Page 18 - OHS, November/December 2021

TRAINING: FALL PROTECTION
Slip, trip and fall accidents remain among the most common sources of work injuries and can be highly expensive for employers from a loss of productivity, lawsuits and OSHA penalties.
should know how far the extension equipment will reach before starting their ascent. Once determined, do they know how to use that equipment properly? Are they trained, documented and approved to use that equipment? Also, are processes in place to regularly inspect that equipment prior to use?
Cut the Horseplay
It is one thing to have fun at work, but it is entirely different when it puts employees at risk. You can eliminate this threat by enforcing a zero-tolerance policy against horseplay at work. That includes no running, skipping, pushing, playing ball or roughhousing at work. What is horseplay? You will know when you see it.
Create a Safe Walk to and from the Parking Lot
A lot can happen between where employees park their cars and enter the building. Whether it’s water, ice or snow, ensure you’ve properly cleared walkways, including sanding or de-icing walkways. And educate employees on where slippery surfaces can develop. Also, take time to inspect for uneven walkways or items that might trip employees. Provide proper lighting to identify risks and illuminate workers for drivers to see.
Teach Ladder Safety
OSHA has plenty to say about ladder safety. It is a common source for inspections and injuries if left unchecked. In addition to training employees to use ladders safely, you have to constantly inspect them for safety. Ladders can become slippery if left dirty or they can wear out and break if they are not inspected for integrity. There is also the issue of training employees on how to pick the right ladder for the job.
So, as you make plans for the approaching winter, take time to refresh your training procedures and documentation to address slips, trips and falls. Just as we are encouraged to change the batteries to our home smoke detectors when daylight savings time changes, use the drop in temperatures as an at-work safety reminder to refresh training.
Holly Mockus is a Senior Product Manager at Intertek Alchemy.
18 Occupational Health & Safety | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021 www.ohsonline.com
require working surfaces to be kept clean, workroom floors dry, walking-working surfaces free of hazards and stairs to have three treads and four risers per flight.
OSHA also requires slip, trip and fall hazards to be quickly identified and addressed and for employers to conduct regular and periodic inspections and maintenance of all walking work surfaces in their workplace. Just as important, training is required to teach employees how to recognize the hazards of falling and the procedures to be followed to minimize these hazards, including the use of personal fall protection and proper ladder climbing. With that in mind, here are some of the more common areas and approaches to teach employees how to minimize slips, trips and falls.
Improve General Employee
Awareness of Their Surroundings
Every employee is guilty of occasionally zoning out at work. Whether they are daydreaming or just not paying attention, that is when they lose sight of the inherent risks around them, especially when it comes to slips, trips and falls. For example, a worker might simply ignore wet surfaces, even with signs in place indicating floors have been freshly mopped. They may also not use the handrail or take multiple steps at a time when using the stairs.
These little, unintentional mistakes can result in serious injuries and subsequent claims. You can reduce these incidents by including them in your ongoing safety training. Teach employees how to spot and help prevent risks and how to report them. Also, consider cultivating behavior-based safety to encourage employees to behave in a manner that helps reduce their risk exposure.
Teach the Proper Use
of Fall Prevention Equipment
Employees should readily have access to fall prevention equipment like harnesses, safety lines and hard hats. The real trick is getting them to use it and use it properly. Identifying the proper use is not just about how to wear the equipment but also how to properly think ahead and use it in a way that ensures protection.
For example, when trying to elevate to a certain height, they