NOTW for 1/9/09

We get to start off the new year with a photo highlighting fall hazards, ladder safety and PPE all in one.

These three guys are working on a balcony on the 3^rd floor. They completely ignored the “Fall Protection Required Beyond this Point” sign posted on the secured door to the balcony. Yes, the sign was in both English and Spanish! One guy is not wearing the required hard hat – this was a hard hat required job, but even minimum OSHA requirements dictate head protection when workers are engaged above you. One guy doesn’t care that standing on the top step of the step ladder is not safe, he even goes further by also standing on the bracing on the other side of the ladder. All three of these guys are clearly working above 6’ and in danger of falling at least 20’. And, it looks like they had already done the same thing on the balcony to the left – or were about to do so.

When asked to safely leave the area and don fall protection gear before returning, they didn’t seem to understand why. Were they properly trained by their employer, or was this simply a case of employee misconduct?