Falls are among the most common causes of serious work related injuries and deaths.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, in 2011, falls to a lower level accounted for 553 fatal work injuries in the United States.
Of those cases where the height of the fall was known, 57 percent involved falls of 20 feet or less. Anniston Army Depot has had significant injuries from falls off tactical vehicles that could have been prevented by using the appropriate fall protection.
Anytime employees work or walk higher than four feet above a surface, fall protection is required.
We must take measures in the workplace to prevent falls from overhead platforms, elevated work stations or into holes in floors or walls.
How to inspect your Personal Fall Arrest System:
•,Harness webbing -- check for frayed edges, broken fibers, pulled stitches, cuts, burns and chemical damage.
•,Harness D-rings -- check for cracks, breaks, and rough or sharp edges.
•,Harness buckles -- check for excessive wear, frayed or cut fibers, broken stitching.
•,Anchorages and anchorage connectors -- check for damaged threads, cuts, cracks, or frayed and broken stitching, excessive kinks or damaged steel fibers.
Please follow the below guidance from OSHA to help prevent injuries from falls:
•,Guard every floor hole into which a worker can accidentally walk by use of a railing and toeboard or a floor hole cover.
•,Provide a guardrail and toeboard around every open-sided platform, floor or runway that is 4 feet or higher off the ground or next level.
•,Regardless of height, if a worker can fall into or onto dangerous machines or equipment (such as a vat of acid or a conveyor belt), employers must provide guardrails and toeboards to prevent workers from falling and getting injured.
•,Other means of fall protection that may be required on certain jobs include safety harness and line, safety nets, stair railings and handrails.
If you have a Personal Fall Arrest System that needs to be replaced, turn it in at the Tool Crib or contact Ext. 6738. The staff there will issue a new piece of equipment.
If you have any additional questions or concerns please call the Safety Office at Ext 7541. Let's all make an effort to watch out for one another and keep safety as our core value.
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