Fall Protection Friday: Cord Management – Clearing the Path

This Week’s Toolbox Talk Attached Below!

Welcome back, let’s Build Smart & Build Safe! We’ve spent the week talking about the "shock" hazards of electricity, but on of the most frequent injury caused by extension cords is the trip and fall. You may see a "spaghetti pile" of cords in a walkway as an unavoidable part of construction, but a cord in a high-traffic area is a trap for your coworkers and a liability for the site.

The Anatomy of a Trip Hazard

A single extension cord stretched across a doorway or stairs at ankle height is enough to cause a catastrophic fall. When cords are left unmanaged:

• The Snag Factor: A worker carrying a load or looking at a blueprint won't see a cord. If their boot catches it, they are going down face-first.

• The Tool Pull: If a cord in a walkway is snagged by a passing cart or person, it can yank a power tool off a bench or a worker’s hand, leading to secondary "struck-by" injuries.

• Wear and Tear: Cords on the floor are subject to being stepped on, rolled over by carts, and crushed by materials. This destroys the insulation we discussed yesterday, turning a trip hazard into a shock hazard.

Management Strategies

If you must run power across a walking surface, you have two safe options:

1. "Fly" the Cords: Use non-conductive hooks (like "S" hooks) or specialized hangers to run cords along the ceiling or high on the wall studs. Cords should be at least 7 feet high to clear head traffic.

2. Cord Bridges: If you cannot go up, use a heavy-duty cord ramp or "bridge." These protect the cord from being crushed and provide a sloped surface to prevent tripping.

3. Tape is Not a Bridge: Never just "tape down" a cord with duct tape. This creates a subtle bump that is even easier to trip over, and the adhesive can damage the cord's outer jacket.

Implementation: The Walking Surface Sweep

Before heading out for the weekend, do a final sweep of your work area:

1. Clear the Doors: Ensure no cords are running through doorways where a door could be closed on them, or where people are constantly moving.

2. Roll 'Em Up: If a tool isn't in use, unplug the cord and roll it up. Don't leave "dead" cords stretched across the floor.

3. Check the Stairs: Cords should never be run on stairs. Use a different power source for each floor or "fly" the cord through a floor penetration or window.

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-The Safety Man