Chubb Construction Risk Engineering

Fall Prevention Chubb Construction Risk Engineering

Fall Prevention Overview Duty for Fall Protection 3 Best Practices for Fall Management 3 Job Safety Task Analysis 3 Fall Hazards 3 Fall Protection 4 Basic Requirements 4 The ABCDs of Fall Arrest 8 Step Fall Protection Plan 5 Anchorage Systems 5 Basics 5 Fall Restraint and Work Positioning Systems 6 Certified vs. Uncertified Anchorages 6 Anchorage Connectors 7 Important Considerations 7 Horizontal Lifeline Anchors 7 Rescue 8 Training 9 Fall Protection and Multi-Employer Sites 9

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Overview to further control the potential for falls This analysis can also be a valuable on their job sites. tool for training new employees in • Discipline: Progressive discipline the steps required to perform their Introduction program in place (first violation jobs safely. Every job can be broken In the construction industry, falls are suspension from work for one week, down into job tasks or steps. Watch the the leading cause of worker fatalities. In second violation suspension for one employee perform the job and list each 2012, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) month, third violation employee fired) step as the worker takes it. Be sure to reported that 806 workers died in the • Job Safety Task Analysis ( JSTA): JSTA record enough information to describe construction industry with 290 (40%) as is reviewed with crew performing work each job action without getting overly a result of falls, slips and trips.1 Compared prior to start of operation. Documented detailed. Avoid making the breakdown to 2011, the construction industry had and signed. Subcontractors are of steps so detailed that it becomes 738 fatalities an increase of 68 fatalities or contractually required to submit a JSTA unnecessarily long or so broad that 8.4% and of the total number of fatalities, prior to start of an operation. The JSTA it does not include basic steps. When 262 were related to falls, slips, and trips must be submitted and reviewed with developing a JSTA, you’ll need to ask an increase of 9.7%.2 the GC/CM prior to starting work. the following questions: • Subs: Subcontractors engaged in work –– What can go wrong? If a fall occurs, Duty for Fall Protection. Employers are resulting in fall exposures six feet and the worker could strike an adjacent required to determine if the walking/ greater must adhere to 100 percent fall column, or possibly a lower level due working surfaces on which employees are management program requirements. to the swing fall created. to work have the strength and structural This is clearly stated in subcontract –– What are the consequences? integrity to safely support workers. Once agreements/contracts. The worker could receive severe employers have determined that the • Coordinator: Contractor has a fall injuries as a result of the fall and surface is safe for employees to work management coordinator to oversee subsequently hitting the column, on, the employer must select one of the the development and implementation lower level or both. options listed for the work operation if a of the program and training. Fall –– How could it happen? The accident fall hazard is present. For example, if an management coordinator conducts could happen as a result of the employee is exposed to falling six feet or audits of work sites to determine the worker locating the fall arrest more from an unprotected side or edge, effectiveness of controls and training. anchorage (retractable lanyard) in the employer must select either; guardrail • Stop: Full-time safety representative an improper location that requires system, safety net system, or personal fall on site has the authority to stop an movement to a distant work position arrest system to protect the worker. operation due to lack of compliance. creating the swing fall. • Participate: All employees including –– What are other contributing factors? Best Practices for Fall Management subcontractor employees are required Due to the configuration of the steel, • 100%: 100 percent fall management to participate in fall management work must take place in multiple program for all trades/operations orientation training on each project. locations within the columns to (including steel erection). Fall • Accountability: Field management complete steel connections. There management program should personal are responsible for daily are two workers using separate include: pre-job planning, roles compliance with the fall management retractable lanyards in this work area and responsibilities, accountability, program. Field management personal that may become tangled. retrieval procedures and training of are held accountable for the safety –– How likely is it that the hazard will personnel and review and investigation performance of their respective occur? It is highly likely that a swing of all fall related incidents and near projects. Safety performance of fall hazard can be created when misses. the project is tied to management’s working in this environment if the • Six feet: Activities involving work compensation. placement of overhead anchor at elevations six feet and greater are • Job Safety Task Analysis: This is a points (retractable lanyards) is not pre-planned and safety engineered way to evaluate the hazards of a job preplanned and coordinated. To into activity ( Job Safety Task Analysis). before they occur. Supervisors can use reduce the risk of accidents due to Contractors may want to consider more the findings of a JSTA to eliminate and falls, employers and employees can aggressive requirements such as 4 feet prevent hazards in their workplaces. to do the following:

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• Required Competent and / or Qualified fall protection is not required when fall arrest systems, or shall work in a persons are assigned and where employees are moving. OSHA considers controlled access zone. All employees protection is required, fall protection the multiple hand holds and foot holds reaching more than 10 inches (25 cm) systems appropriate for given situations on rebar assemblies as providing below the level of a walking/working are selected similar protection as that provided by surface on which they are working shall • Fall protection systems are properly a fixed ladder; consequently, no fall be protected by a guardrail system, constructed and installed protection is necessary while moving safety net system, or personal fall • Monitor and supervise employees and point to point for heights below 24 feet. arrest system. operations routinely An employee must be provided with fall • Precast Concrete Erection: Each • Always use safe work procedures and protection when climbing or otherwise employee who is six feet or more engineering controls first moving at a height more than 24 feet, above lower levels while erecting • Train workers in the proper selection, the same as for fixed ladders. precast concrete members and related use, and maintenance of all protection • Hoist Areas: Each employee in a hoist operations such as grouting of precast systems and re-train as necessary area shall be protected from falling six concrete members shall be protected feet or more by guardrail systems or by guardrail systems, safety net personal fall arrest systems. If guardrail systems, or personal fall arrest systems. Fall Protection systems (or chain gate or guardrail) Where the employer can demonstrate, or portions thereof must be removed however, that it is infeasible or creates a to facilitate hoisting operations, as greater hazard to use those systems, the Basic Requirements during the landing of materials, employer must develop and implement • Controlled Access Zones: A Controlled and a worker must lean through the a fall protection plan that meets the Access Zone is a work area designated access opening or out over the edge requirements of 29 CFR 1926.502(k). and clearly marked in which certain of the access opening to receive or • Ramps, Runways, and Other types of work (such as overhand guide equipment and materials, that Walkways: Each employee using bricklaying) may take place without employee must be protected by a ramps, runways, and other walkways the use of conventional fall protection personal fall arrest system. shall be protected from falling six feet systems; guardrail, personal arrest or • Holes: Personal fall arrest systems, or more by guardrail systems. safety net to protect the employees covers, or guardrail systems shall • Residential Construction: In 2013, working in the zone. Controlled Access be erected around holes (including OSHA issued a directive rescinding the Zones are used to keep out workers skylights) that are more than six feet Interim Fall Protection Compliance other than those authorized to enter above lower levels. Guidelines for Residential Construction work areas from which guardrails have • Leading Edges: Each employee who (STD 03-00-001). Each employee been removed. Where there are no is constructing a leading edge six engaged in Residential Construction guardrails, masons are the only workers feet or more above lower levels shall activities six feet or more above lower allowed in controlled access zones. be protected by guardrail systems, levels shall be protected by guardrail • Excavations: Each employee at the safety net systems, or personal fall systems, safety net system, or personal edge of an excavation six feet or more arrest systems. If the employer can fall arrest system. If the employer can deep shall be protected from falling by demonstrate that it is infeasible or demonstrate that it is infeasible or guardrail systems, fences, barricades, creates a greater hazard to implement creates a greater hazard to use these or covers when the excavation cannot these systems, he or she must develop systems, the employer shall develop be readily seen. Where walkways and implement a fall protection plan and implement a fall protection plan are provided to permit employees to that meets the requirements of 29 CFR which meets the requirements of cross over excavations, guardrails are 1926.502(k). 1926.502(k). required on the walkway if it is six feet • Overhand Bricklaying and Related • Roofing: or more above lower levels. Work: Each employee performing –– Low-slope Roofs: Each employee • Formwork and Reinforcing Steel: For overhand bricklaying and related engaged in roofing activities on employees, while moving vertically work six feet or more above lower low-slope roofs with unprotected and/or horizontally on the vertical levels shall be protected by guardrail sides and edges six feet or more face of rebar assemblies built in place, systems, safety net systems, or personal above lower levels shall be protected

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from falling by guardrail systems, application, they can be used as part of a guardrails, handrails, and warning safety net systems, personal fall system to protect the worker from falling lines. arrest systems or a combination of and to limit the extent of potential injury • STEP 4: Select appropriate fall arrest a warning line system and guardrail in case of a fall. equipment for your site and personnel. system, warning line system and • STEP 5: Use expert analysis to safety net system, warning line C – Connectors determine and install appropriate system and personal fall arrest Connectors are devices used to connect anchorages, along with any necessary system, or warning line system and the worker’s full body harness to the horizontal and vertical equipment. safety monitoring system. On roofs Anchor system. Connectors include • STEP 6: Determine equipment required 50 feet or less in width, the use of a lanyards, snap-hooks, carabiners, to cover reasonably likely rescue safety monitoring system without a deceleration devices and specialty contingencies. warning line system is permitted. systems such as self-retracting lifelines, • STEP 7: Establish a comprehensive –– Steep Roofs: Each employee on a ladder climbing systems, vertical lifelines training program on all aspects of Fall steep roof with unprotected sides and rope grabs as well as horizontal Protection and Rescue. and edges six feet or more above lifeline. • STEP 8: Document the Plan. A Fall lower levels shall be protected by Prevention Plan should include a guardrail systems with toe boards, D – Descent and Rescue statement of policy, a description of fall safety net systems, or personal fall Rescue, the retrieval of a fallen worker or prevention measures implemented, arrest systems. the self-rescue of workers, is a necessary delegation of ongoing responsibilities in –– Wall Openings: Each employee part of a fall protection program. OSHA the areas of inspection, record keeping, working on, at, above, or near wall requires that where a worker is exposed maintenance, equipment replacement, openings (including those with to the risk of a fall, a rescue plan must be incident reporting, enforcement, chutes attached) where the outside in place for the self-rescue or retrieval of accident investigation, training and bottom edge of the wall opening is six that fallen worker. changes to the plan. feet or more above lower levels and the inside bottom edge of the wall Eight-Step Fall Protection Plan opening is less than 39 inches above A well-designed, written plan is highly Anchorage Systems3 the walking/working surface must be recommended and may show that protected from falling by the use of a an employer is making an effort to guardrail system, a safety net system, comply with mandated regulations. It Basics or a personal fall arrest system. can help prevent against the economic Anchorage points for fall arrest need consequences of an incident including to support 5,000 pounds per person fines, liability and increased attached (see below for horizontal lifeline ABCDs of Fall Arrest3 costs. Most important, it may reduce considerations) worker risk and possibly saves lives. A – Anchorage OSHA 1926.502(k) states that the Fall • Different anchorage requirements for Anchorage means a secure point of Protection Plan must be developed by fall restraint and positioning systems attachment (structure) for the fall arrest a qualified person, must be specific for • Anchorages for work positioning must system. The type of anchorage varies with each site and kept up to date. A copy of meet a minimum strength requirement the industry, the job being performed, the the plan must be kept on site, and only a of 3,000 pounds or at least twice the type of installation and most importantly qualified person may make changes to potential impact load of an employee’s the structure available. Anchorage the plan. fall whichever is greater. connectors provide a means of attaching • Anchorages should be located directly the system to the anchorage. • STEP 1: Perform a hazard analysis to above your work area. determine areas of risk. • If an anchorage is used regularly, get B – Body Support • STEP 2: Wherever possible, engineer it certified. Full body harnesses provide a connection out the hazard. • Clearly identify anchorages used for fall point on the worker for the personal • STEP 3: Wherever possible, implement protection only. fall arrest system. Depending upon the fall prevention systems such as

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• Don’t use water pipes, electrical impact force that affects the strength Work Positioning Systems conduits, light fixtures or guardrails. requirements of the fall protection system Work positioning systems should always • Ensure there is LESS than 45 degrees components, including the anchorage. be backed up by a secondary fall arrest between sling ends. system. When they are used alone (e.g. • Protect yourself from a fall even Note: Typically, the impact force resulting under 24 feet on a form or rebar wall, while you are installing the from the free fall of a 220 pound steel test or utility pole climbing) the system anchorage system. weight will be as follows: shall be rigged such that the worker • Horizontal Lifeline anchorages are cannot free fall more than two feet (0.9 different than individual points used • Rope Lanyard 2,500 lbs. m). In these cases the work positioning for fall arrest. It is important that you • Web Lanyard 4,000 to 5,000 lbs. anchorage must be capable of supporting consult an engineer as they must be • Cable Lanyard (6” free fall) 3,600 a minimum of 3,000 lbs. (13.3 kN), or designed, installed and used under to 4,000 lbs. twice the potential impact load, supervision of a Qualified Person and whichever is greater. maintains a safety factor of at least two. • Inspect your anchorages and anchorage Strength Requirements for Anchorage3 connectors. Certified vs. Uncertified Anchorages3 Fall Arrest Systems: Anchorages can be defined as secure Anchorages used for fall arrest must There are two classes of anchorages: points or structure to attach an anchorage be capable of supporting a static load connector (anchor), lifeline, lanyard, of 5,000 pounds for every worker • Certified (Engineered) deceleration, and or any other fall arrest connected to the anchorage, unless • Non-Certified (Improvised) or rescue system. Some examples of engineering certification exists. typical anchorages include: Anchorages that have been certified by Certified Anchorages a qualified person must still maintain Engineered anchorages have both • Structural steel members a safety factor of at least 2:1, when the been designed and certified specifically • Pre-cast concrete beams, and entire fall arrest system is designed, for fall protection, or may be existing • Wooden trusses installed and used under the supervision structures that have been tested, of a qualified person. evaluated, and or approved for use. In most situations, when setting up All engineered anchorages must be an anchorage system, an anchorage certified by a qualified person (preferably connector will be required. This piece Fall Restraint and Work a professional engineer familiar with of equipment is used as a safe means of Positioning Systems: fall protection requirements). Certified attachment for the lanyard or lifeline to anchorages may be permanent or the anchorage. Some types include, cable Fall Restraint Systems portable. All certified anchorages and synthetic slings, roof anchors, and In a properly designed fall restraint should be identified with paint or beam clamps. system, the worker is not permitted special markings to ensure that they are to fall from the work platform, so the only used for their intended purpose. impact force is a result of the worker Furthermore, once a certified anchorage Impact Force3 leaning or stumbling into the system. It is installed or identified, it should be is recommended that a nonengineered added to a location list. This list should be The impact force, or maximum arrest fall restraint anchorage be capable of maintained and the information kept by a force (MAF), can be defined as the supporting at least 800 pounds. Note: competent person. The record describes maximum dynamic load that results from The greatest concern with the use of any the anchorage whereabouts and any immediately stopping a worker’s fall. The fall restraint system is that if it is not used additional relevant information. When impact force is reliant upon the workers correctly, a fall may occur. If there is ever possible, a regularly used anchorage weight, freefall distance, and the amount any question of a potential fall while using should be certified to remove any doubt of energy that is dissipated by the system a fall restraint system, it is recommended as to its intended use and suitability for (i.e. the amount of give or stretch in the that the requirements of the fall arrest fall protection. system). It is this expected or calculated anchorage be used (i.e. 5,000 lbs.).

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Non-Certified Anchorages Furthermore, it important to ensure up the anchor system. This can be It is not always feasible or practical to that the sling is long enough to entirely accomplished by choosing a location engineer or certify all anchorages used encircle the anchorage with room for the anchorage beside a protected on a site. As a result, non-certified or to spare. A sling that is too short can catwalk or by using a “first man improvised anchorages will be used. multiply the load due to the large angle up” system to install the anchorage Improvised anchorages (or temporary that is created between the two sling connector easily and safely. Locating anchorages), include existing beams, ends; there should not be more than 45 the anchorage for ease of rescue is also trusses or other suitably strong structures degrees between the two legs of the sling. an important factor to consider. located throughout a job site that • When slings are used, the anchorages are not formally certified. Workers While slings are a very common and often should be free from sharp edges; this using improvised anchorages must be practical form of anchorage connector would also include any edges that the thoroughly trained in their use and it is important to ensure that compatible sling may come in contact with during proper identification. Inappropriate hardware is used with the sling. If a a fall. If this is not possible a wear pad anchorages may include, water and carabiner is used to connect the two must be used. other fluid carrying pipes, electrical sling ends then that carabiner must be • All components of the anchorage conduits, guardrails, and catwalk grating connected directly to your connecting system should be inspected prior to or mesh. If there is any uncertainty as means (i.e.: directly to a self-retracting each use, as well as on a regular basis to the strength or state of an improvised lifeline). It is not recommended that a by a competent or qualified person. anchorage, it should not be used until snap hook be connected to a carabiner • A temporary anchorage must be able inspected and approved by a competent due to the possibility of cross gate loading to withstand 5,000 lbs. If certified by or qualified person. or forced rollout. a qualified person will be 5,000 lbs. or two times the expected load applied Anchorage Connectors3 There are many other anchorage to the system in the direction that the There are various types of anchorage connectors that are available for force of the fall will be applied, and connectors that can be used with either use in fall protection. Some include should be separate from the anchorage certified or improvised anchorages. The permanent and temporary roof anchors, used for work positioning or supporting purpose of an anchorage connector is beam clamps, eye bolts, rail sliders, the workers weight. to provide a connection point onto the trolleys, and shepherd’s hooks. It is anchorage (structure or secure point) in most important that all manufacturers’ Horizontal Lifeline Anchors3 order to attach the rest of the fall arrest directions be followed when using The requirements for a single fall arrest system. While there is a wide variety anchorage connectors. anchorage should not be confused with of anchorage connectors one very the strength requirements of the two common type is the web or cable sling. Important Considerations anchorages needed for a Horizontal Slings come in a number of different • The anchorage should be located Lifeline which can be well over 10,000 configurations and sizes depending upon directly above the work area to pounds in some situations. the requirements of the worker using the minimize swing falls. A swing fall is system. a pendulum type motion created by There are a great number of factors the worker falling back toward an involved in resolving the necessary All slings must meet a minimum breaking anchorage that is not directly over his/ strengths of anchorages for horizontal strength of 5,000 pounds. When using her head. lifelines. Some include, pretension in slings it must be noted that depending • The free fall distance should be the lifeline, number of workers using upon the method of attachment, the minimized by locating the anchor the system, diameter and material used sling has different rated capacities. For system as high as possible. A common for the lifeline, and its overall length. example, the use of a sling in “choker” practice is to ensure that the anchorage Some horizontal lifeline systems have or “girth” hitch, where one end of the is located at or above your shoulder. in-line energy absorbers installed to sling passes through the other end can • Anchorages must also be chosen for reduce the overall forces in the system. reduce the strength of the sling by up to ease of use and safe access, ensuring Due to the increased load requirements 66 percent as compared to the same sling that the worker is not exposed to a for calculating of horizontal lifeline being used in a basket configuration. fall hazard while attempting to set anchorages, design and installation must

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be by and under the supervision of a Keep it Simple3 can cause orthostatic intolerance, which qualified person. High angle rescue operations may can occur when one moves suddenly be conducted in several ways. The after being sedentary for a long time. Note: All horizontal lifeline systems typical “Hollywood style” rescue, while For example, a person may experience should be designed by a professional exciting and adrenaline inducing, can orthostatic intolerance when they stand engineer who has experience with their be dangerous and is often not necessary. up quickly after sitting still for a long time. design, and maintains a factor of safety of Rescue personnel sustain most injuries at least two. because they often panic and overlook A well-known example of orthostatic important aspects of their training. intolerance is that of a soldier who faints Rescue3 Pressure can be a great motivator for while standing at attention for a long • Rescue is a necessary component of some, but can cause others to fall apart. period of time. The moment the soldier any fall protection program. As a result, the rescue should be as simple loses consciousness, he or she collapses • Rescue personnel sustain more than and as safe as possible, putting the fewest into a horizontal position. With the legs, 75 percent of the injuries resulting workers at risk. heart, and brain on the same level, blood from rescue. is returned to the heart. Assuming no • The simplest form of rescue should If a fallen worker can be accessed using injuries are caused during the collapse, always be the first (i.e. man lifts, a scissors lift, bucket truck, or extension the individual will quickly regain ladders etc.) ladder, then one of these methods should consciousness and recovery is likely • In house rescue teams must be properly be used. When simple and practical to be rapid. trained and practice regularly. procedures are used, there is a much • Wherever feasible start the rescue from larger margin of safety. Industrial sites Venous pooling typically occurs in the the ground up, it’s always better to find may also rely on the local fire department legs due to the force of gravity and a lack out the anchor will not hold at ground to perform high angle and confined space of movement. Some venous pooling level. Self-rescue should always be emergency rescues. If the 911 system is occurs naturally when a person is available when a lone worker can incorporated into the rescue plan, then standing. In the veins, blood normally is be stranded. the abilities, limitations, and response moved back to the heart through one-way • A raising and lowering system used for time of the Rescue Professionals should valves using the normal muscular action rescue or non-emergency work must be be confirmed. Their capabilities should associated with limb movement. If the backed up with a fall arrest system. never be taken for granted. legs are immobile, then these "muscle pumps" do not operate effectively, and Rescue, although often overlooked, The National Fire Academy teaches the blood can accumulate. Since veins can is a critical component of any fall following statement: “Risk nothing to save expand, a large volume of blood may protection program. Even though rescue nothing; Risk a little to save a little; Risk a accumulate in the veins. budgets are being severely reduced, lot to save a lot.” Risk should not have to there is now a greater need than ever be a part of rescue. Protect yourself even An accumulation of blood in the for a site to maintain the capability to when involved in a rescue! legs reduces the amount of blood in perform a safe and efficient rescue. A circulation. The body reacts to this common misconception is that because Suspension Trauma/ reduction by speeding up the heart rate fall protection programs are being Orthostatic Intolerance4 in an attempt to maintain sufficient blood implemented the site will no longer have Orthostatic intolerance may be defined flow to the brain. If the blood supply is a need for rescue. In the past, workers as "the development of symptoms significantly reduced, this reaction will were left to their skills to prevent a fall such as light-headedness, palpitations, not be effective. The body will abruptly and rescue was not a big issue. tremulousness, poor concentration, slow the heart rate and blood pressure fatigue, nausea, dizziness, headache, will diminish in the arteries. During Today, rescue plans are an important part sweating, weakness and occasionally severe venous pooling, the reduction in of the training and safety precautions and fainting during upright standing." quantity and/or quality (oxygen content) should be in place well before a fall can While in a sedentary position, blood of blood flowing to the brain causes even occur. can accumulate in the veins. This is fainting. This reduction also can have an commonly called "venous pooling," and effect on other vital organs, such as the

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kidneys. The kidneys are very sensitive to Contractors whose operations require sloped roofs; blood oxygen, and renal failure can occur workers to work at height should become • The correct procedures for equipment with excessive venous pooling. If these familiar with and stay current on evolving and materials handling and storage and conditions continue, they potentially may technology and available products that can the erection of overhead protection; be fatal. be used to make their work safer and that and, may provide options when determining • Employees' role in fall protection Conclusions and Recommendations types of protection and rescue. plans. Employers prepare a written for Rescue4 certification that identifies the Prolonged suspension from fall arrest For example, Miller, a leading Fall employee trained and the date of the systems can cause orthostatic intolerance, Protection equipment manufacturer sells training. The employer or trainer which can result in serious physical a product called The Miller Relief Step should sign the certification record. injury or death. Research indicates that Safety Device. This device is attached Retraining also must be provided suspension in a fall arrest device can to the worker’s full-body harness and when necessary. result in unconsciousness followed by designed to allow the worker to release death, in under 30 minutes. To reduce and step into a stirrup type strap to Fall Protections and Multi-Employer the risk associated with prolonged alleviate the effects of orthostatic Sites suspension in fall arrest systems, plans to intolerance, also known as suspension Contractors can be performing multiple prevent prolonged suspension should be trauma. Miller states:5 roles on a worksite. A controlling, implemented. The plan should include creating, or correcting contractor/ procedures for: preventing prolonged When used, the Relief Step Safety Device employer (see next section) is often suspension, identifying orthostatic provides support and enhances blood an exposing contractor/employer and intolerance signs and symptoms, and circulation until rescue – permitting the exposing, controlling, and a creating performing rescue and treatment as ability to move and flex leg muscles contractor/employer can be a correcting quickly as possible. employer if they are authorized to • Small and lightweight; the Relief Step remedy the hazard. OSHA recommends the following general Safety Device attaches to any brand practices/considerations: full-body harness The two-step process for evaluating • Utilizing two (2) Relief Steps (one for whether more than one employer is to be • Rescue suspended workers as quickly each leg/foot) assures greater comfort cited includes: as possible. until rescue is completed • Be aware that suspended workers are • What type of employer the contractor is at risk of orthostatic intolerance and Training and their role in the project. Remember suspension trauma. Employees should be trained in the one contractor may be performing • Be aware of signs and symptoms of following areas: several roles. orthostatic intolerance. • Determining if the employer’s actions • Be aware that orthostatic intolerance is • The nature of fall hazards in the work meet the responsibilities of the potentially life threatening. Suspended area; employer type. workers with head injuries or who are • The correct procedures for erecting, unconscious are particularly at risk. maintaining, disassembling, and Multi-employer liabilities arise not only • Be aware of factors that can increase inspecting fall protection systems; in the regulatory area but also civilly. the risk of suspension trauma. • The use and operation of controlled Any contractor meeting the definition • Be aware that some authorities advise access zones and guardrail, personal of a creating, exposing, correcting or against moving the rescued workers fall arrest, safety net, warning line, and controlling employer may also be subject to a horizontal position too quickly. safety monitoring systems; The role of to a lawsuit for damages by an injured Employers must provide a training each employee in the safety monitoring worker. program that teaches employees who system when the system is in use; might be exposed to fall hazards how • The limitations on the use of to recognize such hazards and how to mechanical equipment during the minimize them. performance of roofing work on low-

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Types of Employers number and type of hazards that Exposing Contractor/Employer The four types of an employer are: change; inspection frequency, and trade The Exposing Contractor is the employer knowledge and/or expertise. General who failed to take the necessary steps • Controlling safety duties of a controlling employer to protect its own employees from the • Creating include: hazard. This employer can be citable • Exposing on two accounts: one, if it created the • Correcting • Creates specific worksite safety violation it is citable as the creating program contractor/employer or two, if the hazard These categories are without regard to • Enforces the policy for the worksite was created by another employer it their contractual relationships one to the safety program becomes citable if it knew of the hazard other. Lines of liability will not necessarily • Provides general supervision of or did not exercise reasonable diligence follow sub-contract relationships. Any worksite activity & safety to discover the hazard. If the exposing contractor may be citable as one of the • Fulfills budget and schedule contractor/employer has the authority four types of employers. OSHA and ANSI requirements to correct the hazard it must do so; if established a safety duty to exercise • Authority to correct safety hazards it does not have the authority, it is that reasonable care to detect and prevent • Authority to require other specialty employer’s responsibility to: safety hazards throughout the worksite. employers to correct safety hazards This criterion is based upon: • Conducts frequent and regular • Request the creating and/or controlling inspections of the specialty contractors contractor/employer to correct the • Project scale • Conducts frequent and regular safety hazard; • Construction type and speed that will meetings with specialty contractors • Inform its employees of the hazard: and impact the frequency of the number • Take reasonable alternative measures and type of hazards that change Creating Contractor/Employer to protect its employees. If the • Inspection frequency The Creating Contractor is the employer situation affords imminent danger • Trade knowledge and/or expertise who created hazards on a worksite that it should remove its employees Controlling Employer violates an OSHA standard. An example from the worksite. would be a specialty contractor/employer A Controlling Employer is in charge of who created a hole that its employees and The reasonable care measures they completing the project on time and on employees of other contractors could fall must take include frequent and regular budget and identifying the project site into and be injured or killed. The creating inspections and safety meetings, along safety criteria. The controlling employer contractor/employer is citable if it fails with providing an effective system to is NOT responsible for each specialty to implement a feasible elimination or enforce the prompt correction of hazards contractor’s safety program; only the control of the hazard whether or not the both recognized and foreseeable. Even policies and procedures that the specialty employees exposed to the hazard are its if they do not have the authority to contractors must follow while planning own or other employees at the site. fix a problem, they must inform the or performing project work activities. A controlling contractor/employer of the controlling employer can be established The reasonable care measures it must hazard and take the appropriate steps by either a signed contract that so take include frequent and regular to keep their employees away from the designates a contractor or if a contractor inspections and safety meetings, along hazardous condition. controls the safety of a project site with providing an effective system to beyond its own employees. enforce the prompt correction of hazards Correcting Contractor/Employer both recognized and foreseeable. Even if The Correcting Contractor is the OSHA and ANSI require the controlling the employer does not have the authority employer who is responsible for employer to exercise reasonable care to fix a problem, it must inform the correcting a hazard on the worksite. It to detect and prevent safety hazards controlling contractor/employer of the must take reasonable care to prevent and throughout the worksite. The scope of hazard and take the appropriate steps discover violations and to meet industry this duty varies depending on project to keep all employees away from the standards to correct the hazard(s). scale; construction type and speed hazardous condition until it is fixed. that will impact the frequency of the

10 Chubb Construction Risk Engineering

An example of a correcting contractor/ References/Acknowledgements employer is a carpenter hired to erect and maintain guardrails on a large multi-story For additional information regarding project. It is his responsibility to provide these and other exposures, please visit frequent and regular inspections in the the Chubb Construction Risk Engineering areas with guardrails and to forward Portal @ http://www.chubb.com/us-en/ notice of damaged or missing guardrails to ss-construction-risk-engineering/ the controlling contractor/employer. He 1. TABLE A-1. Fatal occupational injuries by is also responsible to immediately repair industry and event or exposure, all United or replace damaged or missing guardrails States, 2012 once it has been discovered or reported to 2. TABLE A-1. Fatal occupational injuries by industry and event or exposure, All U.S., 2011 the controlling contractor/employer. 3. DBI/SALA Fall Protection Competent Person Course and Materials - 2003 (excerpts used Fall Protection Requirements on throughout this document) 4. U. S. Department of Labor Occupational a Multi-Employer Site Safety and Health Administration • Pre-plan worksite fall protection with Directorate of Science, Technology and safety, supervisors and skilled trades; Medicine Office of Science and Technology Assessment - Suspension Trauma/ • Incorporate fall protection Orthostatic Intolerance, Safety and Health requirements into contract documents; Information Bulletins; SHIB 03-24-2004 • Verify that adequate fall protection 5. Miller By Honeywell; Relief Step Safety Device - https://www.millerfallprotection. training has occurred – certificates with com/fall-protectionproducts/ accessories/ the type of training, date and number relief-step-safety-device Occupational Safety of hours; and Health Administration, 29CFR 1926 Subpart M – Fall Protection. • Develop a site fall protection safety plan & procedures; • Require a fall protection work activity safety plan & procedures; • Verify that fall protection safety meetings occur regularly and frequently; • Verify that fall protection equipment is inspected regularly and frequently.

11 About Chubb Chubb is the marketing name used to refer to subsidiaries of Chubb is the world’s largest publicly providing insurance and related services. traded property and casualty insurance For a list of these subsidiaries, please visit group. With operations in 54 countries, our website at new.chubb.com. Insurance Chubb provides commercial and personal provided by ACE American Insurance property and casualty insurance, Company and its U.S. based Chubb personal accident and supplemental underwriting company affiliates. , and to a diverse group of clients. The opinions and positions expressed in Chubb Limited, the parent company of this report are the authors’ own and not Chubb, is listed on the New York Stock those of Chubb. The information and/or Exchange (NYSE: CB) and is a component data provided herein is for informational of the S&P 500 index. purposes.

Chubb is the marketing name used to refer to subsidiaries of Chubb Limited, providing insurance and related services. For a list of these subsidiaries, please visit our website, www.chubb.com. Insurance is provided by ACE American Insurance Company and its U.S. based Chubb underwriting company affiliates. All products may not be available in all states. This communication contains product summaries only. Coverage is subject to the language of the policies as actually issued. Surplus lines insurance is sold only through licensed surplus lines producers. Loss control evaluations, reports, recommendations and services are made solely to assist the insurer in underwriting and loss control and are not to be construed as an added benefit for the insured, property owner or any other party (this may not apply if loss control services are purchased separately and specifically pursuant to a service agreement). Evaluation for any hazard or condition does not imply that it is covered under any policy. Chubb is the world’s largest publicly traded property Legal to come Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consec tetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonu mmy nibh euismod tincidunt ut and casualty insurance group. With operations in 54 countries, Chubb provides commercial and personal property and laoreet dolore magna, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo cons. casualty insurance, personal accident and supplemental health insurance, reinsurance and life insurance to a diverse Nam liber tempor cum soluta eleifend option congue nihil imperdiet doming id quod mazim placerat facer possim group of clients. Chubb Limited, the parent company of Chubb, is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CB) and assum. Typi non iis quod mazim placerat faqui facit eorum claritatem. Investigatioes demonstr averun insitam; est usus. is a component of the S&P 500 index. Copyright ©2016 (Rev. 6/16)