Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: FALLING

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to: a) Employees who work on roofs at heights exceeding 6 feet above ground level were not protect from the hazards of falling. On June 30, 1995 an employee working on a roof 25 1/2 feet above the ground fell from the roof while sealing the chimney flashing. b) Hook ladders were provided on each truck, but there was no policy regarding their required use nor was their usage enforced. Among other methods, feasible and acceptable methods of abatement to correct this hazard are to: 1) Develop and implement a fall protection plan that includes: hazard assessment, competent person requirements, use of hook ladders, establishment of safe roof conditions such as wind, moisture, temperature, etc., when and how roofs should be accessed, limitation of the time and number of employees to be on a roof, and employee training. 2) Use of and enforcement of hook ladders on steep pitch roofs as indicated in section 5.4.2 of the Successful Chimney Sweeping Manual. A lanyard could be attached to the hook ladder. 3) Design a collapsible platform that attaches to hook ladders or ridge hooks. 4. Require employees to wear shoes with soft crepe or gum soles as indicated in section 4.7.2 and 5.4.2 of the Successful Chimney Sweeping Manual.g