Edit to add: 📽 How To Fall On Stilts - Slackrobats Stilt Walking Tutorial

Huh, never even heard of them. https://www.awci.org/media/codes-standards/safe-stilts/

A trip to the OSHA Web site, www.osha.gov, produced some responses to written inquires dating back to 1974. The replies all contain the statement that OSHA regulations do not prohibit their use. The biggest caution is in regard to the height of guardrails in areas where stilts are used. The recommended height for the guardrails seems to the standard height plus the height of the stilts being used, usually 36 inches. The other hazard is rough walking/working surfaces that could present a hazard to employees using stilts.

OSHA also provides a Tool Box Talk for stilts, ladders and scaffolds: “A guardrail cannot stop your fall if you are higher than the guardrail. If you use stilts, ladders or scaffolds near fall hazards, raise the height of the guardrails as much as you have raised yourself above the walking/working surface. If your stilts are 3 feet high, then you need to raise your guardrail and toprail another 3 feet so your protection remains hip high to you when you are on stilts”

Some other points from Marek University: “Inspect stilts daily for deterioration of footpads, straps, and buckles. Be aware of your walking surface, even a clean floor can have pieces of debris such as screws, electrical wire, trash of all kinds. Walk on stilts correctly, by taking smaller steps and keeping your weight above your feet.”

Some of the dangers of stilts include the following:

• Risk of falling when walking backward or changing directions.
• Tripping hazards from normal objects.
• Foot constraints reducing the capacity to recover from a potential fall.
• Risk of bumping into windows, and potentially breaking glass.
• Overloading of the spring mounts can cause stilt failure.
• Increased risk to worker of sprain and strain injuries as a result of lifting objects from the ground or leaving stilts on to do related tasks.
• Poorly adjusted stilts can result in worker fatigue and further contributes to the risks of sprains and strains.

Most important of all, make sure your workers are trained properly before allowing them to use stilts.