Fall Protection Friday: Working on Weakened Structures

This Weeks Toolbox Talk Attached Below!

Welcome back, let's Build Smart & Build Safe! We’ve spent this week on the controlled destruction of demolition. Today, on Fall Protection Friday, we're focusing on one of the greatest threats to a worker in a demolition zone: falls from height.

Demolition work fundamentally destroys the stable surfaces and protections that construction workers rely on. Every structure being demolished is a maze of extreme fall hazards.

The Three Extreme Fall Hazards

1. Unstable Walking Surfaces: As floors and roofs are exposed to the elements or damaged by falling debris, their load-bearing capacity is compromised. A step that was safe yesterday may cause a collapse today. Workers must treat all surfaces as potentially unstable.

2. Unprotected Edges: The moment a wall is removed, an exterior edge or a floor opening is created. These edges are often irregular, sharp, and unguarded. Demolition requires extreme vigilance to ensure every newly created opening or edge is immediately protected.

3. Weakened Support Structures: The removal of load-bearing walls and columns weakens the entire building. If a temporary support fails, the floor you are standing on can collapse, leading to a massive fall.

Your Plan for 100% Protection

In demolition, standard fall protection rules are amplified. You must assume that guardrails are not feasible or reliable due to the nature of the work.

• 100% Tie-Off: Workers on elevated, exposed, or potentially unstable surfaces must be secured with personal fall arrest systems that ensure 100% tie-off. This means the worker is always attached to a proper anchor point, even when moving from one spot to another.

• Inspect Anchor Points: Anchor points must be able to hold 5,000 lbs. given the fact that the structure is in the process of being torn down. Never tie off to something that is about to be removed or that has been compromised.

Your life depends on treating every surface as a fall hazard. Never take a step without knowing your protection is secure.

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-The Safety Man