Extension ladders Explain dangers Extension ladders can be dangerous tools. Workers have been killed and injured from falls and powerline contact. Identify controls • Choose the right ladder for the job. On a construction project, it must meet the requirements of a Grade 1, Grade 1A, orGrade 1AA ladder under CSA Z11-12: Portable Ladders. Also, […]
Working at heights—Site-specific training Explain dangers Falling from heights continues to be a leading cause of injuries and fatalities in the construction industry. Despite the introduction of standardized working at heights (WAH) training, too many workers are dying from fall-related injuries. The WAH training standard recognizes that classroom-based WAH training is only the first step. […]
Fall protection—Rope grabs Explain dangers With rope grabs, there are three basic hazards: 1. Attaching them the wrong way 2. Grabbing hold of them during a fall 3. Using them with the wrong size or type of rope. A rope grab attached upside down to a lifeline can’t work properly. Instead of locking on the […]
Fall protection—Approvals and inspections Explain dangers When you’re using a travel restraint or fall arrest system, your life depends on your equipment. If it is not certified by a recognized authority or is not properly inspected and maintained, you risk injury and death. Identify controls APPROVALS Safety harnesses must be approved by the Canadian Standards […]
Fall protection—Basic types Explain dangers Falls are the number-one cause of accidental deaths and critical injuries in construction. And you don’t have to fall far to be injured or killed. Identify controls On many sites, guardrails are the most common and convenient means of fall protection. Where guardrails cannot be used, workers must use another […]
Guardrails Explain dangers Falls are the number one cause of critical injuries and deaths of Ontario workers on construction sites. All workers must be protected from a fall hazard. Identify controls Guardrails are often the best and most convenient means of fall protection. Where possible, guardrails must be installed • Along the open edges of […]
Head protection A 70-lb metal beam fell from the seventh storey of a condominium development and struck a worker on the head, face, and torso. The man was taken to hospital in serious condition but survived. Police credit the man’s hard hat with saving his life. Explain dangers A hard hat can protect you from […]
Hand protection Explain dangers The best tools we have are our hands. We need to protect them on the job. Manual work exposes our hands to many different hazards, from cuts to chemicals, from pinching to crushing, and from blisters to burns. Identify controls Leather gloves provide good protection against sharp edges, splinters, and heat. […]
Respirators—Maintenance Explain dangers To provide protection, respirators must be properly maintained. Dirty, missing, or damaged parts can prevent your respirator from working properly. For instance, valves that are damaged, missing, or poorly seated can drastically reduce the protection provided by your respirator. There’s also a danger in sharing respirators—it’s not hygienic. Identify controls Particulate respirator […]
Respirators — Fit Explain dangers With respirators, one size doesn’t fit all. Even with three different sizes of facepieces, for instance, no one size from one manufacturer may fit you. A different brand may be necessary. If a respirator doesn’t fit right, it can’t protect you. Even when a respirator fits properly, it may get […]
