Climbing, unsafe

Stockpiles may be unstable and unsafe for climbing. Make sure that provisions for an excavator or a backhoe are made in such cases. 

Although the technological obstacle to the increase in height of buildings was eliminated, a human obstacle still remained people were unhappy about having to climb or descend on foot more than a few flights of stairs and they thought that the lifts and elevators of the time were unsafe. 

If the employer finds the pole to be unsafe to climb or to work from, the employer must secure the pole so that it does not fail while an employee is on it. The employer can secure the pole by a line truck boom, by ropes or guys, or by lashing a new pole alongside it. If a new one is lashed alongside the defective pole, employees should work from the new one. 

As with portable ladders, OSHA does not require personal fall protection be used on fixed ladders less than 20 feet in height. However, employers should assess the situation and provide fall protection if a fall hazard is present. For example, if the ladder is located outside and subject to environmental conditions (e.g., ice and snow) which may make it unsafe for climbing, additional fall protection may be warranted. 

Figure 21.1 Unsafe climbing. An accident waiting to happen. ...

If, however, the hazards cannot reliably be kept in check, recourse can be taken to the direct protection of the human body. The worker must be supplied with appropriate personal protective devices. Examples of hazard protection are isolating open electrical units with a locked door protecting robots by locked safety fences, transporting hazardous material in particular containers. Examples of personal protection are personal protective equipment such as safety glasses, fire resistant clothing, ear protection, work gloves and safety shoes. The protection approach has only limited value, because isolation of hazards can be undone by unsafe behavior. For example, safety fences can be climbed, safety shields removed, and personal protective equipment not worn. 

Taking an unsafe position or posture. Many employees are injured when they place themselves in hazardous positions relative to the surrounding workplace. Climbing over a conveyor or working in a department where a hard hat is required, without the benefits of safety equipment, are two common examples. 

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