Today our toolbox talks about drop object safety. I think a few of you will be surprised to hear that dropping objects or falling objects from ladders, scaffolding etc. cause some of the most serious injuries and often even death. So, are you ready for dropped object safety talk?
If I asked you which personal protective equipment can prevent falling object hazards, probably most of you would answer - a hard hat. That answer is correct, but only partially. Another PPE that prevents injuries from falling objects is protective shoes.
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| Drop object safety |
When people talk about drop objects, people automatically think of a brick falling from a roof, a paint can falling from the top of a scaffolding, or a pipe collapsing from a third floor. But the reality is that most of the dropped object causes injuries. Such as when a worker tries to lift a heavy object, it slips from his hands and the object falls on his feet. Or like when someone puts a metal bar or a heavy pipe against the wall and someone trips over it.
With this, I do not mean that we should give more importance to protective shoes than to a safety helmet since both I and all of you know very well that in general, injuries that occur due to objects that fall from great heights are much more serious than those produced by objects falling from low heights. What I want to tell you is that we should not underestimate the importance of safety shoes to prevent injuries due to falling objects.
But personal protection, whether it's a safety helmet or safety shoes, is only part of the protection. Personal protection never prevents danger, the first thing to do in any situation is to treat the danger and the situation that can cause an accident.
There are many things you can do to prevent accidents due to falling objects. Whenever you are going to climb to a height, whether using a ladder, a scaffold, etc., barricade the area and put a signage in the surroundings saying that you are working at a height and that no one is allowed to go through that area.
Falling objects construction safety
Many accidents occur when someone working at the top of a ladder drops a can of paint, a pair of pliers, etc. If the job you are about to do has any special hazards, you should let me know. I will try to provide special protection, such as barriers that isolate the area where you will work, or some other special protection.
When working on suspended platforms or scaffolding, never place objects near the edge, as you may accidentally push them over and you may fall on someone passing below, or you may lose your balance and fall. Many of the workers who fall from a scaffolding and die are due to this lack of precaution.
On another occasion, I remember that I have told that when you work at heights or climb stairs, you should never carry tools in your pockets since when bending down you can fall and injure someone who passes below.
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| Drop object safety |
Another way to injure your feet is when you lift an object without following the correct lifting procedure. It would not be the first time that a worker, due to the immediate intense pain he suffers in his back when trying to lift an object incorrectly, drops the object and it crushes his feet.
Injuries due to falling objects are not the most frequent or generally the most serious that occur on our plant, but the truth is that they occur more than necessary and with a little care and following a few accident prevention rules we can avoid them all.
Have any of you ever had an object fall on your head? … From the expressions on some faces, I see that some think not. Let me ask you that same question in other words: Who hasn't had a drop of water fall on their head?
Yes, we have all had objects fall from high places many times; but, fortunately, those objects have been things that did not cause us pain or physical injury. Although not everyone could say the same. Some have had objects fall on them that have caused serious injuries and a lot of pain, such as tools, boards, tiles, packages, bags of cement, etc.
Dropped object prevention
All of us who work, wherever we are, have the possibility of being hit by an object that falls from a high place. But those who work especially under this constant danger must keep in mind that the dangers can not only occur at a low level above the surface of the floor but above our heads.
Those who must work in areas where there is a constant danger of being hit by a falling object should notify their supervisor, as there may be a practical way to eliminate or contain that hazard.
If there is no way to physically separate yourself from an area where this danger always exists, such as a construction site, you should wear appropriate protection, such as a hard hat, eye protection, protective footwear, and clothing that has been designated for doing so. Also, always keep in mind that conditions in high places can change from moment to moment, creating a hazard that did not exist very recently.
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| Drop object safety |
A very common hazard associated with elevated locations comes from crane loads. The loads must be tied as safely as possible, trying to make them balance well. Before giving the signal to lift the load, make sure that the sling will not crush any fingers or hands. In addition to these general precautions, it's a good idea to first raise the load just 8 to 12 inches off the ground. In this way, you can check if the load is well-secured and balanced.
But we must not forget the people who work in high places, because you also have very defined responsibilities, of which we could highlight two. First, these people are responsible for operating their tools, equipment, and work objects with the utmost care. Second, you are also responsible for notifying anyone below the place where you are working.
Even routine operations also carry dangers of injury. Suppose someone were to change a light bulb. Don't you think it would be necessary to communicate to everyone around you that you are going to work temporarily in a high place and that this situation could pose a danger not only to you but to others?
I think you will agree that it would be necessary to do so, although we all know very well that these measures that seem like common sense are not always put into practice. It would be best in such a situation to enclose the work area with a portable barrier to prevent anyone from coming into contact with the hazardous situation.
Whether you must work at the top of a ladder or platform, on a scaffold or in an elevator shaft, you must ensure that all tools, equipment or work materials are placed in a place where you cannot fall and injure yourselves. You must take special care not to place any object on uneven surfaces. Do not forget
about the effect of vibrations. A vibration or movement in the surface could cause the object to fall and hit the ground, or perhaps hit someone's head. As you will understand, the result of that fall would have very different consequences than those produced by leaks.
When working in high places you should always keep your tools in the toolbox. In addition to the fact that tools left on the floor create fall hazards on the surface of the
the floor you are on, you also create the danger that someone could trip over a tool and could fall to the surface.
Conclusion
In closing, remember that high places have the potential to create very serious dangers for those below.
For more health and safety topics, visit: Innovative safety zone
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