Why is fall protection so important on, off-duty?

Published May 4, 2016
By Steve Serrette
72nd Air Base Wing Safety Office

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the United States Air Force (Quest-for-Zero Campaign) are once again partnering to address the issue of "fall protection" -- and especially within the workplace.

The "Fall Protection Focus Week Campaign" takes place from May 2-6. It will also be known as "National Safety Stand-Down."

What is a "Safety Stand-Down?" It is a voluntary event for employers to talk directly to employees about Safety. This "Stand-Down" focuses on "fall hazards" and reinforcing the importance of "fall prevention."

Industrial Workplace Safety:

All levels of Tinker Management can engage their employees by taking a break, or breaks, to have safety meetings or other safety activities such as conducting safety equipment inspections, developing rescue plans, or discussing job-specific fall hazards. Look at what needs improvement.Look at your current training plan -- is it sufficient? Look at your equipment, is there better equipment available?

During fiscal years 2010-2014, the Air Force had 7,671 injuries from falls resulting in 44,000 lost work days at a cost of more than $30 million, which includes three fatalities.

According to OSHA, over the last 10 years, more than 3,500 workers have died from falls which remains the leading cause of death in construction, accounting for more than a third of deaths in the industry. Fatalities caused by falls from elevation continue to be a leading cause of death for construction workers, accounting for 337 of the 874 construction fatalities recorded in 2014 (BLS preliminary data). Those deaths were preventable. During fiscal year 2014, violations of Fall Prevention Safety Standards were among the top 10 most frequently cited OSHA standards.

Although many falls in general do not result in injury, one out of five falls at any given time causes injuries such as hip fractures, other broken bones and head injuries -- as a matter of fact, falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injury.

Each year, approximately 2.5 million older people are treated in medical centers' emergency departments and over 700,000 patients are hospitalized annually as a result of sustaining a fall. Adjusted for inflation, the direct medical costs for fall injuries are over $34 million annually. Hospital costs account for two-thirds of the total.

As you can see, falls are among the most common causes of very serious work-related and non-work-related injuries and deaths. Let's first visit work-related fall concerns:

The OSHA General Duty Clause, affectionately known as "the 5(a)(1)" is unabashedly direct in stating, "Each employer SHALL furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees."

It is incumbent upon the employer to implement sound measures in an attempt to prevent employees from being injured from falls. Employers must:

· Guard every floor hole into which a worker can accidentally walk (using a railing and toe-board or a floor hole cover).

· Provide a guard rail and toe-board around every elevated open sided platform, floor or runway.

· Regardless of height, if a worker can fall into or onto dangerous machines or equipment (such as a vat of acid or a conveyor belt) employers must provide guardrails and toe-boards to prevent workers from falling and getting injured.

· Other means of fall protection that may be required on certain jobs include safety harness and line, safety nets, stair railings and hand rails.

OSHA requires employers to:

· Provide working conditions that are free of known dangers.

· Keep floors in work areas in a clean and, so far as possible, a dry condition.

· Select and provide required personal protective equipment at no cost to workers.

· Train workers about job hazards in a language that they can understand.

Administrative Workplace/Office Safety:

In the administrative workplace, everyone shall:

· Exercise great caution when sitting down and arising from a chair.

· Refrain from tilting backwards while seated in a chair.

· Exercise due caution when walking on wet floors, around equipment, cords, exits and entrances, or litter.

· Refrain from standing on chairs or other furniture

· Be trained and documented (A.F.Form 55) before climbing a ladder

· Exercise great caution when using stairs -- hold the handrails.

Home Safety:

Now, let's examine some measures for off-the-job safety:

Your parents have been living quite well in their own home for decades now. But if you're thinking it might be time to step in and give their home a fall-prevention assessment, you're right.

Today, Americans are living longer while staying active and healthy. But adults 65 and older are at risk for falls, which can signal the beginning of the end of that active life -- and their independence. Injuries from falls can, and do lead to limited activity, reduced mobility, loss of fitness and a fear of falling, all of which increase risk of additional injury.

Falls also are the leading cause of injury-related death for adults age 65 and older, according to Injury Facts 2015, the statistical report on unintentional injuries created by the National Safety Council. This is not surprising considering falls are among the most common causes of traumatic brain injury, as previously mentioned. About 29,500 people died from falls in 2013, and the vast majority of them were over age 65.

While falls can happen anywhere off-duty, they most often occur at home. What can you do to make your home or the home of someone you love safer?

· Remove clutter, small furniture, pet gear, electrical cords, throw rugs and anything else that might cause someone to trip

· Arrange or remove furniture so there is plenty of room for walking

· Secure carpets to the floor

· Wipe up spills immediately

· Make sure outdoor areas are well lit and walkways are smooth and free from ice

· Use non-slip adhesive strips on stairs

· Use non-skid mats or appliques in the bath and shower

· Install grab bars in the tub, shower and near the toilet

· Install railings on both sides of stairs

· Provide adequate lighting in every room and stairway

· Place nightlights in kitchen, bath and hallways

· Make often-used items more accessible, like food, clothing, etc., so an older person won't be tempted to use a stool or ladder to get to them

· If necessary, provide personal walking devices, such as a cane or walker, to aid in stability

Children's Safety:

From the moment your baby starts to crawl, the world becomes a magical place filled with new adventures and discoveries. From a child's perspective, everything is a potential mountain to climb (that giant bookshelf), obstacle to overcome (those pesky stairs), or mysterious place to investigate (anywhere beyond the safety-gate). Little bumps will occur but we as adults need to ensure that those brave expeditions don't result in something much more serious.

Here are some things to consider:

· Install window guards and stops. Screens are meant to keep bugs out, not children in. Install window-stops so that windows open no more than four inches.

· Secure children when they are seated. Use high chairs, infant carriers, swings and strollers.

· If your child is in a carrier, always remember to place it on the floor, and NOT on top of a table or other furniture.

· There are some things to know about baby walkers: They don't come with safety features that prevent the walkers from rolling down the stairs, and it's easy for children to fall or reach higher objects that may be unsafe. So please be extra careful.

· Because baby walkers can be dangerous, try using a stationary activity center. These items give your baby a chance to practice standing and moving more safely. Look for one that is on a stable, non-moveable base and place it away from stairs, hot appliances or window cords.

· Consider anti-slip rugs for the floors in your home, and mats or decals in the bathtub or shower to help prevent dangerous falls.

· It's important that kids have the freedom to be creative and push their limits. That means wearing a helmet for appropriate activities such as biking or snowboarding to prevent a head injury that can ruin the fun down the road.

· Secure TVs and furniture to the wall using mounts, brackets, braces, anchors or wall straps to prevent tip-overs. These accidents happen more than you might think, so take a few minutes, secure your furniture and then never worry about it again.

· Don't let children climb on furniture or use drawers or shelves as steps.
Remember, whether on or off-duty, it's not the fall that kills you -- it's the sudden stop
at the end. Think before you act, follow safety rules as you have been taught and remain focused on the Quest-for-Zero.

(Some parts of this article thanks to: cdc.gov, osha.gov, nsc.org, safekids.org, afi.91-203)