Formwork—Leading edge Explain dangers In the high-rise formwork industry, nearly 23 per cent of all lost-time injuries are caused by falls. Most of these injuries result in sprains and tears, fractures, and concussions. A leading edge is the unprotected side and edge of a floor, a roof, or formwork. It changes location as workers place […]
Flying forms—Working at heights hazards Explain dangers Flying forms can save time and, in some cases, are safer than using built-in-place methods. However, flying forms have some significant hazards that can lead to serious injury if proper precautions aren’t taken. One of the main hazards associated with flying forms is when working at heights. The […]
Floor and roof openings Explain dangers If proper guarding is not in place, workers can be exposed to falls when working around floor and roof openings. Avoiding such hazards may seem like common sense, but a moment of distraction around an uncovered opening can end in disaster. Identify controls Installing guardrails around an opening is […]
Suspended access equipment—Counterweights Explain dangers Without the right number of counterweights, suspended access equipment (SAE) can fail, leading to injury or death. Identify controls Here’s how to calculate the number of counterweights you need to support the SAE. Since we need to build in a safety factor of 4, the effect of the counterweights holding […]
Suspended access equipment—Tiebacks Explain dangers Suspended access equipment (SAE) can fail if you don’t set up all of the components properly, such as tiebacks. Improper setup can lead to injury or death from a fall. Identify controls Tiebacks are used to secure the outriggers and counterweights of SAE. Wire ropes are recommended for tiebacks with […]
Suspended access equipment—Fall protection Explain dangers Every worker who uses suspended access equipment (SAE) must have two independent means of support. That way, if the suspension system on a swing stage, work cage, or bosun’s chair fails, you will still be protected from a fall. A fall arrest system can be used as the second […]
Scaffolds—Structural components Explain dangers If the structural components of a scaffold are damaged, defective, or installed incorrectly, it can lead to a tip-over or collapse. Identify controls Structural components of all frame scaffolds must be inspected regularly. Inspection should include frames, feet, connecting pins, braces, and guardrails. FRAMES • Uprights and cross-members should not be […]
Scaffolds—Planks and decks Explain dangers Many scaffold injuries involve problems with planks. If scaffold planks and decks fail, you could be seriously injured or killed from a fall. You could also be thrown off balance and injure yourself with your tools or equipment. If scaffold planks are uncleated or unsecured, they can easily slide off. […]
3-point contact — Ladders Explain dangers Climbing a ladder is not as easy as it sounds. Workers have died from falls after losing their balance. Most ladder injuries occur when getting on or off a ladder. Identify controls • To use ladders safely, always maintain three points of contact. That means two hands and one […]
Stepladders Explain dangers A stepladder is one of the most familiar things on a jobsite. Still, workers get hurt using them. Falls are the biggest risk. Even though workers are not very high off the ground, some have died from falling a short distance and landing the wrong way. Even a sprain or strain could […]
