This year, GBCA is participating in OSHA’s Focus Four Campaign, providing resources to avoid incidents involving OSHA’s Focus Four hazards. This week’s toolbox talk is about fall protection equipment inspections. Scroll down to read it. Click below to download it as a printable Toolbox Talk.
Fall Protection Equipment Inspections
Ask the following questions and give time for answers:
- What are the hazards?
- Falls from heights due to damaged personal fall arrest systems
- What are the results?
- Broken bones, internal damage, death.
DID YOU KNOW:
Falls kill – they are the top cause of construction fatalities and account for one‐third of on-the‐job injury deaths in the industry. Each year in the U.S. more than 300 construction workers are killed and over 10,000 are seriously injured by falls.
How do we prevent these results?
Inspect your personal fall arrest system prior to use. On a regular basis not to exceed one year (or more frequently if required by manufacturer’s instructions) by a Competent Person to verify that the equipment is safe for use. Some manufacturers recommend every 6 months. Your life depends on it.
Take damaged equipment out of service: If there have been alternation; if there is an absence of parts, if there is evidence of defects, damage to or improper function of mechanical devices and connectors. Also look for any other condition that calls to question the suitability of the equipment for its intended purpose.
Know what to look for: fraying, un-splicing, kinking, knotting, roping, broken or pulled stitches, excessive elongation, chemical exposure, excessive soiling, abrasions, alterations, needed or excessive lubrication, excessive aging, excessive wear.
