekeeping. OSHA requires employers to specifi- cally maintain a housekeeping program in many of its standards, including 29 CFR 1910.28. Good house- keeping procedures include:
■ Barricading areas where the potential of slips and trips can occur
■ Cleaning up spills immediately
■ Covering or hanging cables and hoses
■ Posting signage to warn others of potential
14 Occupational Health & Safety | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019
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