OSHA requirements in the workplace are Plain and Staightforward

Posted by admin

April 30, 2009

The headline was alarming, “Plaster Laborer Dies After Falling from a Scaffold”. When you read further you learned that a 59 year old plasterer diedwhen he fell from a scaffold and struck his head on asphalt pavement below. The victim and a co-worker had erected the welded tubular scaffolding on the outside wall of a one story building. The next day the workers had planned to bring the railings and access ladder to the work site. Toward the end of the day, the man returned some tools and equipment to the supply truck. It was at this time that he made the fateful decision to take off his safety helmet. He returned to the scaffold area, forgetting to put his helmet back on. At this time his co-worker was perched at the top of the unguarded scaffold, when the victim started to climb the scaffold bracing. The co-worker did not see what the man was doing but heard a clanging sound on the bracing. He soon realized that the victim was lying on the ground, not moving. It was at this time, he called on someone to call 911. Unfortunately, the man died later that day from head injuries. scaffolding, whether it is rolling scaffolding or interior scaffolding can be hazardous work places to be employed. Professionalism and safety must be practiced at all times.

When an incident like this occurs, it takes several different reports to find out the real issue of what happened and why. Reports from the employer, the police, the coroner, OSHA even the state climatologist were all gathered. After these reports were deliberated upon the following five recommendations were made in order to keep other laborers safe in the workplace. It is with the intention of preventing similar occurrences that these were offered.

1. Employers should ensure that adequate fall protection is used by workers on scaffolds.
Fall protection should be provided for employees who are working on elevated work surfaces on scaffolds. There are specific guidelines that employers should follow posted on the OSHA.gov website.

2. Employers should ensure that safe access is provided to the work platforms of all scaffolds.
Scaffolds should be equipped with a means for safe access to the work platform. The crossbars should not be used to maneuver up and down the scaffold.

3. Employers should evaluate their current written safety program and incorporate specific training procedures that emphasize recognizing and avoiding hazards.
Safety programs should be evaluated and incorporate the importance of recognizing and avoiding hazards in the workplace and following established safe work procedures.

4. Employers should encourage workers to actively participate in workplace safety.
Workplace safety should be unambiguous and all workers should understand the role they play in the prevention of occupational injury.

5. Manufacturers of protective headgear should continue research and development of hard-hats so that they will come to eliminate or reduce the severity of injuries from falls.
Protective headgear for construction workers is designed to meet standards for limited protection against forces of electricity, impact, penetration, and flammability. These must be continually improved upon.

If these precautions, and safety measures are followed it will hopefully stop an employee from leaving for work one day and not returning when it is dinner time.

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