Falling Object Protection

The OSHA fall protection rule also covers falling object protection. The rule requires your employer to take measures to protect you from falling objects.

Hard hats are the number one defense against overhead hazards including falling objects. However, hard hats are not enough. An additional method of protection must be used when there are employees working or walking below.

Falling object protection alternatives
OSHA provides a number of falling object protection methods to select from, depending on your company’s need. The choices are toeboards and screens, guardrails, canopies, signs, barricades, or simply moving objects away from the edge.

Falling object protection methods
Guardrails — When guardrails are used to prevent materials from falling from one level to another, any openings must be small enough to prevent passage of potential falling objects.

Toeboards — When toeboards are used as protection from falling objects, they must be erected along the edges of the overhead walking/working surface for a distance sufficient to protect persons working below.

To ensure a toeboard can stop falling objects, it must be capable of withstanding a force of at least 50 pounds applied in any downward or outward direction anywhere along the toeboard.

Toeboards must be a minimum of 3.5 inches tall, have no more than 0.25 inches clearance above the surface, and be solid or have openings no larger than one inch.

Where tools, equipment, or materials are piled higher than the top edge of a toeboard, panelling or screening must be erected from the walking/working surface or toeboard to the top of a guardrail’s top rail or midrail, for a distance sufficient to protect employees below.

Materials storage — To prevent tripping hazards, no materials or equipment, except masonry and mortar, can be stored within 4 feet of working edges.

Excess mortar, broken or scattered masonry units, and all other materials and debris must be kept clear of your working area. Remove these materials regularly.

During roofing work, materials and equipment cannot be stored within 6 feet of a roof edge unless guardrails are erected at the edge. Materials near a roof edge must be stable and self-supporting.

Canopies — When used as a protection from falling objects, canopies must be strong enough to prevent collapse or penetration by objects that may fall onto them.

Being hit by falling objects at construction sites is not only possible but probable at some point in your career. Being prepared is the best defense against serious injury.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency

Preventing Repetitive Motion Injury

Repetitive motion injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome result from performing a task or motion repeatedly without giving the body time to rest, recuperate and repair from the activity. These injuries may also be increased by awkward positions or postures, vibration, and using hands to pound or push on things. Other common repetitive motion injuries also include tennis elbow, bursitis of shoulder, hips, and/or knees and tendonitis.

How to apply prevention strategies:

Stretch

You need to warm up muscles before use. Doing a quick five minute exercise can prevent repetitive motion injuries. Almost any stretching regime will help.

BASIC STRETCH EXAMPLE:

Extend and stretch both wrists and fingers acutely as if they are in a hand‐stand position. Hold for a count of 5.

Straighten both wrists and relax fingers.

Make a tight fist with both hands

Then bend both fist done while maintaining the fist. Hold for 5.

Straighten both wrists and relax fingers hold for 5.

Repeat 10 times then relax arms to side and shake out fingers.

Use the right tool
- Handles should be comfortable and fit to the individual. Modifications with foam, tape or other materials can be used to improve comfort of grips. Broken or damaged grips are usually bad from an ergonomic standpoint and should be replaced.

- Keep bladed tools sharp. This will decrease resistance and muscle strain.

Watch the pace
- Mix things up. Try to avoid doing the same repetitive activity for more than 20 minutes or so. Take a break and stretch, clean up scrap, inspect work or other activity to give your muscles a change and/or rest.

- Try not to rush. Pushing speed will increase muscle strain and increase chance of other accidents. Listen to your body

- Muscle pain is a warning. Don’t ignore it.

- Change your position, stretch, modify tool handle or just take a break when your muscles start hurting. You may be preventing a serious accident.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency

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