Tag: Weekly Safety Message 48

Ladder Injury Statistics in the Workplace

Unfortunately, there are many employees injured or killed on the job when using ladders. Falls from heights are the most obvious type of injury that occurs when using ladders.

The CDC reports that each year in the U.S. more than 310 construction workers are killed and more than 10,350 are seriously injured by falls from heights.

There are limited statistics published in recent years for ladder-related injuries and fatalities across all injuries. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that between 2011 and 2016 there were 836 fatalities in the workplace involving ladders.

It is vital to take ladder safety seriously on the job to not become the next victim.

Below are seven common unsafe behaviors including choosing the wrong type of ladder, using a defective ladder, setting up the ladder improperly, not inspecting the work area, leaning when using a ladder, not using three points of contact, and using the top step of the ladder.

These behaviors can contribute to injuries occurring on the job.

Unsafe Behavior #1: Choosing the Wrong Type of Ladder

It is vital to use the right tools and equipment when completing any work tasks. Choosing the right ladder for the job is no different. There are various types of ladders and different duty ratings for commercial-grade ladders.

It is vital to choose a ladder that provides safe access to the work area that is being reached. This includes a ladder with enough height, weight rating, and proper base for the work environment.

It is also important to consider the ladder’s material when working in an environment that presents electrical hazards. A fiberglass ladder is a safer choice when completing work tasks where electrical hazards are a concern.

Click here to view the different weight ratings (duty ratings) of ladders.

Unsafe Behavior #2: Using a Defective Ladder

Like any tool, ladders can wear out or become damaged over time. A damaged or defective one should never be used. Also, it is vital that safety labels remain intact and legible on ladders so hazards and relevant information regarding the ladder are communicated to the employees prior to use.

Ladders should be inspected prior to the work task commencing. Any ladder deemed unsafe to use needs to be tagged out of service until it is properly repaired by the manufacturer. If the ladder cannot be properly repaired, it needs to be completely removed from service.

Unsafe Behavior #3: Setting Up the Ladder Improperly

Employees need to take the time to step up the ladder according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Review all safety materials prior to using the ladder.

It is vital to completely open a collapsible ladder prior to climbing it. The ladder needs to be fully locked into place to ensure stability. If the ladder cannot be fully opened to access the work area, an extension ladder probably needs to be used.

Extension ladders must be placed at the right angle to ensure they are safe to climb. Too large of an angle can lead to the ladder sliding out of place. Too small of an angle can lead to the ladder being unstable and unsafe to climb. Choosing the right size ladder is critical to ensuring the correct angle can be achieved.

Click here to check out NIOSH’s tool to ensure a safe angle is chosen when using a ladder.

Ensure the ground is solid and safe to place the ladder on prior to work commencing.

Unsafe Behavior #4: Not Inspecting the Work Area

The work area where the ladder will be used should be inspected prior to work commencing. There are many hazards that could be present that can contribute to injury. Some common hazards to be aware of include:

• Electrical hazards such as live electrical lines or electrical systems.
• Biological hazards such as animals or insects.
• Unstable ground, which can lead to the ladder tipping over or becoming unstable.
• Moving equipment or personnel that could strike the ladder, resulting in the employee on the ladder being knocked off.

Proper preplanning of work activities and inspecting the work area can identify hazards that can lead to injuries occurring when using a ladder. Safeguards should then be implemented to eliminate or mitigate these hazards.

Unsafe Behavior #5: Leaning on the Ladder

Leaning while using a ladder is a common unsafe behavior that can lead to the ladder tipping over or the employee falling from it. Employees will often choose to lean to access the area they are working at instead of getting down to move the ladder to the proper location.

Always keep the button on your pants in the middle of the ladder. If you are needing to lean over to access the work area, get down and reposition the ladder. If the work area is still difficult to access, use tools with extended handles to access the area. Use a scissor lift or aerial lift if a ladder is not the right tool for the job.

Unsafe Behavior #6: Not Using Three Points of Contact

Many ladder injuries occur when employees are climbing up or down the ladder. These incidents can be mitigated by using three points of contact while climbing. Using three points of contact means that three of an employees’ limbs are in contact with the ladder at all times when climbing.

Never carry tools up and down the ladder. This action prevents the ability to use three points of contact. Even if climbing can be achieved while holding a tool, do not do this. Holding a tool impedes the ability to fully grab the ladder as it is being climbed.

Unsafe Behavior #7: Using the Top Step

The top step is not made for employees to stand on for the majority of ladders produced. The top steps are commonly marked with warnings to not use them. Using the top step can lead to the ladder becoming unstable or the employee using it to lose their balance.

If the work area can not be accessed without using the top step, it is not the right ladder for the job. Use a taller ladder or a different piece of equipment that provides safe access to the work area.

Employees should also never use the back steps of a ladder unless it is otherwise approved to do so by the manufacturer.

Summary

Due to the widespread and common use of ladders, it can be easy to become complacent while using them. It is vital to avoid the unsafe behaviors mentioned above to prevent injuries on the job. Take all possible hazards into consideration when planning work activities that involve ladders and follow safe work practices to mitigate these hazards.

7 Unsafe Behaviors When Using Ladders on the Job

There are many ways employees can be injured on the job. Unfortunately, employees’ behaviors can contribute to injuries when they take safety shortcuts. There are many examples of when a safety shortcut contributes to severe injuries.

This post discusses why safety shortcuts are dangerous and common shortcuts that can lead to severe injuries.

Why Safety Shortcuts are Dangerous

There are many safety rules that are well-known due to the severe consequences that can result if not followed. Unfortunately, employees can become complacent due to working around common hazards and choose to take shortcuts when it comes to safety. Inexperience can also lead employees to take safety shortcuts.

There are many reasons why an employee may choose not to follow safety rules. As stated, complacency is a significant contributor to employees taking shortcuts. Other reasons include the company’s culture may promote taking these risks, an employee may feel a sense of urgency, or they may rationalize that nothing bad will happen if they take the risk.

Four Common Safety Shortcuts

Below are four common safety shortcuts that can result in severe injuries or death. The shortcuts that are discussed in this post are not wearing personal protective equipment, working at heights without safeguards in place, working on energized equipment, and being in the line of fire.

Shortcut #1: Not Wearing Personal Protective Equipment

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is the last line of defense when protecting employees from injuries, but PPE is still a vital safeguard in reducing the severity of injuries when exposed to a hazard. There are many occupations that require the use of personal protective equipment at almost all times.

For example, construction workers almost should always be wearing safety glasses, hardhats, and gloves due to the wide array of hazards they are exposed to throughout the workday. Other occupations have similar or even more stringent requirements when it comes to PPE use.

Not Wearing Safety Glasses

According to the CDC, 2,000 U.S. workers sustain a job-related eye injury that requires medical treatment. One-third of these injuries are treated in an emergency room.

Employees can prevent most eye injuries by simply wearing approved safety glasses. Safety glasses protect employees’ eyes from a variety of hazards in the workplace. All too often, employees choose not to wear their eye protection.

Not Wearing Hardhats

Hardhats are required to be worn by employees when overhead hazards are present. This requirement means there are many employees who should be wearing a hardhat every single day. Work activities such as lifting and rigging, scaffolding work, and general construction or maintenance work at elevated levels can create hazards for employees working on the ground level.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there are more than 50,000 “struck-by falling objects” recordable injuries every single year in the United States. While the elimination of hazards or engineering controls are more effective in protecting employees from dropped objects, hardhats play a critical role in reducing the severity of injury in the event that an object is dropped and strikes the head of an employee.

Not Wearing Gloves

Just like other PPE, gloves may not completely prevent an employee from suffering a hand or finger injury, but they are vital in at least reducing the severity of injury if an employee is exposed to a hazard. Common hand and finger injuries include burns, lacerations, crushes, and amputations.

Gloves should be worn in many workplaces, and if they are not, severe injuries can be sustained. The consequences of hand and finger injuries can be life-changing for the employees who experience them.

Shortcut #2: Working at Heights without Safeguards in Place

Falls to a lower level are a leading cause of death in the workplace. In fact, falls to lower levels are reported to be responsible for well over 30% of all construction industry fatalities year after year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

There are many workplaces where employees are allowed to work at heights without the proper fall prevention methods or fall protection equipment being worn, even though it is against OSHA regulations. On the other hand, there are many employers and workplaces that prohibit working at heights without the proper safeguards in place, but employees choose to put themselves in danger.

Employees will often choose to work at heights for just a few seconds or minutes because it may take more time to follow the correct safety protocol. Complacency or inexperience contributes to employees choosing to work at heights without the proper safeguards in place.

Employees should never work at heights unless there are effective fall prevention methods in place, such as a guardrail system. Employees may also safely work at heights if they wear approved fall protection equipment, such as a full-body harness and lanyard.

While it may take additional time to follow the correct safety protocols, it may make all the difference in preventing serious injury or death.

Shortcut #3: Working on Energized Equipment

Working on energized equipment is one of the most common and potentially deadly safety shortcuts an employee can take. To safely work on, service, or repair equipment, the proper safeguards must be followed.

Following lockout/tagout procedures and properly de-energizing equipment prior to work beginning is the most effective safeguard one can take when completing these work tasks. The perceived problem is that doing so takes too much time, and the actual task that needs to be completed will only take a minute.

This shortcut is also commonly made by employees who are trying to clear a jam in a machine. Instead of taking the time to follow the correct safety protocols, they choose to try to do the task while the machine is still live. This choice can lead to devasting consequences.

Shortcut #4: Being in the Line of Fire

Putting oneself in the line of fire frequently, or more simply, in harm’s way is a sure way to experience a workplace injury at some point. There are many examples of what it means to be in the line of fire. The example above of trying to clear a jam in a live machine is an example of putting oneself in harm’s way.

The hazard is there but it poses no threat to anyone unless an employee chooses to put themselves in a position where they are now exposed to the hazard.

Other common examples of being in the line of fire include:

• Walking or standing under a lifted load.
• Walking or standing in the blind spot of moving equipment.
• Entering an unprotected trench.
• Putting one’s body where pressure is being released.

In all of the examples above, the hazard is still present. The load can drop, the equipment could reverse suddenly, the trench could collapse, and pressure could be released, but an employee does not get exposed to the hazard if they are not in the line of fire.

Summary

The above common safety shortcuts are just a few of a possible many. If employees followed the proper safety protocols related to just the shortcuts above, there would be much fewer injuries and fatalities in the workplace.

The employee is not always to blame for injuries but unfortunately taking shortcuts or making unsafe decisions often contributes to injuries. It is vital to not become complacent to the hazards in the workplace and to stay vigilant to prevent injuries.

Four Safety Shortcuts That Can Result in Severe Injuries

Seven Basic General Industry Safety Rules Toolbox Talk

1. Keep work areas clean. Proper housekeeping alone can go a long way in preventing workplace injury. Injuries such as slips, trips, falls, lacerations, sprains, strains, etc. can be reduced by keeping work areas organized and clean. Basic safety rule: A clean workspace makes it a safe working environment.

2. Use the proper tool for the job. Avoid the first impulse to use whatever tool (or object) is around you to get a work task done. Using the wrong tool for the job can result in an injury or damage to the tool, which can lead to an injury in the future.

3. Always wear the proper PPE for the work task. The lack of PPE, or the use of improper PPE, leads to many injuries in the workplace. PPE is the last line of defense when protecting yourself from the hazards of your work. If you come into contact with hazardous materials while not wearing the correct PPE, the injury will be more severe than if you were wearing it.

4. Never work on live equipment. Working on energized equipment is an unsafe act that can result in serious injuries or fatalities. For your personal safety, always follow proper lock-out/tag-out procedures prior to performing any maintenance or repair work on equipment.

5. Make sure chemicals are properly labeled and stored. OSHA issues many citations regarding hazard communication every year. Improper labeling and storage can lead to injuries or property loss due to fires, corrosion, etc.

6. Communicate hazards to other personnel. Never assume that a coworker understands the hazards of a task, especially if they are new or new to the task. When work plans or conditions change, take the necessary time to inform others of the impacts the changes have on safety.

7. Stop work when needed to address hazards. Always stop work to take the time to get hazards and unsafe conditions addressed to make it safe to continue the task. Whether you need to involve other staff, such as a supervisor, or you need to take time to get the right tool for the job, always take the time to do so.

Discussion points on workplace safety rules:

1. What is the most important rule listed in this talk? Why?
2. What are other basic safety rules that need to be followed here at our worksite?

Seven Basic General Industry Safety Rules

Carbon Monoxide Safety Talk

Carbon monoxide (CO) poses a serious threat to individuals both at home and on the job. According to the CDC, each year, more than 400 Americans die from unintentional CO poisoning not linked to fires, more than 20,000 people visit the emergency room, and more than 4,000 people are hospitalized. CO poisoning is the leading cause of poisoning deaths in the US. Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless, colorless gas created when fuels (such as gasoline, wood, coal, natural gas, propane, oil, and methane) burn incompletely.

Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Shortness of breath
• Confusion
• Blurred vision
• Loss of consciousness

If you or people around you are experiencing these symptoms, it is important to get them and yourself out of the area. Being exposed to CO for an extended amount of time can cause irreversible brain damage and eventually death.

General Safety Tips

• Never burn charcoal indoors
• Never leave your car running in a garage or any poorly ventilated area
• Never heat your house with your stove- this can lead to a buildup of CO in your house
• Never use a generator inside your house.

Illness Prevention

Avoid the situations mentioned above. Have gas-burning appliances and heaters regularly inspected by a professional to ensure there are no issues with using them in the home. Install carbon monoxide alarms on each floor of a building or home. Test the alarms at least once a month and replace them according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. People who are asleep or intoxicated are very susceptible to CO poisoning, and alarms are the only chance to alert them to danger before it is too late.

Discussion point:

-Has anyone experienced a problem with a carbon monoxide leak?

Carbon Monoxide Safety