Assignment:
Let's look at fall protection first. Falls can be from the same level or from higher levels. Falls can be caused by slips and trips from poor housekeeping and inadequate and uneven access routes. Falls from heights are a major concern for all industries, but in construction, those heights can be somewhat tricky. In the general industry, for instance, the height requirement for fall protection is 4 feet above a lower level. These would be loading dock areas or other fixed platforms. In construction, the trigger height is 6 feet above a lower level. When using scaffolding in construction, the height requirement is 10 feet above a lower level. A scaffold typically has guardrails in place before use. Just an interesting note-most companies typically use the 6-foot rule as a standard for most activities.
Subpart M is the most used reference for fall protection requirements; however, there are other subparts that call out for specific requirements or have additional information. Those subparts are listed below.
• Subpart E - Personal Protective and Lifesaving Equipment
• Subpart L - Scaffolds
• Subpart R - Steel Erection
• Subpart S - Underground Construction, Caissons, Cofferdams, and Compressed Air
• Subpart V - Electric Power Transmission and Distribution
• Subpart X - Stairways and Ladders
• Subpart AA - Confined Spaces in Construction
• Subpart CC - Cranes and Derricks in Construction
As another interesting side note, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (CalOSHA) has a different set of regulations for workers in that state, which can be reviewed in the document Safety & Health Fact Sheet: Fall Protection in Construction. Steel erection is a specialized activity and one of the most dangerous. Many of you might have seen Christmas trees or flags or other special items on the top of buildings under construction. This is a tradition in the trades known as topping out, signifying that the last beam is being put into place. It is one of the most celebrated days in a project.
Other issues to take into consideration at this point are access points, stairs, ladders, and scaffolds. As we move vertically through the project, we need access and egress for these activities.
An improperly erected scaffold can cause a collapse. It is critical that all components be inspected for wear and be put together by a trained, competent builder. Most companies use a tagging system, although not required by OSHA, to indicate that the scaffold has been inspected and is safe for use. This is one of those vertical standards that we discussed earlier, and it requires a competent person.
Stairs and ladders are often the most overlooked part of a project site. Schedules and production require almost instant access as the project progresses. Job-built stairs are often incomplete and missing handrails, or they have steps that are uneven. Ladders are used almost constantly-and not always in the proper way. Can you think of a time at home when you used a step ladder as an extension ladder? The same can happen on a jobsite and can cause serious injury or even death.
Struck-By Hazards
Struck-by hazards can be anything from a runover/backover to being hit by a stray piece of material, such as from a grinding wheel or kickback from a saw. OSHA even has a regulation for that, which can be accessed at the webpage 1926.300(b)(1).
Caught-In or Caught-Between Hazards
Caught-in caught-between hazards can be anything from a trench collapse to being pinned between equipment and an unmovable object. It can even be as simple as a pinch point, such as when you slam your finger in the car door. Under Subpart P, OSHA has specific requirements for trenching and excavations, and some steps to follow to maintain safety during the process. You will explore these things in your required reading for this unit.
Here are some things to plan for before beginning the operation:
• traffic,
• proximity and physical condition of nearby structures,
• soil classification,
• surface and ground water,
• location of the water table,
• overhead and underground utilities,
• weather,
• quantity of shoring or protective systems that may be required,
• fall protection needs,
• number of ladders that may be needed, and
• other equipment needs.
Employers can gather the information they need through jobsite studies, observations, test borings for soil type or conditions, and consultations with local officials and utility companies. This information will help employers determine the amount, kind, and cost of safety equipment they will need to perform the work safely.
QUESTION 1
As the safety manager on a construction site, you have many roles. Imagine you must approve the trenching and excavation plans for the subcontractors performing the work. Looking at Subpart P, what would be your biggest challenges, and why? Outline a plan to prevent trenching and excavation accidents for these activities. You may use the Appendices in Subpart P for guidance; however, the plans must be your own. Include at least one explanation from the standard interpretations in developing your plans in your own words.
Your response must be at least 300 words in length.
QUESTION 2
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA's) steel erection standard under Subpart R has some unique requirements. Discuss the differences between fall protection for regular construction activities and those that are required for connectors in steel erection activities. Describe the requirements of connectors under this standard, and explain why they are different from other fall protection standards. Include at least one explanation from the standard interpretations in your explanation in your own words.
Your response must be at least 300 words in length.