Construction Focus Four: Fall Hazards

 

We're going to end our blog series on OSHA's "Fatal Four" hazards with a discussion on fall hazards, the last hazard in our series.

 

In the rural broadband industry, it's not uncommon for employees to find themselves working at significant heights, whether on ladders, bucket trucks, or communication towers. This high-altitude work comes with inherent risks, with falls being one of the leading causes of injury and fatality.

For rural telecom workers, the risks can be even more pronounced due to the unique challenges they face—isolated locations, unpredictable weather, and limited access to immediate emergency response. This makes prioritizing fall protection not just a regulatory requirement but an essential aspect of worker safety and productivity.

Understanding the Hazards

      1. Ladders, bucket trucks, scissor lifts

Working on any of these presents a significant fall hazard, especially in remote areas where terrain can be uneven or weather conditions hazardous. Ice, wind, or even loose soil can make footing uncertain, making the need for stable and reliable fall protection systems critical.

 

      2. Rooftop Work

While many urban telecom workers may rely on roof safety systems that are already in place, rural workers often deal with rooftops that lack such precautions. When installing or repairing rooftop equipment, there may be no guardrails or designated fall protection systems, increasing the need for personal protective equipment (PPE) and careful planning.

 

            3. Communication Towers

Rural telecom workers sometimes climb communication towers to install or maintain antennas and equipment. These towers often extend hundreds of feet in the air, and falls from such heights can be devastating. Without proper fall protection systems in place—like harnesses, lanyards, and anchor points—the risk of serious injury or death increases exponentially.

 

Key Fall Protection Solutions

To mitigate these risks, rural telecom companies should implement a comprehensive fall protection strategy that includes:

      • Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS): Every worker climbing a tower or working at heights should be equipped with a PFAS, which typically includes a harness, lanyard, and an anchorage point that meets OSHA standards.

      • Guardrails and Barriers: Where possible, use physical barriers such as guardrails to prevent workers from reaching the edge of a rooftop or elevated platform.

      • Ladder Safety Devices: Fixed ladders on communication towers and poles should be equipped with safety devices, such as climbing ladder sleeves or safety cages, to prevent falls. However, if using such devices, it is absolutely essential that employers confirm safety devices are in working order with documented inspection and maintenance practices.

      • Training and Competency: Workers must be trained not only in how to properly use fall protection equipment but also in hazard identification. Routine training and refresher courses are essential to ensure workers remain competent in fall protection techniques.

      • Emergency Response Planning: In remote areas, timely emergency response is not always available. It’s crucial to have a well-established rescue plan in place, including ensuring that workers have communication devices on hand and that nearby hospitals or emergency responders are aware of the site and can provide timely assistance if needed.

Adapting to Rural Challenges

Rural environments introduce additional variables that telecom workers must consider when implementing fall protection measures. For instance, wind speed at higher altitudes on towers can make climbing more hazardous. Uneven terrain can destabilize ladders or platforms, while extreme weather conditions—common in rural areas—can further complicate safe work practices.

Rural telecom companies need to ensure that their fall protection systems are adaptable to these conditions. Regular inspections of both equipment and job sites are critical in ensuring that everything is in working order and that workers are always operating under the safest possible conditions.

By ensuring that proper fall protection systems are in place, companies can significantly reduce the risk of falls and help ensure that every worker returns home safely at the end of the day.

Construction Focus Four: Electrical Hazards

 
Following along our review of the top four hazards in construction safety, one of the most significant dangers is electrical hazards. Whether you’re climbing poles, working on underground cables, or performing maintenance on equipment, understanding and mitigating electrical risks is crucial for your safety.

Understanding Electrical Hazards

Electrical hazards in the broadband industry can arise from a few sources, including:

      1.    Power Lines: Direct contact with live power lines is a major risk. Even without direct contact, electrical arcing can cause severe injuries.

      2.    Faulty Equipment: Old or poorly maintained equipment can malfunction, leading to electric shocks or fires.

      3.    Improper Grounding: Equipment that is not properly grounded can become a hazard, especially in wet or damp conditions.

      4.    Static Electricity: Accumulated static electricity can lead to sudden discharges, potentially causing harm.

Key Safety Measures

• Conduct Thorough Inspections: 
• Before starting any work, inspect all tools and equipment. Look for signs of wear, damage, or frayed wires.
•  Ensure all equipment is properly grounded.
  
• Stay Informed and Trained:
• Regularly participate in safety training sessions.
•  Stay updated on the latest safety protocols and industry standards.
• Follow Proper Procedures:
• Always assume that power lines are live. Maintain a safe distance and use insulated tools.
•  De-energize and lock out/tag out equipment before performing maintenance.
• Be Mindful of Weather Conditions:
•   Avoid working in wet or stormy weather whenever possible, as moisture increases the risk of electrical hazards.
•  Use additional caution when working in damp environments.

Emergency Preparedness

In case of an electrical incident, you have to act quickly.

      1.    Do Not Touch: If someone is in contact with an electrical source, do not touch them directly. Turn off the source of electricity if possible.

      2.    Call for Help: Immediately call emergency services.

      3.    Administer First Aid: If trained, provide first aid such as CPR until professional help arrives.

Working in the broadband industry can be rewarding but comes with its share of risks. By understanding electrical hazards and adhering to strict safety protocols, you can protect yourself and your colleagues. Remember, safety always comes first—never compromise on the precautions necessary to ensure you return home safely at the end of the day.

Construction Focus Four: Caught-in or -Between Hazards

Last blog post we spent some time outlining one of OSHA's Focus Four hazards, so this week we're turning to a new one: Caught-in or -between hazards.

This hazard includes instances where employees are trapped between heavy construction equipment and fixed objects such as walls, trapped in trench collapses, or caught in parts of moving machinery.

Key ways to protect yourself from caught-in or -between hazards include:

1. Trench safety practices, such as soil classification, shoring, sloping, and benching. Make sure a trenching competent person is available to make the determination for which of these is the most appropriate for the trench you're working in. Remember also that air monitoring is required for any trenches deeper than four feet.

2. Lock-out Tag-out procedures for each piece of equipment that employees may need to perform maintenance on or otherwise need to have their hands or other body parts exposed to moving machinery. The equipment should have a step-by-step process to ensure that the machine cannot be accidentally turned on while the employee is engaged in the tasks that must be done while the machinery is powered off.

3. Line of sight with equipment operators - Employees on foot in a construction zone should attempt to keep within the line of sight of equipment operators. Similarly, equipment operators should not proceed with operating if they know a pedestrian is there and not currently visible. Hand signals should be discussed and agreed upon before work begins as well.

Check out this 1.5 minute video that summarizes how to keep yourself safe from caught-in or -between hazards:

Construction Focus Four: Struck By Hazards

We're well into construction season and lots of projects are underway. It's a great time to review struck by hazards and what can be done to protect yourself.

Struck-By hazards are one of what are called OSHA's Fatal Four hazards -- the top four hazard categories in construction fatalities.

The others are falls, caught-in or between, and electrocutions.

Together, these account for 60% of fatalities in construction.

Struck-by hazards are a big category. Incidents can include being struck by a vehicle, a thrown tool, rocks or gravel, or any other objects, large or small.

Check out this two and a half minute video on how to anticipate and protect yourself against struck by hazards, which can be just about anywhere in a construction setting.

Make sure to remain aware, wear your required PPE, and stay out of a vehicle's path of operation as a pedestrian.

Fourth of July Safety

TT&S wishes everyone a safe and happy Fourth of July! We hope everyone has a great time with their family and friends. Remember these safety tips to keep yourself and your loved ones safe and unharmed over the holiday.

Numbers are In: Safety Training's Impact on Employees

EHS Today recently published an article on how safety training affects employees' attitudes about their workplace, including how safe they feel, whether they'll consider staying with the company, and their overall job satisfaction.

One of the points we like to educate readers on continually is how safety is not just an added expense or cost of doing business, but that it can contribute to your bottom line. It's just not always an intuitive connection. Articles like these help to bolster that point.

The survey referred to in the article reached out to 600 employees across several safety-sensitive industries. Here's some of the findings:

• "81% report that their training makes them feel more inclined to stay at the company
• 62% believe that good training improves job satisfaction
• 57% say that safety issues make more seasoned workers leave – which contributes to the skills gap
• 44% say that safety issues make it harder to hire – which contributes to the labor shortage and widening skills gap"

Workforce hiring, training, and retention are all real costs to the business. One component to keeping those costs down is a robust safety culture and safety training program.

 

Challenge Ahead: Spot the Hazards

June is the National Safety Council's safety month. They've released a lot of great resources for employers, but this one especially caught our eye. Can you spot the hazards in each of these pictures?

Here's an idea: Consider sending these pictures out to employees. Ask if they can spot all the hazards in the picture most relevant to their workspace (the office picture for office employees, etc). The employee that finds the most hazards wins the challenge -- and maybe even a prize? Up to you. The hazards that get found the least are the ones that your employees need the most training about. Feel free to connect with TT&S to deliver training on the subject.

Check out the pictures below and follow this link to find the answers to the challenge.

Seat Belts Save Lives

 

Sobering statistics from Vision Zero ND, a North Dakota state initiative to promote traffic safety, show that we've got a long ways to go with seat belt use.

Here's just a few of their numbers:

69% of North Dakota motor vehicle fatalities in 2022 were not wearing a seat belt.

Back in 2019, there were enough fatalities due to not wearing seat belts that every 11 days one unbelted vehicle occupant died in the state of North Dakota.

Over the ten year period of 2010-2019, seat belt use in North Dakota was consistently lower than the national rate.

Remember that your seat belt use doesn't just affect you -- if things go really wrong, it can affect your family, friends, and everyone you associate with.

This heartbreaking story of the Nelson family attests to this reality. Buckle up for the ones you love.

It's all in your head: Hard hats vs. Safety helmets

Back in December, OSHA announced they were switching from hard hats to safety helmets for their own compliance officers to better protect them from hazards on the job. They also released a publication detailing the differences between the two and why employers might want to consider making the switch too (spoiler alert: they did not mandate the switch, but they did make some good arguments that direction).

Hard hats have been the 'meat and potatoes' of workplace PPE for many years, and for some it might be hard to consider a change. But here's some solid points that might make you consider safety helmets instead.

1. Chin straps.

For working at heights or with potentially awkward positioning, chin straps can help ensure the safety helmet stays on and doesn't become a falling projectile and hazard for someone below.

2. Vents

Safety helmets can incorporate vents that allows heat to dissipate inside the helmet, allowing them to cool easier.

3. Integration of accessories such as hearing protection, eye protection, or communication systems

While there are a few systems now that can be used with hard hats as well, integration is currently more advanced for safety helmets.

Whatever your company decides for head protection, make sure you're evaluating the risks and choosing the head protection that most appropriately addresses those risks.

From the publication mentioned above, OSHA outlines the following categories of head protection (this applies to both hard hats and safety helmets):

"Two Types (impact) and three Classes (electrical) of head protection are recognized.

Type I head protection offers protection from blows to the top of the head.

Type II head protection offers protection from blows to the top and sides of the head.

Class G (General) head protection is designed to reduce exposure to low voltage conductors and are proof tested at 2,200 volts (phase to ground).

Class E (Electrical) head protection is designed to reduce exposure to higher voltage conductors and are proof tested at 20,000 volts (phase to ground).

Class C (Conductive) head protection is not intended to provide protection against contact with electrical hazards."

 

If you have any questions about which head protection is most appropriate for your employees, feel free to reach out to TT&S.

 

Inspect the Uninspected: Fall Protection Basics

This week is National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction, which is a perfect opportunity to remind all our member company employees about the basics of fall protection.

 

This one is easy to remember. You don't need to be working up very high to need fall protection. In 2018 the Center for Construction Research found that 11.7% of fatalities from falls were from heights between 6 and 10 feet. Another 19.7% of fatalities occurred from falls between 11 and 15 feet high. That's not even taking into account serious injuries, which could impact you for the rest of your life.

(If you're working under "general industry" rather than "construction," you'll need fall protection at only four feet or higher, so keep that in mind as well!)

 

 

Fall protection systems have three components, which must all be in good condition for the system to work. You can have the best-rated harness and lanyard in the world, but if you clip off onto a corroded, flimsy anchor.... you're not in fall protection anymore. Make sure all components are available and in good condition before proceeding with work at heights.

If you've never inspected your harness or lanyard, here's a great tutorial to get you started:

 

This one goes out to supervisors as well as employees. If a task involves working at heights, it's important to plan the task from start to finish before anyone takes the first step off the ground. Anyone working at heights also needs to be trained to do so before they don a harness for the first time.

As always, please feel free to reach out to TT&S for any fall protection training needs or questions. We'd be happy to help.