Fall Protection on Scaffolds
According to OSHA, falls are among the most common causes of serious work related injuries and deaths in the construction industry.
Fixed Scaffolds - Hazards
Employers should set up the work place to prevent employees from falling off of overhead platforms, elevated work stations or into holes in the floor and walls.
Fall protection is more than the equipment you use. Fall protection is what you do to eliminate fall hazards, to prevent falls, and to ensure workers who do fall, don't die. To do that:
- ensure everyone has a role to play in preventing falls;
- identify and evaluate fall hazards;
- eliminate fall hazards, if possible;
- train workers to recognize fall hazards;
- use appropriate systems and methods to prevent falls and to protect workers if they do fall;
- inspect and maintain fall-protection equipment before and after using it; and
- become familiar with the employer's fall protection program.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Workers on scaffolds should wear hard hats when falling objects are a hazard, which is the case in most scaffold work. Unless company policy otherwise directs, there is no requirement to wear a hard hat if there is no hazard from falling objects.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
4-1. When should fall protection equipment be inspected?
You forgot to answer the question!