11017131/0403 Copyright © 2004 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. BLR’s Safety Training Presentations Walking and Working Surfaces 29 CFR 1910.21-30

11017131/0403 Copyright © 2004 Business & Legal Reports, Inc.

BLR’s Safety Training Presentations

Walking and Working Surfaces29 CFR 1910.21-30


Top OSHA Violation

1,465 citations $1,702,391 in penalties Open-sided floor or platform Install standard guardrails


Goals

Floor openings and holes Stairs, ladders, slip and trip hazards Quiz


Open-Sided Floors And Platforms

4 feet above ground must be guarded

Standard railing required Protect workers below Protect machinery below


Examples of Open-Sided Hazards

Open pits, sumps, or ditches

Open chemical tanks Vats of molten metals Aboveground

work platforms


Floor Holes and Openings

Opening—measures 1 to 12 inches Hole—greater than 12 inches Floor, platform, pavement, yard Guard with standard railing Cover the hole or opening Attend the hole or to protect with toeboard


Stairway and Ladder Floor Opening

Guard by railing on exposed sides

Entrance may be open Recommend a swing gate Cover the opening


Hatchway and Chute Floor Openings

Hinged cover Removable railing Fenced off area under the opening Dropping materials—audible alarm Skylights—screen or railing


Wall Openings

30 inches high and 18 inches wide A person could fall through Drop of more than 4 feet Guard with rail, roller, fence, door Install toeboard to protect against falling

hazards


Guardrails

Top rail—42 inches Mid rail—21 inches Toeboard—

4 inches high Withstand

considerable force


Aisles and Passageways

Clearance for material handling equipment

Marked permanent aisles

Heavy-traffic passage-ways equipped with walkways


Floor Load Rating

Post load ratings Mark plates covering floor openings Mark aboveground walkways Never exceed load rating limit


Goals



Fixed Industrial Stairs

Slip-resistant treads Carry at least 1,000 lb Not damaged or bent Four steps—handrails


Stair Safety

Use handrails Walk—don’t run Inspect for slippery

surfaces or damaged steps Do not put objects

on steps


Fixed Ladders

Permanently attached Cages needed if

longer than 20 feet Maximum unbroken

length of 30 feet Ladder safety devices


Setting Up the Ladder

Put it on a level surface Angle the ladder properly Secure the bottom Extend 3 feet above

the upper landing Anchor the ladder

at the top


Climbing the Ladder

Face the ladder Climb with both hands Use a tool belt

or bucket hanger Keep your weight

centered Don’t stand on the

top two rungs or steps of a stepladder


Ladder Inspection

Rungs are in good condition and clean

Ladder locks function correctly

Ladder is nonconductive Ladder’s feet are antislip


Safe Walking And Working Surfaces

Workroom floors clean and dry

Workplace clean and orderly

Frequently cited violations

15% workplace deaths, 16% disabling injuries


Eliminate Trip Hazards

Pick up tools, materials, and trash

Walk around obstructions Report dangerous walking

and working surfaces Keep file drawers closed Watch placement of power cords


Eliminate Slip Hazards

Clean up liquids Sweep up debris and dust Stop and repair leaks Install absorbent around wet processes Use warning signs or cones


Slip-Resistant Shoes

Street shoes not intended for slip resistance

Soft rubber sole for slip resistance

Sole tread with channels Still need to walk carefully


Awareness of Walking Surface Hazards

Be aware of the hazards Pay attention to where you are going Adjust your stride according to the

walking surface Make wide turns at corners Don’t block your vision when carrying items


Goals



Summary

Check for unguarded openings Keep walkways free of hazards Use stairs and ladders safely Prevent slip and trip hazards


Quiz

1. At what height above a lower level must an open-sided floor be guarded?

2. Name two of the three ways to keep someone from falling into a floor opening.

3. What does OSHA consider to be an unsafe wall opening?

4. How can you protect workers when dropping objects from an upper level?

5. What is the height of a standard guardrail?


Quiz (cont.)

6. What number of steps triggers the need for handrails on stairs?

7. Fixed ladders require cages when they are how many feet high?

8. In order to prevent slips and trips, OSHA requires work surfaces to be and .

9. What is the best way to prevent tripping accidents?

10. What is the best way to prevent slip-related injuries?


Quiz Answers

1. 4 feet 2. Railing, cover, attendant 3. 30 inches high and 18 inches wide 4. Fence off the area, audible alarm, attendant 5. 42 inches 6. Four steps 7. 20 feet 8. Clean and dry 9. Pick up tools, materials, and trash10. Clean up liquids

Documents

11017131/0403 Copyright © 2004 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. BLR’s Safety Training Presentations Walking and Working Surfaces 29 CFR 1910.21-30