Fall Protection Friday: Slips, Trips & Falls

This Weeks Toolbox Talk Attached Below!

Welcome back, let's Build Smart & Build Safe! We’ve spent this week on the essentials of housekeeping. Today, on Fall Protection Friday, we're connecting this simple practice to the most serious hazard on any job site: falls.

Poor housekeeping is the number one cause of slips, trips, and falls. While a fall to the same level can cause sprains or breaks, a fall from a height can be fatal.

The Two-Part Fall Hazard

1. Falls from an Elevated Surface: A slip or a trip on a piece of debris can be a life-changing event if you're on a ladder, a scaffold, or a roof. Even a small object—a piece of scrap, an electrical cord, or a misplaced tool—can cause you to lose your footing, leading to a fall from height.

2. Falls into or Around Openings: Poor housekeeping can also lead to a fall into a protected opening. If materials are left in a walkway and a worker is forced to step over them. Clutter can obscure a barrier or cause a worker to climb on/over a guardrail, creating a fall hazard.

Your Plan for Safety

Your attention to housekeeping is the key to preventing a fall. Here’s what you need to do:

• Keep it Clean: Never leave tools, materials, or debris in a walkway or near an elevated surface. Make sure all cords are managed and out of the way.

• Stay Aware: Always be mindful of your footing, especially when working on a new or cluttered section of the site.

• Take a Minute: If you see a housekeeping hazard, take the extra minute to move it or clean it up. Your effort might prevent a serious injury for you or a coworker.

Remember, a clean site is a safe site. Housekeeping isn't just a chore; it’s a commitment to ensuring every worker goes home safely at the end of the day.

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-The Safety Man