eLCOSH : Roadway Safety: Fall Hazards

Roadway Safety: Fall Hazards

Laborers' Health and Safety Fund of North America

This document is one in a program produced under an OSHA grant by a consortium of the Laborers' Health and Safety Fund N.A, the International Union of Operating Engineers, the American Road and Transportation Builders Assn, and the National Asphalt Pavement Assn. All of the documents from this set that are on eLCOSH can be found by clicking on Job Site, Heavy construction, and scrolling to the Street & highway heading. Or to download a complete version of the computerized program, go to http://wzsafety.tamu.edu.

What Causes Falls in Road Work?
Most are slips or trips on the same level.

Falls on walking and working surfaces

Tripping over materials or debris
Falling on hills or embankments
Stepping in holes or walking on irregular ground
Stumbling while carrying loads that block vision
Slips or trips in muddy, wet, or icy conditions

Falls from elevations

Falls from equipment
Falls from bridges
Falls from formwork
Falls into excavations

How Do We Prevent Falls on Same Level?
There are many methods.

Some remedies include

If possible, avoid walking on muddy, wet, or icy surfaces
Clear walking/working surfaces of tripping hazards
Use footwear with ankle support and soles that grip
Include walking routes in site safety plan
Don't carry heavy loads, use hauling equipment
Practice good housekeeping
Fill in or mark hidden holes in ground

Maintain good physical strength and conditioning

How Do We Avoid Falls From Elevations?
There are many methods

Some remedies include

100% fall protection program
Plan work for personal fall arrest anchor points or guardrail
Erect guardrails around large excavations
Seatbelts or restraints for riding in cars, trucks, personnel carriers
Use modular erection to avoid work at heights on forms
Use 3-point contact

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