Employee Fall Protection Still Lacks Concern

Given the fact that OSHA has had Fall Protection on its Top Ten list of violations for the last 5 years, you would think that employers understand the big picture on the importance of having fall protection equipment for their employees when it is required. Whether an employee is working above 4’ or not, if they are working over dangerous equipment and machinery, fall protection should be used.

Looking at the chart below, the number of citations has decreased from 2014, however, it is still significant since employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace. If a Fall Prevention Program is not in place, implementing one will show employees that you are serious about their well-being on the job.

Implementing a Fall Prevention Program

It is better to implement a program to address workplace hazards than to stick your head in the sand and hope that no one gets injured on the job. Following are some pro-active steps to improve safety on the job.

1. Get a Free On-Site Consultation from OSHA
   
   OSHA offers free on-site consultations for small and medium-size businesses to help you identify workplace hazards. This does not count as enforcement and will not result in penalties or citations. The consultant will assess your specific needs and review their findings after a complete walk-through.|
   
2. Download Free Documentation
   
   OSHA’s Plan.Provide.Train program provides free educational materials and resources for workers and employers on Fall Protection and other work hazards.
   
3. Purchase Fall Protection Equipment
   
   OSHA’s Fall Protection Information states:
   
   All fall protection products fit into four functional categories. 1. Fall Arrest; 2. Positioning; 3. Suspension; 4. Retrieval.
   
   Fall Arrest
   
   A fall arrest system is required if any risk exists that a worker may fall from an elevated position, as a general rule, the fall arrest system should be used anytime a working height of six feet or more is reached. Working height is the distance from the walking/working surface to a grade or lower level. A fall arrest system will only come into service should a fall occur. A full-body harness with a shock-absorbing lanyard or a retractable lifeline is the only product recommended. A full-body harness distributes the forces throughout the body, and the shock-absorbing lanyard decreases the total fall arresting forces.
   
   Positioning
   
   This system holds the worker in place while keeping his/her hands free to work. Whenever the worker leans back, the system is activated. However, the personal positioning system is not specifically designed for fall arrest purposes.
   
   Suspension
   
   This equipment lowers and supports the worker while allowing a hands-free work environment, and is widely used in window washing and painting industries. This suspension system components are not designed to arrest a free fall, a backup fall arrest system should be used in conjunction with the suspension system.
   
   Retrieval
   
   Preplanning for retrieval in the event of a fall should be taken into consideration when developing a proactive fall management program.

In addition to employees wearing fall protection, there are a variety of other ways employees can be protected such as guardrails, safety nets and appropriate training. Don’t become another OSHA statistic…recognize and evaluate fall protection hazards in your workplace before it’s too late.

If you would like information on Fall Protection Equipment for your company, please call our WiscoLift Sales Representative at 800-242-3477. Remember, “Working Safe is Working Smart.”

#fallprevention #safetyfirst #wiscolift

Why Lock Out/Tag Out Training Is So Important

According to Occupational Health & Safety (Aug. 2016), Lock Out/Tag Out (LOTO) continues to be found in OSHA’s top 10 most frequently cited standards.

Employees servicing or maintaining machines or equipment may be exposed to serious physical harm or death if hazardous energy is not properly controlled. Compliance with the Lock Out/Tag Out standard prevents an estimated 120 fatalities and 50,000 injuries each year. Workers injured on the job from exposure to hazardous energy lose an average of 24 workdays for recuperation. OSHA.gov

OSHA 1910.147(a)(3)(i) states, “This section requires employers to establish a program and utilize procedures for affixing appropriate lockout devices or tagout devices to energy isolating devices, and to otherwise disable machines or equipment to prevent unexpected energization, start up or release of stored energy in order to prevent injury to employees.”

Employers are required as part of their energy-control program to train employees on the following:

• Energy-control procedures for removing the energy supply from machines and for putting appropriate lockout or tagout devices on the energy-isolating devices to prevent unexpected reenergization. When appropriate, the procedure also must address stored or potentially reaccumulated energy;
• The energy-control program, including the safe application, use, and removal of energy controls; and
• Inspect the procedures periodically (at least annually) to ensure that they are being followed and that they remain effective in preventing employee exposure to hazardous energy.

If employers use tagout devices on machinery that can be locked out, they must adopt additional measures to provide the same level of employee protection that lockout devices would provide. Within the broad boundaries of the standard, employers have the flexibility to develop programs and procedures that meet the needs of their individual workplaces and the particular types of machines being maintained or serviced.

Developing an LOTO Energy Control Program

• It is important to identify all energy sources in your facility including electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic pumps, hydraulic lines, mechanic, steam, water under pressure, gases and fluid, chemicals or coolants, gravity, and thermal.
• Once identified, they need to be tagged with detailed instructions and how to isolate the energy, check the machine and remove the lockout.
• Create a statement on how to use the procedures.
• Define specific steps to designate the safe placement, removal and transfer of Lock Out/Tag Out devices and identify who is responsible.

Employers are required to provide initial training before starting service maintenance activities.

If an outside contractor maintains your machinery, the onsite employer and contractor must inform each other of their respective Lock Out/Tag Out procedures. The onsite employer must also ensure that employees understand and comply with all requirements of their LOTO Energy Control Program.

Do you need assistance with your LOTO program? WiscoLift has a complete team of certified service technicians and electricians to tag your energy sources and provide documentation for your company. Call us at 800-242-3477 or email smartlift@wiscolift.com.

Remember, “Working Safe is Working Smart!”

#industrial #LOTO #safety #materialhandling