1 I Introduction to Drop Prevention 1 I Introduction to Drop Prevention

Deflections Drop Prevention

Dropped objects that deflect off of a surface can pose just as great a risk to workers as objects that do not The term “Drop Prevention” encompasses a spectrum
bounce or deflect. That’s because, while designated “Drop Zones” may keep workers and others outside of techniques and equipment designed to minimize
of a designated at-height work area, tools like the 8.3 lb. (3.6 kg) wrench referenced in the falling object injury, downtime and costs due to drops. The
deflections illustration below could theoretically deflect and travel horizontally up to 420 ft. (128 m) It’s primary and secondary approach to dropped object
unlikely that distance would be accounted for by a “Drop Zone” barricade, so potential victims would be prevention states that employees should always have
unsuspecting and unprepared. two lines of defense against dropped objects.

Primary Drop Systems are those employed to prevent

an object’s ability to become a drop hazard in the
Falling Object Deflections first place. A primary system is typically the worker’s
grip on the tool but may also include the tool’s main
support system (ie. if it is holstered or left sitting on a
200 foot drop (67 m) “Dropped Object Deflection Study,”
Southern Polytechnic State University.
work platform). For example, if a worker is overtired
and his/her hand slips, the tool may fall, thus losing
Objects don’t just fall straight down! the primary form of drop prevention. If a tool is left
The diagram below illustrates how far an 8.3 lb. (3.6 kg) on a work platform after use, wind, personnel, or
wrench could theoretically deflect after hitting a bar 20 ft. vibrations of heavy machinery nearby may cause the
(6 m) off the ground.
tool to drop over an edge.
100 foot drop (37 m)

Secondary Drop Systems are utilized as a backup

system in case the primary system fails. Secondary
systems may include passive systems such as
25 foot drop (14 m)
guardrails with toe-board and mesh netting, screens,
floor/hole coverings, and tool canopies that have
Impact at 20 feet (6m) side protection. They may also include tool restraint
systems which are utilized to secure a tool or object
Up to 65 ft. deflection (20 m) Up to 220 ft. deflection (67 m) Up to 420 ft. deflection (128 m) to an employee or stationary structure to prevent it the tool and prevents the tool from striking a lower
from falling (these include pouches and spill control level and others below.
buckets). Tool arrest systems include tool tethers,
which prevent damage from a dropped or falling Like the Hierarchy of Fall Protection, which should be
object after it has fallen. The tether arrests the fall of familiar to many at-height workers, dropped object
Hand tools and materials can become drop hazards
solutions can be categorized similarly:
in three ways:
While eliminating or even substituting the hazard is
Fatality Alert – U.S. 1. During usage: Vigorous use and other factors
typically the preferential action—such as performing
A truck driver came onsite to offload a
such as overtiring of the worker, loss of balance
or proper grip, etc., can cause the user to lose
Hierarchy a task at ground level—this is often not feasible for
tools or materials.
pallet of materials. A worker 50 stories control of the tool. Vibrations of heavy machinery
The Hierarchy of Drop Prevention is:
may also cause unsecured tools to fall from Passive Systems include tool canopies with both
above dropped his tape measure. It hit surfaces they are resting on in between use. 1. Hazard Elimination or Substitution top (and added side protection if the potential for
an object on the ground, and deflected 2. Passive Systems (Guardrails with toe- deflection exists), guardrails with toe-boards and
2. Transportation of tools: Transporting tools to
upwards, striking the driver in the temple or from location of work, sharing and handing boards and mesh netting, screens, floor/ mesh netting or screens small enough to prevent
hole coverings, tool canopies with side passage of tools through the railing, and floor/hole
and killing him. Media reports following tools to other personnel, and worksite collisions
protection) coverings.
the incident noted that, “He wasn’t involving personnel or materials are common
occurrences whereby tools may be dropped. 3. Tool Restraint (Transport buckets, tool Tool Restraint may consist of tool holsters, pouches,
wearing a hard hat.” Even if he had one,
holsters, tool pouches) and transport buckets such as the Safe Bucket, which
he was struck from below on the temple 3. Improper housekeeping issues: After use, tools
4. Tool Arrest (On/off-the-body anchoring allow tools to be safely secured inside until they are
may be unintentionally left behind or placed aside
where a hard hat would not likely have on the working surface where they are no longer solutions) needed. Small and large tools, bolts, and accessories
protected him. can be contained inside tool pouches and bags with
secured or being controlled. 5. Administrative Controls (Dropped object hook and loop closures, a zipper or neoprene sleeve,
zones: Barricading off the area below) which may be attached to the worker’s harness or
work platform.

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