The Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association has created a new Safety Subcommittee residing under the Government and Regulatory Affairs Committee.
The purpose of the new subcommittee is to review critical issues confronting safety in the workplace and to share this information with KCMA members. We will be discussing different topics at each monthly meeting. Please watch our bi-weekly newsletters to stay updated on latest developments. If you are interested in joining the subcommittee please reach out to Betsy Natz: bnatz@kcma.org or 703-264-1690.
This month’s topic is falls inside and outside a facility.
Fall Hazards
Falls are among the most common causes of serious work related injuries and deaths. Employers must set up the workplace to prevent employees from falling off ladders, overhead platforms, elevated workstations, cords, overhead conveyor systems. Ice in parking lots and holes in the floors and walls.
OSHA requires employers to:
- Provide working conditions that are free of known dangers.
- Keep floors in work areas in a clean and, so far as possible, a dry condition.
- Select and provide required personal protective equipment at no cost to workers.
- Train workers about job hazards in a language that they can understand.
Inside vertical solutions
This is a list of reminders and recommendations from the committee:
Ladders above 4’ need fall protection.
A lift with two or more hinges is considered an articulating lift and not a man lift, different regulations apply to each.
Rolling ladders should come with guard rails and fall protection.
Ensure adequate pallet management for reducing tripping
Wood dust can be very slippery. Various slip preventative measures include non-slip strips applied to floor and underside of anti-fatigue mats and aluminum oxide mixed/spread for painted walkways and ramps (ensure proper floor prep before painting)
Ensure you maintain proper housekeeping, tool storage and ladder racks.
Monitor hose reels, both hanging and wall mounted types. Try to have hoses suspended from guide wires above workspace or locate hose connection above workspace.
Employee training should include handouts on fall protection.
Regular safety inspections should be completed to identify and correct trip/fall hazards.
Outside solutions
Use magnesium chloride for snow/ice melt in parking lots and walkways.
Have a dedicated team to show up early when a winter event is expected to prep parking lot/walkways.
Use cones and other highly visible devices to block off problem areas.
Add additional exterior lighting for better visibility of problem areas.
In extreme weather locations, consider heating sidewalks with heating mats, though take care with power cord location and be aware of outlet availability.
Resources available for your review and consideration:
https://www.osha.gov/fall-protection/evaluation
https://www.falltech.com/blog/fall-protection-guides-resources/the-ultimate-guide-to-fall-protection
https://webstore.ansi.org/industry/safety-standards#fall%20protection%20safety
https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/27465-prevent-slips-trips-and-falls
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