3 Safety Guidelines For Debris Chutes
A construction site can be an inherently dangerous place. Contractors are responsible for taking every precaution to protect their employees against injury. One of these required precautions is to ensure that all equipment used on the construction site meets minimum safety standards.
A debris chute is a unique type of equipment that can make removing debris from the upper levels of a building much easier. When a debris chute fails, serious injuries can occur.
Here are three safety guidelines that all debris chutes should meet.
1. Enclosure
Any debris chute that will be used to control debris on elevated levels of a structure must be fully enclosed. A chute with side and top openings can allow debris to escape and become a serious hazard.
Injuries from falling debris can be severe, so it's critical that contractors ensure all debris chutes are fully enclosed.
Only the two openings at either end of the chute can be open, and these ends must remain closed at all times when the debris chute isn't in use to prevent any debris from accidentally falling through the chute and causing an injury.
2. Construction
The way a debris chute is constructed can have a direct impact on the safety of the device.
Debris chutes with wide openings must be constructed from a rigid material (like plywood or steel). The rigidity these materials provide helps protect the debris chute against fatigue and possible tears.
All debris chutes should be equipped with gates and baffles that help control the movement of materials as they near the ground. Gates and baffles can prevent any heavy debris from causing the chute to sag and hit someone on the ground directly below the chute.
3. Signage
Any debris chute in use on a construction site must contain adequate signage to warn workers and visitors about the possible overhead danger of falling debris.
A clear warning must be incorporated into the signage, with the lettering meeting minimum size requirements set forth by your state's occupational safety division.
These letters must be printed in a color that contrasts with the background of the sign and the debris chute itself to ensure maximum visibility.
If you have been injured by falling debris from a debris chute on a construction site, reach out to a construction injuries attorney for help. You may be entitled to financial compensation if negligence in reference to the debris chute contributed to your injury.