| Falls
from Heights in Construction |
A
health and safety message from the WCB
The
WCB has recently received a number of Notice of Accidents
(NOAs) involving workers falling from ladders, scaffolds,
roofs, etc. On average, 10 workers die every year after a
fall from elevation. The links to resources in this bulletin
may help to prevent similar incidents at your workplace.
Recent accidents
- A
roofer fell approximately 17 feet from wood scaffolding
onto rocky ground, puncturing his lung and fracturing his
skull, spine, and ribs.
- A
roofer lost his footing and fell 20 feet, fracturing his
pelvis. The end of his lifeline was coiled on the roof above
and not attached to an anchor.
- An
apprentice carpenter fell more than 37 feet through a stairwell
opening and landed on the concrete floor 4 levels below.
He fractured his skull and received numerous lacerations.
Accidents
and injuries like these can be prevented
1. Use fall protection
Employers
must ensure that a fall protection system is used when work
is being done at a place:
- From
which a fall of 3 metres (10 ft) or more may occur
- Where
a fall from a lesser height involves an unusual risk of
injury
Depending
on the situation, one or more of the following fall protection
methods must be used:
- Guardrails
should be installed, whenever possible, to prevent workers
from falling.
- Fall
restraint systems such as work positioning devices that
prevent workers from travelling to the edge of the building
or structure must be provided if the use of guardrails isn't
practicable.
- Fall
arrest systems must be used whenever a fall restraint system
isn't practicable. Fall arrest systems stop workers in mid-fall,
preventing them from hitting the surface below. Examples
include safety nets and full body harnesses attached by
lifelines to secure anchors.
- Control
zones can be used in certain cases. Control zones involve
setting raised warning lines at a safe distance - 2 metres
(6.5 ft) - from unguarded edges. A safety monitor is required
to ensure that workers in the control zone work in a manner
that minimizes their potential fall.
- Other
fall protection systems and procedures acceptable to the
WCB may also be used.
2.
Properly instruct, train, and supervise workers
Before
a worker is allowed into an area where a risk of falling exists,
employers must ensure workers are trained in the safe use
of the fall protection equipment they will be using.
3.
Have a fall protection plan
A
written fall protection plan is required if:
- Work
is being done at a location where workers are not protected
by permanent guardrails and from which a fall of 7.5 metres
(25 ft) or more may occur
- The
employer uses a safety monitor and control zone or other
work procedures as the means of fall protection
- A
fall may involve an unusual risk of injury
The
plan must specify:
- The
fall hazards in each area
- The
fall protection systems in place for each area
- The
procedures for using, maintaining, and inspecting fall protection
equipment
- The
procedures for rescue if a worker has fallen and is suspended
by a personal fall protection system or safety net
Related
"Hazard Alert" Bulletins
Here
are some hazard alerts describing falls from elevation and
how to prevent them:
Online
Resources
Calculate the uninsured cost of a fall
http://www2.worksafebc.com/sc/tours/default.htm
A
list of fall protection resources for construction
http://www2.worksafebc.com/Portals/Construction/Prevention-GeneralConstruction.asp?ReportID=23916
Supporting
regulations:
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AA
03-03
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