If material is dropped more than feet it must be dropped through a debris chute
|
This information is provided free of charge by the Department of Industrial Relations from its web site at www.dir.ca.gov. These regulations are for the convenience of the user and no representation or warranty is made that the information is current or accurate. See full disclaimer at https://www.dir.ca.gov/od_pub/disclaimer.html. Show
Subchapter 4. Construction Safety Orders (a) Whenever waste material is dropped to any point lying outside the exterior walls of the building, enclosed chutes shall be used unless the area is effectively protected by barricades, fences or equivalent means. Signs shall be posted to warn employees of the hazards of falling debris. (b) When chutes are used to load trucks, they shall be fully enclosed. Gates shall be installed in each chute at or near the discharge end. A qualified person shall be assigned to control the operation of the gate, and the backing and loading of trucks. (c) Enclosed chutes should be designed for free flow of material, but if clogging or stoppages occur, employees shall not remove material from the chutes with their hands. Picks or other suitable implements shall be used for this purpose. (d) Any chute opening, into which employees dump debris by hand, shall be protected by a guardrail. Any open spaces between the chute and the edge of floor openings through which the chute passes shall be covered over. (e) When operations are not in progress, the discharge end of the chute shall be securely closed off, or the area barricaded or fenced as provided in Section 1736(a). (f) When debris is dropped through holes in the floor without the use of chutes, the area onto which the material is dropped shall be completely enclosed with barricades not less than 42 inches high, and not less than six feet back from the projected edge of the opening above. Signs warning of the hazard of falling materials shall be posted at each level. Debris removal shall not be permitted in this lower drop area until debris handling ceases above. (g) All scrap lumber, waste material, and rubbish shall be removed from the immediate work area as the work progresses. (h) All solvent waste, oily rags, and flammable liquids shall be kept in fire resistant covered containers until removed from the work site. (i)(1) Where the material is dumped from mechanical equipment or wheelbarrows, a securely attached toeboard or bumper, not less than six inches thick and six inches high, shall be provided at each chute opening. (2) Chutes shall be designed and constructed of such strength as to eliminate failure due to impact of materials or debris loaded therein. (j) All material chutes, or sections thereof, at an angle of more than 45 degrees from the horizontal, shall be entirely enclosed, except for openings equipped with closures at or about floor level for the insertion of materials. The openings shall not exceed 48 inches in height measured along the wall of the chute. At all stories below the top floor, such openings shall be kept closed when not in use. NOTE: Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Section 142.3, Labor Code. HISTORY 1. New section filed 2-11-72; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 72, No. 7). 2. Amendment of subsection (b) and new subsection (h) filed 5-21-75; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 75, No. 21). for specific requirements involving permit requirements, see the Unfired Pressure Vessel Safety Orders. 3. Amendment filed 12-4-86; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 86, No. 49). 4. Amendment of section heading, subsections (a)-(c), new subsection (d), subsection relettering, amendment of newly designated subsections (e)-(f) and (i)(1), and new subsection (j) filed 5-22-95; operative 6-21-95 (Register 95, No. 21). Trash chutes are one of the most commonly used apparatuses on construction sites. According to OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), whenever materials are dropped more than 20 feet to any point lying outside of the exterior of the walls, a trash chute shall be used. These are typically installed and utilized on multi-level construction sites and roofs where it is difficult and hazardous for the employees handling the trash and debris. By understanding the basics of installing and utilizing trash chutes safely, employers are able to keep everyone safe inside and outside of the building. A few common workplace injuries resulting from trash cutes include falling through openings from unprotected sides or edges and accidents caused by falling debris. Proper installation of trash chutes is crucial in ensuring the safety of all workers onsite. Like any other equipment used on a construction site, the manufacturer’s guidelines and recommendations have to be followed to ensure proper set up and installation. There are two different types of chutes that can be used on a construction site, short chutes and large chute. Short chutes typically have a small diameter and are light enough to be set up against the side of the building, while large chutes may have to be supported by a secondary frame to withstand the total amount of weight for both the trash and pieces of equipment. Large chutes can weigh a significant amount and could cause back strains and injuries. In these circumstances a manual or automatic winch would need to be used in the installation phase to help reduce the amount of strain put on an employee. In addition to installing an adequate trash chute for a building, one important aspect that should be considered in the preparation stage is making sure all the chutes are tight fitted. By attempting to create a seamless chute, it will not only cut down the dust escaping from the trash but will also help support the chute against high gusts of winds and when large trash loads are dumped in. In accordance with OSHA’s guidelines, all sections of the chute, at an angle of more than 45 degrees from the horizontal shall be entirely closed. There are a few other important elements that must be considered when utilizing a trash chute according to OSHA, a proper guardrail system, chute openings, and ground control. Similar to other adequate guardrail systems, any chute opening shall be protected by a guardrail system. The system should be secured and able to withstand at least 200 pounds of outward and downward force and approximately 42 inches above the walking/working surface, on which to dump the materials. Any spaces between the chute and the edge of openings in the floors shall be completely covered and able to withstand twice the intended load. Another essential piece of the guardrail that needs to be incorporated is a toeboard or bumper, which is not less than 4 inches thick and at least 6 inches high. Ground controls, one of the most important aspects of using a trash chute, shall be set up on the lower levels to protect pedestrians and other workers. A few different options pertaining to ground controls include, but are not limited to, barricade tape (caution and/or danger), high visibility rope or warning lines, and guardrail systems. Warning signs should be posted at each level of the building where the chute passes by and on the ground level, in multiple areas, to alert others of the hazards of falling materials. Construction trash chutes can remove obstacles and significantly speed up the cleaning process on multiple levels of a building and on roofs. By creating a fast and efficient way of removing trash and debris, chutes can help create a safer and more efficient workplace. If companies decide to utilize chutes, it should be incorporated in the safety planning and logistics prior to beginning work. References: Caplan, J. (2013). Safety Tips For Installing And Using Construction Trash Chutes. Retrieved from http://www.safety.com/blogs/jonathancaplan/safety-tips-installing-and-using-construction-trash-chutes Bird Ladder and Equipment Co., Inc. (2014_. Maintaining Workplace Safety with Construction Trash Chutes. Retrieved from http://birdladderandscaffoldingsafety.blogspot.com/2014/12/maintaining-workplace-safety-with.html When debris Cannot be handled by chutes the material may be dropped into a designated area?When debris cannot be handled by chutes, the area into which the material is dropped shall be enclosed with barricades not less than 42 in (1.1 ) in height. Barricades shall be positioned to keep personnel from all debris landing areas.
What is debris chute?What Is a Debris Chute? Debris chutes allow workers on rooftops or other elevated construction sites to safely and conveniently remove debris and waste from the work area. As trash and construction materials build up and take up space, construction workers need a quick way to safely dispose of these materials.
When disposal materials are dropped more than 20 feet to an exterior location and enclosed chute must be used?Whenever materials are dropped more than 20 feet to any point lying outside the exterior walls of the building, an enclosed chute of wood, or equivalent material, shall be used.
When dropping material through a hole in the floor without a chute the barricade around the collection area should be at least how many inches?(b) When debris is dropped through holes in the floor without the use of chutes, the area onto which the material is dropped shall be completely enclosed with barricades not less than 42 inches high and not less than 6 feet back from the projected edge of the opening above.
|
