Evaluation & Selection of Fall Protection

Evaluation & Selection of Fall Protection

Jun 19, 2023 | Safety

 Introduction:

We have come a long way in the development, education, and implementation of Fall Prevention & Fall Protection. Even with the progress that has been made, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2021 Fatal Workplace Incidents rose 8.9% from 2020 and accounted for 5,190 deaths.  What contributes to workplace injuries/fatalities? Below is a list of contributing factors as it relates to the occurrence of workplace injuries/fatalities.

  • Identification and mitigation of hazards
  • Selection of Personal Protective Equipment
  • Employee Training
  • Failure in Equipment
  • Human Nature
Identification of Fall Hazards

As you evaluate your workplace/job site, identify the potential fall hazards that could result in an injury or incident. Common fall hazards can include:

  • Working from ladders/temporary work platforms such as aerial lifts and man lifts
  • Leading edges
  • Uneven work surfaces
  • Rooftops
  • Open holes/trenches/excavations
  • Catwalks
  • Slippery surfaces
  • etc

After identifying all fall hazards the next step is to prevent falls by eliminating the fall hazards or making it less likely a fall will occur (through mitigation methods). Understanding your obligations as a Safety Professional/Employer, there are different requirements set forth by OSHA that dictate how fall hazards are addressed. It is equally important to understand what working heights employees must be protected at for elevated work. Employers in General Industry (where CFR 1910 applies), must protect employees from all fall hazards and institute fall protection when working at heights 4ft or greater where fall hazards are present. In Construction (where CFR 1926 applies), employees must be protected at working heights of 6ft or greater.  

Prevention of Fall Hazards

Following the Hierarchy of Controls, the best way to prevent falls, is to eliminate the fall hazard all together. Falls hazards can be eliminated through the implementation of guard rails, fall restraint systems, hole covers and other passive fall protection controls. It is important to remember, that not all fall hazards can be eliminated. Some workplaces conditions will necessitate that certain conditions are left unchanged, for work to be performed. 

Administrative Controls

If employers are unable to eliminate fall hazards through the use of engineering controls, administrative controls must be implemented. Administrative controls bring awareness to hazards and can include safety signage, safety training, company operating procedures, use of permits and by creating work plans such as phasing the order in which work will be completed. Keep in mind, these administrative controls must be implemented before the use of Personal Protective Equipment.  

    Personal Protective Equipment PPE

    If fall hazards cannot be eliminated, and administrative controls still do not reasonably prevent falls from occurring, personal protective equipment must be utilized. The most common form of PPE for fall protection is the use of Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS).

    Personal Fall Arrest Systems are designed to arrest the worker in the event of a fall, and minimize the impact force that is placed on the worker. Personal Fall arrest systems include: anchorage points (existing or engineered), body harnesses, a connecting device, and a deceleration device.  

    Selection of Personal Fall Arrest Systems

    The market is full of different styles and components that can be used to design your personal fall arrest system. So where do you start? You need to ensure that the systems you have in place will engage during a fall before the worker hits the ground. OSHA specifically has guidelines that state the system needs to engage within 3ft after a fall occurs. The anchorage point needs to be able to withstand 5,000lbs of free fall force. Body harnesses need to be fitted to the worker, fit comfortable, and displace the force in a manner that reduces impact on the worker.

    Fall Protection Assessment

    B42L offers free fall protection assessments. Our partnership with Gallaway Safety & Supply, allows us to come to your workplace, evaluate what you have in place, and provide options for you that best protect your workers. Our assessment will give you options for assigning fall protection, tracking it in the field, and how to properly inspect it for proper function. 

    Training on Fall Protection

    After you have your fall protection selected and assigned, B42L will train your staff on the proper use, inspection, and storage of fall protection. Training on Fall Protection is an OSHA Top 10 Violation annually. Simply providing it does not meet the mark of compliance, and it does not ensure your staff will use it safely. 

    If you are interested in a fall protection assessment or fall protection demonstrations/training:

    Call 412-216-9427 or email info@b42l.com

     

    The Right and Wrong Ways to Conduct Safety Training

    The Right and Wrong Ways to Conduct Safety Training

    Jun 12, 2023 | Professional

    Introduction:

    In 2023 it is common practice to conduct Workplace Safety Training. Employers are finally recognizing that they have a responsibility to train their employees on the hazardous tasks/settings in their workplace. However, there are certainly ways to properly conduct safety training and methods that are not effective. We’ll discuss the most effective modes of Safety Training, and how you can effectively create/select the most effective safety training for your workplace. 

    Training is not Presenting

    When asked if your workplace conducts safety training, on the surface that can be a simple yes or no question. When we take a step back and think about what training is, many employers are actually presenting and not actually training. What is the difference?

    Training: The action of sharing information to develop skills. Training takes place with student involvement and activities. Training includes the elements below:

    • Hands on practice of a specific skill
    • Workshops used to teach students the mechanics of a subject
    • Group discussion that stimulates the students thought process by sharing information from different experiences and points of view
    • Visual aids such as props, demonstrations, and experiments 

    Presenting: Involves listening to information to learn a skill or understand a subject.

    Presenting is conducted most often through lecture format as means to communicate specific information on desired subjects. B42L asks many of its partners/prospective partners “How do you conduct your safety training”. The most common responses we receive are found below:

    • “We have monthly safety meetings where everyone comes together for a 30min-1hr lecture on a specific topic”
    • “We have our employees watch safety training videos on a regular basis covering necessary topics we are required to cover per OSHA guidelines”
    •  “We conduct field safety discussions on topics that are relevant to our workplace”

    What is the goal of Safety Training? 

    The primary goal of any safety training is to outline a specific task/hazard, and communicate how to accomplish the task safely while avoiding injury and incident.

    The National Training Laboratories (Bethel, Maine) has conducted research on the modalities of learning and created a Learning Pyramid that shows student retention rates using different forms of training. Retention rates of learning are found in percentages below.  *Note official Learning Pyramid can be found at https://www.ntl.org/.  

     

      What does your team think about your Safety Training?

      This learning pyramid is far from an “end all be all” as it pertains to the effectiveness of your safety training. But it is an excellent starting point when you are evaluating if your training is effective or not.

      Are your employees retaining the safety training you provide? How many times have you presented a topic, and 4 hours later you are observing someone engaged in the opposite of the desired behavior that was just discussed? Although working safely is heavily influenced by outside factors including time pressure, personal beliefs, and human behavior, it is important to understand that if employees are not produced with a convincing argument to work safe (effective safety training), they will choose the most convenient way to accomplish the task. Remember, just because it is convenient, does not make it safe.

      After your training is defined, it is equally important to identify if it is effective or not. If you are performing the same training over and over again, and still suffering the same incidents, are you really accomplishing anything? Or are you simply checking the box for compliance?  

      What you can track, you can measure. 

      It is best practice to track the types of incidents your company incurs. Ask yourself the following questions when you review the incidents in your company:

      • What work tasks are producing incidents?
      • What level of training do the involved workers have?
      • What kind of training have they been put through?
      • Is my computer based safety training, or power point lectures effectively preventing reoccurring incidents?
      • When was the last time we refreshed, updated, or enhanced our training?
      • What could I do to enhance my safety training and make it more effective?
      • Can I accomplish this by myself?

      Being honest with yourself

      Creating effective safety training is not an easy task. In 2017, The Association for Talent Development conducted a survey and found it takes on average 28 hours to develop a 1hr. Instructor Led Training. That study is found below. 

      https://www.td.org/insights/how-long-does-it-take-to-develop-one-hour-of-training-2017

      Knowing that you do not have all the time and resources to constantly audit your safety training, and measure for its effectiveness, it is recommended you audit your entire safety training program on an annual basis, and aspects of it more often when there are incidents. 

      Audit and Enhance your Safety Training

      B42L strives to construct well thought out, informative, and effective safety training to its partners. Remember, effective safety training is difficult to master and often times expensive. 

      Allow B42L to work with you to enhance your safety training program at a cost effective level. Our team has found simple yet effective ways to teach and train skills that stick. 

      For more information on all of B42L Safety Services, reach out to info@b42l.com or call 412-216-9427. 

       

      Risk Mitigation: The 3 Bucket Approach

      Risk Mitigation: The 3 Bucket Approach

      Jun 2, 2023 | Safety

      Introduction:

      If you are starting a job as a Safety Professional at a new workplace, or building a safety program for the first time there are a series of actions that need to be taken in order to keep people safe. The phrase “Risk Mitigation” can be thrown around with obvious action items that should be completed, but how do you prioritize what should be done vs. what needs to be done first. In this post we’ll discuss one strategy that can help you make decisions when assessing and mitigating risk.

      Three Bucket Approach

      When you arrive at the workplace or the jobsite it is important to conduct a Hazard Assessment. A hazard assessment is an evaluation of the workplace that aims to identify different workplace hazards, the sources of the hazards, and the potential severity of those hazards if left unaddressed. 

      As you conduct your hazard assessment and begin to identify hazards in your workplace, ask yourself these questions. They will help prioritize the order in which you should address the hazards in the workplace.

      1. “Is this going to hurt or kill someone if it is left unaddressed?”

      2. “Is this out of compliance?”

      3. “What’s left?”

      B42L utilizes this approach when conducting Risk Assessments for the simple reason that it is tempting to solve “low hanging fruit” items to showcase that you have accomplished something as a safety professional and are earning your keep. 

      Remember, your primary job as a EHS Professional is to eliminate/mitigate hazards in the workplace. Your second job is to communicate those remaining hazards and introduce injury/illness prevention methods according to all OSHA Standards.

      Your To Do List after a Hazard Assessment

      Bucket 1: If there are obvious hazards that could immediatly hurt or kill someone those need to be prioritized at the top of your “to do” list.

      Bucket 2: If there are hazards that have that are technically OSHA compliant, but still have some level of risk, they need to be addressed next.

      Bucket 3: There are hazards that don’t appear to pose immediate risk, you are compliant with all regulatory bodies, but you have a better solution to solve the problem. These items will make the workplace more apealing to workers, however they need to be prioritized after immediatly dangerous conditions and compliance items are addressed.

      After you have your to do list, what next?

      Eliminating & Mitigating Hazards

      When attempting to eliminate & mitigate hazards employers have the duty and obligation to follow a series of steps to protect workers. Hazards must be attempted to be eliminated / mitigated according to the following practices:

      1. Through the use of engineering controls
      2. Through the use of administrative controls
      3. Through Personal Protective Equipment

      This process of eliminating/mitigating hazards can be lengthy, costly, and frankly a headache. However dealing with workplace injuires/illnesses is more expensive and a bigger problem at the end of the day. Take time to introduce temporary solutions that will keep workers safe, while you work on instituting long term solutions. 

      Solicit your employees potential solutions to the inherint problems. More often than not, the people who are faced with the problem every day can provide the best solution to the problem.

      Benifits of Third Party Risk Assessments

      Bringing in a third party to conduct a Risk Assessment can provide a pluthera of benifits. The third party is unbiased, and can normally recognize hazards that otherwise could blend into the background. Think about how many times you travel your daily route to work. How many buildings, road signs, “disapear” into the background? Do you know every color of the house on your street? When you bring a third party consultant in to complete a Risk Assessment, their sole focus is to identify hazards in the area. They are unaffected from other distractions such as production, internal relationships, and company agendas that may take place on any given day. Additionally, this Risk Assessment can be done without increasing your premiums that many insurance companies may impose during their own Risk Assessment Inspections. Most importantly, when you bring in a third party to conduct a Risk Assessment, you are preventing potential incidents before they occur and impact your workers. There is no incentive for the third party to not address potential concerns. You recieve an honest evaluation and information that you can then act on.

      Intrested in B42L Conducting a Risk Assessment for you?

      We have worked in various industries and conducted risk assessments for unique partner work settings. If you are interested in learning more about B42L Risk Management Plans, reach out to info@b42l.com or call 412-443-7866 today!

        Is Computer Based Safety Training Worth it?

        Is Computer Based Safety Training Worth it?

        May 30, 2023 | Professional

        While computers, recording technology (cell phones/tablets) and streaming services have evolved the capabilities of completing safety training, the question remains, is computer based learning and video based safety training as effective in eliminating workplace incidents/changing behavior as it is sold to be?

        Before we answer that question it is important to remember that everyone has different goals when it comes to workplace safety performance. 

        Most decisions such as the strategy to complete safety training, particulars of your safety policies, and going above and beyond OSHA minimum requirements, bottle down to how you want your Safety Culture to perform and what you want it to look like. 

        As we look at the Safety Culture Maturity Matrix Below there are several reasons you may elect to utilize Computer Based Safety Training to accomplish your objectives. Some of the main explanations that we receive include:

        • Compliance: The organization is concerned that their internal safety trainings are not OSHA compliant. Therefore they elect to purchase external training that are normally in the form of safety training videos that are in fact OSHA Compliant.
        • Spread out Workforces: Many workforces are not centralized to one building/reporting location anymore. Workers are dispatching straight from the house and work remotely. It can be difficult to schedule the entire workforce to travel to one location for a routine LOTO Awareness Training. For this reason many companies elect to utilize computer based safety trainings. Each worker gets an account, and is assigned training that they can complete at their discretion. 
        • Round the Clock Work shifts: Even if it is physically feasible to have all of your workers at one centralized location, rolling shifts demand multiple training sessions are conducted to accomplish the task. These businesses way out the pros and cons and elect to utilize computer based safety training in order to not tax their in house safety professional.
        • Signing the roster: You can conduct the most in depth, useful, and informative safety training but inevitably someone will forget to sign the training roster or right “chicken scratch” to the point that you have no idea who actually sat through the training. These companies look at computer based safety training as a way to ensure everyone who attends training, can be accounted for. 

        These arguments for computer based safety training are valid but what is the goal and purpose of Safety Training? As a Safety Professional your number one job is to prevent incidents from occurring and to maintain a positive safety culture that employees are confident & competent in.

        What are workforces saying about Computer Based Safety Training?

        In a survey published by Kaltura in 2019, 67% of employees said they do not give a training video their full attention. They skim through videos, watch videos without sound, or listen to it while doing something else. Only 28% say that they always pay attention to training videos.

        There are certainly other statistics that would point the other direction and showcase the benefits of conducting computer based safety trainings, however it is always important to vet the source of the studies. More and more often advertising agencies pay for surveys and can manipulate data to suggest that buying their product will solve all of your problems. 

        If simply complying with governmental standards is your goal, by all means, conduct as much computer based safety training as you desire. ( Keep reading for our solution to this problem). 

          B42L Approach To Safety Training

          Whether is is a simple tool box talk, a full on slide deck presentation, or an 8hr training with us, our goal with all of our Safety Training is to make sure the message is communicated effectively, and that is keeps workers safe.

          How B42L Conducts Safety Training

          B42L takes the same approach when creating any form of safety discussion. 

          1. Ensure it is compliant with all OSHA requirements. Even though we want our message to be unique, in order for us to lower our partner’s risk, we must communicate the necessary information for legal purposes. 
          2. Make it understandable & relatable. There is nothing worse than a monotone safety training video that utilizes technical language and tone. These types of trainings do not engage the worker regardless of how many “Knoweledge Checks” are embedded into the video. Workers must feel at some level connected to the message that is being delivered to them or they will disengage. 
          3. Make it interesting. All B42L toolbox talks, slide deck presentations, and blended learning trainings (lecture based/hands on components), are designed with the student/worker in mind. We outline statisitcs that get the worker thinking, give real world examples the worker could come across, and outline thought provoking language that keeps the worker receptive. 
          4. Make it trackable. All technology is not created equally. There are many benefits of using technology to aid in completing safety training. The technology B42L uses to track the completion of safety training/record keeping is meant only to verify training has been completed, and to add to the overall experience. Too often Safety Training Products are utilized improperly and become the end all be all of completing safety training. All of our rosters are time stamped upon completion, with rolling rosters. Training can be completed/viewed remotely and in the field at any time. After completing, participants simply click a link, and type their credentials. See, we accomplished effective safety training without completely throwing a menial task at our workers!

          Obtaining and Maintaining a Mature Safety Culture

          This is not an overnight task to complete. Like all things it takes time, focus, and consistency. However we have seen it done for those organizations who are truly committed to maintaining safe working conditions for their teams. 

          The more often you engage your employees, demonstrate your value in their safety, and invest in their well beings, you will see a massive positive safety culture shift. Simply having them tune into the latest episode of “Safety Training Video Series” will not yield the results that all of the tech companies claim it will. 

          If you’re interested in becoming a Fractional Partner with B42L or learning more about our Safety Training Solutions,  please reach out to info@b42l.com or call 412-216-9427.

          Heat Illness Prevention

          Heat Illness Prevention

          May 25, 2023 | Health

          Introduction:

          Today, we will be discussing the importance of heat illness prevention in the workplace. Working in hot environments exposes employees to the risk of heat-related illnesses, such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and dehydration. These conditions can be serious and even life-threatening if not properly addressed. It is crucial to recognize the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses, implement preventive measures, and know how to respond in case of an emergency. In this toolbox talk, we will explore the different heat-related illnesses, prevention methods, and appropriate actions to ensure the well-being of all workers.

          Heat-Related Illnesses

          Heat Cramps: Heat cramps are muscle pains or spasms that occur during or after intense physical activity in hot conditions. They are often caused by an electrolyte imbalance due to excessive sweating. Workers may experience painful muscle contractions, usually in the legs, arms, or abdomen.

          Heat Exhaustion: Heat exhaustion is a more severe condition that can occur after prolonged exposure to high temperatures and inadequate fluid intake. It is characterized by heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea, headache, and elevated body temperature. Workers with heat exhaustion may appear pale, have cool and moist skin, and experience fatigue and muscle cramps.

          Heat Stroke: Heat stroke is a medical emergency and the most serious heat-related illness. It occurs when the body’s temperature regulation system fails, and the core body temperature rises to dangerous levels. Unlike heat exhaustion, heat stroke is characterized by a significantly high body temperature, typically above 103°F (39.4°C). Symptoms include a rapid and strong pulse, hot and dry skin (no sweating), confusion, loss of consciousness, and seizures. Heat stroke requires immediate medical attention as it can be life-threatening.

          Dehydration: Dehydration is a condition caused by excessive fluid loss, typically through sweating. It can lead to fatigue, dizziness, dry mouth, decreased urine output, and dark-colored urine. Although dehydration is not solely a heat-related illness, it often accompanies heat exposure and can exacerbate the risk of other heat-related conditions.

          Prevention Methods

          To prevent heat-related illnesses, the following measures should be implemented:

          Hydration: Drink plenty of water throughout the day, even if you do not feel thirsty. Encourage regular water breaks and provide access to cool drinking water on the worksite. Remember, water is the best choice for hydration, and sugary drinks or caffeinated beverages should be avoided. Make sure to replace electrolytes with a commercial sports drink.

          Acclimatization: Gradually introduce workers to hot environments, allowing their bodies to adjust over time. New or returning workers should be given time to adapt to the heat gradually. This process helps reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses.

          Rest Breaks: Schedule regular rest breaks in shaded or cool areas. Encourage workers to take breaks when needed to rest and cool down. During these breaks, workers can replenish fluids and rehydrate their bodies.

          Proper Clothing: Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, and breathable clothing suitable for hot conditions. Use wide-brimmed hats or neck coverings to protect against direct sun exposure. Clothing should allow for adequate ventilation and sweat evaporation to help regulate body temperature.

          Work Scheduling: Consider adjusting work schedules to avoid the hottest parts of the day, if possible. Tasks that require intense physical activity should be scheduled during cooler periods. If unavoidable, ensure that additional preventive measures are in place, such as increased rest breaks and hydration opportunities.

          Engineering Controls: Implement engineering controls such as shade structures, ventilation, and cooling fans to reduce ambient temperatures in work areas. Providing shaded areas for breaks and rotating workers between hot and cool tasks can help minimize heat exposure.

          Recognizing and Responding to Heat-Related Illnesses

          Signs and Symptoms: It is important to recognize the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses, including excessive sweating, pale or clammy skin, muscle cramps, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea, confusion, and loss of consciousness. Promptly report any symptoms experienced by yourself or coworkers.

          Responding to Heat-Related Illnesses:

          Heat Cramps: If a worker experiences heat cramps, move them to a cool area, provide fluids for rehydration, and gently massage and stretch the affected muscles. Resting in a shaded area and taking a break from physical exertion can help alleviate symptoms.

          Heat Exhaustion: If a worker shows signs of heat exhaustion, it is important to take immediate action. Move the person to a shaded or air-conditioned area, loosen or remove excess clothing, cool the person using cold compresses or misting, and provide fluids for rehydration. Contact a supervisor or medical professional for further assistance.

          Heat Stroke: Heat stroke is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. Call emergency services right away. While waiting for help to arrive, move the person to a shaded area, remove excess clothing, and cool the body rapidly using cold water immersion or wet towels. Monitor the person’s condition closely and provide reassurance. 

          Conclusion:

          Heat-related illnesses are preventable if proper precautions are taken. By understanding the different types of heat-related illnesses, implementing preventive measures such as hydration, acclimatization, rest breaks, appropriate clothing, work scheduling, and engineering controls, and knowing how to recognize and respond to heat-related emergencies, we can ensure the safety and well-being of all workers. Remember, everyone has a responsibility to look out for one another in hot working conditions. Stay informed, stay hydrated, and stay safe.

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