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What is the "leading edge"?
No, it is not a new management buzz-word. In fall protection
terminology, the leading edge is the unprotected side and edge of a floor
or roof, or another other surface where someone walks or works, which
exposes a worker to a fall hazard. Protecting workers from fall hazards is
a major area of concern for the DoD 50% mishap reduction program. In the
Navy, civilians lost one or more work days due to slips/trips/falls in 318
cases in 2002 and 402 cases in 2003. Falls have been the leading source of
lost-work-time mishaps in the Navy for decades.
In May 2003, the Department of the Navy published its first
comprehensive "Fall Protection Guide for Shore Facilities." The
guide helps shore activities develop and manage fall-protection programs.
It also provides the requirements and criteria for fall protection for
workers exposed to fall hazards on Navy shore activities. Requirements and
standards addressed in this guide will be added to the next change to
OPNAVINST 5100.23F, Navy Occupational Safety and Health Manual for Forces
Afloat.
Falls are the leading cause of work-related injuries and fatalities.
They are the number one cause in construction and are ranked as the second
cause in general industry. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS),
most work- related injuries and fatalities are on the decline In contrast,
the number of injuries and deaths from falls continues to rise, accounting
for more than 13% of total work-related fatalities. Deaths from falls
increased from 684 in 1996 to 808 in 2001.
In the United States, three workers die from falls each working day.
Furthermore, thousands of workers suffer injuries due to falls with lost
time from work. Half of the fatalities occurred in the construction
industry. BLS data shows that fall fatalities from roofs are the most
common, followed by falls from scaffolds, ladders, and other surfaces.
Aside from tragic loss of life and suffering to victims and their
families, workers are very expensive to train and retain. On the average,
a single fall fatality costs approximately $800K to $2.4M. The average
cost of a single injury due to a fall is over $30,000. Falls are the most
cited violation according to the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA).
The guide establishes criteria for fall-protection programs in order to
heighten awareness and protect all Navy personnel exposed to fall hazards
in the workplace. Click
here to download the Fall Protection Guide for Ashore Facilities.
The guide discusses fall-protection program requirements, training for
managers and personnel at risk, types of fall protection devices, and
installation of fall protection equipment. It also provides the safety
standards for ladders and stairways, based on OSHA regulations.
If you personnel work or transit areas that may present a fall hazard,
use ladders, or regularly climb onto roofs, towers or scaffolds, the Fall
Protection Program may apply to your activity. Consult the guide for
details.
Guidance for forces afloat will be issued in mid-2004, as well as a
change to OPNAVINST 5100.19D, Navy Occupational Safety and Health Program
for Forces Afloat, to include a chapter on fall protection.
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