Overhead Work Safety: OSHA Standards & Hazard Prevention

Construction and industrial work zones harbor many types of safety hazards, including the risk of overhead objects falling on top of workers. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has safety standards in place to keep construction workers safe from overhead objects and materials.

Features

• Heavy equipment, machinery and materials may fall if workers do not hoist or operate them properly. OSHA states that employers must inspect hooks and hoist chains regularly to make sure they are securely fastened and the parts are not loose. If workers use ropes to hoist objects, then they must also inspect these ropes for signs of fraying or wear and tear.

Prevention/Solution

• Workers must guard themselves with personal protective equipment to minimize injuries if overhead objects or materials happen to fall on them. Hard hats, for instance, protect workers' heads from injury. When working near cranes that pour hot molten materials, workers should gear up with clothing that covers their skin to protect it from hot, molten material that may spill.

Considerations

• Construction workers are safer when they are not working directly beneath machinery that is moving objects. Employers should establish safe zones in construction sites so workers can stay out of the path of flying or falling objects.