2009 face conference mi chester
DESCRIPTION
TRANSCRIPT
Michigan's Focus on Fatal Falls: Factors, Fixes, and Follow-up
Debra Chester, MSMSU
Department of Medicine
MIFACE Investigation 06MI117
63 years oldInstalling siding on dormerUsed two 2-inch screws instead of 16d nails in roof bracketsNorth bracket failed or fell from ladder9-foot fall from roof edgeDied 2 weeks later
Factors
Inadequate knowledge– Did not use correct roof brackets– Did not anchor appropriately– Did not follow “best safe work practice”
No fall protectionNo employee training– Scaffold (bracket spacing > 8 ft, 2x6 inch planks
on side)– Ladder (ladder not used properly)
No Safety Program
Work-Related Fatal Falls in Michigan, 2001-2006
Overview– 2001 to 2006: 875 work-
related deaths– 125 (14.3%) of 875 work-
related deaths attributable to falls
– 75 (60%) of 125 work- related fatal falls occurred in Construction (NAICS 23)
Number of Fatal Falls in Michigan, 2001-2006
11111223344
88
1175
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Health Care/Social AssistPublic Administration
MiningFinance/Insurance
Prof/Scient/Tech ServicesAccomm/Food Service
Wholesale TradeAdmin/Support/Waste
Educational ServicesRetail Trade
Arts/Enterainment/RecreationTransportation/Warehousing
AgricultureManufacturing
Construction
Age at Time of Fatal Fall, Michigan, 2001-2006
0
11
2320
9 10
201 1
6
16
118
3 4
0
5
10
15
20
25
0-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79 80-89
Construction Non-Construction
Num
ber
of D
eath
s
Height of Fatal Fall, Michigan, 2001-2006
13
21
13
7
3 4 5
9
17
8
42
19
0
5
10
15
20
25
<10' 10'- 19' 20'- 29' 30'- 39' 40'- 49' 50 -100'
100+' UNK
Construction Non-Construction
Num
ber o
f Fal
ls
Construction Characterization of Fatal Falls, Michigan, 2001-2006
12%
7%
80%
1%
Construction ofBuildings
Heavy and CivilEngineering
Specialty Trade
Unknown
Fatal Falls by Specialty Trades, Michigan, 2001-2006
Number of Falls
11
22
444
67
920
0 5 10 15 20 25
Finish Carpenter
Poured Concrete
Electricians
Siding
Plumbing/HVAC
Masonry
Other Contractors
Framing
Painters
StrucSteel/Precast Conc
Roofers
Fatal Falls… What Did They Fall From? Michigan, 2001-2006
Number of Falls
22222
33
88
618
19
0 5 10 15 20
Skylight
Water Tower
Wood Framing
Cell Phone Tower
Ground/Floor
Unguarded Roof Opening
UNK
Structural Steel
Vehicle/Mach/Equip
Others
Scaffold/Ladder
Roof Edge
Fatal Falls by Month, Michigan, 2001-2006
4 5 4 4
8 75
7 8
14
5 4
02468
10121416
JanuaryFebruary
MarchApril MayJune
JulyAugust
SeptemberOctober
NovemberDecember
Month
Num
ber o
f Dea
ths
Construction Fatal Falls in Michigan, 2001-2006
Race:– Black: 2 individuals– White: 73 individuals
Ethnicity - Hispanic: 6 individuals
Gender:– Male: 75 individuals
38 deaths: able to identify if member of a construction union and if firm had written safety program. – 5 individuals were union members– 15 firms had written program
We Know What Works
Three Workers Hang Off High Rise for an Hour After Scaffold Drops
Two workers hang outside the 31-story M&I Plaza building Downtown as a firefighter descends to rescue them. They and a third worker were stranded when a scaffold collapsed as they put up a sign on the 28th floor. -MIKE FENDER / The Star
IndyStar.com. Posted 8/15/08. http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080815/LOCAL18/808150466
Fixes Are Available
Internet Fall Protection Plans:– http://erd.dli.mt.gov/safetyhealth/brochures/fallprotect
planres.pdf– http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_doc
ument?p_id=10927&p_table=STANDARDSGuide to Developing a Fall Protection Program– http://www.doa.state.wi.us/docview.asp?docid=667
Fixes
Continuing education of construction contractorsOversight by general contractorsSubcontractors safety program/employee training requirementCourage to call out fellow workers about unsafe work practicesContractor trade groups educate public about value of safety programs, builder designations, etc vs. low bid
Follow-up
New Michigan Legislation (PA 155-158 of 2007)– Require residential builder and
maintenance/alteration contractor to meet continuing competency (CC) requirements.
60 hours pre-licensure courseworkCurrent license holders have varying CC requirements
Follow-up
New Technology– NIOSH newly developed guard rail system
Educational Outreach to employers who hire non/limited-English speaking workers– MIOSHA new job postings – desirable qualification
is bi-lingual ability– MIOSHA trying to translate more educational
materials – budget constraints limiting effort– OSHA Compliance Assistance – Hispanic
Workers
Fixes
Continuing education of construction contractorsOversight by general contractorsSubcontractors safety program/employee training requirementCourage to call out fellow workers about unsafe work practicesContractor trade groups educate public about value of safety programs, builder designations, etc vs. low bid
Follow-up
MIOSHA Enforcement of Multi-employer Worksites Instruction– July 31, 2007
Clarified guidelines for conducting MIOSHA compliance inspections at multi-employer worksites– Identified:
Creating contractor – caused hazardous conditionExposing contractor – own employees are exposedCorrecting contractor – responsible for correcting hazardControlling contractor – general supervisory authority
Follow-up
MIOSHA Falls Prevention Outreach Initiative– 8500 letters and educational materials sent
identified as having work activities in which employees may be exposed to fall hazards
5000 to construction employers3500 to manufacturing employers
– ObjectivesHighlight the seriousness of fall protectionincrease awareness of fall hazards within these industrieshighlight the need for appropriate fall protectionhelp ensure that employees receive the appropriate training required by the MIOSHA Fall Protection Safety standards.
MIFACE Investigation 07MI172
34 years oldWorking for friend who owned roofing businessRoofing activitiesUnwitnessed fallNot using fall protectionDied 5 days after incident
Follow-up
MIFACE Outreach– MIFACE Investigation Report 07MI172
citing the MIOSHA multi-employer worksite document will be sent to all general contractors, home builder associations, and over 1200 roofing contractors in MI
– MIFACE will conduct a phone survey to follow-up with representative number of companies to gather additional information
Fixes
Continuing education of construction contractorsOversight by general contractorsSubcontractors safety program/employee training should be requiredCourage to call out fellow workers about unsafe work practicesContractor trade groups educate public about value of safety programs, builder designations, etc vs. low bid
MIFACE Investigation 01MI094
31 years oldPainting under bridgeUnsecured in lift basketBasket not properly placed on forks of rough terrain forklift
Safety Culture
Management looks the other way when unsafe actions are usedFellow employees look the other way when unsafe actions are usedWho wants to correct the unsafe actions of “experienced”employees?But everyone wants a safe workplace…
Fixes
Continuing education of construction contractorsOversight by general contractorsSubcontractors safety program/employee training should be requiredCourage to call out fellow workers about unsafe work practicesContractor trade groups educate public about value of safety programs, builder designations, etc vs. low bid
Follow-up
Collaborated with MAHB to secure grant funding to develop construction standard/employee training CD/DVDUnsuccessful grant, but MAHB entered an alliance agreement with MIOSHA – Outcomes:
CET promotionIncreased awareness of:
– How to develop H&S programs– MIOSHA Construction S&H standards– How regulations apply to residential construction
Co-sponsorship of MIOSHA workshopsAmicable working relationship
Questions?