A floor can become dangerous to walk on when coated with a slippery substance such as water, grease, oil, process wastes, and everyday dirt. Simple litter like scraps of paper, cardboard or discarded packing material can also cause slips. Trips can be caused by objects that get in front of your feet unexpectedly, like pallets left on the floor, extension cords stretched across a walkway, and building materials scattered around a construction site. Good housekeeping can help to avoid trips and falls. An orderly workplace with clean walking and working surfaces creates a safer environment for everyone.
Some hazards, such as ditches, open pits, tanks, vats, and other equipment, cannot be cleaned up or put away. These should be covered or surrounded by a railing. Guarding, which is the process of using actual physical barriers to reduce the risk of a slip, trip, or fall, is another effective way to keep you and your coworkers safe.
When installing large equipment, storing heavy materials, or driving a loaded forklift across a floor, it is crucial to know its load-bearing capacity or “load rating limit.” In areas where floor-stressing activities take place, the load rating limit should be clearly marked and posted conspicuously. Aisles and passageways must be clearly marked to indicate where it’s safe to walk. Marking these areas also indicates where there should be no clutter or other obstacles, making it easier to ensure that things that “don’t belong” are cleaned up or moved out.
Guarding large openings with a “standard” railing can help to keep people safe. This consists of a top rail 42 inches high, with a midrail half that height and vertical uprights to support them. Tools and materials can also fall through holes or other openings and injure people below. Falling objects that land in machinery or on energized equipment can also become secondary hazards. “Toe boards” should be added to railings wherever falling objects could be a problem. These four-inch tall barriers along the floor guard the edges of openings, so that tools and materials can’t go “overboard.”
Openings in walls can pose just as great a hazard as those in floors. In fact, OSHA requires that wall openings which are big enough for someone to fall through and drop more than four feet must have barriers installed across them. “Catwalks” and other open-sided platforms are another potential fall hazard. Regulations require standard railings to be installed whenever platforms and catwalks are four feet or more off the ground. To protect people or equipment beneath these platforms, toe boards must also be installed. Regardless of their height, all platforms must be fully guarded when they are above or next to dangerous equipment.
Slipping, tripping and falling down or off of stairs is always a serious problem, especially in the workplace where there may be hazardous equipment operating nearby. Ninety percent of stairway falls result from the unsafe behavior of the people who use them. Risers and tread depths must be uniform to minimize the risk of a slip, trip or fall. Handrails must be fastened to a wall, or stairway rails supported by uprights to help people keep their balance. To be effective, these railings must be 30 to 34 inches above the surface of the stair tread and must also have at least 3 inches of clearance around them, so you can get a good grip.
Heavy-duty permanent stairways have their own unique safety requirements. These types of stairways are typically used by workers in spaces where heavy machinery is installed or in other “heavy-duty” environments. To ensure the safety of those using them, they have to be able to carry at least five times their expected load, with a minimum of 1,000 pounds.
It’s important to note that metal stairs can bend if they can’t carry the weight of the load, which can create a dangerous situation that can cause falls. Therefore, workers need to be aware of the weight they are carrying and the load-bearing capacity of the stairway they are using.
Stairs with damaged treads need to be fixed before they cause any problems. If you notice stairs that have been damaged, inform your supervisor so that repairs can be made before there is an accident.
Fixed ladders are permanently attached to equipment, buildings, or other structures and have special safety requirements of their own. Fixed ladders that are more than 20 feet in length are required to be guarded by “wells” or “cages”.
To really be safe on fixed ladders, a climber should use a form of personal fall protection called a “ladder safety device.” These devices typically consist of a body harness linked to a ladder-mounted braking mechanism or a self-retracting lifeline. Workers who are required to climb fixed ladders need to know how to inspect and maintain their fall protection, as well as how to put it on correctly and use it safely.
When a stairway or fixed ladder is not accessible, a portable ladder can get the worker where they need to go. Workers need to inspect a portable ladder before use to ensure that it is in good condition. They should look it over thoroughly for defects, such as sharp edges or splinters. They also need to ensure that there are no broken, loose, or missing steps, rungs, cleats, or other components. Additionally, they should check that the feet are in good shape so that the ladder won’t slip. If a ladder fails inspection, it should be taken out of service and marked or tagged with “Dangerous, Do Not Use.”
Setting up a ladder safely is just as important as inspecting it. First, workers need to ensure that both ends are firmly positioned. The feet should be level, and if the ground is uneven, boards or a ladder jack should be used to even out the ladder’s base.
Power lines or energized equipment can be very dangerous when using a ladder. If workers are working near these hazards, they should use a ladder made of fiberglass or wood to reduce the risk of an electric shock. They should never use a metal ladder around electricity.
Traffic around the ladder can also be an issue. A ladder that’s set up in a busy area is in danger of being run into and knocked over by passing people or equipment. To prevent this, warning cones, caution tape, or other barriers can be put up to keep people clear.
It’s important never to set up a ladder in front of a door that opens outward, unless that door is locked, blocked, or guarded. Workers cannot always measure to find the most stable angle for a ladder, but they can get into the right “ballpark” by using the “four-to-one” ratio. For every four feet of vertical height, the bottom of the ladder should be one foot “out” from whatever it’s leaning against.
If workers are setting up a ladder to climb up to a roof, they should make sure that the top of the ladder extends at least 3 feet above the roof’s edge. This gives them something to hold onto so that they don’t lose their balance as they get on and off.
Workers should never use a ladder in a way that wasn’t intended. This includes using it horizontally or as a work platform. Scaffolding is designed to provide a safer and more stable work platform, especially when working at heights. However, using a scaffold can also be dangerous if not used properly. Workers should be extra cautious and follow all safety guidelines when using scaffolding to prevent accidents.
Scaffolds can be of different types, such as mobile or fixed, and can be constructed from various materials such as metal or wood. When working on scaffolds, it is crucial to ensure they are in good condition and appropriately erected. Workers must also use the right safety equipment when working on scaffolding.
Fall protection is critical when working on scaffolding. A worker can fall from a scaffold if they lose their balance, slip, or trip. The use of guardrails, harnesses, and safety nets are some of the ways workers can protect themselves when working on scaffolds.
Guardrails are used to prevent workers from falling from a scaffold. The rails should be positioned around the open sides of the scaffold, and toe-boards should be installed to prevent materials from falling off the scaffold. Workers must also make sure to inspect the guardrails to ensure they are sturdy and secure.
Harnesses are another form of fall protection that can be used when working on scaffolds. Workers should be trained on how to wear the harnesses correctly, how to connect to the scaffold or lifeline, and how to use them safely. Workers should also inspect their harnesses regularly to ensure they are in good condition.
Falls from elevated surfaces can result in severe injuries, disabilities, or fatalities. Therefore, it is crucial to follow all safety guidelines when working at heights, including walking and working surfaces. Workers should be aware of potential hazards, be trained on the correct use of fall protection, and follow all safety procedures to ensure their safety and that of their coworkers. Good housekeeping practices, proper use of ladders, and correctly constructed and maintained scaffolding are some of the ways workers can prevent slips, trips, and falls.
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