Identifying Fall Hazards
To identify fall hazards first we must recognize, identify, evaluate, propose controls and implement control measures. Identification of fall hazards may be done through injury record reviews, audits, and interviews.
- Where do workers go to at heights to perform work?
- Do employees go to any elevated locations for reasons other than to perform work?
- What are the work tasks that employees need to perform for a specific given physical location at heights?
- What movements at heights are required for workers to perform the tasks?
- What are the entry/exit routes for the work at heights and what physical means of entry and exit are used?
- How frequently do employees go to each specific location at heights and for what time duration?
- What are the items of tools, equipment, and materials that the worker must take to the elevated workstation?
- What are the specific factors at the site that could trigger the onset of a fall? Such factors include:
- Slippery walking surfaces
- Irregular walking surfaces that could cause a trip
- Presence of natural factors-sunlight, darkness, wind, rain, lightning, snow
- Presence of thermal, chemical and electrical factors and the possibility of fire or explosion.
