![]() This instance is why toolbox talks are essential to ensure a safe working environment. I asked him for his credentials and explained that he must always be aware of his surroundings and should fully retract the lift before repositioning it.Īs a temporary warning, I placed a cone alongside the open portion of the trench, while the project manager and I immediately contacted the electrical sub to cover the trench as quickly as possible. Fortunately, I stopped him right before that happened. As a result, the lift’s wheel came within a foot from going into the trench and possibly tipping the lift over. I observed one worker moving the lift while in a partially elevated position, unaware of his surroundings below. That same day, two workers in lifts were installing ductwork near one of these trenches. When three of those trenches on the 8th floor had to be extended to accommodate adjustments to electrical cables, the subcontractor unfortunately did not provide new plywood to cover the now larger holes. On a jobsite, several trenches were chopped into the concrete and covered with plywood protection. We continue to look into preventing falls and serious injuries through innovations such as podium ladders, smart ladders, light-weight Pico lifts, motorized Baker staging for use on raised floors, safe-and-sound tie-off alarms, and many other tools.Ī Safety Story from a Structure Tone New York Safety Coordinator Over the years, we have strongly encouraged adding railings to Baker staging below 6 feet as a best practice. Adding railings to Baker staging at all heights is a common practice in New York City.įalls can cause life-changing injuries that can also result in long-lasting mental health issues. When I asked why, they typically responded that a railing would have given them a handhold to catch themselves when they started to lose their balance, or it would have kept their balance inside the deck edge. ![]() In discussing the incident with these workers, I asked how they might have prevented their fall. To a person, they said that railings would have prevented it, but that railings would have interfered with their ability to perform their work. I asked if installing railings on three sides or, at a minimum, on the back side might have prevented the fall. In many cases, the worker was leaning too far or handling material that caused him or her to lose their balance. Six of these resulted in significant injuries. ![]() ![]() Over my career, I have investigated nine falls from Baker staging that was less than 6 feet high-the height that triggers railings or fall protection in our policy. Safety Story from Senior Vice President of Safety, Keith Haselman ![]()
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