Safety Spotlight: Practical Steps for Preventing Falls on the Job

According to OSHA, falls are a common cause of serious workplace injuries or death — and they account for a large percentage of on-the-job accidents involving electrical workers.

Any fall has the potential to result in a life-altering injury, whether you’re working at height, such as on a lift, or you trip over something while walking across a floor.

That’s why it’s worth reviewing the following tips. Put them into practice and they’ll help reduce your day-to-day risk on every job.

Basic Ladder Safety

When it comes to ladder safety, always inspect before you climb. Look for cracked rails, loose rungs, damaged feet, or missing parts. If a ladder is damaged, tag and remove it.

Before you set up a ladder, take power lines into account — and keep the ladder at least 10 feet away from any power lines.

Place ladders on firm, level ground. For extension ladders, follow the 4 to 1 rule: for every 4 feet of height, keep the base 1 foot away from the wall. Tie off extension ladders at the top when possible and have someone steady the base if necessary.

Always maintain three points of contact—two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand. And never stand on the top rung. Use a tool belt or hoist materials instead of carrying items while climbing.

Climb up and down facing the ladder and avoid reaching laterally or leaning for tools or other objects. If you can’t comfortably reach what you need to reach, climb down and reposition the ladder using the 4 to 1 rule.

Good Housekeeping

Not all falls occur from heights. One of the easiest ways to minimize slips and trips is to keep your work area free from clutter, including tools, wire scraps, packaging, and debris. If a spill occurs, contain and clean it per recommended safety protocols.

You should also make sure to run extension cords overhead, against walls, or use them with a cable protector/bridge.

Other Best Practices

Always cover holes or place a guardrail system along the unprotected edges of openings. Hole covers should support at least twice the weight of you or your crew plus materials.
Make sure your workspace is adequately lit so you can see where you’re going.
Wear sturdy work boots with rubber soles and good traction and use handrails on stairs and ramps for stability.
Keep tools in good condition and inspect them before you use them. Even a mild shock from defective equipment can make you lose your grip and balance. Compromised scaffolding and sudden recoil from faulty power tools could also result in a fall.

Fall Protection Measures

While preventing falls is the goal, taking proactive steps to minimize the injury from a fall is also critical — making fall protection systems and hard hats key.

Fall Protection Systems

Fall protection equipment, including safety harnesses, lanyards, and lifelines, is paramount when working at heights. If you’re working at a height that’s at or above 6 feet, OSHA requires you wear a full-body harness that’s connected to an anchor or a series of anchor points using a lanyard.

You are also required, per OSHA, to wear a personal fall arrest system, including a full body harness, when working from a boom lift. Make sure to connect your lanyard to the manufacturer designated anchor point inside the platform. (Note: if you’re working 10-15 feet high, a self-retracting lifeline may be a better option than a standard 6-foot shock-absorbing lanyard.)

Just as important? Make sure to inspect all fall protection equipment before using it. Look for anything that might weaken the equipment, such as loose threads, pulled rivets, cracks, breaks, or other wear. If equipment is damaged or worn, don’t use it and remove it from service.

Protecting Your Head

Hitting your head because of a fall can leave you with anything from a cut scalp to a concussion or other type of traumatic brain injury. If you fall, a hard hat or modern safety (climbing style) helmet is essential for protecting your head from impact.

Both OSHA and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) outline hard hat requirements. OSHA requirements include that the hard hat must perform against impact, penetration, and shock, and must be the type and ANSI class for specific conditions. (Class E hard hats are rated for high-voltage protection.)

Like other equipment, make sure to regularly check your hard hat or safety helmet for dents, cracks, and other wear and tear. Also make sure your hard hat/helmet fits properly and wear the chin strap if it has one.

Jobsite Safety Starts with the Right Support

Having the right gear to prevent falls — or to protect yourself if a fall occurs — is crucial for reducing your risk on the job. Crescent Electric local teams are knowledgeable, experienced, and ready to help you select what you need to keep you and your workforce safe.