By Robert Apel Mine Safety Appliances Co.

You just received your new full bodyharness, 6-foot shock-absorbing lan-yard, and anchorage connector. You

had a structural engineer qualify all of youranchor points to ensure that they met thestrength requirements per OSHA regula-tions. Now your personal fall-arrest systemis complete, right? Wrong. If you have notdetermined the available clearance belowthe working surface and calculated yourtotal fall distance (TFD) properly, it still maybe possible to be seriously or fatally injuredfrom your fall.

Knowing how to calculate TFD is just asimportant as selecting the proper harness,lanyard, anchorage connector and anchoragepoint for the specific task to be performed.Total fall distance (TFD) is defined as thesum of freefall distance (FFD), decelerationdistance (DD), harness effects (HEFF), andvertical elongation (VEL). It is also wise toinclude a safety factor (SF) of at least one

foot in the formula. Total Fall Distance canbe calculated using the following formula:

TFD = FFD + DD + HEFF + VEL + SF

Before we can begin to calculate TotalFall Distance, we first need to define thevariables in the formula.● Freefall Distance (FFD): The verticaldistance a worker travels between the onsetof a fall until just prior to the point where a4

News from the International Safety Equipment Association

ProtectionUPDATE

W I N T E R 2 0 0 2

Protection Updateis the newsletter for theISEA Partnership for WorkerProtection program. It isintended for anyone whospecifies, purchases or usespersonal protective equip-ment, and those who regu-late it. Protection Update ispublished and distributedwithout charge, and also isavailable on ISEA’s websitewww.safetyequipment.org.

1901 North Moore StreetArlington, VA 22209-1762 USATelephone: (703) 525-1695Fax: (703) 528-2148Email: isea@safetyequipment.org

Daniel K. Shipp, Presidentdshipp@safetyequipment.org

Joseph L. Walker, Editorjwalker@safetyequipment.org

2 New Protection forRoad Constructors

6 Inspecting andMaintaining Fall. . .

7 Can Fall Protection BeLess Cumbersome?

8 Work Zone SafetyAround the Nation

10 What’s New inRoad Construction

12 Safety EquipmentWorks for You

i n t h i s i s s u e

OSHA Rule Prompts Focuson Fall Protection

With a new OSHA rule designed toprotect ironworkers against falls nowin effect, this issue of ProtectionUpdate features three in-depth articlesabout how construction companies canmaximize their fall-protection pro-grams for workers at height. OSHAbelieves that the Steel Erection Rule,which took effect January 18 and withfull enforcement to begin March 19,will prevent some 30 fatalities and1,100 injuries annually. The rule maybe downloaded from www.osha.gov.

Lanyard

Before Fall

FreeFall

ShockAbsorber

Clearance

W O R K I N G S U R F A C E

Deceleration(shockabsorber activation)

SuspensionAfter FallArrest

Calculating Total Fall Distance The Often-overlooked Component of a Complete Personal Fall-arrest System

FIGURE 1

C LO S E S T O B J E C T I N F A L L PAT HA

DA

PTED

FRO

M M

SA M

ATER

IALS

Protection UPDATE | WINTER 20022

N E W P R OT E C T I O N F O R R OA D C O N S T R U C TO R S

Against Falls…From Klein Tools include: ● Klein-Lite® construction-grade fall-arrest and positioning harnesses, whichare lightweight, fully adjustable anddesigned to be comfortable for all-day wear,as well as being competitively priced. ● Klein® lineman’s climbing equipment,which offers comfort, choice and quality,and includes five body belt styles, position-ing straps in five sizes, and five fall-arrestlineman’s harnesses in five different styles;Klein body belts are available in full-float-ing, semi-floating and fixed styles, and allhave chrome-tanned leather cushions.● Klein-Lite® twin-leg deceleration lan-yard, which is designed for use in 100 per-cent tie-off fall-arrest systems; the lanyard isengineered to allow one lanyard leg toalways be connected to an anchorage pointwhile a working position is changed.

For more information about Klein Toolsfall-arrest equipment, call 800-553-4676,or fax: 800-553-4857, or visitwww.kleintools.com.

From Dalloz Fall Protection include:● The Miller® cable anchorageconnector, which allows workers to attachto an I-beam or similar structure capable ofwithstanding 5,000 pounds; this connectoris available in two models, one with a cap-

tive-eye carabiner while the secondprovides a locking snap hook.● The Miller® disposable concreteanchor strap, which provides asecure, temporary point of attachmentfor anchorage on concrete forms. Theanchor strap loop ispositioned on therebar and concrete ispoured over the loopand an adjoining pro-tective nylon sleeve to

hold the strap securelyin place. Once the concretesets, a safe anchorage exists;when the anchorage is nolonger needed, workers sim-ply cut and discard the pro-truding strap.

● The Miller® Bandit™ lanyard tool holderand WristBandit tool holder, which offerworkers safe and comfortable methods ofholding onto tools while at heights, therebyalso preventing possible injuries to workersbelow. The lanyard tool holder attaches to theworker’s waist belt; the WristBandit holderattaches to the worker’s wrist using Velcro®.● The Miller Confined Space Systemsvideo, a 20-minute program that focuses onthe proper product selection and use of con-fined space equipment, including detailedinstructions in the use of tripods, retrieval units,quad pods, davit systems and accessories.

For more information about Miller fallprotection products, call 800-873-5242, or814-432-2118, or fax 800-892-4078 or814-432-2415, or visit www.cdalloz.com

From DBI/SALA is a Self RetractingLifeline (SRL) for use in high heatand other harsh or abrasive envi-ronments; the SRL features a light-weight but rugged heavy-dutyanodized cast aluminum housing,stainless steel working componentsand 11 feet of galvanized or stainlesssteel cable to provide maximum dura-bility. For more information, call 800-328-6146 or visitwww.salagroup.com.

For the Head, Face and Eyes…From Hornell, Inc. is theSpeedglas® ProTop combina-tion hardhat, welding helmetand auto-darkening lens system, which

is especially designed forwelders working in areaswith overhead hazards, suchas cranes, protruding beamsand moving machinery; thewelding helmet nests into thehardhat when raised, provid-ing balance and comfort. Formore information, call 800-628-9218 or 330-425-8880,or fax 330-425-4576, emailinfo.us@hornell.com, or visitwww.hornell.com.

Klein-Lite® fall-arrest andpositioning harness

HornellSpeedglas®

ProTop

DBI/SALA Self Retracting

Lifeline

Image from MillerConfined SpaceSystems Video

Protection UPDATE | WINTER 2002 3

From H.L Bouton Co. are one- and four-ounce bottles of eyewash to complementLavoptik’s current product line; the eyewashsolution contains two natural phosphatebuffers and no eye irritants, providing theoptimum environment for the eye to healitself, and the bottles are safety-sealed anddated for freshness. For more information,call 508-295-3300, or emailmmurphy@hlbouton.com.

From DallozSafety is theWillson® fullbrim hardhat,specially designedto offer greaterprotection againstsun and rain, andthe “Sport” pro-tective eyewear,which is thenewest model inthe Willson® Millennia™ eyewear line. Thenew hardhat features two suspension styles,both of which offer versatility and easyadjustment. The “Sport” eyewear featuresdynamic styling, ultra-lightweight frames,and an integrated lens with “perfect” optics.For more information call 800-345-4112,or fax 610-371-7874, or visitwww.cdalloz.com.

For Hearing andBreathing…

From 3MCompany,include:● Model 1427three-positionearmuffs that

provideoutstanding per-

formance andversatility in high-

noise environments;they feature a 360-degree

rotating headband that can beworn over or behind the head (providing27dB noise-reduction rating) or under thechin (26dB noise-reduction rating).

● Model 1425 earmuff is a lightweight,economical muff that has a low-profiledesign and provides a noise-reduction rat-ing of 22dB; it features foam-filled cushionsthat fit comfortably yet securely over the ears,adjustable swivel cups to enhance comfortand fit, and a sliding headband for easyfitting to a wide range of head sizes.● Air-Mate™ combination escape self-contained breathing apparatus(ESCBA)/supplied air respirator (SAR); thisNIOSH-approved system offers a high levelof respiratory protection for environmentsthat are immediately dangerous to life andhealth. Interchangeable five- and 15-minutecylinders allow for flexibility.● A guide to Air-Mate™ self-containedbreathing apparatuses (SCBAs); this four-color brochure details specifications andordering information on the complete prod-uct line and reviews donning proceduresand appropriate applications.

For more information on 3M hearing andrespiratory protection, call 800-328-1667,email occsafety@mmm.com, or visitwww.3M.com/occsafety.

For the Hands and Body…From DuPont include:● Work gloves featur-ing KEVLAR®

armor technol-ogy, whichaddressesthe needsof workerswhosejobsexposethem toextremely hazardousconditions thatdemand increasedprotection fromsharp objects such asstationary blades, slitting operations or tasksinvolving heavy metal or glass panels andextremely sharp knives or instruments. Formore information, call Gary Burnett, 804-383-3845 or email gary.m.bur-nett@usa.dupont.com. a10

3M Air-Mate™ combinationescape self-containedbreathing apparatus

Willson®

full brimhardhat

3M three-positionearmuffs

DuPontKEVLAR®

workgloves.

Hornell Speedglas®

ProTop

Protection UPDATE | WINTER 20024

the fall-arrest system begins to arrest thefall. Federal OSHA limits this distance to 6feet or less. To keep FFD to a minimum, youshould always try to keep your anchor pointas far above the back D-ring of the harnessas possible.● Deceleration Distance (DD): The verti-cal distance a worker travels between theactivation of the fall arrest system and finalfall arrest. Federal OSHA limits this distanceto 3.5 feet or less. The DD that each shock-absorbing fall-arrest device will permit istypically stated on the product label.● Harness Effects (HEFF): The stretch of aharness during fall arrest. This is typicallyone foot or less for a properly fitted har-ness. However, some harnesses use elastic-type webbing that can increase the harnesseffects to two feet or more.● Vertical Elongation (VEL): The stretchin the lifeline of the personal fall-arrest sys-tem. Vertical elongation is measured on thepart of the lifeline that is under tension dur-ing deceleration and final fall arrest. Thisvariable will change drastically dependingupon the type of fall-arrest system you areusing. For example, most shock-absorbinglanyards are designed to have a maximumdeceleration distance of 3.5 feet, whichincludes the vertical elongation of the lan-yard. However, if you are using a rope grabsystem or a horizontal lifeline, vertical elon-

gation must be calculated based onthe stretch of the vertical or hori-zontal lifelines in those systems.You will need to check the specificmanufacturer’s product for exactstretch percentages.● Safety Factor (SF): An addi-tional factor of safety to ensurethat you have the requiredclearance below your workingsurface. This variable shouldbe at least one foot, but canreflect any number with whichyou feel comfortable.

For illustration purposes, wewill use the following equipment:

● Full body harness (non-elastic)● 6-foot shock-absorbing lanyard● Fixed, rigid anchorage connector (such asa D-plate bolted to a structural I-beam)

In Figure 1, we see a worker with a 6-foot shock-absorbing lanyard on an elevat-ed platform. In this example, let’s assumethat his attachment point is 2 feet above theback D-ring of the harness. For every 1 footthe lanyard attachment point is above theharness back D-ring, 1 foot is deductedfrom the freefall distance (FFD). For every 1foot that the lanyard attachment point isbelow the harness back D-ring, 1 foot isadded to the FFD (see Table 1). In this sce-nario, if the worker falls, the FFD will equal4 feet since the lanyard attachment point is2 feet above the back D-ring of the har-ness. So, our formula now looks like this:

TFD = 4’ + DD + HEFF + VEL + SF

The next variable to consider is decelera-tion distance (DD). Federal OSHA requiresthat this distance not exceed 3.5 feet. Sinceall manufacturers’ products are slightly dif-ferent, you should read the label on theproduct you intend to use to determine themaximum deceleration distance of thatproduct. When calculating total fall dis-tance, the maximum DD that a product willpermit should always be used. In our exam-ple, the maximum DD would be 3.5 feet.

TFD = 4’ + 3.5’ +HEFF + VEL + SF

The harness effects variable is relativelyconstant at less than one foot. This will varyslightly due to the adjustment of the har-ness, so we generally use one foot toaccount for these slight differences.However, elastic-type harnesses can havemore than one foot of stretch, possibly twofeet or more, and that additional distancemust be accounted for in your calculation.In our example, we are using a non-elasticharness to keep our total fall distance to aminimum.

TFD = 4’ + 3.5’ + 1’ + VEL + SF

TOTAL FALL DISTANCEfrom page 1

PHOTO COURTESY OF MSA

FIGURE 2

55

Most manufacturers design their shock-absorbing lanyards so that the vertical elon-gation (VEL) of the lanyard is included in theOSHA mandated 3.5-foot maximum decel-eration distance. However, if you are usinga rope grab or horizontal lifeline, or if youare attaching to a non-rigid anchorage con-nector, VEL needs to be calculated based onthe specifications of those components inyour fall-arrest system. Since we are usinga 6-foot shock-absorbing lanyard in ourexample and the VEL is already consideredin the lanyard design, we will enter a “0”for the VEL variable.

TFD = 4’ + 3.5’ + 1’ + 0’ + SF

The final variable of the formula is thesafety factor (SF). It is always a good idea toinclude at least a 1-foot SF. However, the SFcould reflect any number that makes youcomfortable with your calculation.

Now we can solve our total fall distanceformula:

TFD = 4’ + 3.5’ + 1’ + 0’ + 1’TFD = 9.5’

Now we know that if the worker in Figure1 would happen to fall, his TFD will be 9.5feet. But what does this number reallymean? It means that the clearance betweenthe working surface and the next closestobject in the fall path must be at least 9.5feet. It is important to remember that TFD isnot always measured from the working sur-

face to the ground, because sometimes theground is not the closest object beneath theworking platform. If there is any type ofobstruction in the fall path of the worker(see Figure 2), your available clearance ismeasured from the working platform to thetop of that obstruction. Sometimes these dis-tances can be very short, and a fall protec-tion means other than a 6-foot shock-absorbing lanyard is necessary.

Total fall distance calculations canbecome more complex than those demon-strated here. The numbers and variableswill change depending upon the type ofpersonal fall-arrest system used. For exam-ple, when calculating TFDs for horizontallifeline systems, you have additional vari-ables to consider, such as cable deflectionand the number of people on the system.The important thing to remember is thatcalculating TFD is just as important asselecting the right product for the job.Forgetting to calculate total fall distance isjust as dangerous as forgetting to put onyour harness before you begin to performany work at heights. ●

ABOUT THE AUTHORRobert Apel is product line manager, Mine SafetyAppliances Co. fall protection. ISEA memberMSA, headquartered in Pittsburgh, is a leadingmanufacturer of fall protection through its RoseManufacturing Co. subsidiary, based inEnglewood, CO. Apel may be contacted at 303-922-6246 or Robert.Apel@MSAnet.com.

FREE FALL DISTANCE FOR VARIOUS SHOCK ABSORBING LANYARDS

L E N G T H O F S H O C K- A B S O R B I N G L A N YA R D

6’ 5’ 4’ 3’Distance of Anchorage Connection Point Above (+) or Below (-) Harness Fall Arrest D-ring

+3 3 2 1 0+2 4 3 2 1+1 5 4 3 2

0 6 5 4 3-1 7 6 5 4-2 8 7 6 5-3 9 8 7 6-4 10 9 8-5 11 10-6 12

F R E E F A L L D I S T A N C E

CLOSESTOBSTRUCTIONIN FALL PATH

G R O U N D

W O R K I N G S U R F A C E

Protection UPDATE | WINTER 2002

Protection UPDATE | WINTER 20026

PHOTO COURTESY OF DALLOZ

Inspecting and Maintaining Fall-protection HarnessesBy Douglas MercierDalloz Fall Protection

In order to ensure a harness will performthe ultimate function it is intended for –saving a life – it must be inspected prior

to every use. Remember that all harnesseshave a limited life. However, the length ofwearable life will vary greatly depending onthe amount of wear it receives, and in whattype of environment it is worn. For example,a harness worn only indoors, or only a cou-ple of times in a week, will have a muchlonger life than one worn outdoors every-day. A harness worn outdoors endures avariety of environmental forces and mayeven show visible signs of damage or corro-sion in a matter of months. When inspectingyour harness, a good rule of thumb is –when in doubt throw it out.

To maintain service life and high perfor-mance, harnesses should be inspected fre-quently. Visual inspection before each use isrequired. Regular inspection by a competentperson for wear, damage or corrosionshould be a part of your safety program.Inspect your equipment daily and replace itif any defective conditions exist. Refer to themanufacturer’s guide for detailed instruc-tions and maintenance procedures.1) Webbing: Grasp the webbing with yourhands 6 to 8 inches apart. Bend the web-bing in an inverted “U.” The surface tensionresulting makes damaged fibers or cuts eas-ier to see. Follow this procedure the entirelength of the webbing, inspecting both sidesof each strap. Watch for frayed edges, bro-ken fibers, pulled stitches, cuts, burns, andchemical damage.2) D-rings/back pads: Check D-rings fordistortion, cracks, breaks, and rough orsharp edges. The D-ring should pivot freely.D-ring back pads should also be inspectedfor damage.3) Attachment of buckles: Attachments ofbuckles and D-rings should be given special

attention. Note any unusual wear, frayed orcut fibers, or distortion of the buckles or D-rings.4) Tongue/grommets: The tongue receivesheavy wear from repeated buckling andunbuckling. Inspect for loose, distorted orbroken grommets. Webbing should nothave additional punched holes.5) Tongue buckle: Buckle tongues should befree of distortion in shape and motion. Theyshould overlap the buckle frame and movefreely back and forth in their socket. Rollershould turn freely on frame. Check for dis-tortion or sharp edges.6) Friction and mating buckles: Inspect thebuckle for distortion. The outer bars andcenter bars must be straight. Pay specialattention to corners and attachment pointsof the center bar.7) Visual indications of damage to webbingand rope due to various conditions, including:● Heat — In excessive heat, becomes brittleand has a shriveled brownish appearance.Fibers will break when flexed. Should not beused above 180°F.● Chemical — Change in color usuallyappearing as a brownish smear or smudge.Transverse cracks when bent over a man-drel. Loss of elasticity.● Molten metal or flame — Webbingstrands fuse together; hard shiny spots;hard and brittle feel.● Paint and solvents — Paint that penetratesand dries restricts movement of fibers; dry-ing agents and solvents in some paintscause chemical damage. ●

ABOUT THE AUTHORDouglas Mercier is the senior product managerfor Dalloz Fall Protection, a Bacou-Dalloz com-pany, leader in manufacturing fall-protectionequipment, training and engineered systems. TheISEA member company has been manufacturingfall-protection products for more than 50 yearsin Franklin, PA. Mercier may be contacted at 814-432-2118 or dmercier@dallozsafety.com.

Protection UPDATE | WINTER 2002 7

Of course, these systems and harnessesare not low-end products designed merelyto comply with regulations. Typically, theyare third-party tested products that havebeen developed with severalprototypes, numerous cus-tomer inputs and designed-infail-safes. The companies thatdevelop these products haveR&D staffs, product-develop-ment programs, active mem-bers on the regulation-devel-opment committees, andstrong customer service.

To help you in choosingthe right fall protection equip-ment, keep these four basicsteps in mind:1) Assess the hazard: whatkind of work are you doingand where is it located? Arooftop, beam, tower or sus-pended work situation allrequire very different safetysolutions.2) What will happen if a falloccurs? Think about the structures belowyou and your fall clearance.3) Select the appropriate equipment for thejob; think about the level of comfort andmobility you need from your equipment andthe location of your work.4) Seek training. When using safety prod-ucts, even the smallest things make a verybig difference. You should be trained in themost effective and quickest ways to makeadjustments to a harness, to spot potentialproblems with equipment, and rectify a badsituation if anything goes wrong. ●

ABOUT THE AUTHORScott Paul is vice president of sales for DBI/SALA,a major manufacturer of fall protection. TheRedwing, MN-based company is an ISEA mem-ber. Mr. Paul may be contacted at (800) 328-6146 or spaul@dbisala.com.

By Scott PaulDBI/SALA

The best fall protection is to set up thejob site so that workers are notexposed to falls. If that is not possible,

you need to start considering your fall pro-tection options. But just providing fall pro-tection is not the answer. If you want work-ers to actually use the equipment, choosefall protection that provides ease of installa-tion, simplicity, and ease of use for yourworkers. Most workers will complain, andrightfully so, that their harnesses are difficultto put on and adjust, that the lanyard hooksare difficult to operate, that the anchors arehard to reach and even create fall protec-tion hazards to install.

With the multitude of fall protection com-panies in industry today, is someone attempt-ing to make fall protection less cumbersometo use? Well there is light at the end of thetunnel. Several of the top fall protectioncompanies are now stepping outside theirfactories to work at the construction siteswith workers to develop these less cumber-some systems.

For many years, manufacturers’ repre-sentatives have visited job sites to demon-strate the principles of proper fall protectionto workers. During these demonstrations,trainers received comments from workersabout the difficulty of donning harnesses.That feedback is leading to the developmentof harnesses that are much easier to don,doff and adjust.

Manufacturers also are developing fall-protection systems specifically designed forworkers on bridges. One is a horizontal life-line system that can be anchored to anyconcrete beam at the manufacturer, trans-ported on the beam to the bridge site, andput in place as the bridge constructionbegins. Such systems are easy to install,flexible on site, easy to use, and easy to dis-assemble when the job is complete.

Can Fall Protection be Made LessCumbersome?

Members of ISEA’s FallProtection Group

Buckingham Manufacturing Co.

Capital Safety Group (Can-Sling/DBI,DBI/SALA, Protecta International Inc.,SES, Sinco Sala)

Dalloz Fall Protection

Elk River, Inc.

Klein Tools Inc.

Mine Safety Appliances Co./RoseManufacturing

North Safety Products

Sellstrom Manufacturing Co.

Protection UPDATE | WINTER 20028

Minnesota Mandates High-visibility GarmentsAs of January 1, Minnesota road construc-tion workers became more visible tomotorists and work zone equipment drivers.On that date, they had to be given andrequired to wear high-visibility warning vestsor other high-visibility garments defined asbeing Class 2 or greater as specified byANSI/ISEA Standard 107-1999.

These new requirements, contained inMinnesota rule “5205.0030 High VisibilityPersonal Protective Equipment,” apply toroad workers who are exposed to or work-ing adjacent to moving motor vehicle trafficas part of their assigned jobs.

The rule provides an exception wherebarricades designed to stop or deflect vehi-cle traffic upon impact are in place to pro-tect employees. Emergency personnel alsoare required to wear high-visibility outergarments whenever they are engaged invehicular traffic control.

Class 2 garments are intended for use byworkers who perform tasks that divert theirattention from approaching traffic, or thatput them in close proximity to passing vehi-cles traveling at 25 or more miles per hour.

British Report Says ConstructionWorkers Have High Likelihood of Hearing LossConstruction workers are nearly three times

more likely to haveserious hearing diffi-culties than areworkers in otherindustries, accordingto new research pub-lished in GreatBritain. The report,OccupationalExposure to Noiseand HearingDifficulties in GreatBritain, also foundthat construction

workers do not get the right screening andoften do not wear hearing protection.

According to the study, there are morethan twice as many people with moderatehearing difficulties in the construction indus-try than in any other.

The full report is available atwww.hse.gov.uk/research/crr_pdf/2001/crr01361.pdf.

ISEA Recommends Regulatory Priorities to Make Construction SaferThe International Safety Equipment Association(ISEA) has asked the U.S. OccupationalSafety and Health Administration (OSHA) tofocus on several regulatory priorities thatwill make construction workers safer.

In a recent letter to Administrator John L.Henshaw, ISEA President Dan Shipp urgedOSHA to:● Amend its personal protective equipment(PPE) rule to recognize the hazard of low-visibility conditions, to make the ANSI/ISEA107 standard for high-visibility apparel partof the PPE rule, and to require high-visibilityPPE where needed.● Expedite pending regulatory actions in res-piratory protection, hearing protection, fallprotection, confined spaces in construction,and employer payment for PPE. ● Build national consensus on a way toupdate references to voluntary standards inits regulations when those standards arerevised.

For more information, contact DanGlucksman, ISEA public affairs director,703-525-1695 or dglucksman@safetye-quipment.org.

National Work Zone MemorialWill Highlight Work ZoneAwareness WeekA new traveling memorial to honor thethousands of men, women and childrenkilled in roadway work zones will highlightthe observance of the third annual National

Work Zone Safety Around the Nation

Protection UPDATE | WINTER 2002 9

Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW),April 8-12, 2002.

Primary sponsors of the American TrafficSafety Services Association (ATSSA) NationalWork Zone Memorial include 3M Companyand Reflexite Americas, both members ofthe International Safety EquipmentAssociation as well as ATSSA. After itsunveiling during the NWZAW kickoff April 9in suburban Washington, D.C., the memori-al will become available to communitiesnationwide.

The memorial’s centerpiece will be a wallinscribed with the names of road workers,motorists, law enforcement officers andpublic safety officials killed in work zones.NWZAW is observed to remind motorists todrive cautiously through work zones.

Construction Workers HaveHighest Fatality Rate, But Fatal Falls Decrease Construction has the greatest number ofdeaths among laborers, according to arecent survey from the Center to ProtectWorkers Rights. The study showed that1,226 construction workers were killed onthe job in 1999, representing 20.4% of allwork-related deaths; construction, however,accounts for about 6% of all jobs.

On a more positive note, the “rate offatal construction falls decreased during the1990s from 5.02 events per 100,000 work-ers in 1990 to 4.17 events per 100,000workers in 1999,” according to a study inthe Journal of Occupational andEnvironmental Medicine (Vol. 43, No. 10).And, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statisticsreports that the overall incident rate ofoccupational injuries and illness in the con-struction industry has declined 38% over thepast two decades.

OSHA recently fined a Boston-area con-tractor $60,000 for not training and equip-ping workers at height on fall protection,citing 29 CFR 1926.501(b)(1) – the WalkingWorking Surfaces rule.

Construction Violations Lead OSHA’s Top 10 ListLack of proper “Scaffolding – Construction”

and “Fall Protection – Construction” rankednumbers 1 and 2 in the U.S. OccupationalSafety and Health Administration’s (OSHA’s)list of the top 10 standards violated in fiscal2001, according to Safety + Health(December 2001).

The top 10 rankings were based on themost serious citations – those involving“willful,” “serious” and “repeat” abuses, themagazine reported.

Other standards related to constructionthat made the magazine’s annual list thatemphasizes the most serious violations wereLockout/Tagout, #4; Machine Guarding –General, #5; Respiratory Protection, #6;Powered Industrial Trucks, #9; andExcavations, #10.

2000 Sets Disturbing Record for Work Zone FatalitiesThe year 2000 saw 1,093 persons killed inhighway work zone accidents, an increaseof 225 (26 percent) over 1999 and an all-time record, according to the NationalHighway Traffic Safety Administration’s(NHTSA’s) Fatality Analysis Reporting System(FARS) database. The staggering numberincluded at least 163 victims who probablywere road construction workers.

“The number of work zones and roadworkers will continue to increase, and morepeople will be doing more driving,” saidDan Shipp, president of the InternationalSafety Equipment Association.

“Consequently, the number of fatalities islikely to increase unless those of us in theworker protection business redouble ourefforts to make work zones safer, includingensuring that workers wear equipment thatmakes them as visible as possible, roundthe clock in any kind of weather.”

Association of EquipmentManufacturers LaunchedThe Association of EquipmentManufacturers (AEM) is the name for thenewly consolidated EquipmentManufacturers Institute (EMI) andConstruction Industry ManufacturersAssociation (CIMA); AEM officially beganoperation January 1.

2000 Work ZoneFatality Report

1999 2000

868

1,093

Going to the big show?Please visit ISEA atbooth GL-3008 in themain lobby.

Protection UPDATE | WINTER 200210

National Safety Council (NSC) inconjunction with Aon Corporationand Cambridge Integrated Services

Group has established a program ofAwards for Outstanding Achievementsin Safety & Productivity. “Many studiesshow that sound safety programs reducemedical expenses, reduce absenteeism, andlower workers’ compensation costs,” NSCsaid. “However, there are very few publisheddocuments that give conclusive evidence ofthe link between improved safety and higherproductivity.”

The new initiative will honor safety pro-grams best demonstrating the link betweenworkplace safety and productivity. Winningcase studies will receive financial awardsand plaques. For more information, contactKajsa Johnson, 630-775-2326 or john-sonk@nsc.org.

American Road & Transportation BuildersAssociation and National Safety Councilhave introduced an OSHA 10-hourTraining Program and Train theTrainer Seminar for the roadway con-struction industry. This package meetsOSHA’s requirements for 10-hour accredita-tion and includes a detailed instructor man-ual and interactive student activities; a CD-ROM containing photos, video clips, dia-

W H AT ’ S N E W I N R OA D C O N S T R U C T I O N S A F E T Y

grams and text in Power Point format, and astudent guide matched to the instructormanual. The program addresses 11 keyconstruction work zone-related topics,including personal protective equipment.For more information, call Tom Kirby at888-821-9653, ext. 161, or visitwww.artba.org.

Associated General Contractors (AGC)has released its 2001-2002 Publicationsand Video Directory, which featuresmore than 400 different products coveringa wide range of topics pertinent to the con-struction industry, including more than 50new or updated construction learning tools.More than 100 of the items in the 42-pagecatalog concern safety, and many of thosetouch on equipping workers with the properpersonal protective equipment. For a copy,call 800-AGC-1767 or visit www.agc.org.

Process Safety Management, a newCD-ROM released by the American Societyof Safety Engineers, can help companiessubject to the requirements of the U.S.OSHA Process Safety ManagementStandard to lower training costs whileensuring uniform, verifiable employee train-ing. More information is available by calling847-699-2929 or visit www.asse.org underpublications and standards. ●

NEW PROTECTIONfrom page 3

● Garments made with a more breath-able Tyvek® fabric to provide greater com-fort for reduced heat stress to workers whomust wear protective apparel in hazardousjob situations; DuPont says the new gar-ments can protect workers againsthazardous particles as small as 0.5 micronsin size, including silica dust, bacteria andother harmful agents. For more information,call 877-797-5907, fax 800-558-9329 orvisit www.tyvekcomfortzone.com.

From Marigold Industrial is theIronGrip MIG300 textured natural-rub-ber coated glove, which provides a strong,

safe grip, protects against minor cuts andabrasion and resists liquid penetration; theseamless shell proves a snug, non-irritatingfit and enhances worker comfort. For moreinformation, call 800-786-4564 or visitwww.marigoldindustrial.com.

From North Safety are industrial-weightChemsoft™ nitrile gloves, which the com-pany says are stretchier than other leadingindustrial-weight nitrile gloves; they providecomfort and dexterity with excellent resis-tance to cuts, snags, abrasion, fats, oils,greases, hydraulic fluid and most chemi-cals; they are free of latex proteins andshaped for a natural fit. For more informa-tion, call 800-430-4110 or fax 800-572-6346 or visit www.northsafety.com. ●

Marigold IronGripMIG300 rubber coatedwork glove

● Which category best describes your job or orga-nization? (Check only one circle.)

●● Safety Supervisor●● Construction Supervisor with Safety Accountability●● Labor●● State/Federal Official●● Municipal/County Official●● Insurance Underwriter●● Trade Press●● Association●● PPE Manufacturer/Distributor

Readership SurveyProtection UPDATE | WINTER 2002 11

● On a scale of 1-5 (1 of little value, 5 extremely valuable), please evaluate the various articles andcolumns that regularly appear in Protection Update.

In-depth PPE guidance:* 1 2 3 4 5New Protection for Road Constructors/What’s New in Road Construction Safety 1 2 3 4 5Work Zone Safety Around the Nation 1 2 3 4 5Bottom-line Benefit of PPE (Does not appear in this issue) 1 2 3 4 5Safety Equipment Works for You 1 2 3 4 5

*For example, “Calculating Total Fall Distance: The Often-overlooked Component of a Complete Personal Fall-arrest System,” which appears in this issue.

● How has Protection Update helped you improveworker safety or, if not, why?

● Are there any types of PPE news you would liketo see more or less of in Protection Update?

● Is there anyone else in your organization whoshould receive Protection Update directly? (If so,please provide mailing or emailing information).

● Protection Update is being published five to sixtimes a year. Is this frequency:

●● About right●● Too often●● Not often enough

● In terms of appearance, I give Protection Updatea (Rate from 5 for excellent to 1 for poor):

● If Protection Update carried advertising, I wouldbe interested in

●● reading the ads,●● buying advertising space, or ●● both

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● Other comments? (Use additional pages if necessary)

● Optional:

Your Name

Organization

Phone Number

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● Who in your organization makes personal pro-tective equipment buying decisions? (Mark “1” forthe function with primary responsibility, “2” for the func-tion with secondary responsibility.)

— Safety Supervisor

— Construction Supervisor with Safety Accountability

— Purchasing Agent

— Senior Management

— Other (please identify)

As Protection Update enters is second year, it remains a work in progress with our goal being to provide readers withinformation that helps them prevent construction worker injuries and fatalities. We value your feedback. To help usimprove our publication, please take a few minutes to complete this survey and return it to Editor JoeWalker, fax: 703-528-2148. Thank you.

Protection UPDATE | WINTER 200212

Striking Examples of Worker Protection

Louise was working at her Rhode Island construction site when she was struck by a piece of iron scaffolding thathad fallen 36 feet. It smashed into her hardhat, knocked her to the ground, fractured her temple and sinusbones, and crushed the bone around her right eye. The blow exceeded the helmet’s design limits, but miracu-lously it did not even knock her out. (Hardhat from Mine Safety Appliances Co., www.msanet.com)

Jack was riding his motorcycle to work when a minivan made an unexpected left turn in front of him. Jack hit theside of the van’s door with his bike, sustaining injuries to the left side of his body and face, including a broken nose.Glass flew when the van window shattered. “The only reason I can still see out of both eyes is because I had mysafety glasses on,” Jack said. “You saved my eyes and God saved my life.” (Safety glasses by Uvex, www.uvex.com)

Patrick and Maxie comprise a team that keeps Chicago streets clean by picking up litter and hand sweeping withbrooms. Recently, the city equipped them with new high-visibility garments. They report that drivers seem to seethem sooner and keep their vehicles farther away than before. They also said that while they usually work somedistance apart, they can often make out ther partners’ high-visibility garments and, therefore, feel less isolatedon the streets. (Garments from Head Lites Corp., www.headlitescorp.com)

Jim was working at a construction site when an 8-by-8-by-16-inch concrete block fell 12 feet from an overheadscaffold. The block struck his head and right arm and he was knocked to the ground. Although dizzy andbruised, he returned to work the same day. If not wearing his hardhat, he most likely would have been killed.(Hardhat from Mine Safety Appliances Co., www.msanet.com)

WorksforYou

SAFETY EQUIPMENT

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Protection Update isalso available on theNational Work ZoneSafety InformationClearinghouse websiteat wzsafety.tamu.edu