When working from heights, incidents can occur when objects are dropped. While tools and debris are often the first hazards that come to mind, other materials can also fall and cause serious injury. Items such as plywood, rebar, and buckets can become dangerous if they aren’t properly secured.
Whenever you are working above others, it’s essential to ensure these materials are safely secured to help prevent dropped-object incidents. In today’s blog, we’ll discuss how to safely handle and secure these items to help keep everyone on site protected and prevent injuries.
According to the Newfoundland & Labrador Construction Safety Association (NLCSA), there are 27,000 “falling object” injuries in Canada annually, and 100% of these dropped-object incidents are preventable. Therefore, knowing how to properly keep items safely secured when working from heights plays a key role in safety.
Containment and barriers
The best way to ensure items aren’t dropped from any height is to contain them or set up proper barriers to keep them in place.
This can include the following:
- Toe boards on platforms
- Netting or debris mesh
- Edge protection on scaffolds
- Storage racks for rebar, pipes, and sheets
Secure small items
Even small items can cause significant injury.
Secure all objects by:
- Using fastener pouches or tool belts, buckets with lids, and organizers
- Never leaving screws, nails, drill bits, or hardware loose
“A 1 kg hammer dropped from 6 metres (2 stories) hits with over 340 newtons of force upon impact. Even small objects gain lethal kinetic energy over short distances. The greater the elevation – the greater the force.” –NLCSA
Practice good housekeeping
Always maintain a clean and organized workspace, especially when working from heights. A well-kept space is one of the easiest ways to keep everyone safe from harm.
Stay organized by:
- Keeping walkways and work areas clean
- Not leaving materials near edges
- Securing loose items between tasks
- Having only required tools for the job in the work area
Additional Safety Measures
- Never throw materials: Use haul lines or lifts to safely move items.
- Keep environmental factors in mind: Check conditions frequently to ensure items are safe and that wind or other elements haven’t caused movement or shifting of loads that can lead to items slipping and falling.
- Regularly check work area: The more aware you are, the safer you and others will be. Always look for potential safety concerns such as unsecured materials, debris or items that could blow or roll off, and ensure you fix issues immediately.
- Use signage: Post clear signage whenever possible in all overhead work areas.
- Always wear your hard hat: Type 2 hard hats are required whenever overhead work is happening. Wearing your hard hat will keep you protected should an item or material fall from above and is one of the best lines of defense to keep you safe and avoid injury.
“30 approximate fatalities caused by falling objects, in Canada annually.” –NLCSA
Simple actions, such as securing tools and materials, maintaining good housekeeping, and following proper safety procedures can significantly reduce the risk of serious incidents caused by dropped items.
By making dropped object prevention part of everyday operations, organizations can better protect their people, reduce downtime, and create a safer workplace where everyone goes home safely at the end of the day.