22 Jul Prevent Injuries from Falling Objects

Prevent Injuries from Falling Objects

Falling objects can cause severe injuries or fatalities. Tools, materials, equipment, and stored products can fall from elevated work areas, scaffolds, platforms, racks, ladders, or lifting operations and strike employees below.

The best protection is to prevent objects from falling and keep employees out of areas where falling-object hazards exist.

Identify Falling-Object Hazards

Before beginning work, evaluate the area for potential falling-object hazards, including:

• Work being performed above other employees.
• Tools or materials near elevated edges.
• Improperly stacked or unsecured materials.
• Materials stored on elevated racks or shelving.
• Loads being lifted or moved overhead.
• Loose materials on scaffolds or platforms.
• Openings through which materials could fall.
• Equipment or materials that could be knocked from an elevated surface.

Employees working below should be informed of overhead work and protected from exposure.

Barricade and Control the Area

When overhead work creates a falling-object hazard:

• Establish barricades, warning lines, signs, or controlled-access areas as appropriate.
• Keep unauthorized employees and visitors outside the hazard area.
• Never walk or work beneath suspended loads.
• Follow posted warnings and barricades.
• Coordinate overhead work with employees working below.
• Use a spotter when necessary to prevent employees from entering the hazard area.

Never remove or cross a barricade protecting an overhead-work area unless authorized to do so.

Secure Materials and Loads

Materials stored or moved at elevation must be secured against falling, sliding, rolling, or collapsing.

• Stack materials on stable, level surfaces.
• Do not stack materials higher than can be safely supported.
• Secure unstable loads with appropriate banding, wrapping, restraints, netting, or other suitable methods.
• Keep heavier materials on lower levels when practical.
• Use blocking or restraints for materials that could roll or shift.
• Inspect stacked materials periodically for movement or instability.
• Never overload storage racks, platforms, scaffolds, or elevated surfaces.

Shrink wrap or banding should not be relied upon when it has become damaged, loose, deteriorated, or otherwise unable to secure the load.

Elevated Work Areas

When working from scaffolds, platforms, or other elevated surfaces:

• Keep tools and materials away from unprotected edges.
• Use toeboards, screens, guardrail systems, debris nets, canopies, or other falling-object protection when required.
• Secure tools and materials when there is a possibility they could fall.
• Do not place tools or materials on guardrails.
• Do not throw, drop, kick, or sweep materials from an elevated surface.
• Use appropriate containers or controlled methods to lower debris and materials.

When tool tethering is used, ensure the tether and attachment system are suitable for the tool and do not create an additional hazard.

Moving and Lifting Loads

Loads being lifted or moved can shift, swing, or lose material.

• Inspect and properly secure the load before lifting.
• Use appropriate rigging for the load.
• Keep employees clear of suspended loads.
• Never intentionally lift, lower, or swing a suspended load over employees.
• Establish an exclusion zone around lifting operations when necessary.
• Use taglines when appropriate and safe to control load movement.
• Never attempt to catch or physically stop a falling or shifting load.

If a load becomes unstable, move away from the hazard rather than attempting to save the material.

Practice Good Housekeeping

Good housekeeping is essential to preventing falling objects.

• Keep tools, equipment, and materials away from elevated edges.
• Remove unnecessary materials as work progresses.
• Store tools in appropriate containers when not in use.
• Secure loose materials that could be moved by wind, vibration, or equipment.
• Keep scaffolds and platforms free of unnecessary debris.
• Never leave materials where they could be accidentally kicked or knocked to a lower level.

Personal Protective Equipment

Where falling-object hazards exist, employees must wear the PPE identified by the hazard assessment, which may include:

• Hard hats or other appropriate head protection.
• Safety footwear.
• Safety glasses or goggles where flying particles are possible.
• High-visibility clothing when working around material-handling or lifting equipment.

PPE provides an additional layer of protection but does not replace barricades, securing materials, toeboards, proper storage, or other hazard controls.

Remember

A small object falling from an elevated location can cause a serious injury. Secure tools and materials, maintain good housekeeping, barricade hazardous areas, and never work or walk beneath a suspended load.