Tag: Work Safety Trends

Fall Prevention Through Design: A Case Study from ASSE

Putting safety first applies not only in day to day operations, but also in the planning stages of new projects, investments and expansions.  In 2012 ANSI/ASSE created a consensus standard to promote this mentality.  Prevention Through Design as a concept in work safety began in the 1940’s and today has gained enough momentum and regulatory support to provide several models that prove its effectiveness.  A recent article at ASSE.org charts the effectiveness of engineering safety controls in the design process while considering the defeatability of safety hazard risk.

The most effective controls include elimination, substitution and engineering solutions, each ideally suited to be planned in the design phase of new projects.  Doing so will provide safety, productivity, and cost benefits.  In fact, the cost of implementing fall prevention through design can be thousands of times less expensive than the same solution integrated post completion.  Compromised solutions are often less effective, leaving hazard risks and associated costs.

Fall Prevention Design Case Study

The ASSE article provides a case study from a petrochemical organization building a new offshore platform.  The company had experienced the challenges of implementing fall prevention after the design stage and instead chose to hire a fall protection consultant early on to assist the engineering design team.  The combined expertise resulted in fall prevention safety measures that focused on productivity and risk abatement.  The process consisted of the following steps.

  1. Kickoff Meeting with Design team
  2. Virtual Fall Hazard Risk Assessment
  3. Design Team Workshops
  4. Specification Binder for Hazard Abatements
  5. Follow-Through During Construction Process

The benefits of foreseeing and engineering fall prevention through design are long term: safety advantages, productivity gains, and ultimately lower costs.  The case study resulted in hazard risk controls addressing elevated platforms, floor openings, ladders, and stair guardrails, helping to prevent the need for PPE and optimize processes, equipment placement and usage.  Indirect long term benefits included ‘less equipment purchases, less training and fewer elements to manage.’

Innovative Access Fall Prevention Design

Contacting a consultant while engineering an offshore platform was effective for the company from the ASSE case study.  The consultant costs were compared favorably to erecting scaffolding, the cost of which would have been required to address just one of the safety risks post-completion.  Innovative Access Solutions is available to contribute similarly during the design or redesign stages at your organization.  IAS has worked with Fortune 500 companies as well as SMB businesses to design solutions that provide long term cost and productivity benefits and accomplish your safety goals.  IAS designs ladders, platforms and fall prevention equipment and has provided solutions for a range of industries.  For a brief review of our access solutions, visit us at IAScustom.com.  Or call (800) 388-6884 to schedule an appointment with our team.

OSHA National Safety Stand Down to Prevent Falls in Construction

OSHA has produced a number of resources in support of the national Fall Prevention Campaign since its inception in 2012.  Perhaps the best opportunity for businesses to show support for this important OSHA initiative will arrive in June 2014 via the National Safety Stand Down for Fall Protection.  OSHA is encouraging construction professionals nationwide to halt work activity during the week of June 2nd  for the purpose of dedicating time to educate workers about the importance fall protection safety.

Preventing Falls in Construction - National Safety Stand Down

OSHA Fall Prevention Safety Stand Down

Employers, contractors, trade associations, government affiliates, unions, and professional societies are all encouraged to participate in the nationwide Fall Prevention Safety Stand Down event.  OSHA is even providing a Certificate of Participation for employers that provide feedback to OSHA about their participation by July 15th.

Topics of discussion during your stand down event may include safety topics such as ladder safety, fall protection equipment, or scaffolds safety.  Participants are invited to discuss work hazard identification and risk management, fall prevention best practices, and company safety policies.  Stand Down for Safety will provide the opportunity to directly discuss a preventable and prevalent cause of death or injury in construction.

National Safety Stand Down Resources

In addition to the opportunity for businesses and organizations to take part in the National Safety Stand Down, OSHA will be sponsoring events nationwide and has provided free education and training resources in support of the cause.

IAS will be participating in the OSHA Fall Prevention Safety Stand Down 2014 and hope you are also excited to take part.  We encourage you to share your Stand Down stories with us and invite you to call our office at (800) 388-6884 for the opportunity to collaborate, motivate and celebrate our mutual interest in preventing falls.

OSHA Alliance and Fixed Ladders or Stairways for Fall Prevention

The OSHA Alliance Program is a cooperative effort to leverage resources related to safety initiatives, communication, and training.  OSHA Alliance includes ‘unions, consulates, trade or professional organizations, faith- and community-based organizations, businesses, and educational institutions’ that promote work safety and support OSHA’s strategic goals.  Alliance members must be committed to working closely with OSHA and establishing teams or individual workers to facilitate the cause, while maintaining and growing knowledge and a safe work environment.  In addition to internal safety benefits, Alliance members are able to maintain progressive dialogue with OSHA and other champions of work safety.  To learn more, contact your OSHA Regional Office.

OSHA Ladder Fall Prevention Campaign

One of OSHA’s ongoing strategic goals is to mitigate risks and increase knowledge regarding falls from ladders.  Fall incidents are the leading cause of deaths in construction and present a wide range of potential work hazards.  Considering the variability of material, application, and objective for ladders and stairs, it is not surprising that OSHA produces a significant amount of standards and guidelines for fall protection safety.  In addition to OSHA’s ongoing Ladder Fall Prevention Campaign, requirements and resources that support this cause are provided by specialized organizations such as ANSI and MSHA (Mining Ladder Safety).

OSHA Alliance Solution: Fixed Ladders or Stairways

The OSHA Alliance Program has produced a summary solution document as a resource for preventing falls from ladders in construction work environments.  This Construction Safety Design Solution recommends specifying fixed ladders or stairways early on to eliminate the hazards and risks associated with portable ladders and to ensure proper ladder or stairway specifications for access to upper levels.  The document also provides links to applicable OSHA regulations and ANSI standards for detailed information. Visit OSHA Alliance member Prevention through Design for more work safety resources.

Custom Fixed Ladder or Stairway Design

Innovative Access Solutions has been producing fixed ladders and stairways for construction, manufacturing, maritime, energy, and other industries for many years.

Fixed Access Staircase     Fixed Access Ladder

Information about how IAS can help support your work safety initiatives is available at IAScustom.com, or click the above images to browse our custom design gallery.

Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century

The 2014 fiscal year marks the completion of MAP 21, the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act.  The act provides funding for surface transportation programs and has been a landmark achievement for improvements in infrastructure and safety in the United States.

The Federal Highway Administration published an update to the status of MAP 21 activities in October  in preparation for the coming year.  MAP 21 is set to end in September 2014.  The following summary highlights the achievements of the program, with respect to topics relevant to highway construction, the trucking industry, and work zone safety.

  • Infrastructure
    • Program Guidance
      • National Highway Performance Program
      • Surface Transportation Program
      • Emergency Relief Program
      • Appalachian Development Highway System
      • Ferry boats
      • Territorial and Puerto Rico Highways
    • Guidance on infrastructure topics:
      • Asset management
      • National Highway System design standards
      • Construction management/general contractor contracting method
      • Buy America (including impact on utility relocations)
      • Stewardship and oversight
      • Collection of element-level bridge data
      • Interstate access justifications
    • Strategy, schedule, and outreach on performance management
    • Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking on National Tunnel Inspection Standards
    • Guidance and notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on value engineering
  • Safety
    • Guidance on safety programs and related topics:
      • Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) eligibility and reporting
      • Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP)
      • High Risk Rural Roads
      • State safety data systems
      • Penalty transfer provisions
      • Older road users
      • Railway-highway crossings
  • Freight
    • Process for development of National Freight Network
    • Guidance on freight-related topics:
      • Higher Federal share for freight projects
      • State freight advisory committees and plans
    • Guidance and best practices re: special permits in emergencies

For a complete list of MAP 21 initiatives, visit the FHWA website at http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/map21.

The Importance of Fall Protection in Construction: INFOGRAPHIC

The national initiative to improve fall protection measures has been a topic that we have touched on in various posts throughout 2013.  The statistics are eye opening: In 2012, Falls killed more than 1 construction worker every 2 days, and the trend continues to grow.  Have a look at our newest infographic to consider the need for Construction Fall Protection and get started implementing work safety policies to reduce your risk.

OSHA’s Fall Prevention Campaign: Ladders

In previous posts, we have discussed the importance of Fall Prevention and the national focus on providing training, guides, and resources in support of this fall protection safety risk management. Falls are the leading cause of death in construction and a frequent safety issue in many other industries. Even falls at minimal height can result in broken bones, lost worker time, and worker’s comp injury claims.  Nearly a third of fall fatalities in construction are falls from ladders.

Recently OSHA has produced several resources to provide guidance to safety managers with respect to ladders. Specific guidelines include:

  • Use the right ladder for the job
  • When using a ladder to access another level, secure and extend the ladder at least 3 feet above the landing point
  • Wear proper footwear
  • Place the ladder on stable and level ground
  • Ensure that the ladder is fully extended before accessing
  • Prevent passersby from walking under or near ladders while in use
  • Do not work on the top rung of the ladder
  • Maintain three points of contact at all times
  • Do not carry tools or materials while using a ladder
  • Do not lean on the ladder while working and keep your weight centered
  • Do not use ladders near accessible doorways
  • Check, maintain and safely store ladders
  • Do not use faulty ladders: bent, missing a step, or unable to be locked open

In addition, the California Department of Industrial Relations provides additional resources for specific ladder requirements, including design and construction (complete with ANSI regulations); ladder types and proper ladder selection; care, use, and maintenance; and employee training.

ANSI: Follow the Proper Guidelines

The number of variations between ladder designs, applications, and composition is nearly as unique as the people that use them.  It can be difficult to determine the applicable ANSI standard and rating that applies to each ladder at a workplace.  As an example, the ANSI category for portable metal ladders (ANSI-ASC A14.2-2007) covers a wide range of ladders, and excludes others that may seem to fit the category:

Ladder styles include ladder type step stools, portable extension, step, trestle, sectional, combination, single, platform, and articulating ladders, but excluding ladders in and on mines, the fire services, mobile equipment, hoisting equipment, work platforms, antenna communications towers, transmission towers, utility poles, and chimneys. It does not cover special-purpose ladders that do not meet the general requirements of this standard, nor does it cover ladder accessories, including, but not limited to, ladder levelers, ladder stabilizers or stand-off devices, ladder jacks, or ladder straps or hooks, that may be installed on or used in conjunction with ladders.

The importance of being informed to prevent falls from ladders and conform to trending OSHA regulations is clear.  For details about requirements for your workplace access equipment, visit the ANSI website or contact a safety professional.