Preventing slip-ups | Safe SolutionsPeter Greenbaum
The early morning air was crisp as Merriweather Roofing Co.
workers arrived at the job site—a small, commercial building
with a low-slope roof that required torched application. Frank, the
company's foreman, had been with Merriweather Roofing for six years
and participated in many safety programs. As the workers unloaded
the trucks, Frank inspected the roof, checking for potential
hazards, such as soft spots and penetrations. He recognized various
fall hazards and discussed them with the crew.
The workers immediately set up a warning-line system on all
sides of the roof, ensuring the warning line was positioned 6 feet
from the roof's edge. They also made sure the warning line was
flagged every 6 feet.
Frank assigned a safety monitor to keep his eyes on workers who
were required to work outside the warning line. Because the
building was two stories high, a fall could be fatal. Frank also
made sure there were at least two 20-pound, ABC-rated fire
extinguishers within 10 feet of torching activity.
As the crew finished loading the roof, one worker, Manuel,
picked up a torch, lit it and turned toward the area in which he
planned to work. Suddenly, he slipped, dropping the lit torch.
Before anyone could react, the intense flame hit the leg of a
co-worker, Jack, who cried out in agony and crumpled...
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