Working at heights
By
Oil & Gas Skills
Fall Hazards – Overview
A. Fall Hazards
1. Building Structures
2. Exterior Construction Areas
3. Scaffolds
4. Stairs
5. Ladders
B. Accident Prevention
1. Guardrail Systems
2. Warning Lines
3. Personal Fall Arrest Systems
C. Sample of Working at Height (WI)
Fall Hazards
Falls are one of the greatest hazards
on construction sites.
This program will help you recognize Safe
common fall hazards.
The symbols will tell you if the
situation in the picture is either safe
or not safe. Not safe
Fall Hazards
Fall hazards can be found
on every construction site:
• Building structures
• Exterior construction areas
• Scaffolds
• Stairs
• Ladders
Building Structures
Work conditions 6’ or more above
lower level require the use of fall
protection:
• Unprotected sides,
edges
• Leading edges
• Excavations
• Walking/working
surfaces
Regardless of height, fall protection
must be used when working above:
• Dangerous equipment
• Sharp objects
• Piercing objects
Building Structures
This worker is working
6’ above the lower
level without using fall
protection.
Building Structures
When working at a
height of 6’ above the
lower level you must use
fall protection:
• Personal fall arrest
systems
• Guardrail systems
Building Structures
When working at a
height of 6’ above the
lower level you must
use fall protection.
These workers are not
utilizing a personal fall
arrest system.
Building Structures
Guardrail systems
must be
maintained when
working 6’ above
lower level, or
when working
above dangerous
equipment and
sharp objects.
Building Structures
Damaged or missing
guardrails must be fixed
immediately.
When materials can be
kicked off or pushed
out and fall on any
worker below, toe
boards, screens and/or
netting must be used.
Exterior Construction Areas
Falls from a short
distance can result in
serious injury.
All workers must be
protected from falling
onto sharp materials or
onto dangerous
equipment.
Exterior Construction Areas
All open excavations
and pier holes must
be guarded or
protected.
Scaffolds
Scaffolds are elevated,
temporary work
platforms:
• Supported scaffold
• Guardrail Systems
• Access ladders
• Powered work
platforms
• The role of the competent
person during erection
Scaffolds
Scaffolds are elevated,
temporary work
platforms:
• Supported scaffold
• Guardrail Systems
• Access ladders
• Powered work
platforms
• The role of the competent
person during erection
Scaffolds
Scaffold bases must
rest on a base plate
and a mud sill.
The base plate is
designed to level
and support the
scaffold.
Scaffolds
Only work from
scaffolds that are
properly
constructed and
supported.
Scaffolds
Scaffolds used in stair
wells must be properly
constructed.
Scaffolds
When working on
scaffolds 6’ above
lower level,
guardrail systems
must be installed.
Scaffolds
Never use scaffolds
that do not have a
proper guardrail
system installed.
Scaffolds
Scaffold platforms must
be fully and properly
planked.
Scaffolds
Never stack blocks,
bricks, or use ladders
on top of scaffolds for
extra height.
Scaffolds
Workers must have
a safe way to access
the scaffold.
Scaffolds
Never use blocks,
bricks, walk boards, and
other unsafe methods
to access a scaffold.
Scaffolds
Use only ladders
designed for use with
scaffolds.
The ladder must be
firmly secured to the
scaffold.
Powered Work Platforms
Powered platforms
include:
• man-baskets placed on a
forklift,
• aerial lifts, and
• scissor lifts.
Powered Work Platforms
Always make sure you
have proper fall
protection and training
before using a powered
platform.
Powered Work Platforms
Only use equipment that is designed for lifting
personnel and suitable for the assigned task.
Stairs
Stairways must have a
stair rail along each
unprotected side or
edge.
Stairs
Stairs that have walls
on both sides must
have at least one
hand rail on the right-
hand side when
climbing down.
Stairs
Never use stairs
that are not
complete or
unsafe.
Ladders
Ladders must be
inspected prior to
use.
Ladders must be
kept in a good
condition and safe
location.
Ladders
Do not stand on the top
of a ladder.
Ladders
Read labels on
ladders for
instructions to
ensure proper use.
Ladders
Always maintain good
footing on a step ladder.
Use the correct size
ladder for the work that
is to be done.
Ladders
Always use the right
equipment for the job:
• Ladders
• Lifts
• Scaffolds
Ladders
Never straddle or sit on top of a step ladder.
Ladders
An A-Frame ladder
must be fully opened
and locked into
position.
Use ladders only for
their designed purpose.
Ladders
Only use ladders on
stable and level
surfaces to prevent
accidental movement.
Ladders
Ladders must be
positioned at a safe
angle to avoid
potential fall hazards
when climbing.
Extension ladders
must extend 3’ over
the landing for safe
access.
Ladders
When using a portable
ladder for access to an
upper landing surface,
the side rails must
extend at least 3’ above
the upper landing
surface.
Ladders
Proper use vs. improper
application
Ladders
Maintain contact with
the ladder using both
hands to keep a safe
grip.
Face ladder when going
up or down.
Never climb a ladder
while carrying any
materials.
Job Made Ladders
Job made ladders must
be properly
constructed:
• Steps equally spaced
• No missing steps or
rungs
• No sharp edges or nails
sticking out
Job Made Ladders
Never use a job made
ladder that is damaged or
missing steps.
Only use a job made
ladder that has been
properly built.
Job Made Ladders
Job made ladders must
also be constructed so
that no nails protrude
or sharp edges exist.
Nails and sharp edges
can catch on clothing
and cause falls.
Accident Prevention
A willing, positive attitude
towards safety will help
make a safer work
environment.
Preventing Fall Accidents
Construction work
performed at 6’ or higher
above a lower level
requires fall protection.
Some fall protection
methods include:
• Guardrail systems
• Warning lines
• Fall arrest systems and
• Floor covers
Guardrail Systems
Guardrail systems
must have a top rail,
a mid rail and a toe
board.
The top rail must
be at least 42”
from the working
surface.
Guardrail Systems
All guardrail systems
must be constructed with
a top rail and a mid rail.
The top rail must support
200 lbs. of force
downward and outward.
The mid rail must support
150 lbs of force.
Guardrail Systems
Cable guardrails
must meet the same
rules as wood
guardrails.
The top rail must be
at least 42 inches
high and resist up to
200 lbs.
Cable Guardrails
Steel cable
guardrails must
have the top
rail flagged every
6 feet.
Cable Guardrails
The clamps used for a steel cable system must
be placed correctly.
Dead end
U-bolt
Saddle
Dead end
Warning Lines
Warning lines are
used to keep
workers away from
an unsafe edge.
The warning line
must be at least 6’
away from the
edge.
Warning Lines
Warning lines must
withstand 16 lbs. of
tipping force.
The warning line must
be at least 34” from
the ground.
Warning Lines
Warning lines
must be
maintained.
Report any unsafe
condition to your
supervisor.
Warning Lines
Never work in an
area if the warning
line has been
knocked down or
damaged.
Personal Fall Arrest Systems
The fall arrest
system components
are:
• body harness,
• lanyard, and
• anchorage point.
Personal Fall Arrest Systems
Body harness must be
worn properly. Chest
strap
D-ring must rest
between the shoulders
and the chest strap must
be secured.
D-ring
Personal Fall Arrest Systems
Body harness must
be:
• inspected before use,
• adjusted to fit the
worker, and
• free from other
visible damage.
Personal Fall Arrest Systems
Lanyards must be in good condition and free from
visible damage.
Personal Fall Arrest Systems
Lanyard must
attach to the
D-ring on the
body harness.
Personal Fall Arrest Systems
Never anchor or tie
off to pipes, wood
structures, electrical
wires, or other areas
not designed for
anchorage points.
Personal Fall Arrest Systems
The anchorage
point is the place
where you tie off
to or hook to.
The anchorage
point must support
the force of a
person falling.
Personal Fall Arrest Systems
A life line is used to
allow a worker to
stay tied off while
he moves through
the work area.
Personal Fall Arrest Systems
Workers must
always be tied
off when
working with a
personal fall
arrest system.
Sample of Working at Height (WI)
Thank You
