This document is intended to provide basic safety guidelines for the Physical Plant Department at Community College of Allegheny County. The information provided in this guide may vary by site. Version 1.0
Table of Contents I. Objective II. Background III. Assignment of Responsibilities IV. Job Hazard Assessment V. Types of Falls VI. Definitions VII. Prevention VIII. Fall Protection IX. Personal Protective Equipment X. Training XI. Emergency/Medical Response XII. Accident Report XIII. Policy Evaluation Attachments A. Training Outline B. Training Sign-in Sheet 2
I. OBJECTIVE Community College of Allegheny County The objective of the Community College of Allegheny County Safety Program is to provide a safe and healthy work environment and to comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration s (OSHA) various regulations that relate to slip, trip and fall hazards. Our policy is to take a proactive approach in identifying hazards, providing necessary resources and equipment and providing appropriate training for all affected employees. This policy, while written in adherence with OSHA regulations, should not be considered a substitute for any provisions or standards of OSHA. This program applies to all work operations where employees risk a slip, trip or fall accident. Every Physical Plant Department and employee will participate in the Safety Program. Copies of the program are available in the Physical Plant Department for review by all employees. II. BACKGROUND OSHA's standards identify areas where protection is needed. OSHA has mandated the use of good housekeeping, personal protective equipment (PPE), safety procedures and other safety measures to minimize or eliminate slip, trip and fall hazards. III. ASSIGNMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES A. Program Administrator The chairperson of the Safety Committee along with the Director of Safety and Security will manage the Safety Program for Community College of Allegheny County, maintain all records pertaining to the plan--including reviewing and updating this plan as necessary--and facilitate training. Records will be kept in the Physical Plant Department. B. Management Community College of Allegheny County will ensure that each employee understands and follows the Safety Program through employee orientation, job hazard assessments, training, job performance reviews and disciplinary action. Community College of Allegheny County will provide all necessary information, equipment and personnel to comply with this program. C. Supervisors Supervisors will be capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the work area or working conditions which are hazardous or dangerous to employees. Supervisors have authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate such hazards or conditions. Supervisors will determine the appropriate cleaning supplies, equipment and PPE needed for the work area and ensure their proper use. D. Employees Employees share the responsibility for employing proper work practices, maintaining a clean work area and using and maintaining all PPE and equipment in the correct manner. 3
IV. JOB HAZARD ASSESSMENT Proper planning is the best tool for keeping employees safe on the job. A Hazard Assessment should be performed for all work areas. It is important that management, supervisors and employees are all involved in the assessment process. The assessment should include, but not be limited to, the following elements: Evaluation of the worksite Evaluation of the work/job to be done Evaluation of the various tools and equipment to be used Identification of affected employees The assessment will provide information that will help determine: the possible use of administrative and engineering controls the need for PPE training needs emergency/medical response needs When changes in the work area are made, the need for additional hazard assessments may be necessary. The Physical Plant Supervisor will be responsible for determining this need. V. TYPES OF FALLS There are two types of falls that can occur: same level falls and elevated falls. Same level falls occur more frequently and are caused primarily by slips and trips. Elevated falls occur less frequently but usually result in more severe injuries. The Fall Protection Safety Manual should be referenced for issues relating to the specialized protection and training required when working at heights and the hazards associated with most elevated falls. This manual is located in the Physical Plant Department and is available for all employees to view. VI. DEFINITIONS Slips: A slip occurs when you lose your footing due to walking surface conditions that limit the amount of traction between your shoes and the surface. Slips happen mainly due to wet or slippery surfaces. The hazard is increased when inappropriate footwear is worn. Trips: A trip occurs when you strike an object with your foot that throws you off balance causing you to fall. Trips can also be caused by stepping downward unexpectedly. Falls: A fall occurs when you are thrown off balance and go from a standing or erect position suddenly and unexpectedly to a downward movement or you drop from one level to a lower level. Slipping and tripping usually result in a fall. VII. PREVENTION The safety of all employees is the driving factor behind all safety training, rules, procedures and regulations. Employees, supervisors and management of Community College of Allegheny County should work together to establish a safe working environment. Unsafe working conditions, equipment 4
Prevention, continued and/or tools should immediately be reported to your supervisor. Preventing slips, trips and falls is an ongoing task. Inspect your work area before you begin work and monitor it throughout the day for hazards or potential hazards. Be aware that the potential for hazards can change frequently. Employees must be aware of their surroundings and take steps to minimize or eliminate hazards daily. Good housekeeping is the most basic, yet important step, to preventing slip, trip and fall accidents. Listed below are some steps and procedures to follow to avoid slip, trip and fall accidents. Housekeeping Clean up spills immediately. Delaying cleanup potentially exposes more people to the hazard. Use wet floor signs or barricade the area to identify wet areas. Remove debris and scrap frequently from work areas and place in designated locations. Keep walkways clear of materials, debris and clutter. Keep floors swept. Run cords, cables and hoses overhead when possible; otherwise, secure and cover cords, cables and hoses that cross walkways. Lighting Keep work areas well lit. Replace burned-out bulbs immediately. Maintain appropriate lighting through the use of portable light stands if necessary. Move cautiously in darker areas and when moving from well-lit to darker areas. Stairways Keep stairwells free of materials and debris. Walk slowly and use handrails when going up or down stairs. Take one step at a time. Keep outside steps free of ice and snow. Walking/Working Surfaces Mark uneven walking and working surfaces with warning tape or signs. Create smooth transitions between different floor levels with the use of ramps or wedges. Tape temporary floor covers together. Cover or guard all floor openings and holes to prevent people from falling into them. Ladders Never use a chair, box, table or other object not specifically made for standing on to reach elevated levels. Always use a ladder. Use only ladders that meet OSHA requirements, are appropriate and meet the weight requirements of the work being performed. Place ladders at a 4:1 ratio from the vertical support. For every 4 feet of working length, the ladder base should be 1 foot out from the top support. Never use a metal ladder on or around electrical elements. Always use a wood or fiberglass ladder. When climbing, descending or working from a ladder, maintain a 3-point contact with the ladder. 5
Prevention, continued Scaffolds Construct all scaffolds according to the manufacturer's instructions. Install guardrail systems along all open sides and ends of the platforms. Use appropriate fall protection for scaffolds more than 10 feet above a lower level. Use caution when working with tools and building materials on the limited space of a scaffold. Provide safe access to scaffold platforms. Do not climb cross-bracing as a means of access. Miscellaneous Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Make sure you are properly trained on PPE and its use. If you are unsure, talk to your supervisor. Wear proper footwear. Watch where you are walking. Pay attention and do not allow yourself to be distracted from the task at hand. Never rush through a task; work at a normal pace. Carry fewer objects and make more trips. Get help moving large, heavy or awkward-shaped items. Report all slip, trip or fall accidents, or near accidents, even if no one was hurt. This will allow changes to be made to avoid the incident from reoccurring. VIII. FALL PROTECTION Construction employees working at elevations of six feet or more and all other employees working at elevations of four feet or more must be protected from falling by a guardrail system, safety net system or personal fall arrest system. This rule applies to ramps, runways, open-sided floors or platforms and other working and walking surfaces. Community College of Allegheny County s safety policy on fall protection must be followed in situations where employees are working at elevations. The policy is located in Physical Plant Department. IX. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT Proper care and maintenance of PPE is necessary to ensure maximum safety and usage. Additionally, the proper storage of PPE will minimize the tripping hazards posed by equipment left lying around. Manufacturer s guidelines for correct care, maintenance and storage rules will be followed. Each Physical Plant Department/work area will determine the need for PPE and provide appropriate storage facilities. All necessary PPE will be provided by Community College of Allegheny County at no cost to the employee. X. TRAINING The Physical Plant Supervisor is responsible for ensuring that all program elements and training are carried out. All affected employees will receive initial training on the various OSHA standards that relate to slip, trip and fall hazards and this policy before starting work. Training will be interactive and will enable each employee to recognize the various hazards that lead to slip, trip and fall accidents. Training will cover procedures to be followed in order to minimize these hazards and also the proper 6
Training, continued use and maintenance of PPE. Training records shall be maintained in the Physical Plant Department and shall contain the name of the employees trained, date(s) of training and signature of trainer. XI. EMERGENCY/MEDICAL RESPONSE Community College of Allegheny County is committed to the safety of all employees. Emergency/Medical plans for each work area will be created and implemented by the Director of Safety and Security. The plans will provide for adequate first aid kits, prompt medical attention for employees in the event of an accident and other safety measures as deemed necessary. XII. ACCIDENT REPORT In the event of an accident, an Accident Report Form must be completed and returned to the Director of Safety and Security by the employee involved in the accident and the employee s supervisor. XIII. POLICY EVALUATION This Slips, Trips, and Falls Safety Program will be evaluated on an annual basis to determine its effectiveness and need for change. Items to be reviewed for this purpose include, but are not limited to: OSHA Guidelines Job Hazard Assessments Training Records Accident Reports Changes in Equipment 7
Training Outline-- I. INTRODUCTION According to OSHA, slip, trip and fall accidents account for the majority of workplace injuries and are a major cause of accidental death, second only to motor vehicle accidents. Slip, trip and fall accidents occur frequently because situations that can lead to such accidents are so prevalent in all aspects of life. A child's toy left in the hallway can definitely trip you up on your way to the bathroom in the middle of the night. Wet concrete can be very slippery to try to walk across. Reaching just a little bit more from the top of the ladder can spell disaster. Most slip, trip and fall accidents can be prevented by following safety rules and safe work procedures. II. TYPES OF FALLS There are two types of falls that can occur: same level falls and elevated falls. This program will mainly address same level falls. Falls from elevations will be discussed, but prevention requires specialized protection and training. 1. Same Level Falls Occur more frequently Primarily caused by slips and trips Less severe than elevated falls Injuries typically include back injuries, broken bones, sprains and strains 2. Elevated Falls Occur less frequently Result in more severe injuries Some causes include falls from ladders, stairs, buildings, docks, vehicles and other structures Serious injury, even death, can occur III. CAUSES There are many hazards which cause slips, trips and falls. 1. Slips A slip occurs when you lose your footing due to walking surface conditions that limit the amount of traction between your shoes and the surface. Slips happen mainly due to wet or slippery surfaces. The hazard is increased when inappropriate footwear is worn. Surfaces can become wet and/or slippery from rain, snow, ice, oil or spills. Loose flooring (tiles, mats, rugs, etc.) and the surface material itself (ceramic tile, smooth concrete, etc.) can also cause one to slip. 2. Trips A trip occurs when you strike an object with your foot that throws you off balance causing you to fall. Trips can also be cause by stepping downward unexpectedly. There are many possible causes. 8
Causes, continued Inadequate lighting Moving from lit areas to dark areas Pathways obstructed by tools, equipment, supplies, debris, cables and/or cords. Walking surface conditions which might involve uneven surfaces, potholes, temporary walkways and cracks. Coordinating work between different companies and the equipment (ladders, scaffolding, tools, etc.) they use. Carrying large and/or heavy objects. 3. Falls A fall occurs when you are thrown off balance and you go from a standing or erect position suddenly and unexpectedly to a downward movement or you drop from one level to a lower level. Slipping and tripping usually results in a fall. Other types of falls include: Falls from ladders and scaffolds. Misuse or inappropriate action can be very dangerous when using ladders and scaffolds. Falls from vehicles and equipment. Getting in and out of equipment, trucks and other vehicles always presents a fall hazard. Traction is generally low when stepping onto or off of the metal steps, tailgates and other parts of such equipment. Riding on the outside of equipment and vehicles is also dangerous unless there is appropriate seating. Falls on stairs. Moving up or down stairs can be hazardous especially when carrying something. The potential for an accident is also greater when the stairs are wet or when clutter is stored on the steps. IV. PREVENTION Preventing slips, trips and falls is an ongoing task. Your work environment should be monitored/inspected daily for hazards or potential hazards. Be aware that the potential for hazards can change frequently, even throughout the workday. Employers and employees must be aware of their surroundings and take steps to minimize or eliminate hazards daily. 1. Housekeeping Good housekeeping is the most basic step to preventing slip, trip and fall accidents. Clean up spills immediately. Delaying cleanup potentially exposes more people to the hazard. Use wet floor signs or barricade the area to identify wet areas. Remove debris and scrap frequently from work areas and place in designated locations. Keep walkways clear of materials, debris and clutter. Keep floors swept. Run cords, cables, and hoses overhead when possible; otherwise, secure and cover cords, cables, and hoses that cross walkways. 2. Lighting Keep work areas well lit. Replace burned-out bulbs immediately. Maintain appropriate lighting through the use of portable light stands if necessary. Move cautiously in darker areas and when moving from well-lit to darker areas. 9
Prevention, continued 3. Stairways Keep free of materials and debris. Walk slowly and use handrails when going up or down. Take one step at a time. Keep outside steps free of ice and snow. 4. Walking and Working Surfaces Uneven walking and working surfaces should be marked with warning tape or signs. Create smooth transitions between different floor levels with the use of ramps or wedges. Temporary floor covers should be taped together. All floor openings and holes should be covered or guarded to prevent people from falling or stepping into their area. 5. Ladders Never use a chair, box, table or other objects not specifically made for standing on to reach elevated levels. Always use a ladder. Use only ladders that meet OSHA requirements, are appropriate and meet the weight requirements of the work being performed. Place ladders at a 4:1 ratio from the vertical support. For every 4 feet of working length, the ladder base should be 1 foot out from the top support. Never use a metal ladder on or around electrical elements. Always use a wood or fiberglass ladder. Maintain a 3-point contact with the ladder whenever climbing, descending or working from a ladder. 6. Scaffolding Construct all scaffolds according to the manufacturer's instructions. Install guardrail systems along all open sides and ends of platforms. Use appropriate fall protection for scaffolds more than 10 feet above a lower level. Use caution when working with tools and building materials on the limited space of a scaffold. Provide safe access to scaffold platforms. Do not climb cross-bracing as a means of access. 7. Miscellaneous Make sure you are properly trained on PPE and its use. Use PPE correctly. Wear proper footwear for the worksite. Watch where you are walking. Pay attention and do not allow yourself to be distracted from the task at hand. Never rush through a task; work at a normal pace. Carry fewer objects and make more trips. Get help moving large, heavy or awkward-shaped items. 10
Prevention, continued Report all slip, trip and fall accidents even if no one was hurt. This will allow changes to be made to avoid the incident from reoccurring. Otherwise, someone might be injured if it happens again. V. FALL PROTECTION Construction employees working at elevations of six feet or more and all other employees working at elevations of four feet or more must be protected from falling by a guardrail system, safety net system or personal fall arrest system. This rule applies to ramps, runways, open-sided floors or platforms and other working and walking surfaces. VI. WALKING ON WET SURFACES If you must walk on wet surfaces, there are certain precautions you can take to prevent slipping and falling: a. Take slow, small steps. b. Point your feet slightly outward to help provide a stable base of support. c. Pay attention to the walking surface. d. Use handrails or stable objects for support when available. e. Your arms and hands help stabilize you when walking. Do not walk with your hands in your pockets. f. Avoid sharp turns and quick movements. g. Wear slip-resistant footwear. VII. FALLING The purpose of this training program is to prevent falls, but should you fall, it is important to know how to fall to minimize injury. a. Tuck in your chin and turn your head. b. As you are falling, twist or roll your body to the side. It is safer to land on your buttocks or side than your back. c. Keep your wrist, elbow and knees bent. d. Protect your head with your arm. e. Land on as much of your body as possible to spread the impact forces across a larger area. f. Do not attempt to soften or break the fall with your hands. 11
Training: Instructor: Date Name Department 12