Fall Prevention Training Program by Mark C. Radomsky Joseph P. Flick Garold Russell & Raja V. Ramani The Pennsylvania State University University Park, PA 2001

Why a Fall Prevention Training Program? Each year, about 15,000 people in the U.S. die from unintentional falls Falls are the second leading cause of unintentional-injury deaths in the workplace Over 700 U.S. workers per year were killed by falls at work between 1996 and 1999 About 300,000 fall-related lost-time injuries also occur each year Costs of pain, suffering and personal losses, lost services, production loss, and property damage are astronomical and needless

Accident Ratio Studies ????? Minor Unsafe practices/ Unsafe conditions Property Damage ?????

Fall Fatality Rates by Industry ( :8102 Fall Fatalities) IndustryRate per 100,000 Workers Percent of Fatal Falls Construction Mining Agriculture Transportation Manufacturing All other0.16 (average)23.2 Total

Program Goals Elimination/reduction of fall hazards Reduction of fall incidence rates Reduction of fall injury/severity rates

Program Objectives Enhance the understanding of fall hazards Enhance the understanding of fall prevention strategies Increase knowledge, skills, and ability to avoid fall hazards and fall-related losses

Locations of Fatal Falls ( Data: 8,102 Fall Fatalities) LocationPercent of All Industry Fall Fatalities Percent Within Construction Buildings2261 Scaffolds1370 Ladders1246 Lower Level17-- All Other Falls36-- Total100

Perception of Hazards Essential to Recognize, Avoid, and Control Them Perceive—v.t., to grasp or take in mentally, to become aware of through the senses; perception—the process of perceiving Training makes a person more proficient in perception—increasing perception by enhancing knowledge and awareness through education and training

Fall Hazards Fall to a lower level Falling to the same level Slips, trips, and falls Struck by falling objects, etc. Struck against Caught in, under, or between Clutter Environmental elements (wind, water, ice, heat, glare, fog, noise, etc.)

Falling to a Lower Level Fall Situations Common Causes Falls from elevation Falling into/onto dangerous equipment Excavations Crane work Aerial lifts Elements No personal fall protection Lack of guards No barriers No guardrails Untrained personnel Ignoring winds, ice, rain

Falling to the Same Level Fall Situations Common Causes Fall on/from stairway Holes in walking or working surfaces Housekeeping No platforms No covers, inadequate illumination Clutter

Slips, Trips, and Falls Fall Situations Environmental Elements Holes in walking or working surfaces Fall on or from stairway Common Causes Failure to remove snow, ice from walking surfaces No guardrail systems Clutter

Struck-by Fall Situations Common Causes Falling objects Falling materials Collapsing structures Failure to barricade areas beneath work taking place above ground level Inadequate or absence of toe boards Placing oneself beneath suspended loads, booms, structures, etc.

Caught in or between Situation Common Cause Man basket structure and a beam Two beams or between a beam and a structure Scissors lift mechanism Failure to inspect and maintain manlifts Placing yourself in tight locations Placing any part of your body or clothing close to moving parts Failure to maintain communication with fellow workers

Clutter on/around… stairs, walkways, staging areas/ “hotwork”, firefighting equipment, escapeways Effect/Outcome Increases the risk of STF Increases the risk of fires Blocks quick access firefighting equipment Increases evacuation time Common Causes Failure to inspect work areas Failure to remove clutter Allowing combustibles to accumulate

Environmental Elements Wind, water, ice, heat, cold, noise Common Causes Increase the slip, trip, fall hazard potential Increase the severity of the injury/loss Decrease productivity Reduce ability to communicate effectively (noise) Failure to monitor wind conditions Choosing to work in windy conditions Failing to control water accumulations Failure to remove ice, or apply salt, sand Failure to prepare for heat and high humidity Failure to prepare for cold temperature

Fall Hazard Elimination/Reduction Strategies Eliminating the hazards through engineering design/practice Installing fall protection systems Providing personal protective equipment Training personnel in hazard recognition and avoidance

Engineering Follow all applicable laws/regulations (CFR 29, 1926) Evaluate alternative equipment, alternative methods Conduct JSA/design jobs to avoid hazards Evaluate maintenance, housekeeping needs, and develop policies, procedures Develop written procedures (plans, protocols, checklists) for JSA, inspections, maintenance, communication, etc. Develop and implement training for each job/each equipment procedure

Fall Protection Systems Guardrails Safety net Personal fall arrest Warning line system and: –Guardrail –Safety net –Personal fall arrest –Safety monitoring Controlled access zone Choose the appropriate system Meet design standards Protected against damage Comply with personnel access restriction rules Enforce standards through inspection and maintenance Have written audit procedures Train workers for safe use, inspection and reporting

Personal Protective Equipment Dee-rings & snap hooks Horizontal lifelines Lanyard or lifeline Anchorage point Connecting devices Hard hat Body belt Body harness Meet all design requirements Use according to manufacturers’ directions Install under supervision, where applicable Protect against damage Standards for procurement & distribution Train personnel for safe use, inspection, reporting

Develop and Implement Training Programs Hazard Recognition Training Equipment Inspection/Use Training JSA/Task Training Training in communication/reporting procedures of the organization Use Multimedia Enhanced Training

Elements of a Good Fall Prevention Program PLAN DESIGN ORGANIZE MONITOR CONTROL

Two Key Organizational Factors Management’s Commitment to Outstanding Health and Safety Performance Must be Transparent Through its Actions Worker’s Unconditional Cooperation Through Continuous Compliance with all Known Hazard Prevention Programs and Practices