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803 Scaffold Safety Program Management
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Protection from Falling Objects

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are more than 42,400 workers are struck by falling objects and injured in the United States. When an employee is exposed to falling objects, the employer must ensure that each employee wears head protection. In addition, the employer must protect employees from objects that could fall from scaffold platforms, holes, openings to a lower level.

People walking under scaffolding with constrution taking place directly above them.
Engineering controls can protect pedestrians against falling objects.

Engineering controls. Lower-level or ground-level workers and pedestrians can be protected using engineering controls such as mesh, toeboards, canopy structures, floor hole covers, nets, screens, intermediate vertical members or solid panels can be used to safeguard employees and the public at lower levels.

Administrative controls. Ground-level safety can also be provided by using administrative controls such as policies prohibiting entry into the fall hazard areas, barricades and warning signs, and by the proper placement of materials, tools and equipment on scaffolding.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

4-3. Which of the following is an example of an administrative control used to protect workers and pedestrians at ground level?