Falling-object hazards

Explain dangers Carts with sides

When moving equipment, tools, or material,
The most common injuries workers suffer from always use a cart that is an appropriate size for
falling objects are bruises, fractures, strains, and what you are moving and make sure the cart has
sprains. The objects that commonly fall range sides. If you need to extend something over the
from large items such as roof trusses and steel sides of the cart, you must secure the item and
beams to small items such as fasteners and small the cart must be stable.
hand tools.
PROCEDURAL CONTROLS
Identify controls Securing loads
When lifting, make sure the load is balanced and
There are two types of controls you can use to secured. Check for small or loose pieces before
prevent falling objects from hurting workers: you lift. Otherwise, a shift in the load or the wind
1. Physical controls physically stop the object could cause objects to fall. Before placing a load
from falling (or from falling very far). on a scaffold or a platform, make sure the work
area has properly built guardrails.
2. Procedural controls refer to changing the way
you work so that objects can’t fall. Good hoisting practices
Never lift, lower, or swing a load over someone’s
PHYSICAL CONTROLS
head. Use barricades to block off areas where
Guardrails loads are being lifted or lowered. If the operator’s
Toeboards must be installed on all guardrails. view is impeded in any way, use a signaller to
They stop objects from falling down to the level assist the operator. Always use proper rigging
below. Toeboards must be a minimum of 89 mm procedures and ensure the rigging equipment is
(3.5 in) high and installed flush with the surface. in good condition.
If you pile material higher than 89 mm (3.5 in) Good housekeeping
high, put plywood panels or screening on the Keep tools and other materials away from edges,
guardrails. This will prevent materials from falling railings, and other elevated surfaces. Always stack
down to the level below and stop small objects materials on flat surfaces and secure them, if
from falling through the openings between rails. necessary, to avoid movement. When working, be
Open grating covers aware of your surroundings and watch that you
don’t inadvertently knock or hit something off the
If you are performing work on open grating, place level you are work on down to the level below.
non-slip plywood or a similar product on top of
the grating to prevent small objects from falling Proper material stacking
through it. To prevent tipping, store materials and equipment
Barricades and overhead protective structures at least six feet away from an edge. If you are
working near openings, arrange materials so
Use barricades to block off exclusion zones— that they can’t roll or slide in the direction of the
areas where workers are not allowed—below opening and use opening covers. Always secure
the work area. Combine barricades with signs material to prevent movement from the wind.
that indicate it is an exclusion zone and entry is When you remove something from a secured pile,
prohibited. This includes hoisting areas. When don’t forget to resecure the material.
barricades are not practical, use overhead
protective structures.
Demonstrate
Tool lanyards and tethers
These attach tools directly to the worker’s Perform a site inspection to identify falling-object
harness or tool belt. If used properly, they will hazards.
prevent tools from dropping to a lower level.

Techniques and Tools 83

LADDER SAFETY

TYPES OF LADDERS Ladder

Maximum
Duty Rating Intended Load
Type
(lbs.)
Portable ladders can be readily moved or carried. Extra Heavy IAA 375
They include self-supporting step ladders, single or (high capacity IA 300
straight ladders, twin front ladders, extension trestle industrial)
ladders, extension ladders and stepstools (ladder- Heavy I 250
type). (industrial)

An orchard ladder is a three-legged portable ladder Medium II 225

(commercial,
used in orchards or garden and landscape work.
painting,
Portable ladders must be able to support at least four maintenance)
times the maximum intended load (shown on the Light III 200
ladder label), except extra-heavy-duty metal or (household)
fiberglass ladders, which must be able to sustain 3.3
times the maximum intended load. Choosing a fiberglass, aluminum or wood ladder?
Fixed ladders cannot be readily moved or carried • Fiberglass is the best choice and required for
because they are an integral part of a building or most UW work for strength, durability,
structure. weather resistance and non-conductivity.
Never subject a ladder to a load greater than its duty • Never use a metal ladder if electrical contact
rating, which is the total load of the person’s weight, may occur.
equipment, tools and materials.

Platform

Cross Step

Stepstool

Page 1 | February 2021 www.ehs.washington.edu | 206.543.7262 | [email protected]

SELECT THE RIGHT LADDER SET UP PROPERLY
• How high do you need to reach? Top of ladder No matter what kind of ladder you use, place the base
should be no more than 4 feet below the work. on a firm, solid surface and avoid slippery, wet or soft
• How much weight will the ladder need to surfaces.
hold? Compare it to the ladder duty rating. • If you must put a ladder on a soft surface, place a
• Is it an indoor or outdoor job? Orchard ladders board under the ladder's feet.
should only be used outdoors for orchard, • Never lean a straight or extension ladder against
gardening or landscaping activities. a window pane or other unstable surface.
• Use a fiberglass ladder if electrical contact may • All straight and extension ladders must extend at
occur. least 3 feet beyond the upper level surface.
• Never use a ladder for any purpose other than
the one for which it was designed.
• Do not use if damaged, defective or if steps are
greasy or slippery.

Straight and extension ladder setup

Source: NIOSH Ladder Safety App

• For safe placement, place a straight or extension

ladder 1 foot away from the surface it's resting on
for every 4 feet of the ladder's height (see 4:1
Ratio method below); or use the Body Method
Step ladder proper use (see page 3).
Source: NIOSH Ladder Safety App

LADDER INSPECTION
Inspect ladders before each use. After the job is done,
clean and return it to storage in good condition.
• Carefully inspect for defects, cracks or corrosion,
and that bolts and rivets are secure.
• Check that rungs, cleats or steps are not bent,
broken or missing.
• Joints between steps or rungs and the side rails
should be tight.
• Check that hardware, fittings and accessories are
securely attached and working properly.
• Make sure the ladder's feet work properly and
have slip-resistant pads.
• Tag and remove unsafe ladders from service.
• A documented annual inspection of all ladders Straight and extension ladder setup - 4:1 Ratio method
Source: NIOSH Ladder Safety App
must be completed by a Competent Person.

Page 2 | February 2021 www.ehs.washington.edu | 206.543.7262 | [email protected]

 • Wear slip-resistant shoes.
• Never have someone climb up to bring you
something; only one person should be on a
ladder at a time (unless ladder design allows).
• Keep area clear near top and bottom of ladder.
• Do not use extension ladders in windy or
inclement weather.
• If bad weather arises, climb down immediately
and wait for it to pass.
• Clean the ladder after each use to prevent dirt
buildup.

FIXED LADDERS
Safety precautions similar to portable ladders are
required on fixed ladders. Cages and wells on existing
fixed ladders taller than 24 feet are being phased out
by regulations now through November 2036. New
fixed ladders will require personal fall arrest or other
systems at certain heights.
Straight and extension ladder setup – Body method
Source: NIOSH Ladder Safety App

• Securely fasten straight or extension ladders to an WHEN TO USE FALL

upper support. PROTECTION
• Ensure all portable ladders are level and secure at
the base. A personal fall protection system may be required on
• Make sure step ladders are fully open and any ladder when the height in feet is 10 or greater
spreaders locked. above the floor or ground depending on the work to
• Guard doorways near any type of ladder work so be done. The system may be a fall arrest, fall
no one can open a door and knock you off. restraint, positioning system or other approach. A Fall
• Never place a ladder on a box, barrel or other Protection Work Plan is required to fully assess the
object to gain additional height. hazards and determine controls and safeguards.
• Secure area from people, traffic and equipment
that may bump you off a ladder. LADDER TRAINING
SAFE LADDER USE • See the EH&S website for online and classroom
courses on ladder safety.
• Never use a ladder if you feel dizzy or ill.
• EH&S will assist with department-specific training.
• Face the ladder and always grip the rungs, not
the side rails.
• Always keep three points of contact with the
RESOURCES
ladder: two hands and one foot or two feet and
• EH&S Fall Protection webpage and Fall
one hand.
Protection Program Manual
• Never get off a ladder from the side.
• Ladder Safety Guide WA Labor and Industries
• Do not stand higher than the third rung or step
• Ladder Safety App National Institute for
from the top.
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) mobile
• Don't lean or overreach; reposition the ladder
application to improve ladder safety
instead.
• Don't climb while carrying tools; use a tool belt
or pull up bucket on rope from below.

Contact EH&S at [email protected] or 206.543.7388 for more information about ladder safety.

Page 3 | February 2021 www.ehs.washington.edu | 206.543.7262 | [email protected]