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INDUSTRY NEWS Six steps to prevent injuries from falling objects By Michael Rich T he eyes of an employee are one of the greatest tools in the injury prevention toolbox. With them an employ- ee can spot hazards and take the steps necessary to prevent injury. But each year, thousands of workers are injured by a hazard they cannot see – falling objects. Following are six ways you can help mitigate the risk and injury associated with falling objects. Provide Warning When working on a jobsite where the potential for falling objects exist, you must provide ade- quate warning for your employees and other people who may enter the jobsite. Ways to do this include verbally communicating the haz- ards and placing signage that states, "Beware of falling equipment:" You also can put an employ- ee in charge of escorting parties through poten- tially dangerous areas. Secure loads If an employee is required to lift a load to a higher level, he must make sure the load is properly secure. In cases of lifting a pallet with stacks of boxes, plastic wrap can provide stability and keep objects from falling. If using plastic wrap, don't for- get that it may stretch due to the high heat at the top of the racks and cause the load to shift. For heavier loads, employees can use metal or cloth straps to secure. Properly move load When moving a load, it's important to never lift, lower or swing it over anyone's head. In areas where loads are being placed on high shelves with the potential to tumble over the other side, put a spotter in place that keeps employees from entering the backside hazard and who can help instruct the employee placing the load. If possible, restrict these stacking and heavy moving operations to hours when fewer people are present. Michael Rich is a safety writer and researcher for Safety Services Co., a supplier of safety training materials and compliance products in North America. Learn more at www.safetyservicescompany.com. When all else fails, the last line of defense is personal protective equipment. Anyone who's going to be in an area where the po- tential for falling object hazards exists must wear a hard hat and steel toed shoes. Keep a clean worksite Tools and debris are one of the main causes of falling objects. To mitigate this hazard, your employees must ensure the work areas are clean and tidy. When a worker is done using a tool, he must put it in the proper stor- age area, especially if he has made a mess or created debris that must be cleaned up immediately. Administrative controls Administrative controls are a great way to prevent or stop falling objects in the workplace. Examples include the instal- lation of boards on the sides of elevated work areas or scaf- folds to prevent objects from falling over the edge, the usage of bars across storage areas to keep material from tumbling out, the usage of nets to capture falling objects, the imple- mentation of fences or other barricades to keep workers and guests out of fall zones, and scheduling work for a time when the amount of people at lower levels is at a minimum. Protective Equipment When all else fails, the last line of defense is personal pro- tective equipment. Anyone who's going to be in an area where the potential for falling object hazards exists must wear a hard hat and steel toed shoes. Both of these pieces of equip- ment must be inspected before use, and be in proper working condition and fit properly. All employers are required to pro- vide employees with Personal Protective Equipment. 12 Commercial Construction & Renovation September/October 2012