Any manager who is serious about safety needs to be aware of fall hazards. To better educate workers about the danger of slips, trips, and falls, OSHA has developed a fall prevention campaign built around 3 steps: plan, provide, and train. We’ve already considered steps one and two. We’ve learned how to plan ahead and identify potential hazards. We’ve covered how to decide what safety equipment to provide. Today, we’ll find out how to ensure that all your workers receive vital training so that they stay safe on the job.
Training Your Workers to Use Their Safety Equipment
They say that old habits die hard; this is why you can never take it for granted that your employees know how to properly use their safety equipment. Maybe they have never used the exact equipment you are providing, so they’re not familiar with its usage. Perhaps their previous manager was not safety conscious, and they’ve never received any safety instruction at all. No matter what experience they claim to have, you must personally ensure that they know how to use their equipment. For example…
- Everyone knows how to use a ladder, right? Wrong. In fact, a huge percentage of fall injuries occur from relatively low heights (step ladders, for example). Make sure workers are trained only to use ladders that are solidly placed. Every ladder should have its base secured to keep it from slipping. Never take shortcuts, like standing on the top rung of a ladder that is too short instead of locating a taller one.
- Scaffolds and other elevated platforms create a huge hazard for any work area. Scaffolding should only be installed by employees who have been properly trained. Make sure that workers who use the scaffolding are also trained in its proper setup; this way they’ll be able to identify any mistakes and hazards as they work. If your scaffolding is mobile, make sure your staff is trained to lock the wheels before climbing up.
- Roof safety brings a whole new element into Roofs tend to be slippery and uneven. To safely use personal protective harnesses, your team will need to be trained to use and inspect tie-off points, move safely over uneven terrain, and deal with the ropes, cables, and safety lines that are part of the safety system.
Providing the Right Training Materials
You shouldn’t be expected to develop a training program on your own. Fortunately, OSHA has taken care of the grunt work for you. In-depth safety training materials are available in multiple languages. Make sure that every single one of your workers receives the materials that they need to function safely in their work environment.
We hope this three-part series has helped you have a better understanding of how to protect your workers from fall injuries. Be sure to check out the other parts of the series on our blog. But no amount of training can replace starting out with a talented, safety-conscious team. If you’re looking to hire new staff this season, why not partner up with the most respected temp agency in Lancaster, PA? We’re dedicated to matching our clients with the best workers in the industry. Contact us today to find out how to get started.