32 silica 08062024

Vol.25 | No.32 | Week of 08-11-25

Date:

FALLING OBJECTS

Job Name:

Raise awareness
of drop hazard
identification
& mitigation
techniques during
risk assessment.
!

Supervisor Signature:

According to legend, Sir Isaac Newton discovered gravity when he sat under a tree
and was hit on the head with an apple. Unfortunately, on construction jobs, very
few people get hit on the head with just apples. But a great many are struck by
bits of mortar, pieces of wood, tools, metal scraps and other materials.

Look around and you’ll see that many precautions have been taken to protect you
from falling objects. The hard hat you are required to wear is, of course, your first
line of protection. But a hard hat cannot protect your shoulders, arms and feet
from small falling objects. And if you happen to be in the way of a large falling
object, chances are that you will be seriously injured or even killed.

For the most part, the people below depend on those working above for their
safety. However, there are a few rules to follow that help make everyone’s job
safer.

If you are working above the ground:

ñ Be careful so that material will not fall from your work site.

ñ Use trash containers or other means to keep debris from falling on persons
below.

ñ Use the safety equipment and practices that are required for the job. Safety
harnesses and shock-absorbing lanyards used as tools can prevent serious
injuries.

ñ Don’t engage in horseplay.

ñ Never deliberately throw or sweep material from above.

ñ Don’t work, or allow others to work, under obviously unsafe conditions.

If you are working on the ground or below other employees:

ñ Wear the required safety equipment at all times, especially your hard hat.

ñ Observe restricted areas where heavy work is being performed above.

ñ Pay attention to what is going on around you, particularly when cranes and
other equipment are being used to hoist materials in the air.

ñ Following safety rules and using safety equipment will not only eliminate
many accidents, but will also have a tendency to make those accidents that
do occur, despite all precautions, less severe.

Vol.25 | No.32 | Week of 08-11-25

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