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Usually in order to save time or money people make dumb choices.  And one of these would be tying your lanyard back onto itself.  It seems to make sense, why buy an anchor when you can just make a little loop-de-loop around a steel beam?  Well OSHA thinks differently…

“Unless a snap hook is a locking type specifically designed for the purpose of tying back into a lanyard, it shall not be engaged directly to webbing, rope, or wire rope.”

Whoa!  OSHA get the marbles out of your mouth.  What does that mean?  It means unless your lanyard is specifically designed for tying back, don’t do it.

Basically, what it comes down to is that the snap hook at the end of your lanyard isn’t strong enough to support the extra force caused by tying back a lanyard on itself.

Alas, all is not lost. Some smart manufacturers have created some lanyard for this purpose.  We’ve provided a list below.  And remember to read all directions when using any safety equipment.

French Creek Tie Back Lanyard

Guardian Tie Back Lanyard

Technorati Tags: fall protection, lanyards, osha, tie back lanyards

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Kevin, an Aussie who currently lives in China, took these compelling photos. He took the photos when workmen came to re-gas his air conditioner (outside the window of his 15th floor apartment).

Kevin was impressed when one of the workers pulled out a safety harness to wear. Then he wondered where would they tie-off the rope? That question was answered when the other end of the rope was wrapped securely to his workmate’s arm.

Crazy, huh?

Thanks to Kevin for sharing his photos and story.

Technorati Tags: chinese fall protection

Posted in Fall Protection Articles by Sassy Safety Glasses Queen. The Sassy Safety Glasses Queen is our resident safety glasses expert. She specializes in the news, trends, and fashions of the Safety Glasses industry while dabbling in the world of fall protection.

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Here is an interesting little picture found in the instruction manual of a chainsaw.  There are two things we can take away from this picture.  One, our brain power as collective whole is decreasing at an alarming rate.  Two, people are rushing…  Which probably explains this picture.  When we’re rushing to get something done, we often throw caution to the wind and end up in predicaments like this one.  If a picture was taken every time you took a short cut it would most likely look shockingly dangerous in hindsight.  Take your time.

P.S. Notice how the man in the picture still bothered to put on a hard hat, face protection, ear protection, and gloves.  Hilarious.

Photo Credit: http://dadintheheadlights.wordpress.com

Technorati Tags: chainsaw chaps, chainsaw safety

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Here’s a great little set of tips on inspecting a harness brought to by the fine folks at Miller Fall Protection, proud makers of the “Manyard“  (SIDE NOTE:  There is something about this name that just creeps me out.  It may just be me, but whenever I hear it the only image in my head is Borat in his green swimsuit.  Anywho)

1) Snaps
Inspect closely for hook and eye distortions, cracks, corrosion, or pitted surfaces. The keeper (latch) should seat into the nose without binding and should not be distorted or obstructed.

2) Wire Rope Lanyard
While rotating the wire rope lanyard, watch for cuts, frayed areas, or unusual wearing patterns on the wire. Broken strands will separate from the body of the lanyard.

3) Web Lanyard
While bending webbing over a pipe or mandrel, observe each side of the webbed lanyard. This will reveal any cuts or breaks. Swelling, discoloration, cracks and charring are obvious signs of chemical or heat damage. Observe closely for any breaks in stitching.

4) Rope Lanyard
Rotate the rope lanyard while inspecting from end-to-end for any fuzzy, worn, broken or cut fibers. Weakened areas from extreme loads will appear as a noticeable change in original diameter. The rope diameter should be uniform throughout, following a short break-in period.

5) Shock Absorber Pack
The outer portion of the pack should be examined for burn holes and tears. Stitching on areas where the pack is sewn to D-rings, belts or lanyards should be examined for loose strands, rips and deterioration.

6) Shock-Absorbing Lanyard
Shock-absorbing lanyards should be examined as a web lanyard (described in item 3 above). However, also look for the warning flag or signs of deployment. If the flag has been activated, remove this shock-absorbing lanyard from service.

Technorati Tags: fall protection, lanyard inspection, lanyards

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We keep our eyes open so when we see something potentially beneficially to you, we can pass it on. Feel free to return the favor. If you see something that would be helpful to our readers, please email us at info@snugharness.com with the subject heading “For the Safety Queen.”  For example…

Most frequently viewed OSHA publications:

• It’s the Law – Job Safety and Health Poster - PDF
• Fall Protection Tip QuickCard® - PDF
• Construction – Pocket Guide - PDF

You can find more at… http://www.osha.gov/pls/publications/publication.html

Technorati Tags: job safety, osha, safety

Posted in Fall Protection Articles by Sassy Safety Glasses Queen. The Sassy Safety Glasses Queen is our resident safety glasses expert. She specializes in the news, trends, and fashions of the Safety Glasses industry while dabbling in the world of fall protection.

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When you’re writing a safety blog, sometimes you can feel overwhelmed by the tips, lists, warnings and regulations from manufacturers, experts, and governing bodies.  But sometimes these tips and warnings can go a bit to far.  Seriously, how dumb can people be?  Here’s a list of some fun warnings that can be found throughout our sue-happy world.  Enjoy.

Warnings:
“For external use only!” — On a curling iron.
“Do not use while sleeping.” — On a hair dryer.
“May irritate eyes.” — On a can of self-defense pepper spray.
“Do not use for drying pets.” — In the manual for a microwave oven.
“Do not use as ear plugs.” — On a package of silly putty.
“For indoor or outdoor use only.” — On a string of Christmas lights.
“May be harmful if swallowed.” — On a shipment of hammers.
“Do not attempt to stop the blade with your hand.” — In the manual for a Swedish chainsaw.
“Warning: May contain nuts.” — On a package of peanuts.
“Warning: Misuse may cause injury or death.” — Stamped on the metal barrel of a .22 calibre rifle.
“Do not use orally after using rectally.” — In the instructions for an electric thermometer.
“Not to be used as a personal flotation device.” — On a 6×10 inch inflatable picture frame.
“Do not put in mouth.” — On a box of bottle rockets.

Disclaimers:
“Do not drive cars in ocean.” — From a car commercial which shows a car in the ocean.
“Always drive on roads. Not on people.” — From a car commercial which shows a vehicle “body-surfing” at a concert.

Signs and Notices:
“These rows reserved for parents with children.” — A sign in a church.
“Fits one head.” — On a hotel-provided shower cap box.

Safety Procedure:
“In case of flood, proceed uphill. In case of flash flood, proceed uphill quickly.” — One of the emergency safety procedures at a summer camp.

Instructions:
“Open packet. Eat contents.” — Instructions on a packet of airline peanuts.
“Use like regular soap.” — On a bar of Dial soap.

Share your dumb warnings with us in the comments section.

Technorati Tags: safety, safety warnings

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It’s that time of year when kids around the country pretend to study for final exams.  And although we’re no institute for higher learning we though we’d give you a brief refresher course.  Today’s review comes straight from Big Brother… I mean OSHA.  It’s merely a quick set of tips to remember to prevent work site falls…

• Identify all potential tripping and fall hazards before work starts.
• Look for fall hazards such as unprotected floor openings/edges, shafts, skylights, stairwells, and roof openings/edges.
• Inspect fall protection equipment for defects before use.
• Select, wear, and use fall protection equipment appropriate for the task.
• Secure and stabilize all ladders before climbing them.
• Never stand on the top rung/step of a ladder.
• Use handrails when you go up or down stairs.
• Practice good housekeeping. Keep cords, welding leads and air hoses out of walkways or adjacent work areas.

Did we miss any?

Technorati Tags: fall equipment, fall hazards, fall protection

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What’s the big deal about dual leg lanyards?  I don’t know.  Actually, I know a couple of things, but there is only one feature I want to talk about today.

The major advantage of a dual leg lanyard is the ability to stay tied off while moving between anchor points.  This way you’re always connected.

It may seem very simple, and I won’t lie to you it is, but this handy device would have saved many a life had it been introduced to the market place a bit earlier.

So, if you’ve been disconnecting your lanyard to move to another anchor point, you may want to look at one of these handy dandies.  That is all.

Technorati Tags: dual leg lanyards, fall protection, lanyards

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I wasn’t snooping. Really. Well, maybe a little. So when I popped into the office the other week I started checking out some new samples someone left out in the main office.  Fair game, right?

Anyway, I am now “in love” with the new Rad-Light™ Clip-On LED Light. It was all I could do not to sneak them home with me. What sold me was that I can put it on most any of my safety glasses (it has a spring clip) AND it has a 360? rotation. That way you can adjust the light beam and not move your head in a weird uncomfortable angle to get the light beam in the right place. How cool is that? Besides that, it has a power switch and super bright LED bulb.

The more I think about it. I need to stop being selfish. All the guys in my family are going to want one so I better make sure they have their own. This one is definitely going to be a popular stocking stuffer in my family this year!

Technorati Tags: led light, rad light, Safety Glasses

Posted in Safety Glasses by Sassy Safety Glasses Queen. The Sassy Safety Glasses Queen is our resident safety glasses expert. She specializes in the news, trends, and fashions of the Safety Glasses industry while dabbling in the world of fall protection.

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Which is better?  Mmmm.  As usual that depends on the job.  But I can tell you one very big difference that may come in handy for some of you out there.  I would like to address the welders and concrete workers out there for a moment, but everyone else is free to listen…

If you work with concrete, you’ll want to use a web retractable.  Why?  It all has to do with wet concrete and how it plays with web and  steel.  If you get wet concrete on a steel cable retractable and the concrete dries, it can be very difficult to remove from the steel.  On top of that, those pieces of retractable can prevent your retractable from retracting.  It can even get caught in the housing which spells disaster.  On the other hand, when concrete dries on a web retractable the concrete can be flaked off fairly easily by bending the webbing back and forth.

Now, if you’re a welder you’ll want to use a cable retractable.  Why?  Well, if you’re not careful you could actually melt the webbing.  I’m not positive, but I can almost guarantee that you’ll be in trouble.  A cable retractable doesn’t have to deal with this issue.  A side note, they do in fact make some web lanyards that are designed for welding, but as far as I know they’re only available as lanyards and not retractable lanyards.  Take that for what it’s worth.

So, what type of retractable do you find yourself using?  Web or Cable?

Technorati Tags: fall protection, retractables, self retracting lifeline

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