Aerial Lifts

Q: Is it acceptable to tie off inside a basket (lift) using a retractable safety cable and harness? 

A: It is a requirement to tie off when using an aerial lift in any form other than a properly guarded scissors lift.  OSHA requirements when using the personal fall arrest system state, when stopping a fall:

(iii) be rigged such that an employee can neither free fall more than 6 feet (1.8 m), nor contact any lower level.  [1926.502(d)(16)(iii)]

Forklift and Aerial Lift Certifications

Q: How often do the men need to be certified to operate rough terrain forklifts and aerial lifts?

A:  Forklift operators need to be re-certified every 3 years or more frequently if any of the following conditions occur:

·The operator has been observed to operate the vehicle in an unsafe manner

·The operator has been involved in an accident or near-miss incident

·The operator has received an evaluation that reveals that the operator is not operating the truck safely

·The operator is assigned to drive a different type of truck; or

·A condition in the workplace changes in a manner that could affect safe operation of the truck.

OSHA doesn’t have a specific frequency for aerial lift training.  Training must be completed initially and when/if any of the following conditions occur:

·An accident occurs during aerial lift use,

·Workplace hazards involving an aerial lift are discovered, or

·A different type of aerial lift is use

Contact us today to get re-certified!

Recordkeeping

Q: If a physician removes a splinter, is it recordable?

A: This case would not be recordable if the physician solely performed first aid and did not issue a prescription, recommend days away from work or light duty, or perform medical attention.

Reporting Injuries

Q: Do I need to report injuries/illnesses to OSHA?

A: You do not need to report ordinary injuries/illnesses to OSHA.  In the event of a work-related death or hospitalization of 3 or more employees, you must call OSHA within 8 hours of the incident at 1-800-321-OSHA.

Forklift Man Baskets

Q: Are man baskets allowed by OSHA?

A: Forklift man baskets are allowed by OSHA as long as you use them the correct way the manufacture designed them to be used.  When employees are inside the man basket they need to have a fall arrest harness on and tied off with a lanyard to ensure they cannot be ejected.

Stilts

Q: Does OSHA permit the use of stilts when doing drywall and taping?

A: Stilts are permitted, but make sure the working area is clean and free of tripping hazards. Also, if you are working in an area that has guardrails you will need to add extra protection to ensure the employees on stilts cannot fall over the top of the guardrail. 

Abrasive Blasting

Q:What are the PPE requirements when abrasive blasting?

A: 1910.94(a)(5)(ii) Abrasive-blasting respirators shall be worn by all abrasive-blasting operators:

1910.94(a)(5)(v) Operators shall be equipped with heavy canvas or leather gloves and aprons or equivalent protection to protect them from the impact of abrasives. Safety shoes shall be worn to protect against foot injury where heavy pieces of work are handled.

1910.94(a)(5)(v)(b) Equipment for protection of the eyes and face shall be supplied to the operator when the respirator design does not provide such protection and to any other personnel working in the vicinity of abrasive blasting operations. This equipment shall conform to the requirements of 1910.133.

Also don’t forget hearing protection!

Abrasive Blasting

Q: What are the exit requirements regarding fire and blasting booths?

A: 1910.94(a)(3)(i)(e)(1) Doors shall be flanged and tight when closed.

1910.94(a)(3)(i)(e)(2) Doors on blast-cleaning rooms shall be operable from both inside and outside, except that where there is a small operator access door, the large work access door may be closed or opened from the outside only.

1910.94(c)(3)(ii) Unobstructed walkways shall not be less than 6 1/2 feet high and shall be maintained clear of obstruction from any work location in the booth to a booth exit or open booth front. In booths where the open front is the only exit, such exits shall be not less than 3 feet wide. In booths having multiple exits, such exits shall not be less than 2 feet wide, provided that the maximum distance from the work location to the exit is 25 feet or less. Where booth exits are provided with doors, such doors shall open outward from the booth.

To help paraphrase, you must ensure your doors are flanged and tight when closed.  The doors must open outward from the booth.  These doors need to be installed one every 25 feet or less.  If you have multiple doors the doors only need to be 2 feet wide, but if you only have one door that door needs to be at least three feet wide.

Certification for gloves

Q:  We recently purchased gloves are that are rated to 300 degrees.  They are not certified by a 3^rd party.  Does OSHA require gloves to be approved by ANSI?

A:  OSHA requires eye/face, head, and foot protection to meet certain ANSI standards, but not hand protection.  The certification from the manufacturer stating that the gloves are rated to 300 degrees will be what you need.  We recommend that you request the manufacture includes the type of test they performed to determine this rating on the document they provide to you.

Recordkeeping

Q: Do I need to keep the OSHA 300A – Summary up to date throughout the year?

A: No, there is no need to fill out the 300A – Summary until January of the following year.

Leading Edge Work

Question:  When installing plywood decking on a suspended concrete slab that is 13 feet high; is fall protection required?

Answer: Yes fall protection is required unless you can prove that fall protection is infeasible or creates a greater hazard than the fall protection systems.  Listed below is the OSHA standard that explains this.

·         1926.501(b)(2)(i) Each employee who is constructing a leading edge 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above lower levels shall be protected from falling by guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems. Exception: When the employer can demonstrate that it is infeasible or creates a greater hazard to use these systems, the employer shall develop and implement a fall protection plan which meets the requirements of paragraph (k) of 1926.502.

Note: There is a presumption that it is feasible and will not create a greater hazard to implement at least one of the above-listed fall protection systems. Accordingly, the employer has the burden of establishing that it is appropriate to implement a fall protection plan which complies with 1926.502(k) for a particular workplace situation, in lieu of implementing any of those systems.

We recommend using temporary anchorage points!  These are simple to use and can be installed into concrete or wood.  The use of these anchorage points with either a retractable lifeline with a personal fall arrest harness or a horizontal life line and personal fall arrest harness will ensure you’re in compliance with OSHA!