DOWN TO ZERODOWN TO ZERO Down To Zero ̶ Eliminate Falls/Save Lives State Building & Construction Trades Council of California, AFL-CIO Funded by Federal OSHA (2013) This material was produced under grant number SH F-6 from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor. It does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. PPT Section 2 of 8

DOWN TO ZERODOWN TO ZERO Background - Falls in Construction 2

DOWN TO ZERODOWN TO ZERO Why This Training? Show Digital Story: Solar Panel Installer Falls Off Roof Discuss the following questions: – What caused Hans to fall off the roof? – Have you or someone you know ever faced a similar fall hazard? Please tell us about it. – What are all of the different fall protection systems that could have been used at Hans’ jobsite? – What needs to be done to identify potential fall hazards prior to starting a job?

DOWN TO ZERODOWN TO ZERO U.S. Construction Industry Falls are the leading cause of death in construction 17.5 % of all workplace fatalities are in construction Construction workers are: – 6% of the workforce nationwide, and – 17.5% of the workplace deaths

DOWN TO ZERODOWN TO ZERO Deaths From Falls In Construction, by Worksite Size, (Nationwide) Source: CPWR

DOWN TO ZERODOWN TO ZERO Causes of Construction Falls in California (2011) Data for 2011 is preliminary

DOWN TO ZERODOWN TO ZERO Rate Of Deaths From Falls, Selected Construction Trades, Source: CPWR

DOWN TO ZERODOWN TO ZERO Rate Of Fatal Falls Among Hispanic Foreign-born, Native, and White, Non-Hispanic Construction Workers, FTE = Full-time equivalent, defined as 2,000 hours worked per year. Source: CPWR, Bureau of Labor Statistics: Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, Current Population Survey.

DOWN TO ZERODOWN TO ZERO Fatalities From Falls Among Hispanic Construction Workers, Source: CPWR, Bureau of Labor Statistics: Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries.

DOWN TO ZERODOWN TO ZERO Top Ten OSHA Citations (2011) Scaffolding, construction Fall protection, construction Hazard communication standard, general industry Respiratory protection, general industry Control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout), general industry Electrical, wiring methods, components and equipment, general industry Powered industrial trucks, general industry Ladders, construction Electrical systems design, general requirements/industry Machine guarding (machines, general industry)

DOWN TO ZERODOWN TO ZERO What Are The Most Common Causes of Falls? Photo: Robert Carr Photo: eLCOSH Photo: NAHB

DOWN TO ZERODOWN TO ZERO Can You Catch Yourself If You Fall? No! The average person’s reaction time is half a second. In that time you fall 4 feet Gravity pulls you down and your speed quickly increases A person who weighs 200 pounds and falls 6 feet will hit the ground with almost 10,000 pounds of force > Do the card activity

DOWN TO ZERODOWN TO ZERO What Should An Employer Do Before Work Begins? – Identify fall hazards – Identify methods, systems, and procedures to eliminate or control fall hazards – Designate competent and qualified persons

DOWN TO ZERODOWN TO ZERO What Is A “Competent” Person? Identifies existing and predictable hazards Has authority to eliminate fall hazards Has authority to stop work if unsafe conditions exist Has authority to take prompt corrective action to eliminate hazards

DOWN TO ZERODOWN TO ZERO What Is A “Qualified” Person? A person designated by the employer; and by reason of training, experience, or instruction, has demonstrated the ability to perform safely all assigned duties

DOWN TO ZERODOWN TO ZERO What’s Wrong In This Picture? Photo: OSHA Training Institute, Southwest Education Center

DOWN TO ZERODOWN TO ZERO When Is Fall Protection Required? Above 30’: Iron Workers connecting steel Above 20’: Roofers applying roofing material (only applies in California) Above 15’: Iron Workers bolting steel (bolt-up) Above 6’ (7-1/2’ in CA): Anyone working on unprotected sides and edges Above 6’: Rod Busters working with rebar Above 4’: Electrical & Telecom workers climbing poles & towers Source: Cal/OSHA

DOWN TO ZERODOWN TO ZERO Reinforcing Steel (Rodbusting) Photo: Cal/OSHA

DOWN TO ZERODOWN TO ZERO Cal/OSHA’s Steel Erection Standard Connectors must use fall protection when working two stories or 30 feet above a lower level Photo: eLCOSH

DOWN TO ZERODOWN TO ZERO Change In The Federal Residential Fall Protection Policy T he new federal directive (b)(13) states: – Workers “engaged in residential construction activities 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above lower levels shall be protected by guardrail systems, safety net system, or personal fall arrest system” – or, by alternative fall protection measures allowed under (b) for particular types of work