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Falls - Unprotected Sides, Wall Openings, and Floor Holes
Falls are one of the leading causes of fatalities in the construction
industry. An average of 362 fatal falls occurred each year nation wide
from 1995 to 1999. MIOSHA has investigated 43 fatalities over the 5-year
period of 2002 through 2006 related to falls at construction work sites.
Almost all construction work sites have unprotected sides and edges, wall
openings, or floor holes at some point during construction. If these sides
and openings are not protected at the work site, injuries from falls or
falling objects may result, ranging from sprains and contusions to death.
MIOSHA Part
1, General Rules, Rule 114 requires an Accident Prevention Program
at every construction work site which must address fall hazards. MIOSHA,
Part
45, Fall Protection, addresses minimum requirements and criteria for
fall protection at construction workplaces.
How To Avoid Hazards
· Use at least one of the following whenever employees are exposed
to a fall of 6 feet or more above a lower level: Guardrail Systems; Safety
Net Systems; Personal Fall Arrest Systems.
· Cover or guard floor holes as soon as they are created during
new construction.
· For existing structures, survey the site before working and continually
audit as work continues. Guard or cover any openings or holes immediately.
· Construct all floor hole covers so they will effectively support
two times the weight of employees, equipment, and materials that may be
imposed on the cover at any one time. Covers must be secured and color
coded or marked with the words "HOLE" or "COVER".
· In general, it is better to provide fall prevention systems,
such as guardrails, than fall protection systems, such as safety nets
or fall arrest devices, because they provide more positive safety means.
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