PREVENTION OF FALL FATALITIES PREVENTION OF FALL FATALITIES AND AND

INJURIES IN CONSTRUCTIONINJURIES IN CONSTRUCTION

INSERT SPEAKER NAME, TITLE, AND

ORGANIZATION INFORMATION

OverviewOverview

OSHA Alliance ProgramOSHA Alliance Program

OSHA Alliance Program Construction RoundtableOSHA Alliance Program Construction Roundtable

U.S. Construction Accident and Fall Statistics U.S. Construction Accident and Fall Statistics

Safe PracticesSafe Practices

ResourcesResources

Summary Summary

*Through the OSHA Alliance Program, this presentation was developed by members of the Alliance Program Construction Roundtable for informational purposes only. It does not necessarily reflect the official views of OSHA or the U.S. Department of Labor . (September 2008)

Alliance ProgramAlliance Program

OSHA and the participating organizations OSHA and the participating organizations define, implement, and meet a set of define, implement, and meet a set of short- and long-term goals that fall short- and long-term goals that fall into three categories: into three categories:• Training and educationTraining and education• Outreach and communicationOutreach and communication• Promoting the national dialogue Promoting the national dialogue

on safety and health on safety and health

Sharing technical expertise, Sharing technical expertise, developing and disseminating developing and disseminating compliance assistance products compliance assistance products with participants with participants

Provides OSHA access to millions Provides OSHA access to millions of employers and employeesof employers and employees

John R. Miller, President, SIA.; Edwin G. Foulke, Jr., Assistant Secretary, USDOL-OSHA; and

Richard J. Marshall, then-Executive Vice President, SIA; sign a national Alliance

agreement on February 25, 2008

OSHA Alliance Program OSHA Alliance Program Construction RoundtableConstruction Roundtable

Purpose of Alliance RoundtablePurpose of Alliance Roundtable

Success of Alliance Program Construction Success of Alliance Program Construction Roundtable: Roundtable:

Fall Protection WorkgroupFall Protection Workgroup

Design for Safety (DfS) WorkgroupDesign for Safety (DfS) Workgroup

PresentationsPresentations

OSHA Alliance Program Construction OSHA Alliance Program Construction Roundtable: MembersRoundtable: Members

American Industrial Hygiene AssociationAmerican Industrial Hygiene Association American Society of Safety EngineersAmerican Society of Safety Engineers Concrete Sawing and Drilling Association Concrete Sawing and Drilling Association Construction Institute-American Society of Civil Engineers Construction Institute-American Society of Civil Engineers Independent Electrical Contractors Independent Electrical Contractors Laborers’ Health and Safety Fund of North AmericaLaborers’ Health and Safety Fund of North America National Association of Home Builders National Association of Home Builders National Institute for Occupational Safety and HealthNational Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Sealant Waterproofing and Restoration Institute Sealant Waterproofing and Restoration Institute National Safety Council National Safety Council Sealant Waterproofing and Restoration Institute Sealant Waterproofing and Restoration Institute Washington Division of URS Corporation Washington Division of URS Corporation

Alliance Program Construction Alliance Program Construction Roundtable ProductsRoundtable Products

Design for Safety WorkgroupDesign for Safety Workgroup Design for Construction Safety Web site Design for Construction Safety Web site

““Introduction to Designing for Introduction to Designing for

Construction Safety” presentationConstruction Safety” presentation Design for Construction Safety Design for Construction Safety

2 – 4 Hour Course2 – 4 Hour Course Washington Division of URS Washington Division of URS

Case Study, Case Study, "Washington Group "Washington Group International Designs and Builds a International Designs and Builds a Mixed-Waste Treatment Facility." Mixed-Waste Treatment Facility." February 2007February 2007

Fall Protection WorkgroupFall Protection Workgroup Safety Tips SheetsSafety Tips Sheets ““Fall Protection” presentationFall Protection” presentation Toolbox Talks Toolbox Talks

Picture of Toolbox Talks: Ladder Safety

Screen Capture of Design for Construction Safety Web site

Design for Construction Safety Web Site Design for Construction Safety Web Site

Screen Capture of OSHA’s Alliance Program Construction Roundtable Web Page

Alliance Program Construction RoundtableAlliance Program Construction Roundtable

U.S. Construction Accident StatisticsU.S. Construction Accident Statistics11

Nearly 200,000 serious injuries and 1,226 deaths each Nearly 200,000 serious injuries and 1,226 deaths each yearyear

5.5% of workforce but 21.5% of fatalities5.5% of workforce but 21.5% of fatalities

Construction has one of the highest fatality rates of any Construction has one of the highest fatality rates of any industry sectorindustry sector

SIGNIFICANCE: NEARLY 100 DEATHS PER MONTHSIGNIFICANCE: NEARLY 100 DEATHS PER MONTH

11 Bureau of Labor Statistics-2006 Bureau of Labor Statistics-2006

U.S. Construction Fall Fatality StatisticsU.S. Construction Fall Fatality Statistics11

Total FallsTotal Falls 433433 From roof edge 74From roof edge 74 From scaffold, staging 70From scaffold, staging 70 From ladders 68From ladders 68 To lower level 48To lower level 48 Through floor opening, floor surface, Through floor opening, floor surface, ground to lower level 31ground to lower level 31 From structural steel 24From structural steel 24 Through skylight 23Through skylight 23 From non-moving vehicle 22From non-moving vehicle 22 Through roof surface, roof opening 20Through roof surface, roof opening 20

11Bureau of Labor Statistics-2006Bureau of Labor Statistics-2006

Good body reactiontime= 0.5 seconds

Travel distance in 0.5 seconds = 4 feet

In 1 second your body will fall 16 feet

Fall Speed vs. Reaction TimeFall Speed vs. Reaction Time

By the time you react your body will be 4 feet below where you were standing

When Do You Need Fall Protection?When Do You Need Fall Protection?

OSHA’s Regulation 29 CFR 1926.501 (b) under Subpart M OSHA’s Regulation 29 CFR 1926.501 (b) under Subpart M requires fall protection wherever the potential to fall six feet requires fall protection wherever the potential to fall six feet or more exists. or more exists.

Fall protection is required when you are: Fall protection is required when you are:

• Near an unprotected roof edge; Near an unprotected roof edge; • Working in a unguarded mezzanine and balcony edges; Working in a unguarded mezzanine and balcony edges;

When Do You Need Fall Protection?When Do You Need Fall Protection?

Fall protection is also required in the followingFall protection is also required in the followinglocations: locations:

• Working off aerial lift; Working off aerial lift; • Unguarded scaffolding 10 feet or higherUnguarded scaffolding 10 feet or higher

Reducing Fall Fatalities and InjuriesReducing Fall Fatalities and Injuries

Design ProfessionalsDesign Professionals – Design Professionals’ need to – Design Professionals’ need to be cognizant to design with health and safety in mind. be cognizant to design with health and safety in mind. Design permanent building features so that fall Design permanent building features so that fall protection is not needed. This eliminates the chance of protection is not needed. This eliminates the chance of an accident if fall protection is not provided, provided but an accident if fall protection is not provided, provided but not used, or not used properlynot used, or not used properly

ContractorsContractors – It is the contractor’s responsibility to – It is the contractor’s responsibility to enforce compliance with safety practices with regard to enforce compliance with safety practices with regard to ladders, scaffolds, and instances where fall protection is ladders, scaffolds, and instances where fall protection is necessarynecessary

WorkersWorkers – It is the worker’s responsibility to apply the – It is the worker’s responsibility to apply the safety practices with regard to ladders, scaffolds, and safety practices with regard to ladders, scaffolds, and instances where fall protection is necessaryinstances where fall protection is necessary

Types of Fall Prevention and Types of Fall Prevention and Protection SystemsProtection Systems

Passive SystemsPassive Systems prevent falls by placing a prevent falls by placing a physical barrier between the worker and the physical barrier between the worker and the hazard (e.g. guardrails).hazard (e.g. guardrails).

Active SystemsActive Systems protect workers by limiting the protect workers by limiting the fall to a specified distance and also limit the fall to a specified distance and also limit the amount of force the worker is subjected to in the amount of force the worker is subjected to in the event of a fall (e.g. personal fall arrest systems).event of a fall (e.g. personal fall arrest systems).

A Personal Fall-Arrest System A Personal Fall-Arrest System is a system used to arrest an is a system used to arrest an employee in a fall from a employee in a fall from a working level. working level.

Any person ordered to work Any person ordered to work with at height who has an with at height who has an increase risk of falling off of increase risk of falling off of structures/buildings should structures/buildings should wear a personal fall arrest wear a personal fall arrest system. system.

Personal Fall-Arrest SystemsPersonal Fall-Arrest Systems

Personal Fall-Arrest SystemsPersonal Fall-Arrest Systems

Personal Fall-Arrest Systems, when Personal Fall-Arrest Systems, when

stopping a fall shall be rigged such thatstopping a fall shall be rigged such that

a worker can neither free fall more thana worker can neither free fall more than

six feet, nor contact any lower level. six feet, nor contact any lower level.

Must have a minimum breaking strength Must have a minimum breaking strength of 5,000 pounds.of 5,000 pounds.

Personal Fall-Arrest SystemsPersonal Fall-Arrest Systems

A personal fall-arrest system shall consist of the following:A personal fall-arrest system shall consist of the following:

Anchorage points, Full body harness, Shock Absorbing Lanyard, Anchorage points, Full body harness, Shock Absorbing Lanyard, Lifeline, Rope-grabs, Connectors Lifeline, Rope-grabs, Connectors

All components of the fall arrest system shall be fully compatible.All components of the fall arrest system shall be fully compatible.

Full Body HarnessFull Body Harness

Must be the right size for you.Must be the right size for you.

The attachment point of a body The attachment point of a body harness shall be located on the:harness shall be located on the:

Rear D-ring between shoulders when working from a Rear D-ring between shoulders when working from a suspended scaffold or an aerial lift Front D-ring when suspended scaffold or an aerial lift Front D-ring when working from a bosun’s chair.working from a bosun’s chair.

Harness Harness mustmust be adjusted snugly starting be adjusted snugly starting with leg straps, then waist, shoulders and with leg straps, then waist, shoulders and chest.chest.

LanyardsLanyards

Used to connect a body harness Used to connect a body harness to a lifeline, rope-grab, orto a lifeline, rope-grab, or anchorage point.anchorage point.

Shall be the appropriate length:Shall be the appropriate length:◦ Bosun’s chair – 2 feet or lessBosun’s chair – 2 feet or less◦ Suspended scaffold – 3 to 4 feetSuspended scaffold – 3 to 4 feet◦ Aerial lift – 4 to 6 feetAerial lift – 4 to 6 feet

Attach to:Attach to:◦ Rear D-ring on harness between shoulders Rear D-ring on harness between shoulders when working on suspended scaffolds andwhen working on suspended scaffolds and aerial lifts.aerial lifts.◦ Front D-ring when working from a bosun’s chair.Front D-ring when working from a bosun’s chair.

Be protected against being cut or abraded.Be protected against being cut or abraded.

Lifelines Lifelines

Vertical - connected to an anchorage at one end to hang Vertical - connected to an anchorage at one end to hang vertically.vertically.

Horizontal - connected to anchorages at both ends to Horizontal - connected to anchorages at both ends to stretch horizontally.stretch horizontally.

LifelinesLifelines

Are used as a means of connecting other components of Are used as a means of connecting other components of a Personal Fall-Arrest System.a Personal Fall-Arrest System.

Shall be protected from contact with any surface that Shall be protected from contact with any surface that may abrade, weaken, damage or sever it.may abrade, weaken, damage or sever it.

Shall be removed from service as recommended by the Shall be removed from service as recommended by the manufacturer.manufacturer.

Falls From Roof EdgeFalls From Roof Edge

Falls From Roof Edge-Specify ParapetsFalls From Roof Edge-Specify Parapets

IBC paragraph 704.11.1 IBC paragraph 704.11.1 requires that a parapet wall be requires that a parapet wall be at least 30 inches highat least 30 inches high

OSHA 1926 Subpart M requires OSHA 1926 Subpart M requires a 39-45 inch guardrail or other a 39-45 inch guardrail or other fall protectionfall protection

If the design professional If the design professional specifies a 39-45 inch high specifies a 39-45 inch high parapet wall, fall protection parapet wall, fall protection would not be required would not be required

Falls From Roof EdgeFalls From Roof Edge

Other features that Design Professionals should consider:

Locate mechanical equipment away from the roof edge or on the ground

Design Permanent Anchorage PointsDesign Permanent Anchorage Points

Design Professionals can design fixed anchorage points so that workers will have a convenient, safe point to tie off when personal fall arrest systems are needed.

Design of Anchorage PointsDesign of Anchorage Points

An An anchorageanchorage is a secure point of attachment for is a secure point of attachment for lifelines lanyards or deceleration devices;lifelines lanyards or deceleration devices;

Must be independent of any anchorage being used for Must be independent of any anchorage being used for equipment tiebacks;equipment tiebacks;

Must be independent of the means of Must be independent of the means of supporting or suspending the worker; supporting or suspending the worker;

Must be capable of supporting at Must be capable of supporting at least 5,000 pounds per worker;least 5,000 pounds per worker;

Sound anchorages include certifiedSound anchorages include certified roof anchors as well as structural roof anchors as well as structural members.members.

Design Permanent Anchorage Points: Design Permanent Anchorage Points: Residential Fall ProtectionResidential Fall Protection

Falls From Scaffolds/StagingFalls From Scaffolds/Staging

Falls From Scaffolds/StagingFalls From Scaffolds/Staging

Scaffolds shall be fully Scaffolds shall be fully plankedplanked

Scaffolds shall have Scaffolds shall have guardrails or personal fall guardrails or personal fall arrest systemsarrest systems

Scaffolds shall have a safe Scaffolds shall have a safe means of accessmeans of access

Falls From Aerial Lifting DevicesFalls From Aerial Lifting Devices

Falls From LaddersFalls From Ladders

Falls From Ladders-Specify Fixed Falls From Ladders-Specify Fixed Ladders or StairwaysLadders or Stairways

Specify fixed ladders or stairways whenever possible

Falls From LaddersFalls From Ladders

Position portable ladders to the side Position portable ladders to the side rails to extend at least 3 feet above rails to extend at least 3 feet above the landingthe landing

Secure side rails at top or use a Secure side rails at top or use a grab device when 3 foot extension grab device when 3 foot extension is not possibleis not possible

Use “3-point” contact ruleUse “3-point” contact rule Position base of ladder one foot Position base of ladder one foot

away from wall for every four feet of away from wall for every four feet of ladder lengthladder length

Falls From HeightFalls From Height

OSHA Office of Training & Education20

If you work on roofs and can fall more than 6 feet, you must be protected

Roofs

Falls From Height-Specify 39-45 Falls From Height-Specify 39-45 Inch High Window SillsInch High Window Sills

Falls From Height-Specify Pre-Fabrication Falls From Height-Specify Pre-Fabrication Building ComponentsBuilding Components

Steel Stairs

Concrete Wall Panels

Concrete Segmented Bridge

Falls From Height-Specify Falls From Height-Specify Pre-Fabricated SteelworkPre-Fabricated Steelwork11

1 www.safetyindesign.org 1 www.safetyindesign.org

Falls From Height-Specify Falls From Height-Specify Pre-Fabricated Service RisersPre-Fabricated Service Risers11

11 www.safetyindesign.org www.safetyindesign.org

Falls from Floor OpeningsFalls from Floor Openings

OSHA Office of Training & Education17

• Cover completely and securely• If no cover, can guard with a guardrail

Floor Holes

ImproperlyCovered

Falls From Floor Openings-GuardrailsFalls From Floor Openings-Guardrails

Perimeter guarding shall consist of a mid-rail, top rail, toe-Perimeter guarding shall consist of a mid-rail, top rail, toe-board system. The top edge height of the rail shall be board system. The top edge height of the rail shall be

42+/-3 inches and the mid-rail should be between the top 42+/-3 inches and the mid-rail should be between the top and the walking/working level. and the walking/working level.

Falls From Floor Openings-Specify Falls From Floor Openings-Specify Cast-in Sockets For RailingsCast-in Sockets For Railings11

11 www.safetyindesign.org www.safetyindesign.org

Falls From Floor OpeningsFalls From Floor Openings

Contractor can:Contractor can:

Install temporary guardrails for temporary Install temporary guardrails for temporary floor openingsfloor openings

Install a cover for temporary floor Install a cover for temporary floor openings and holesopenings and holes

Falls From Structural SteelFalls From Structural Steel

Falls From Structural SteelFalls From Structural Steel

Avoid hanging connections; Avoid hanging connections; design to bear on columns design to bear on columns instead using safety seatsinstead using safety seats

Require holes in columns for tie Require holes in columns for tie lines 21” and 42” above each lines 21” and 42” above each floor slabfloor slab

Specify shop welded connections Specify shop welded connections instead of bolts or field welds to instead of bolts or field welds to avoid dangerous positions during avoid dangerous positions during erectionerection

Consider approximate Consider approximate dimensions of connection tools to dimensions of connection tools to prevent pinches or awkward prevent pinches or awkward assembliesassembliesNational Institute of Steel Detailing and Steel Erectors National Institute of Steel Detailing and Steel Erectors

Association of America. Association of America. Detailing Guide for the Detailing Guide for the Enhancement of Erection Safety. Enhancement of Erection Safety. 20012001

Falls Through SkylightsFalls Through Skylights

OSHA Office of Training & Education16

• Holes more than 6 feet high must be protected• This opening could be made safe by using a

guardrail, or strong cover

Sky Lights and Other Openings

Falls Through Skylights-Specify GuardsFalls Through Skylights-Specify Guards

Falls Through Roof Surface/Roof OpeningFalls Through Roof Surface/Roof Opening

Provide Dedicated Walkways to Access Provide Dedicated Walkways to Access Equipment on RoofEquipment on Roof

Design roof structure so that it can carry Design roof structure so that it can carry stacks of roofing materialsstacks of roofing materials

Highlight hazardous and “no-walk” areas with Highlight hazardous and “no-walk” areas with red highlighting paint or other visual red highlighting paint or other visual warnings.warnings.

Falls From Non-Moving VehiclesFalls From Non-Moving Vehicles

Falls From Non-Moving Vehicles-Falls From Non-Moving Vehicles-Trailer Access PlatformTrailer Access Platform

1 www.safetyindesign.org 1 www.safetyindesign.org

Fall Prevention ResourcesFall Prevention Resources

OSHAOSHA Alliance Program Construction Roundtable Web PageAlliance Program Construction Roundtable Web Page http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/alliances/roundtables/roundtablesconstruction.htmlhttp://www.osha.gov/dcsp/alliances/roundtables/roundtablesconstruction.html

Fall Protection Safety and Health Topics PageFall Protection Safety and Health Topics Page http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/fallprotection/index.htmlhttp://www.osha.gov/SLTC/fallprotection/index.html

OSHA’s Construction Pocket Guide OSHA’s Construction Pocket Guide http://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3252/3252.html http://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3252/3252.html

OtherOther Design for Construction Safety Web SiteDesign for Construction Safety Web Site http://www.designforconstructionsafety.orghttp://www.designforconstructionsafety.org NIOSH Prevention Through Design Web PageNIOSH Prevention Through Design Web Page http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/PTDhttp://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/PTD

Safety in Design Safety in Design www.safetyindesign.orgwww.safetyindesign.org

Picture of OSHA's Construction Pocket Guide