Fall Protection Friday: Entanglement and Fall Hazards

This Weeks Toolbox Talk Attached Below!

Welcome back, let's Build Smart & Build Safe! We've spent this week on "caught-in/between" hazards. Today, on Fall Protection Friday, we're connecting this risk directly to our most common hazard: falls.

Entanglement and crushing hazards don't just happen at ground level. They can happen while you're working at height, leading to a fall that is often more severe due to being tangled or pulled.

1. Entanglement Leading to a Fall

• The Pull of Machinery: A common scenario is a worker's loose clothing, hair, or jewelry getting caught in a rotating piece of equipment (like a drill press, fan, or mixer) while working on an elevated platform or ladder.

• The Result: The entanglement can instantly pull the worker off balance, causing a fall from height with potentially devastating consequences.

• Prevention: Always wear appropriate, snug-fitting PPE. Tie back long hair, and do not wear loose-fitting clothing or jewelry around moving machinery.

2. Lanyards and Entanglement

• The Unexpected Catch: Your lanyard, lifeline, or even a piece of personal equipment can get snagged or caught in moving equipment.

• The Hazard: If the line snags and tightens, it can cause a fall, or it could pull you into the machinery itself, resulting in a dual "caught-in" and fall hazard.

• Prevention: Always be mindful of where your fall protection lines are. Ensure they are routed properly and not dangling in an area where they could be caught by equipment or materials.

3. Safe Work Positioning

• Identify the Dangers: Before you begin work at height, identify potential pinch points, rotating parts, or other entanglement hazards near your workspace.

• Adjust Your Position: Position yourself so that you are never directly in the path of a moving part. Use extension tools if necessary to maintain a safe distance.

• Plan Your Movement: Be mindful of every movement you make. An unexpected step or reach could put you directly into a "caught-in" hazard.

Your fall protection is designed to save you from a fall. Don't let an entanglement hazard make that fall more likely or more dangerous. By combining your knowledge of fall protection with an awareness of caught-in/between risks, you create a more complete safety mindset.

Download Your Toolbox Talk Here!

-The Safety Man