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2 | OSHA’s Fatal Four

TABLE OF CONTENTSTHE FATAL FOUR ......................................................................................................... 3

FALL HAZARDS ....................................................................................................... 4 - 6

Guardrails and Safety Nets ........................................................................................ 5

Personal Fall Arrest Systems, Scaffoldings and Ladder Safety .................................. 6

STRUCK-BY HAZARDS ........................................................................................... 7 - 11

Struck-By Falling Objects ............................................................................................ 8

Struck-By Swinging Objects ........................................................................................ 9

Struck-By Rolling Objects .......................................................................................... 10

Be Aware of Your Surroundings ................................................................................ 11

ELECTROCUTION HAZARDS ............................................................................... 12 - 14

Proper Equipment Use and Commonly Cited OSHA Standards ............................ 13

Additional Electrical Hazards ................................................................................... 14

CAUGHT-IN/BETWEEN HAZARDS ....................................................................... 15 - 18

Power Tools and Machinery Accidents ................................................................... 16

Heavy Equipment Accidents ................................................................................... 17

Trenching Accidents ................................................................................................. 18

SAFETY FIRST ............................................................................................................. 19

GET MORE COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION LEADS .................................................... 20

FOLLOW CONSTRUCTION DATA / CREDITS ................................................................ 21

3 | OSHA’s Fatal Four

C onstruction sites are one of the most dangerous workplaces in the country. According to

the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), “nearly 6.4 million people work at approximately 252,000 construction sites on any given day. The fatal injury rate for the construction industry is higher than the national average in this category for all industries.” In fact, 828 of the 4,101 worker fatalities that occurred in 2013 were in construction.

OSHA has determined that there are four main safety hazards that account for 57.7 percent of all fatalities at construction sites. Dubbed the “Fatal Four” by OSHA, they include falls, being struck by objects, electrocutions and caught in or between hazards.

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FALL HAZARDSInjuries from falls are the most common cause of construction site fatalities. Falls accounted for 302 of the 828 total deaths in construction in 2013, which is 36.5 percent of all construction deaths.

Some of the main causes of construction site falls are unprotected edges and openings, improper scaffolding construction or use and improper ladder use. Fall protection is required by OSHA for working at a height of six feet or more or anytime someone is working over dangerous equipment and machinery. For workers on scaffolds fall protection must be provided if working 10 feet or more above the lower level.

Fall protection and prevention can be accomplished in a couple of different ways.

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Guardrails are the only method approved that actually prevents falls from occurring. They are great for unprotected edges, scaffolding work and openings such as from uncovered skylights and elevator shafts. Guardrails must be between 39 and 45 inches in height from the surface. The top rail must be able to withstand a minimum of 200 pounds of force and the middle rail must withstand 150 pounds of force.

The other two acceptable means of fall protection are safety nets and personal fall arrest systems. Safety nets should be placed as close as reasonable to the work area and cannot exceed being placed more than 30 feet below the work area. Border ropes on the safety net must have a minimum strength of 5,000 pounds and the net must be able to absorb a drop test using a 400-pound bag of sand. The nets must extend a minimum of eight feet out horizontally from the work surface.

OSHA provides a formula on the horizontal distance a safety net must extend based on the vertical distance from the working level to the horizontal plane of the safety net.

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A personal fall arrest system consists of three main components: anchorage, connecting device

and a full-body harness. The anchorage and the D-rings or snap hooks and vertical lifelines or lanyards that make up the connecting device must each be able to support a minimum of 5,000 pounds. Personal fall arrest systems should be inspected before each use to ensure everything is working properly and is free of damage. Also, the lanyard or lifeline should be short enough to avoid the worker from making contact with the level below in the event of a fall. In order to achieve this you need to take into account the length of the lanyard, length of dynamic elongation due to elastic stretch and the height of the worker.

Improper scaffolding and ladder use are the other main contributors to falls at construction sites. Scaffolds must be designed by qualified personnel and a competent person is required to oversee scaffold construction. Supported scaffolds must be able to support its own weight and four times the intended load including the weight of all workers, materials and tools being placed on it. The ropes for suspended scaffolds must each be able to support the weight of the scaffold and

six times the intended load. The platforms must be properly planked and have a minimum width of at least 18 inches. As mentioned earlier, when working on scaffolds 10 feet or higher OSHA requires fall protection be provided for workers. Safe access to the scaffold must be provided along with proper training on scaffold use.

Improper ladder use is another common cause of falls at construction sites. Some of the reasons for ladder falls include incorrect ladder choice, failure to properly secure the ladder and attempting to carry tools and materials by hand while climbing. When choosing a ladder you should make sure that it’s in good condition and working properly. You also need to make sure that the ladder is long enough to be placed at a stable angle and be able to extend three feet above the work surface. Tie the ladder to a secure point at the top and bottom to avoid it from sliding or falling. You should always maintain three points of contact when ascending or descending a ladder. Tools and materials should be carried up using a tool belt or a rope to pull things up once you’ve stopped climbing.

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STRUCK-BY HAZARDSStruck-by injuries occur when a worker comes into forcible contact with a flying, falling, swinging or rolling object. Struck-by injuries are the second highest cause of fatalities among construction workers.

According to OSHA, struck-by injuries accounted for 84 deaths in 2013 or 10.1 percent of all construction related fatalities. This is due to the numerous hazards that can create struck-by injuries. There are four common struck-by hazards in construction: struck-by flying objects, struck-by falling objects, struck-by swinging objects and struck-by rolling objects.

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STRUCK-BY FALLING OBJECTStruck-by falling object injuries can encompass everything from tools and materials being knocked off unprotected edges to a suspended load coming loose. Workers should also avoid working in areas where work is being performed overhead where they could be struck by falling debris or tools.

Tools and materials should be secured when performing overhead work using toeboards or screens to prevent objects falling, or debris nets and catch platforms to deflect falling objects.

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STRUCK-BY SWINGING OBJECT Injuries caused by swinging objects usually occur when materials are being mechanically lifted and something causes the load to sway, or when a worker is inside the swing radius of a piece of heavy equipment such as a crane. Workers should never position themselves under a suspended load. Workers should stay well outside the swing radius and verify that the heavy equipment operator can see them.

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STRUCK-BY ROLLING OBJECT Injuries caused by rolling objects usually involve a worker being struck by a vehicle or heavy equipment while it’s in motion, but can also include any object that rolls, moves or slides on the same level as a worker. Workers should steer clear of vehicles and heavy equipment in use.

Many times equipment operators have limited or no visibility when operating in reverse so it is important that workers are aware of areas where heavy equipment is being operated to avoid those areas. It is also important that operators of heavy equipment are properly trained. Struck-by accidents involving heavy equipment often occur due to operators not being properly trained on how to safely operate the machinery.

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BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGSAdequate awareness of your surroundings and proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) can go a long way in avoiding injuries at the construction site. It is important for employers to alert all workers of areas where there is greater potential for struck-by accidents to occur and to limit employee access to those areas. OSHA requires that employers provide employees with proper PPE. This varies by the type of work being done and the hazards workers are exposed to but include items such as hard hats, safety glasses and face shields and ear protection.

All PPE used at the construction site whether it’s employee provided steel-toed boots to employer provided hard hats, they should all meet the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards. PPE should be inspected prior to each use to ensure that it’s in proper working condition and free from any defects or damage.

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ELECTROCUTION HAZARDSElectrocutions accounted for 71 deaths in construction related accidents in 2013 which is the most current data available. According to OSHA this accounted for 8.6 percent of all construction related fatalities that year, the third most in the industry.

Electrocution is death by electric shock caused by exposure to lethal amounts of electrical energy. Electrocution can occur from contact with power lines, contact with energized sources such as faulty equipment or exposed wires and improper extension cord usage. Both overhead and underground power lines carry a high voltage. The best way to avoid electrocution from power lines is to simply stay away from them. By maintaining a safe distance and being aware of power line locations you can avoid making contact with heavy equipment, ladders, lifts, etc. If you do have to operate equipment such as cranes near power lines contact the utility company to de-energize and ground the lines.

Other steps you can take to avoid electrocution around power lines include using nonconductive tools and equipment, never storing material underneath power lines and cordoning off the area around power lines to the correct distance per OSHA guidelines.

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O SHA has also established rules and regulations regarding ground-fault protection. Receptacle outlets that

are not part of the permanent wiring of the structure must be protected with ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). A GFCI monitors the electrical current flow from hot to neutral and if it detects an imbalance it will trip the circuit in less than a second and cuts off the electricity.

You should also establish an assured equipment grounding conducting program that covers all cords, temporary receptacles, and equipment and maintain detailed records off all tests and inspections. Make sure all equipment and extension cords are in good condition by visually inspecting for cuts, frays or exposed bare wires. Ensure that ground prongs haven’t been removed or become defective. Make sure that the equipment grounding conductor is electrically continuous by conducting a continuity test.

Some of the most commonly cited standards by OSHA involving electrical hazards include:

• Control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout), general industry (29 CFR 1910.147)

• Electrical, wiring methods, components and equipment, general industry (29 CFR 1910.305)

• Electrical systems design, general requirements, general industry (29 CFR 1910.303)

Remember, death can occur from exposure to as little as 50 – 100 milliamperes of current. Most 120 Volt circuits carry 15 to 20 amperes of current. 15 amperes of current is 300 times what is necessary to cause death.

A great way to avoid accidental electrocution is to implement lockout/tagout procedures when equipment and circuits aren’t being used. A qualified person should ensure that all equipment and circuits are de-energized before a lock and/or tag is applied. Once you are ready to remove locks and tags and re-energize equipment and circuits, a qualified person should be on hand to ensure that it is safe to do so.

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ADDITIONAL ELECTRICAL HAZARDSThere are a number of other electrical hazards that can cause serious injury or death in addition to electrocutions. These include:

• Burns

• Shock

• Arc flash or blast

• Fire

• Explosions

Some of the common causes for these other electricity related injuries include:

• Damaged equipment

• Faulty wiring

• Improper cord use

• No GCFIs

• Wet conditions

• Reversed polarity

• Lack of an assured grounding conductor program.

15 | OSHA’s Fatal Four

CAUGHT-IN / BETWEEN HAZARDSIn 2013, caught-in/-between hazards accounted for 21 fatalities, or 2.5 percent, of the 828 construction related deaths.

Caught-in or caught-between accidents occur when someone is caught, crushed, squeezed, compressed or pinched between two or

more objects. Examples include getting your hand caught in the moving parts of an unguarded piece of machinery, being buried by trench cave-ins and getting pinned between a wall and piece of heavy equipment.

These accidents are similar to struck-by accidents with the main difference being that caught-in/between accidents are a result of crushing injuries and not the initial impact as they are with struck-by accidents.

16 | OSHA’s Fatal Four

POWER TOOLS & MACHINERY ACCIDENTSTo avoid being caught in machinery and power tools you should never operate any piece of equipment where the safety guards are missing or have been intentionally removed. Never wear loose clothing or anything that could hang down and get caught in moving parts and pull you in.

Make sure all equipment is properly de-energized when not in use to avoid it from accidentally being started. This is especially important when you are doing any kind of work on the equipment such as repairs, changing accessories or performing routine maintenance.

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HEAVY EQUIPMENT ACCIDENTSHeavy equipment on a construction site is a common occurrence and can lead to a false sense of security. Workers should never place themselves in between a moving vehicle and an immovable object such as a wall. As mentioned before, operators don’t always have a clear line of sight all around them. If you are operating a piece of heavy equipment, you should do so correctly and never overload or overwork a piece of equipment as this can cause it to tip over.

It is important that if you are operating heavy equipment that you properly wear any seatbelts or safety restraints that it is equipped with. In the event that a piece of equipment does tip over, the cabs of those machines are designed and reinforced to protect the worker. That can’t happen if the worker is thrown or jumps from the equipment as it tips over.

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TRENCHING ACCIDENTSImproperly protected trenches and excavations are another major cause of caught-in or between accidents. Any trench that is deeper than 5 feet needs to have protective systems in place. If the trench or excavation is over 20 feet deep a professional engineers is required to design the protective system. Trenches should be protected by being properly sloped or benched to avoid collapse. Shoring trenches to support the sides of the excavation can also prevent collapse.

Utilizing trench boxes and shields can protect workers from being buried or crushed by cave-ins. Heavy equipment use near an excavation should be avoided when workers are inside the trench to avoid causing cave-ins or having the equipment fall into the excavation area. OSHA requires that trenching and excavation work be inspected by a competent person. A competent person must be trained on the requirements of the OSHA standard, use of protective systems and soil classifications. They are responsible for identifying and eliminating any hazards before any worker enters the area and while work is ongoing. Any trench that is deeper than 5 feet needs to have protective systems in place.

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SAFETY FIRSTJobsite safety should constantly be on the mind of each and every worker each and every day. Accidents are going to happen but by implementing and enforcing proper safety protocols the number of occurrences can be greatly reduced and the damages caused can be drastically mitigated.

Site supervisors should assess the jobsite before any work begins and identify all potential hazards and ensure that measures are in place to protect all workers from accidents. Workers should be notified of all potential hazards and warning signs should be posted around the construction site to notify workers of safety precautions they should be taking. Ongoing safety training should be provided to all employees regardless of their years of experience. Making the jobsite as safe as possible should be the top priority on any construction job.

While you can’t prevent every accident from occurring, by educating workers with proper safety training, providing personal protective equipment and strictly and adamantly adhering to OSHA regulations and guidelines for the construction industry you can greatly reduce the number and severity of occurrences.

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