Objects-At-Height Hazards

Aerial safety goes beyond your standardfall protection. In the past, objects-at-heightshazard planning has been an afterthought — or not even a thought. Today, regulators and professionals acknowledge the serious, life-threatening risks of falling objects and are instilling rules to ensure proper precautions are followed in the workplace to ensure a DROP FREE ZONE. Safety of tools and equipment at heights involves the organization and securing of these objects, whether in use or not. Hard hats and steel toes help reduce the damage but, in the hierarchy of controls, one should eliminate the hazard altogether if it’s a possibility.

Reality check

According to the Bureaus of Labor Statistics, there were 219 fatalities from being struck by a falling object or equipment in the United States, which accounted for 5 percent of all workplace fatalities.

Objects At Height Risks

Pulling a wrench from the bottom of a pile; a jolt of a scissor lift that projects a bag of bolts; or an accidental kick of a loose tool or material off the ledge are what can happen. Pay special attention to cords, ropes and hoses that may line and/or cross walkways. Worker trips and falls can be caused by loose items and movement from scurrying around to locate them.

Toolbox talk based on NMGC submitted by Robert Totten – P66 Bayway