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CONSTRUCTIONSAFETY NEWSLETTER

JANUARY 2017

PayneWest.com

PayneWest.comToll Free (800) 735-8257

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Bill Bremer (509) 363-4017Brodie Loushin (406) 533-1038Pat McCarthy (406) 327-6519

Shawn McDevitt (406) 533-1016Brendan Riley (406) 457-2114

PayneWest Loss Control Contacts

Work in aerial lifts and elevated platforms is inherently dangerous, and additional hazards can be introduced based on the type of tasks being performed while elevated. Recognition and control of the present hazards is crucial to assuring a safe and efficient work environment.

Hazard assessment and inspections: ♦ Site hazard assessments: prior to beginning

work, make sure that worksite conditions allow for the safe use of aerial lifts.

• Check for terrain conditions, obstructions, pedestrian and traffic controls, exposure to weather, electrical hazards or other hazardous conditions.

♦ Pre-operation inspections: prior to each use, operators must perform a visual inspection of the lift to assure that all components are in good working condition.

♦ Testing: all lift controls must be tested from all panels prior to use.

♦ Defective lifts: if any damage or defects are discovered during inspections or testing, the lift must be tagged and removed from service. Do not use damaged or defective lifts under any circumstances.

Common hazards and controls: ♦ When mounting a lift, keep your body

squared with the gate, maintain three points of contact with the lift, and do not use any control surfaces or levers as hand-holds.

♦ Prior to moving the lift, inspect the travel path to assure any hazards are avoided or

controlled.

♦ When moving the lift:

• Drive slowly.• Always face in the direction you’re

travelling, and stay aware of changes in the platform’s orientation.

• Lower the platform whenever possible to increase stability.

• Do not back up the lift unless you have a clear rear view, the lift has a back-up alarm, or another employee is serving as a spotter.

♦ Personal Protective Equipment: appropriate PPE for working in an aerial lift typically includes a hard hat, eye protection, non-slip protective footwear, and fall protection. Make sure any additional task-specific PPE is used as required.

♦ Destabilizing factors: do not exceed the lift’s rated load capacities, and avoid uneven terrain and entanglement hazards.

Aerial Lift Safety

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♦ Electrocution:

• Do not allow equipment or materials to create a conduit between an electrical structure and the aerial lift.

• Establish and maintain minimum approach distances.

• Whenever possible, de-energize or insulate power lines. If not possible, assure that appropriate PPE or other safety gear is in use.

• Use insulated buckets and regularly inspect the insulation

♦ Falls: hazards include falling from an elevated platform as well as ground-based personnel or equipment being struck by falling objects.

• Fall protection is required when using articulated or telescoping boom lifts, and is a best practice when using any lift, including scissor lifts. Refer to your employer’s policies and procedures to verify when fall protection is required.

• Prior to use, inspect all components of harnesses and lanyards as well as their anchor points. Only use anchor points provided or approved by the manufacturer and never tie off outside the platform.

• Always stay inside the basket, including arms, hands,and equipment.

• Do not strain to reach items; move the lift if something is out of reach.

• Keep the area under lifts clear from personnel, and assure that all personnel working around the lift is wearing appropriate PPE, including hard hats.

♦

♦ Environmental hazards: employees in aerial lifts may encounter environmental hazards such as toxic or asphyxiating gases, high winds, lightning or storms.

• Avoid operating lifts outside in inclement weather.

• Limit the use of gas-powered devices indoors unless proper ventilation eliminates the risk of exposure to combustion gases.

• Do not perform tasks with equipment that may react with the environment, e.g., welding in a combustible environment.

• Use hazardous environment controls such as ventilation and respiratory aids where appropriate. Refer to your organization’s respiratory protection guidelines.

Information provided by: Succeed Management Solutions

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Lift Type Characteristics Requirements

Articulating Boom Lift ♦ Two or more hinged

boom sections.

♦ Platform moves in multiple directions.

♦ Only use on a level surface.

♦ Use fall protection

Elevated Work Platform ♦ Elevates on a vertical

axis.

♦ Stationary after setup.

♦ Fall protection is recommended as a best practice.

Extensible Boom Platform

♦ Uses a telescopic boom and personnel platform attachments.

♦ Only use on a level surface.

♦ Use fall protection.

Scissor Lift ♦ Typically able to lift more than one person at a time.

♦ Can be moved while platform is raised.

♦ Fall protection is recommended as a best practice.

Trailer-Mounted Aerial Lift ♦ Includes outriggers.

♦ May be articulated, telescoping or both.

♦ Towed to worksites.

♦ Un-hitch and engage outriggers prior to use.


Vehicle-Mounted Aerial Lift

♦ Typically uses a bucket to lift a single person.

♦ May be articulated, telescoping or both.

♦ Engage brakes, chock wheels and extend outriggers during use.



FEBRUARY 2017

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[email protected]

Brodie Loushin (406) 533-1038Pat McCarthy (406) 327-6519



Crane and hoist safety is of extreme importance due to the very high injury and damage potential from accidents. Crane work is often performed in congested areas where the general public can become involved in an accident. If proper precautions are taken; however, and proper techniques for operation and maintenance are followed, the risks need not turn into tragic accidents.

All equipment must only be operated by qualified and authorized personnel in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and all local, state and federal laws. All the manufacturer’s warning notices must be taken seriously and all machine safeguards must remain in place and functional.

The load limits specified on capacity plates must never be exceeded. Overloading causes serious accidents, such as overturning, collapsing of the boom and failing of the rigging.

Only properly rated and approved sling material may be used, and all cables and fasteners must be checked every day of use. Proper rigging includes the correct counterweight, mounted boom, gantry and lines. Thorough machine inspections must be done at least weekly.

The utmost care must be taken when operating a crane in the vicinity of overhead power lines regardless of the known voltage. If a crane must be operated near power lines, the power company must be consulted and its safety recommendations must be followed.

♦ Operating a crane on soft or unstable ground is dangerous. The ground must be level and solid. Outriggers provide reliable stability only when used on solid ground.

♦ Barricade the crane’s swing radius.

♦ Avoid sudden starts, stops and reverses.

♦ Never lift loads over workers.

♦ Never stand under a suspended load.

♦ Never leave a suspended load unattended.

♦ Raise the load only as high as necessary.

♦ Use tag lines and spotters as needed.

Before leaving a crane for any reason, the operator must set the brakes, block the wheels, lock the boom and place the levers and controls in their neutral positions.

Crane and Hoist Safety



MARCH 2017

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Caution Anyone working around or with concrete forms/false work should be aware of the hazards it presents and the safety precautions that are required.

The Following Guidelines are Critical to Your Safety

♦ Safety belt or equivalent device. Employees should use if working more than six feet above any adjacent working surface.

♦ Vertically protruding reinforcing steel. Employees shall not be permitted to work above vertically protruding reinforcing steel unless it has been protected to eliminate hazards.

♦ Handles on bull floats. These shall be of non-conductive materials or insulated with a non-conductive sheath when used around energized electrical conductors.

♦ Do not tie down control switches. When using a powered or rotating-type toweling machine, the control switch will automatically shut off the power when the operator removes his hands from the handle.

♦ Riding concrete buckets. This activity is prohibited.

♦ Concrete buckets suspended from cranes or cable ways. Vibrator crews shall be kept out from underneath suspended concrete buckets.

♦ When discharging on a slope. Make sure the ready-mix truck’s wheels are blocked and the brakes set prevent movement.

♦ Personal protective equipment. Shall always be used and consult the Job Hazard Analysis to determine all required PPE.

♦ All equipment, hand and power. Shall be checked and in safe working condition before use replace or repair all defective tools.

♦ If concrete splatters on the skin. Wash it off as soon as possible.

Shoring for Concrete Construction Demands Strict Attention to the Following

♦ Soil characteristics. Every shoring job requires attention to soil characteristics and the effect of weather conditions. You should be careful to erect the shoring that is applicable to the instructions you are given.

♦ Steel frame shoring. Must be inspected before erection for defects such as rusting, dents and damaged welds. Locking devices should be in good working order on frames and braces for reuse.

Concrete Safety

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♦ Approve work personnel only. Only people actively working should be permitted in the area during form stripping operations.

♦ Personal protective equipment. Safety belts and lanyards must be used when working at heights. Hard hats, gloves and heavy-soled shoes are essential personal protective equipment.

♦ Stripping forms. Do not cut wires that are under tension when stripping forms. Backlash may cause wire to strike eyes, face or other parts of the body.

♦ Job clean-up. Very important in preventing injuries caused by nails, splinters and by tools or other objects that can trip or fall upon workmen. Stripped form lumber for salvage should be cleaned and stacked neatly after all of the nails have been removed. Nails in scrap lumber should be removed or bent over.

♦ Proper wheelbarrow use. Raise into position by standing between the handles, keeping the back straight, and letting the leg muscles do the work. Avoid obstacles such as holes that may cause your load to overturn.

♦ Runway construction. Build runways of sufficient width so the buggies will not run off the runway. Runways should be kept free of ice, snow, grease and mud. Run cleats, if provided, should be kept clean and in good repair.

Materials Hazards Awareness ♦ Chemical components. The presence of

chemical components in construction materials can sometimes cause skin disorders.

♦ Lime and cement. Keep exposed parts of the body away from direct contact. Wear clothing made of durable materials which fits snugly around neck, wrists and ankles.

Take Care of Yourself ♦ Personal cleanliness. Skin irritations can be

prevented by personal cleanliness. Wash hands as frequently as possible, or use a protective hand cream or ointment on exposed skin surfaces.

♦ First Aid. In case of cement contact with the eye(s), hold the eye open and flush out with water. Seek medical attention.



APRIL 2017

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OperationObjective: To reinforce forklift safety rules related to operation

Forklifts are commonly used in numerous work settings, primarily to move materials. A forklift operator must be knowledgeable and committed to safety rules and policies to keep the workplace safe.

Safety rules are an important part of workplace efficiency. This is especially true for lift truck operators due to the potential for property damage, injury, and even death.

During operation: ♦ All of the manufacturer’s user instructions are

to be strictly followed.

♦ Always wear a safety belt.

♦ Wear hard hat, safety glasses, and safety shoes as required.

♦ Loads must be down while the forklift is in motion.

♦ Tilt the mast back slightly before traveling.

♦ In general, observe all usual traffic rules and regulations, e.g., keep to the right on

roadways and wide aisles and stop at all stop signs.

♦ Stop at blind spots, and use the horn before moving.

♦ Give pedestrians the right of way, and assume they do not see you.

♦ Be alert for wet, slippery, or uneven surfaces while driving.

♦ Drive at a safe speed, depending on location, presence of pedestrians and condition of surface.

♦ Follow set speed limits.

♦ Maintain an indoor speed under 2 mph and an outdoor speed under 15 mph.

♦ Reduce speed when making turns, when going up or down ramps, at intersections, at corners, at ramps, and at other danger points.

Forklift Safety

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♦ Assure that there is adequate space: ♦ Assure clearance before passing under

or between structures.

♦ Maintain a safe distance from hazards, such as power lines or unstable ground.

♦ Leave adequate space between trucks (i.e., three truck lengths, minimum).

♦ When turning, give the forklift sufficient room; the back will swing out.

♦ When driving in reverse (due to forward vision being obscured):

♦ Reduce the size of the load so the lift can be driven forward without an obscured view.

♦ Always have a backup alarm.

♦ Use the horn prior to reversing the lift.

♦ When parking: ♦ Do not block traffic, exits, or safety

equipment, e.g., fire extinguishers.

♦ Park with forks on the floor.

♦ Turn off the power and secure the key.

♦ Report all accidents and near misses immediately.

Things that should never be done when operating a forklift:

♦ Never operate a forklift without training and certification. Only company-certified operators are allowed to operate the equipment.

♦ Never exceed the forklift’s rated capacity or speed. Do not ignore any safety recommendations or restrictions in order to finish a job more quickly.

♦ Never drive with loads elevated.

♦ Never ride on or under the load.

♦ Never let anyone other than the driver ride the forklift.

♦ Never make turns on ramps.

♦ Never operate a forklift outside designated areas.

♦ Never leave an elevated load unattended.

♦ Horseplay is strictly prohibited.



MAY 2017

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Bruce Hollcroft (509) 363-4017


Spring and summer are the peak times of the year for highway and outdoor construction activities. Many of these projects require construction crews to work in places where moving traffic is present. Employees working in high traffic areas need to be protected. Barricades and warning signs provide employee protection, but additional safety measures are required if employees are exposed to motor vehicle traffic.

Flaggers are required to be on all construction sites when required as part of a Traffic Control Plan.

♦

How do we Protect Flaggers and Construction Workers on These Sites?Traffic Control Devices. This includes signals and message boards to direct traffic away from the work site. Cones, barricades and barrels can also be used to demarcate the area of work.

Work Zone Protection. Concrete barriers or crash cushions provide protection between moving traffic and the construction site.

Personal Protective Equipment. High visibility reflective clothing to make employees visible for at least 1000 feet. Reflective hardhats are also recommended to increase the visibility of the flagger directing traffic. Reflective clothing should be ANSI approved and either class II or III depending on the situation. Many types of reflective materials are available so select the best for the conditions of the site.

Class IIIClass III garments provide the highest level of visibility to workers in high-risk environments that involve high task loads, a wide range of weather conditions and traffic exceeding 50 mph. Class III garments provide coverage to the arms and/or legs as well as the torso and can include pants, jackets, coveralls or rain wear. These garments are typically used for all roadway construction personnel and vehicle operators, utility workers, survey crews, emergency responders, railway workers and accident site investigators.

Class IIClass II garments are for users who need greater visibility in poor weather conditions and whose activities occur near roadways where traffic speeds exceed 25 mph. This class of garment is suitable for railway workers, school crossing guards, parking and toll gate personnel, airport ground crews and law enforcement personnel directing traffic.

Flagger Safety

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Communication Devices. Two-way radios can be used to assist in directing traffic and provide a means of communication between flaggers and the construction crew.

Lighting. Flagger stations must be illuminated based on work being done. Outdoor lights can be used to provide at least 10-20 foot-candles of light based on work requirements and the Traffic Control Plan.

What are the Worksite Conditions That Flaggers Need to be Trained On?Training. Flaggers need to be trained by a competent individual who can effectively teach the fundamental principles of flagging traffic.

Training, instruction and signaling directions used by flaggers should conform to the applicable Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Training must also take into account the particular worksite conditions and include the following:

♦ Flagger equipment which must be used.

♦ The layout of the work zone and flagging station.

♦ Methods to signal traffic to stop, proceed or slow down.

♦ Methods of one-way control.

♦ Trainee demonstration of proper flagging methods.

♦ How to respond to emergency vehicles traveling through the work zone.

♦ How to handle emergency situations.

♦ Methods of dealing with hostile drivers.

♦ Single and multiple flagger situations.

♦ Personal protective equipment.

♦ Work zone and flagging area set up.

♦ Traffic Control Plans.

What are the Hazards of Flagging?Environment. Like most construction sites, employees are subject to the weather. The summer months bring warm weather and the risk of heat stress. Winter rain and snow brings the risk of cold stress and hypothermia.

Traffic. Traffic is the biggest hazard a flagger is exposed to. Inattentive motorists and drunk drivers pose risks to flaggers even if work areas are properly demarcated and barricaded.

Time of Day. Work procedures need to be adjusted when shifting from daytime to nighttime operations. Additional lighting and demarcation is needed to increase flagger visibility when working at night.

Heavy Equipment. Outdoor construction sites and highway projects usually have heavy equipment operating in close proximity to pedestrian and vehicle traffic. Adequate communication is needed between flaggers and crew members to assure safe distance is maintained between equipment, traffic and people.



JUNE 2017

PayneWest.com


[email protected] Loushin (406) 533-1038Pat McCarthy (406) 327-6519


Bruce Hollcroft (509) 363-4017Sondra Lavoie (208) 424-2942

7


OSHA is issuing two standards to protect workers from exposure to respirable crystalline silica—one for construction, and the other for general industry and maritime—in order to allow employers to tailor solutions to the specific conditions in their

workplaces.

Who is affected by the construction standard?About two million construction workers are exposed to respirable crystalline silica in over 600,000

workplaces. OSHA estimates that more than 840,000 of these workers are exposed to silica levels that exceed the new permissible exposure limit (PEL).

Exposure to respirable crystalline silica can cause silicosis, lung cancer, other respiratory diseases, and kidney disease. Exposure can occur during common construction tasks such as using masonry saws, grinders, drills, jackhammers and handheld powered chipping tools; operating vehicle-mounted drilling rigs; milling; operating crushing machines; and using heavy equipment for demolition or certain other tasks.

The construction standard does not apply where exposures will remain low under any foreseeable conditions; for example, when only performing tasks such as mixing mortar; pouring concrete footers, slab foundation and foundation walls; and removing concrete formwork.

What does the standard require?The standard requires employers to limit worker exposures to respirable crystalline silica and to take other steps to protect workers.

The standard provides flexible alternatives, especially useful for small employers. Employers can either use a control method laid out in Table 1* of the construction standard, or they can measure workers’ exposure to silica and independently decide which dust controls work best to limit exposures to the PEL in their workplaces.

Regardless of which exposure control method is used, all construction employers covered by the standard are required to:

♦ Establish and implement a written exposure control plan that identifies tasks that involve exposure and methods used to protect workers, including procedures to restrict access to work areas where high exposures may occur.

♦ Designate a competent person to implement the written exposure control plan.

♦ Restrict housekeeping practices that expose workers to silica where feasible alternatives are available.

♦ Offer medical exams—including chest X-rays and lung function tests—every three years for workers who are required by the standard to wear a respirator for 30 or more days per year.

♦ Train workers on work operations that result in silica exposure and ways to limit exposure.

♦ Keep records of workers’ silica exposure and medical exams.

OSHA’s Crystalline Silica Rule: Construction

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What is Table 1?Table 1 matches common construction tasks with dust control methods, so employers know exactly what they need to do to limit worker exposures to silica. The dust control measures listed in the table include methods known to be effective, like using water to keep dust from getting into the air or using ventilation to capture dust. In some operations, respirators may also be needed.

Employers who follow Table 1 correctly are not required to measure workers’ exposure to silica and are not subject to the PEL.

Table 1 Example: Handheld Power SawsIf workers are sawing silica-containing materials, they can use a saw with a built-in system that applies water to the saw blade. The water limits the amount of respirable crystalline silica that gets into the air.

In this example, if a worker uses the saw outdoors for four hours or less per day, no respirator would be needed. If a worker uses the saw for more than four hours per day or any time indoors, he or she would need to use a respirator with an assigned protection factor (APF) of at least 10. In this case, a NIOSH-certified filtering facepiece respirator that covers the nose and mouth (sometimes referred to as a dust mask) could be used. If a worker needs to use a respirator on 30 or more days a year, he or she would need to be offered a medical exam.

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Alternative exposure control methodsEmployers who do not use control methods in Table 1 must:

♦ Measure the amount of silica that workers are exposed to if it may be at or above an action level of 25 μg/m3 (micrograms of silica per cubic meter of air), averaged over an eight-hour day.

♦ Protect workers from respirable crystalline silica exposures above the permissible exposure limit of 50 μg/m3, averaged over an eight-hour day.

♦ Use dust controls to protect workers from silica exposures above the PEL.

♦ Provide respirators to workers when dust controls cannot limit exposures to the PEL.

OSHA to Delay Enforcing Crystalline Silica Standard in the Construction Industry The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration today announced a delay in enforcement of the crystalline silica standard that applies to the construction industry to conduct additional outreach and provide educational materials and guidance for employers.

The agency has determined that additional guidance is necessary due to the unique nature of the requirements in the construction standard. Originally scheduled to begin June 23, 2017, enforcement will now begin Sept. 23, 2017.OSHA expects employers in the construction industry to continue to take steps either to come into compliance with the new permissible exposure limit, or to implement specific dust controls for certain operations as provided in Table 1 of the standard. Construction employers should also continue to prepare to implement the standard’s other requirements, including exposure assessment, medical surveillance and employee training.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.

Information provided by: OSHA, www.osha.gov/silica.


JULY 2017

PayneWest.com


[email protected] Loushin (406) 533-1038Pat McCarthy (406) 327-6519



7


Safe Practices ♦ Keep tools clean. Poor maintenance is

responsible for many accidents.

♦ Assure that all guards are in place.

♦ Disconnect the power source before adjusting, oiling or changing accessories--always replace the guards when you’re done.

♦ Assure that all cords are placed in safe locations where they do not create a tripping hazard.

♦ Inspect the insulation on all wires each day and report all damaged wires.

♦ Inspect the couplings on pneumatic hoses before each use and report all damaged couplings immediately.

♦ Assure that the tool you’re using is properly grounded.

♦ Only properly trained and certified operators may use powder-actuated tools.

♦ Tools must always be left unloaded until ready for use. Studs should be driven a safe distance from the edge of material.

♦ Operators should wear safety goggles or face shields.

Hand Tool Safety Hand tools help us with many tasks and have become a part of our everyday lives. As a result, the hazards associated with hand tool use are often ignored.

Most hand tool accidents are preventable if best safety practices are followed. Protect yourself with the following basic safety practices when using hand tools, including screwdrivers. The screwdriver is one of the most commonly used and abused hand tools.

Use the right tool for the job ♦ Each tool is designed to perform a specific

function. It is dangerous to substitute or use an inappropriate tool.

♦ Use tools properly, including the proper positioning to avoid strains and sprains.

♦ Never use damaged tools; discard, fix or replace them immediately.

Housekeeping ♦ Do not leave tools lying around where they

can become a tripping hazard.

♦ Ensure that your tools are secured when they are not in use; so that they cannot fall off work surfaces and injure you or others.

Handling Power Tools Safety

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♦ Do not carry chisels, screwdrivers and other pointed tools in your pockets. Use a tool belt.

♦ Carry all pointed tools with the tools’ pointed ends aiming downward.

♦ Do not throw tools; pass them handle-first.

♦ Keep your tools in good repair and inspect them before each use.

♦ Always wear the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when working with hand tools.

Ergonomic factors ♦ Minimize sprains and strains by keeping your

wrists straight and elbows close to the body.

♦ Use the comfort grips or properly fitted gloves to reduce the stress on your hands and wrists.

♦ Take breaks to rest your muscles.

♦ Consider tool design when choosing a tool:

• Look for lightweight tools with handles that allow for a relaxed grip and enable you to keep your wrists straight.

• Choose tools that can be used with either hand.

• Select a tool that is the proper size for your hands. Tool handles should be shaped so that they contact the largest possible surface of the hand and fingers.

• Avoid handles with sharp edges and corners.

♦ Consider using power tools to reduce repetitive movements.

Safety when using screwdrivers ♦ Do not use screwdrivers as punches, wedges,

pinch bars or pries.

♦ Keep screwdrivers in good condition:

• A broken handle, bent blade or a dull or twisted tip may cause a screwdriver to slip and result in a hand injury. A sharp, square-edged bit will not slip as easily as a dull, rounded one.

♦ Place the stock being worked on in a vise or on a flat surface and not in your hand; then, if the tool slips, there will be less chance of a hand injury.

♦ Match the screwdriver to the screw head.

♦ When using a screwdriver for electrical work, ensure that the handle is insulated and that the shaft does not extend into the handle.



AUGUST 2017

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Workers who use ladders risk permanent injury or death from falls and electrocutions. These hazards can be eliminated or substantially reduced by following good safety practices. This fact sheet examines some of the hazards workers may encounter while working on extension ladders and explains what employers and workers can do to reduce injuries. OSHA’s requirements for extension ladders are in Subpart X—Stairways and Ladders of OSHA’s Construction standards.

What is an Extension Ladder?Also known as “portable ladders,” extension ladders usually have two sections that operate in brackets or guides allowing for adjustable lengths. Because extension ladders are not self-supporting, they require a stable structure that can withstand the intended load.

PLAN Ahead to Get the Job Done Safely.

♦ Use a ladder that can sustain at least four times the maximum intended load, except that each extra-heavy duty type 1A metal or plastic ladder shall sustain at least 3.3 times the maximum intended load. Also acceptable

are ladders that meet the requirements set forth in Appendix A of Subpart X. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and labels on the ladder. To determine the correct ladder, consider your weight plus the weight of your load. Do not exceed the load rating and always include the weight of all tools, materials and equipment.

♦ A competent person must visually inspect all extension ladders before use for any defects such as: missing rungs, bolts, cleats, screws and loose components. Where a ladder has these or other defects, it must be immediately marked as defective or tagged with “Do Not Use” or similar language.

♦ Allow sufficient room to step off the ladder safely. Keep the area around the bottom and the top of the ladder clear of equipment, materials and tools. If access is obstructed, secure the top of the ladder to a rigid support that will not deflect, and add a grasping device to allow workers safe access.

♦ Set the ladder at the proper angle. When a ladder is leaned against a wall, the bottom of the ladder should be one-quarter of the ladder’s working length away from the wall. For access to an elevated work surface, extend the top of the ladder three feet above that surface or secure the ladder at its top.

Reducing Falls in Construction: Safe Use of Ladders

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♦ Before starting work, survey the area for potential hazards, such as energized overhead power lines. Ladders shall have nonconductive side rails if they are used where the worker or the ladder could contact exposed energized electrical equipment. Keep all ladders and other tools at least 10 feet away from any power lines.

♦ Set the base of the ladder that the bottom sits securely and so both side rails are evenly supported. The ladder rails should be square to the structure against which it is leaning with both footpads placed securely on a stable and level surface.

♦ Secure the ladder’s dogs or pawls before climbing.

♦ When using a ladder in a high-activity area, secure it to prevent movement and use a barrier to redirect workers and equipment. If the ladder is placed in front of a door, always block off the door.

PROVIDE the Right Extension Ladder for the Job with the Proper Load Capacity.Select a ladder based on the expected load capacity (duty rating), the type of work to be done and the correct height. There are five categories of ladder duty ratings.

TRAIN Workers to Use Extension Ladders Safely.Employers must train each worker to recognize and minimize ladder-related hazards.

Safe Ladder Use—DO ♦ Maintain a 3-point contact (two hands and a

foot, or two feet and a hand) when climbing/descending a ladder.

♦ Face the ladder when climbing up or descending.

♦ Keep the body inside the side rails.

♦ Use extra care when getting on or off the ladder at the top or bottom. Avoid tipping the ladder over sideways or causing the ladder base to slide out.

♦ Carry tools in a tool belt or raise tools up using a hand line. Never carry tools in your hands while climbing up/down a ladder.

♦ Extend the top of the ladder three feet above the landing.

♦ Keep ladders free of any slippery materials.

Safe Ladder Use—DO NOT ♦ Place a ladder on boxes, barrels, or

unstable bases.

♦ Use a ladder on soft ground or unstable footing.

♦ Exceed the ladder’s maximum load rating.

♦ Tie two ladders together to make them longer.

♦ Ignore nearby overhead power lines.

♦ Move or shift a ladder with a person or equipment on the ladder.

♦ Lean out beyond the ladder’s side rails.

♦ Use an extension ladder horizontally like a platform.

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What is a Job-made Wooden Ladder?A job-made wooden ladder is a ladder constructed at the construction site. It is not commercially-manufactured. A job-made wooden ladder provides access to and from a work area. It is not intended to serve as a work platform. These ladders are temporary, and are used only until a particular phase of work is completed or until permanent stairways or fixed ladders are installed. A 24-ft. job-made ladder built to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A14.4-2009 non-mandatory guidelines is shown below.

Training RequirementsEmployers must provide a training program for employees using ladders and stairways. The training must enable each worker to recognize ladder-related hazards and to use ladders properly to minimize hazards.

Constructing a Safe Job-made Wooden LadderSide rails

♦ Use construction-grade lumber for all components.

♦ Side rails of single-cleat ladders up to 24 ft. (7.3 m) long should be made with at least 2 in. (3.8 cm) x 6 in. (14 cm) nominal stock lumber.

♦ Side rails should be continuous, unless splices are the same strength as a continuous rail of equal length.

♦ The width of single-rung ladders should be at least 16 in. (41 cm), but not more than 20 in. (51 cm) between rails measured inside to inside.

♦ Rails should extend above the top landing between 36 in. (91.5 cm) and 42 in. (1.1 m) to provide a handhold for mounting and dismounting, and cleats must be eliminated above the landing level.

♦ Side rails of ladders which could contact energized electrical equipment should be made using nonconductive material. Keep ladders free of any slippery materials.

♦ Only put ladders on a stable and level surface that is not slippery.

Cleats ♦ Cleats should be equally spaced 12 inches on

center from the top of one cleat to the top of the next cleat.

♦ Cleats should be fastened to each rail with three 12d common wire nails which are nailed directly onto the smaller surfaces of the side rails.

♦ Making cuts in the side rails to receive the cleats is not advisable.

♦ Cleats should be at least 1 in. (2.5 cm) x 4 in. (8.9 cm) for ladders 16 ft. (41 cm) to 24 ft. (7.3 m) in length.

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Filler Blocks ♦ Filler should be 2 in. (3.8 cm) x 2 in. (3.8 cm)

wood strips.

♦ Insert filler between cleats.

♦ Nail filler at the bottom of each side rail first. Nail the ends of a cleat to each side rail with three 12d common nails. One nail is placed 1-1/2 inch in from each end of the filler block.

♦ Nail the next two fillers and cleat, and then repeat. The ladder is complete when filler is nailed at the top of each rail.

♦ Make all side rails, rungs and fillers before the ladder is assembled.

Inspecting Ladders ♦ A competent person must visually inspect job-

made ladders for defects on a periodic basis and after any occurrence that could affect their safe use.

♦ Defects to look for include: structural damage, broken/split side rails (front and back), missing cleats/steps, and parts/labels painted over.

♦ Ladders should be free of oil, grease and other slipping hazards.

Safe Ladder UseTo prevent workers from being injured from falls from ladders, employers are encouraged to adopt the following practices:

♦ Secure the ladder’s base so that it does not move.

♦ Smooth the wood surface of the ladder to reduce injuries to workers from punctures or lacerations and to prevent snagging of clothing.

♦ Use job-made wooden ladders with spliced side rails at an angle so that the horizontal distance from the top support to the foot of the ladder is one-eighth the working length of the ladder. Ensure that job-made wooden ladders can support at least four times the maximum intended load.

♦ Only use ladders for the purpose for which they were designed.

♦ Only put ladders on stable and level surfaces unless secured to prevent accidental movement.

♦ Ensure that the worker faces the ladder when climbing up and down.

♦ Maintain a 3-point contact (two hands and a foot, or two feet and a hand) when climbing a ladder.

♦ Keep ladders free of any slippery materials.

♦ Maintain good housekeeping in the areas around the top and bottom of ladders.

Information provided by: OSHA

PAYNEWEST RISK CONTROL CONTACTSBrodie Loushin (406) 533-1038

Pat McCarthy (406) 327-6519

Shawn McDevitt(406) 533-1016

Brendan Riley (406) 457-2114


Sondra Lavoie (208) 424-2942

(800) 735-8257 | [email protected]


SEPTEMBER 2017

Two workers are killed every month in trench collapses. The employer must provide a workplace free of recognized hazards that may cause serious injury or death. The employer must comply with the trenching and excavation requirements of 29 CFR 1926.651 and 1926.652 or comparable OSHA-approved state plan requirements.

An excavation is any man-made cut, cavity, trench or depression in an earth surface formed by earth removal.

Trench (trench excavation) means a narrow excavation (in relation to its length) made below the surface of the ground. In general, the depth is greater than the width, but the width of a trench (measured at the bottom) is not greater than 15 feet (4.6 meters).

Dangers of Trenching and Excavation Cave-ins pose the greatest risk and are much more likely than other excavation-related accidents to result in worker fatalities. Other potential hazards include falls, falling loads, hazardous atmospheres, and incidents involving mobile equipment. One cubic yard of soil can weigh as much as a car. An unprotected trench is an early grave. Do not enter an unprotected trench.

Trench Safety Measures Trenches 5 feet (1.5 meters) deep or greater require a protective system unless the excavation is made entirely in stable rock. If less than 5 feet deep, a competent person may determine that a protective system is not required.

Trenches 20 feet (6.1 meters) deep or greater require that the protective system be designed by a registered professional engineer or be based on tabulated data prepared and/or approved by a registered professional engineer in accordance with 1926.652(b) and (c).

Competent PersonOSHA standards require that employers inspect trenches daily and as conditions change by a competent person before worker entry to ensure elimination of excavation hazards. A competent person is an individual who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards or working conditions that are hazardous, unsanitary, or dangerous to workers, soil types and protective systems required, and who is authorized to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate these hazards and conditions.

Access and EgressOSHA standards require safe access and egress to all excavations, including ladders, steps, ramps, or other safe means of exit for employees working in trench excavations 4 feet (1.22 meters) or deeper. These devices must be located within 25 feet (7.6 meters) of all workers.

Trenching and Excavation Safety

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General Trenching and Excavation Rules » Keep heavy equipment away from trench

edges.

» Identify other sources that might affect trench stability.

» Keep excavated soil (spoils) and other materials at least 2 feet (0.6 meters) from trench edges.

» Know where underground utilities are located before digging.

» Test for atmospheric hazards such as low oxygen, hazardous fumes and toxic gases when greater than four feet deep.

» Inspect trenches at the start of each shift.

Inspect trenches following a rainstorm or other water intrusion. Do not work under suspended or raised loads and materials.

» Inspect trenches after any occurrence that could have changed conditions in the trench.

» Ensure that personnel wear high visibility or other suitable clothing when exposed to vehicular traffic.

Protective SystemsThere are different types of protective systems.

Benching means a method of protecting workers from cave-ins by excavating the sides of an excavation to form one or a series of horizontal levels or steps, usually with vertical or near-vertical surfaces between levels. Benching cannot be done in Type C soil.

Sloping involves cutting back the trench wall at an angle inclined away from the excavation.

Shoring requires installing aluminum hydraulic or other types of supports to prevent soil movement and cave-ins.

Shielding protects workers by using trench boxes or other types of supports to prevent soil cave-ins. Designing a protective system can be complex because you must consider many factors: soil classification, depth of cut, water content of soil, changes caused by weather or climate, surcharge loads (e.g., spoil, other materials to be used in the trench) and other operations in the vicinity.

Additional InformationVisit OSHA’s Safety and Health Topics web page on trenching and excavation at www.osha.gov/doc/index.html.


PAYNEWEST RISK CONTROL CONTACTSBrodie Loushin (406) 533-1038






(800) 735-8257 | [email protected]


OCTOBER 2017

Cleaning up after a flood requires hundreds of workers to renovate and repair, or tear down and dispose of, damaged or destroyed structures and materials. Repair, renovation and demolition operations often generate dangerous airborne concentrations of lead, a metal that can cause damage to the nervous system, kidneys, blood forming organs, and reproductive system if inhaled or ingested in dangerous quantities. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has developed regulations designed to protect workers involved in construction activities from the hazards of lead exposure.

How You Can Become Exposed to Lead Lead is an ingredient in thousands of products widely used throughout industry, including lead-based paints, lead solder, electrical fittings and conduits, tank linings, plumbing fixtures, and many metal alloys. Although many uses of lead have been banned, lead-based paints continue to be used on bridges, railways, ships, and other steel structures because of its rust- and corrosion-inhibiting properties. Also, many homes were painted with lead-containing paints. Significant lead exposures can also occur when paint is removed from surfaces previously covered with lead-based paint.

Operations that can generate lead dust and fumes include:

» Demolition of structures » Flame-torch cutting » Welding » Use of heat guns, sanders, scrapers or grinders

to remove lead paint » Abrasive blasting of steel structures

OSHA has regulations governing construction worker exposure to lead. Employers of construction workers engaged in the repair, renovation, removal,

demolition, and salvage of flood-damaged structures and materials are responsible for the development and implementation of a worker protection program in accordance with Title 29 Code of

Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 1926.62. This program is essential to minimize worker risk of lead exposure. Construction projects vary in their scope and potential for exposing workers to lead and other hazards. Many projects involve only limited exposure, such as the removal of paint from a few interior residential surfaces, while others may involve substantial exposures. Employers must be in compliance with OSHA’s lead standard at all times. A copy of the standard and a brochure— Lead in Construction (OSHA 3142)—describing how to comply with it, are available from OSHA Publications, P.O. Box 37535, Washington, D.C. 20013-7535, (202) 693-1888(phone), or (202) 693-2498(fax); or visit OSHA’s website at www.osha.gov.

Major Elements of OSHA’s Lead Standard » A permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 50

micrograms of lead per cubic meter of air, as averaged over an 8-hour period.

» Requirements that employers use engineering controls and work practices, where feasible, to reduce worker exposure.

» Requirements that employees observe good personal hygiene practices, such as washing hands before eating and taking a shower before leaving the worksite.

» Requirements that employees be provided with protective clothing and, where necessary, with respiratory protection accordance with 29 CFR 1910.134.

» A requirement that employees exposed to high levels of lead be enrolled in a medical surveillance program.

Protecting Workers from Lead Hazards


PAYNEWEST RISK CONTROL CONTACTS (800) 735-8257 | [email protected]


NOVEMBER 2017

Brodie Loushin (406) 533-1038






Doug Colley (509) 789-7449

OSHA has developed a construction standard for Confined Spaces (29 CFR 1926 Subpart AA) — that applies to any space that meets the following three criteria:

» Is large enough for a worker to enter it;

» Has limited or restricted means of entry or exit; and

» Is not designed for continuous occupancy.

A confined space that contains certain hazardous conditions may be considered a permit-required confined space under the standard. Permit-required confined spaces can be immediately dangerous to workers’ lives if not properly identified, evaluated, tested and controlled. A permit-required confined space means a confined space that has one or more of the following characteristics:

» Contains or has the potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere;

» Contains a material that has the potential for engulfing an entrant;

» Has an internal configuration such that an entrant could be trapped or asphyxiated by inwardly converging walls or by a floor which slopes downward and tapers to a smaller cross-section;

» Contains any other recognized serious safety or health hazard.

How Employers Can Determine if Confined Spaces or Permit-required Confined Spaces ExistBefore beginning work on a residential home building project, each employer must ensure that a competent person identifies all confined spaces in which one or more employees it directs may work,

and identifies each space that is a permit-required confined space. The competent person does not have to physically examine each attic, basement or crawl space, provided that the competent person can reliably determine whether the spaces with the same or similar configuration contain a hazard or potential hazard that would require the permit-space classification. The initial evaluation may be done using existing experience and knowledge of the space by the competent person and does not need to be documented. For example, a competent person responsible for inspecting new homes being built to identical specifications with the same materials need not physically inspect each attic separately to determine if it is a permit-required confined space.

How Common Spaces in Residential Construction are Impacted by the Standard Spaces in a residential home may be considered confined spaces or permit-required confined spaces during the construction or remodeling process. However, the vast majority of the standard’s requirements only apply to permit-required confined spaces, and attics, basements, and crawl spaces in a residential home — three common spaces – will not typically trigger these requirements.

Attics. In many instances, an attic will not be considered a confined space because there is not limited or restricted means for entry and exit. For example, an attic that can be accessed via pull down stairs that resemble the structure of a stationary stairway and do not require an employee to ascend/descend hand-over-hand would not be considered a confined space if there are no impediments to egress.

Confined Spaces in Residential Construction

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Attics that are determined to be confined spaces would generally not be permit-required confined spaces because they typically do not contain the types of hazards or potential hazards that make a confined space a permit-required confined space (those that could impair an entrant’s ability to exist the space without assistance).

However, extreme heat in an attic can be considered a serious physical hazard such that the attic could be considered permit-required confined space. OSHA has not quantified how hot it must be to trigger the permit-required confined spaces requirements. However, heat that is extreme enough to cause heat exhaustion (e.g., dizziness, headaches, severe sweating, cramps) may impede an entrant’s ability to exit the attic without assistance and would make a confined space permit-required.

Basements. Basements in a residential home that are designed for continuous occupancy by a homeowner are not considered confined spaces under the standard, provided the basement is configured as designed (e.g., has permanent stairs, a walk-out entry/exit, or an egress window installed).

Crawl Spaces. Crawl spaces in a residential home will not typically trigger the majority of the requirements of the standard unless they contain a physical hazard such as an exposed active electric wire.

For EmployersRegardless of the area, the competent person needs to pay particular attention to acute health hazards that may be present when assessing confined spaces, such as toxic (carbon monoxide), flammable, or explosive atmospheres. Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) must be maintained and reviewed to fully assess potential hazards prior to worker entry into a confined space to determine whether it is a permit-required space.

Employers’ obligations under the standard will depend, in part, on what “type” of employer they are. However, most of the obligations in the standard apply to entry employers.

Host Employer. The employer who owns or manages the property where the construction work is taking place.

Controlling Contractor. The employer who has overall responsibility for construction at the worksite (note that if the controlling contractor owns or manages the property, then it is both a controlling employer and a host employer).

Entry Employer (Sub Contractor). Any employer who decides that an employee it directs will enter a permit-required confined space.

The standard makes the controlling contractor the primary point of contact for information about permit-required confined spaces at the work site. The controlling contractor passes information it has about permit-required confined spaces at the work site on to the employers whose workers will enter the spaces (entry employers).

Likewise, entry employers must give the controlling contractor information about their entry program and hazards they encounter in the space, and the controlling contractor passes that information on to other entry employers. The controlling contractor is also responsible for making sure that employers outside a space know not to create hazards in the space, and that workers from different entry employers working in a space at the same time do not create hazards for each other.

Host/Controlling Employer Obligations Before entry operations begin, a host employer with the following information must provide it to the controlling contractor:

» Location of each known permit-required confined space;

» Hazards or potential hazards in each space or the reason it is a permit-required confined space; and

» Any precautions that the host employer or any previous controlling contractor/entry employer implemented for the protection of workers in the permit-required confined space.

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Note: The above diagram shows the information flow and coordination between these employers

The multi-employer communication requirements only apply to host employers with employees who work at the worksite, regardless of when those workers are at the site and only apply to permit-required confined spaces. In addition, beyond this duties discussed above, host employers and controlling contractors are not responsible for compliance with the permit-required confined space program provisions of the standard if they have no reason to anticipate that the employees they direct will enter a permit-required confined space.

Entry Employer ObligationsInform Employees. If a workplace contains a permit-required confined space, the entry employer must inform workers in the vicinity of each space of the location and danger posed by that space. This can be done by posting and positioning warning signs at each possible point of entry, or by other equally effective means. The employer must also either take steps to prevent its employees from entering that space or ensure that entry only occurs through a permit program or as otherwise allowed by the standard (alternative entry procedures).

Personal Protective Equipment. Entry employers allowing an employee to enter a permit space must attempt to eliminate or isolate the hazards in the space. When engineering and work-practice controls do not adequately protect employees, they

must assess the space to determine what personal protective equipment (PPE) is needed to protect workers. Entry employers must provide workers with the required PPE and proper training on its use and about any related hazards before the work starts.

Training. The standard requires employers to ensure that their workers know about the existence and location of, and dangers posed by, each permit-required confined space, and that they may not enter such spaces without authorization. Entry employers must train workers involved in permit-required confined space operations so that they can perform their duties safely and understand the hazards in permit spaces and the methods used to isolate, control or protect workers. Workers not authorized to perform entry rescues must be trained on the dangers of attempting such rescues.

Written permit-required confined space entry program. The permit-required confined space program must establish a system for preparing, using, and canceling entry permits, which are written or printed documents that allow and control entry into permit spaces.

Rescue. Entry employers must ensure that properly trained rescue and emergency services are available before entry into permit-required confined spaces. For a full discussion of an entry employer’s obligations to provide rescue, see OSHA’s Fact Sheet entitled: Is 911 your Confined Space Rescue Plan?

ResourcesFor additional information see OSHA’s Confined Spaces in Construction webpage at www.osha.gov/confinedspaces.

This fact sheet was developed by OSHA after consultation with NAHB. It does not impose any new compliance requirements. For a comprehensive list of compliance requirements of OSHA standards or regulations, refer to Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations. This information will be made available to sensory-impaired individuals upon request. The voice phone is (202) 693-1999; teletypewriter (TTY) number: 1-877-889-5627.


PAYNEWEST RISK CONTROL CONTACTS (800) 735-8257 | [email protected]


DECEMBER 2017

Brodie Loushin (406) 533-1038






Doug Colley (509) 789-7449

The United States Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued a directive rescinding the Interim Fall Protection Compliance Guidelines for Residential Construction (STD 03-00-001).

Before issuance of this new directive, STD 03-00-001 allowed employers engaged in certain residential construction activities to use specified alternative methods of fall protection (e.g., slide guards or safety monitor systems) rather than the conventional fall protection (guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest systems) required by the residential construction fall protection standard (29 CFR 1926.501(b)(13)). Employers could use the alternative measures described in STD 03-00-001 without first proving that the use of conventional fall protection was infeasible or created a greater hazard and without a written fall protection plan.

With the issuance of the new directive, all residential construction employers must comply with 29 CFR 1926.501(b)(13).

» Residential construction employers generally must ensure that employees working six feet or more above lower levels use guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest systems. A personal fall arrest system may consist of a full body harness, a deceleration device, a lanyard, and an anchor point. (See the definition of “personal fall arrest system” in 29 CFR 1926.500.)

» Other fall protection measures may be used to the extent allowed under other provisions of 29 CFR 1926.501(b) addressing specific types of work. For example, 1926.501(b)(10) permits the use of warning lines and safety monitoring systems during the performance of roofing work on low-sloped roofs.

» OSHA allows the use of an effective fall restraint system in lieu of a personal fall arrest system. To be effective, a fall restraint system must be rigged to prevent a worker from reaching a fall hazard and falling over the edge. A fall restraint system may

consist of a full body harness or body belt that is connected to an anchor point at the center of a roof by a lanyard of a length that will not allow a worker to physically reach the edge of the roof.

» If the employer can demonstrate that use of conventional fall protection methods is infeasible or creates a greater hazard, it must ensure that a qualified person:

• Creates a written, site-specific fall protection plan in compliance with 29 CFR 1926.502(k); and

• Documents, in that plan, the reasons why conventional fall protection systems are infeasible or why their use would create a greater hazard.

The new directive interprets “residential construction” as construction work that satisfies both of the following elements:

» The end-use of the structure being built must be as a home, i.e., a dwelling.

» The structure being built must be constructed using traditional wood frame construction materials and methods. The limited use of structural steel in a predominantly wood-framed home, such as a steel I-beam to help support wood framing, does not disqualify a structure from being considered residential construction.

» Traditional wood frame construction materials and methods will be characterized by:

• Framing materials: Wood (or equivalent cold-formed sheet metal stud) framing, not steel or concrete; wooden floor joists and roof structures.

• Exterior wall structure: Wood (or equivalent cold-formed sheet metal stud) framing or masonry brick or block.

• Methods: Traditional wood frame construction techniques.

Fall Protection in Residential Construction
