We’ve been sending out emails to our winners but we don’t always hear back from them. So we are going back over the past couple months and will be picking out new winners for that past 4 months. Check your spam folders for our emails & be prepared to pick our your new pair.

How is stress effecting you? Stress can lead to health problems and a decline in worker productivity. It’s in everyone’s interest to address stress in the workplace
Here’s some interesting numbers from workers surveyed:
-40% of workers report their job is “very or extremely stressful.”
-26% of workers report they are “often or very often burned out or stressed by their work.”
-3/4th of workers believe the worker has more on-the-job stress than a generation ago.
-Workers who report high levels of stress have health care expenditures nearly 50% greater than their counterparts. Yikes!

We know it exists and some of us have faced the more serious side of stress. NIOSH recommends Stress Management and Organizational Change as two actions reduce job stress. The following are suggestions from American Psychologist are on how to change organizations to prevent job stress:

• Ensure that the workload is in line with workers’ capabilities and resources.
• Design jobs to provide meaning, stimulation, and opportunities for workers to use their skills.
• Clearly define workers’ roles and responsibilities.
• Give workers opportunities to participate in decisions and actions affecting their jobs.
• Improve communications-reduce uncertainty about career development and future employment prospects.
• Provide opportunities for social interaction among workers.
• Establish work schedules that are compatible with demands and responsibilities outside the job.

Enjoy the day!

Technorati Tags: national stress awareness

The Safety Guru group on Flickr has an interesting collection of safety photos from different contributors in locations around the world. I visit occasionally to see what’s new. Unfortunately I only post photos with direct permission from the photographer so I can’t use the 3rd party photos from that group. But you still can check it out and laugh… or groan.

Today’s photo was provide by P. Adkin which he shot when he was in China.  Thanks so much for allowing us to use your photo.

Stay safe!

—
WASHINGTON, Pa. – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has fined the C.A. Franc construction company $539,000 following the investigation of a roofing worker who fell 40 feet to his death at a Washington worksite. The Valencia, Pa.-based roof installer – whose owner is Christopher A. Franc – was cited for 10 per instance willful citations for failing to protect workers from falls.

“Mr. Franc knowingly and willfully failed to protect his workers from falling to their death,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Dr. David Michaels. “We will not tolerate this type of blatant and egregious disregard for the health and safety of workers.”

OSHA began its investigation immediately following the worker’s death on Aug. 15, 2009, and found the C.A. Franc company had failed to provide any fall protection to its employees working on a pitched roof 40 feet off the ground. In addition, Mr. Franc failed to train a newly hired college student in hazards and the necessary safety measures for roofing work. As a result of the investigation, the company has been cited for 10 alleged per-instance willful violations, one for each employee working unprotected on the roof, with a proposed penalty of $490,000, and one additional alleged willful violation for failing to train the new employee, with a penalty of $49,000.

General contractor Hospitality Builders Inc. also has been cited with one willful violation and a proposed penalty of $70,000 for failing to ensure that C.A. Franc workers had fall protection.

“This fall fatality was one of five that occurred during a 15-day span in the Pittsburgh area,” said John M. Hermanson, OSHA’s regional administrator in Philadelphia, Pa. “Falls are the leading cause of fatalities in the construction industry. Failure to provide employees with fall protection is unconscionable. We urge construction companies to take the necessary action to ensure their workers are protected.”

http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=

Technorati Tags: osha fines, osha violations

I think it is interesting to note that December 30th, 1969 was when the Coal Act was signed. Below is an excerpt from MSHA’s Assistant Secretary, Joe Main.

“…I want to note a very important anniversary in mine safety and health. This year we will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969, known as the Coal Act. Signed on December 30, 1969, this law represents a watershed moment in the improvement of occupational health and safety in the United States. It was the precursor to the Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, which created MSHA, and it was the basis of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) of 1970. The Coal Act forever transformed occupational safety and health in the United States.”

Laws can make a difference. You can make a difference.

Technorati Tags: coal miner's safety, workplace safety

One change we are making here at Safety Briefs is taking more mailbag questions for Luke, one of our fall protection experts. Feel free to email us your safety questions. If we don’t know the answers, we can find someone who does!

Those of us from Safety Briefs wish you a Safe and Healthy 2010!

Technorati Tags: fall protection advice, workplace safety

This weeks tip:  Chose acrylic adhesives instead of rubber adhesives for anti-slip tape.

If you have the choice, go with the acrylic adhesives. It’s going to save you time and money in the long run when you eventually go to remove the safety tape. (The tape has to be replaced sometime!) When pulled up, the acrylic adhesives leaves behind no residue (yeah!) but if it’s a rubber based safety tape you’re going to need some acetate and some good old fashion elbow grease to rub away the residue. From a maintenance standpoint, the choice is clear -save your knees and time.

Technorati Tags: anti-slip tape, safety tape advice

The sinking of the Titanic reminds me of two things in regard to safety…

One. The ship sank.  Which could be a pretty blatant metaphor about businesses today.  People are panicking that they’re ship will sink, so they decide to throw all of the “dead weight” overboard to stay afloat a little bit longer.  Your safety program is not dead weight!

Two. The Titanic was billed as the “Unsinkable Ship.”  Unfortunately, I think that’s how a lot of workers feel on the job site.  That they are impervious to pain and that accidents don’t happen to them.  After all they’re unsinkable!  No one is unsinkable.  Don’t let pride and ego cost you your life.

Technorati Tags: safety, safety programs

The glasses are manufactured by Radians, and have a nice range of price.  It’s also important to point out that the quality is very respectable.  Trust me, I have no qualms about throwing a manufacturer under the bus, and I don’t like getting close enough to people’s asses to blow smoke up them.  So here are three of the styles I like…

The DeWalt Protector is you low end safety glasses, but they are extremely well made.  I was really impressed by the quality for a basic style like this.  You can get cheaper glasses, but the quality won’t match this specimen.

The DeWalt Reinforcer RX is a very stylish pair of bifocal safety glasses.  For a long time the word style and bifocal never went together.  This is one of the first styles to bridge the gap.  It still holds up nicely and has good number of comfort features.

The DeWalt Ventilator is the high end pair of safety glasses from DeWalt.  It borrows a bit from the AO Safety Fuel (as far as style is concerned), but the price is way better.  Take a look at this style if your having compliance issues.  It might help out.

So there you go.

Technorati Tags: dewalt safety glasses, radians safety glasses, Safety Glasses

So what’s a boy to do?  Flammable safety cabinets are the answer.  Plain and simple.  There are safety cabinets for paints, inks, corrosives, pesticides.  You name it.  They’ve got a big metal box you can put it in.  I know it’s all very confusing, because there are sizes, regulations, and insurance crap to work about.  So you could head over to a place like Safety Plus and look around…

Technorati Tags: flammable cabinets, safety cabinets

Yep, Safety Glasses Inc.  stocks Orange County Choppers Safety Glasses and they are sharp.  They’re manufactured by AO Safety, so they’ve got that going for them.  Secondly, most of them have slick metal frames and are as sturdy as Aunt Mildred’s 3-point stance.

These babies are full of fashion, and are a fraction of the cost of other designer safety glasses.  Did I mention that they look stupendous? They do.  So check them out.  And as a little bonus here’s a little introductory video we put together a year or so ago.

Technorati Tags: occ safety glasses, orange county choppers

1. Not wearing your safety glasses for an entire day
2. That new duct tape harness you created to save a few bucks
3. Telling your boss you slept with his wife
4. Leaving flammable materials sitting by the burn pile
5. Seeing how close you can get your face to your machine without wearing safety glasses
6. Testing the theory that legs can grow back by not wearing chainsaw chaps
7. Lifting anything with your groin
8. Trying to determine how bad an anvil to the head would hurt without head protection.
9. Letting co-workers yell in your ear all day without ear plugs to see if  you’ll lose your hearing.
10. Using your dog’s leash as a fall protection lanyard because you forgot yours at home.

Technorati Tags: chainsaw chaps, fall protection, Safety Glasses

It is possible to save money, and still provide your employees with safety gear to keep them out of harm’s way.

Look, I love the Wiley X safety glasses as much as the next guy. They look awesome, and I’m pretty damn sure they improve compliance.  However, there are less expensive models available that keep your eyes just as safe.  Hell, you can get a ton of safety glasses for under $4 a pair.

Remember you can save money by changing the style, but don’t cut out safety all together.  You’ll regret it for the rest of your life if something happens.

Technorati Tags: recession, Safety Glasses, safety in a recession

Basically a horizontal lifeline stretches from “point A” to “point B” across the length of a roof.  The beauty of a system like this is that workers can attach their lanyard, retractable, etc… to the rope or cable anywhere across the length of the roof without moving their anchor.

Now, let’s take a look at two basic systems from Guardian.  Guardian offers both a cable and rope version at 100 ft.  Both systems support two workers and include everything you’d need to set up your lifeline.  The cable lifeline system is obviously more durable, but with that durability comes weight.  The rope lifeline system is much lighter, but wouldn’t be recommended with welding applications.

Another option comes from SafeWaze, who offers a two man cable and rope system with distances ranging from 30 to 100 ft. long.  And don’t forget that you can use some anchors to create your own lifeline system, such as the CB anchors and the Beamguard.

Hopefully, this quick primer gives you the information you need to get started and thinking about building a horizontal lifeline system of your own.

Technorati Tags: cable lifelines, horizontal lifelines, lifeline systems, rope lifelines

Anchor: Guardian Beamer 2000 – The metal that makes up this anchor is resistant to welding splatter and fits over I and H beams.

Retractable: Go with any cable retractable in the work of welding.  Stay away from Web retractables and lanyards (unless otherwise noted to work with welding applications.

Harness: Safewaze Saturn Welding Harness – This little dynamo is made from Nomex and resists damage from splatter and char up to 700 degrees.  It was made specifically for Welders and the price is way better than Guardian’s Kevlar option.

So there you have it.  Also don’t forget to check out or recent article on welding safety glasses….

Technorati Tags: beamer 2000, fall protection, welding fall protection

Hello, Vest Harnesses use zippers to make these things easy as hell to put on.  If it wasn’t for the zipper, these harnesses would be just as much of a pain in the ass as every other harness on the market.

Another use of the zipper… Safety Vests!  I’m detecting a theme here.  Yes, zippers are often used in safety vests.

Other than that…  It’s pretty slim pickins’  Hmmm.  I guess I should have thought about this a tad bit more before I started writing this post.  I guess zippers also work for mouths…  or fing… hmph! hrrgh! mmrph!

Technorati Tags: fall protection, safety vests, vest harnesses

So what’s up with the relaxing regulations? Well for one, the recession is affecting so many businesses that fining most companies is an empty gesture that does more harm than good, as it’s causing companies to go belly up. So, poof they’re gone. Also, I heard that OSHA got sick and tired of prosecuting morons for the same crap over and over again. Apparently, the head of OSHA said, “piss on ‘em. If they want to die let ‘em.”

Okay so maybe this is a bit of April Fool’s fun, OSHA’s regulations are alive and well. Yet, sometimes I think we tend to forget why they exist in the first place. To help us stay safe. Besides, OSHA only becomes a hassle when you let down your end of the bargain.

Technorati Tags: osha, osha fines, osha regulations

First of a ll what is a temple?  Well, a temple is the plastic or metal that stretches from the frame of your safety glasses to your ears.  Clear?  Now here are the variants.

Pivoting or Ratcheting Temples: The ability to tilt or adjust the angle of the temple up and down in order to provide a comfortable or specific fit.

Adjustable Temples: The manipulation of the temple in length in order to accommodate various sized faces, depending on how far the ears are away from the eyes.

Temple Tips: The end of the temple by your ear.  These are often covered in rubber for comfort.

Technorati Tags: eye protection, safety glass temples, Safety Glasses

“Just as sunglasses help vision in very bright light, so hearing protectors enhance speech understanding in very noisy places. Even in a quiet setting, a normal-hearing person wearing hearing protectors should be able to understand a regular conversation.

Hearing protectors do slightly reduce the ability of those with damaged hearing or poor comprehension of language to understand normal conversation. However, it is essential that persons with impaired hearing wear earplugs or muffs to prevent further inner ear damage in very noisy places.

It has been argued that hearing protectors might reduce a worker’s ability to hear the noises that signify an improperly functioning machine. However, most workers readily adjust to the quieter sounds and can still detect such problems. If a worker is already hearing impaired, he or she needs expert advice about how to protect against further damage. In some cases hearing aids can and should be used under earmuffs.”

Technorati Tags: ear plugs, ear protection, earmuffs, hearing protectors

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCIDENT
Employee was working on a roof without any fall protection method employed. He fell 15 feet 7 inches head first and struck the asphalt below. He and another employee were moving 20 foot sections of angle iron away from the edge of the roof when he appeared to lose consciousness and fell over the edge.

ACCIDENT PREVENTION RECOMMENDATIONS
Implement a fall protection plan and discuss the different methods available to prevent an accident from occuring. Methods available are as follows: Guardrail systems or body harness and lanyards attached to the appropriate anchorage points.

Technorati Tags: anchor points, fall protection, harnesses

Polarized lenses offer a gray lens with a mirror coating.  The mirror eliminates the sun’s glare and keeps your eyes comfortable and relaxed.  A polarized lens only allows 12% visible light transmission.  Which is more protection than a simple gray or mirrored lens.

The best aspect of the polarized lens is its rich color spectrum.  Even though your eyes are protected, you can still see clearly.  You’ll finally be able to see the detail and glory of all ten pounds of Aunt Millie’s blush.

As you would assume, these lenses are for outdoor use.

Popular Polarized Examples:
Radians Cobalt Polarized
Orange County Choppers 300 Polarized

Technorati Tags: polarized safety glasses, Safety Glasses, wiley x

Nose Bridge: Connects the two lenses together and rests on the top of your nose.

Nose Piece: Refers to the piece of rubber or plastic that straddles the side of your nose.

So, now that you nose the difference, I never want to hear you make this eye protection mistake ever again.

Technorati Tags: eye protection, nose bridge, nose piece, Safety Glasses

I see it as something like a red hat society for men, but instead of using red hats they use hard hats.  So if you’re interested check them out.  I thought it would be something interesting to take a look at.  Nobody likes the guy that talks about safety all the time.

Technorati Tags: hard hat brotherhood, hard hats, safety

Yeah, that would be a pretty boring list, but you get the point.  Fall protection may be a pain in the ass sometimes, but breaking a bone hurts like a bitch.  So take this quick and simple reminder to stay healthy this year.

No one wants to break their coccyx, sphenoid, or vomer (those would be bones).

Technorati Tags: fall protection, reasons for fall protection, safety

The sun can burn your eyes, cause eyestrain and eye fatigue. Safety sunglasses protect against these dangers by allowing only 16% Visible Light Transmission.

Neither gray or mirrored lenses distort color.  So, you’ll see objects in natural color while maintaining depth perception.  Seeing things in natural color is important for identifying objects and avoiding hazards.  The main advantage mirrored safety glasses have over a gray lens is that the mirror coating reflects the sun back away from your eye.

Obviously with the sun blocking qualities, these safety glasses are ideal for outside work including:

Outside construction, arbor and landscaping work, utility work, municipal work, bicycling, sports, sun bathing, cruising for chicks, lawn work, and delivery work.

If you’ve been away from the safety game for any amount of time, make sure to check out some of the truly fashionable styles manufacturers are producing these days.

Technorati Tags: gray safety glasses, mirrored safety glasses, safety sunglasses

In the days of the old standards, a minimum lens thickness was required.  The old standard stated that a high impact lens must be at least 2 millimeters thick.  This was when size mattered.

Of course, due to the advancements in technology this standard is no longer necessary.  Let me put it this way, if the lens works it works.  Besides, if the powers that be invented a pair of safety glasses that met the high impact ratings out of saran wrap, does it really matter how thick the lens is?

I think we’re making progress.

Technorati Tags: ansi, ansi standards, Safety Glasses

Class A: These helmets are for general service. They provide good impact protection but limited voltage protection. They are used mainly in mining, building construction, shipbuilding, lumbering, and manufacturing.

Class B: Choose Class B helmets if your employees are engaged in electrical work. They protect against falling objects and high-voltage shock and burns.

Class C: Designed for comfort, these light-weight helmets offer limited protection. They protect workers from bumping against fixed objects but do not protect against falling objects or electric shock.

Technorati Tags: hard hat classes, hard hats, head protection

Rope Lanyard: Offers some elastic properties for all arrest; used for restraint purpose.

Web Lanyard: Ideal for restraint purposes where fall hazards are less than 2 feet.

Cable Positioning Lanyards: Designed for corrosive or excess heat environments and must be used in conjunction with shock absorbing devices.

Shock Absorbers: When used, the fall arresting force will be greatly reduced if a fall occurs.

There you have it, go forth and discover the options available at Snug Harness.

Technorati Tags: fall protection, lanyards, web lantards

For example, an anti-fog lens would be ideal for workers that move from freezers and air conditioning to factory floors and loading docks frequently.  Anti-fog lenses allow these workers to move between these areas of sudden temperature shift without removing their eye protection due to fogging.  Which of course increases compliance.

Another new innovation is FogTech.  This is a lens coating that you apply yourself, and it works like a charm.  In fact it works better than many of the pre-applied anti-fog coatings manufacturers apply.  So, if you’ve been trying different glasses, lenses, and manufacturers and you still can’t keep your eye protection from fogging, I’d recommend trying FogTech.

Technorati Tags: anti-fog safety glasses, fogtech, Safety Glasses

A basic impact lens must pass the “drop ball” test.  In this test a 1 inch steel ball is dropped on the lens from 50 inches.  A high impact lens must pass the “high velocity”  test.  In this test, ¼ inch steel balls are shot at the velocity of 150 feet per second at the lens.

The ANSI standard requires the level of protection to be printed on every pair of new safety glasses.

The basic impact safety glasses are marked with the manufacturers’ logo and a simple “Z87”.  For example, if I started selling my own safety glasses (still in production), and my company symbol was “F2K”, the marking on my glasses would read “F2K Z87”.

The high impact safety glasses are marked with the manufacturers’ logo and the “Z87” followed by a “+”.   Using my awesome company above, my high impact safety glasses would be marked with a “F2K Z87+”.

Hopefully, this explains the mystery markings on your safety glasses.

Technorati Tags: ansi, ansi standards, Safety Glasses

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCIDENT
The three workers arrived at the work site around 10:00 am. The workers then accessed the roof by means of a secured ladder to take up tar paper and prepare for the roofing job. They failed to install slide guards or use any other form of fall protection. The victim went onto the roof (6/12 pitch, and 17’ 7” from ground to eave) pulling his air hose and laying it out on the roof for his nail gun. During this process the victim lost his balance and fell onto the concrete patio below. The victim was transported via life flight to the local hospital and then was transported via life flight to a larger regional hospital where he later died from injuries sustained in the fall.

ACCIDENT PREVENTION RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Protect all employees who are engaged in residential style construction and working at elevation, by a guardrail system, personal fall arrest system, safety net system or slide guard system.
2. Ensure employees and subcontractors are properly trained on the use and operation of the previously mentioned systems, and are aware of hazardous conditions on the work site
3. Make provisions prior to the commencement of the job to provide prompt medical attention in the event of an injury. Workers had no procedures and no method to contact emergency response personnel. It took 45 minutes from the time of the fall to emergency personnel arrived on the scene.
4. When no infirmary, clinic, hospital or physician is reasonably accessible in terms of time and distance, the employer shall ensure that an employee is trained in First-Aid and CPR to administer emergency attention in the event of an accident.

Technorati Tags: construction accident, fall protection, ladder safety

Class 1: Body belts (single or double D-ring) are designed to restrain a person in a hazardous work position and to reduce the possibility of falls. They should not be used when fall potential exists; positioning only.

Class 2: Chest harnesses are used when there are only limited fall hazards (no vertical free fall hazard), or for retrieving persons such as removal of persons from a tank or a bin.

Class 3: Full body harnesses are designed to arrest the most severe free falls.

Class 4: Suspension belts are independent work supports used to suspend a worker, such as boatswain’s chairs or raising or lowering harnesses.

Technorati Tags: fall hazards, fall protecion classes, fall protection, harnesses

Bifocal safety glasses combine a polycarbonate (hard plastic) lens with essentially reading glasses.  This way you don’t need two pair of glasses to get the job done.  Most would assume that these glasses are great for individuals with ailing vision… and they are, but many people overlook the fact that these versatile glasses can also be used for detail work.

Now, when selecting a pair of bifocal safety glasses, it’s important to understand the diopters (magnifiers).  Commonly found ranging between 1.0 and 3.0 powers, it is important to remember that the higher the number the stronger the magnification.  So, if you need a little help… a 1.5 might work, and if you need things pretty big consider a 3.0.

Before, I wrap this up there are one additional note I want to make…  I have yet to hear of an entire lens that is magnified and I suspect that it’s a safety hazard.  If you’re interested, check out this selection of bifocal safety glasses.

Technorati Tags: bifocal safety glasses, cheaters safety glasses, readers safety glasses

A filtered lens is the most misunderstood lens of all.  It’s like Cousin Pete and his slurred speech.  Greenish in color, the filtered lens comes in a variety of different shades. The shades are numbered, with the most popular shades being 2.0, 3.0 and 5.0.  The highest numbered shades offer the most eye protection.

A filtered lens is worn for applications and environments where others are performing welding tasks such as torch brazing, torch soldering, gas welding and oxygen cutting.  These lenses also protect against UV and Infra Red radiation that occurs while working with molten metal.

A simple chart for the most popular shades and the most common uses can be found below:

IR 2.0 – Torch soldering
IR 3.0 – Torch soldering, torch brazing, and cutting
IR 5.0 – Torch brazing, cutting, and gas welding

Popular Filtered Examples:
Uvex Astro Spec 3.0 Filtered
Uvex Astro Spec 5.0 Filtered

Technorati Tags: filtered safety glasses, Safety Glasses, welding safety glasses

What do I consider a no-brainer? Well, it’s something that goes without saying. Such as having pretzels with beer, or watching Baywatch with your pants off. It just makes sense.

You know what else makes sense? The two training DVD’s that Snug Harness have available for free. Yep, you heard me right… Free. The only thing you pay is shipping. That’s a pretty sweet deal if you ask me. I have no idea how long this will be around so take advantage while you can. It’s a no brainer! You can get them HERE >>>

Technorati Tags: fall protection, fall protection training, snug harness

I mean seriously, how is this crap still happening? Everyone knows that fall hazards are the leading cause of workplace injuries and death right? Well they are.

The company was failing to provide fall protection for employees working 13 feet above ground. Why? Let’s get it together guys.

Even though Blame Someone Else Day has already passed, I’d like to say that in addition to the company, the employees climbing up without fall protection are just as much to blame.

Remember, you’re the only one looking out for yourself. Besides if you refuse to work without safety gear and they fire you, well then you can sue their asses. Point employee.

Technorati Tags: fall hazards, fall protection, osha

Guardian Beamer 2000 – This classic anchor fits over a horizontal beam and slides with you as you work. It’s extremely versatile and there are wide range of variants on the market.

French Creek Bolt Hole Girder Anchor – The Bolt Hole Anchor easily fits into pre-drilled holes on beams and works like a charm. Very easy installation.

Guardian Vertical Beamer – This anchor comes in handy when you don’t have a suitable horizontal anchor to tie off on. The Vertical Beamer clamps onto any vertical or diagonal beam.

Guardian Beamguard – The Beamguard allows you to create a complete horizontal lifeline system across a length of beam without too much obstruction.

So there you have it. Check out some of these great products. You never know, one of these may be the answer to all of your prayers.

Technorati Tags: beamer, fall protection, h beams, i beams

The lens is actually a clear lens with a mirrored coating.  The mirrored coating reflects sunlight and glare, which cuts down on eye fatigue and strain.  It provides protection in the sun, but because of its clear lens and the high amount of visible light that passes through, these safety glasses are effective inside as well.

The unique nature of this lens helps your eyes adjust when moving from a shaded area to a bright area and vice versa.  Without these this lens it’s like a punch in the face every time you went in and out.  Indoor/Outdoor lenses allows individuals to wear the same pair of safety glasses for indoor and outdoor applications.  The most important thing to remember is to make sure that the door is shut when the air conditioner is on.

The indoor/outdoor lens can be used for most applications, whether they’re inside or out. They work best for individuals moving from shade to direct sunlight and back again.  You know… people who have trouble making up their mind.

Popular Indoor/Outdoor Examples:
DeWalt Protector Indoor/Outdoor Safety Glasses
AO Safety Fuel Indoor/Outdoor Safety Glasses

Technorati Tags: eye protection, indoor/outdoor safety glasses, Safety Glasses

Anchor – You need something to stay strong if you should fall. These attach to anything that can hold 5,000 lbs. of force… Simple. You can get them to attach to wood, metal beams, concrete… hell even railroad tracks!

Connector – Whether it’s a lanyard or a retractable, your connector… um… connects you to the anchor. You can even get these things with shock packs to reduce the pressure on your body during a fall.

Harness – The harness connects your body to the lanyard/retractable. This way you’re not tying the lanyard around your neck and creating a noose. The harness evenly distributes the force of a fall throughout your body.

Rescue – You need to rescue yourself in case of a fall and a self rescue ladder, which attaches to the lanyard, can be the perfect solution. You need to get beck onto solid ground after you fall. There isn’t a lot of time…

So those are the components of a basic but complete personal fall protection system. Use this as a checklist and make sure you’re covered every time you venture above 6 feet.

Technorati Tags: fall protection, fall protection anchor, rescue ladder, safety harness

However with safety products it’s a completely different situation. Reading and better yet understanding the directions can make the difference between life and death or functioning and vegetable.

As trite and cliched as it may sound, it truly is better to be safe than sorry. That is unless of course you enjoy feeling guilty. Regardless, take the time to read the directions, and understand exactly how your safety equipment is supposed to be working.

If you know how it’s supposed to work, it will be easier to identify when something is amiss. Real Men Read Directions, especially if you buy a universal remote (those things are tricky bitches).

Technorati Tags: instruction manuals, reading directions, safety equipment

Technorati Tags: emergency sunglasses, how to, Safety Glasses

AO Safety Privo Amber Lens Safety Glasses >>

Blue Lens Safety Glasses:
A blue lens is used in semiconductor fabrication, photolithography, and similar industries where there are high levels of incandescent/ fluorescent lamps. They are effective in areas with high levels of yellow light, including sodium vapor lighting. So if you’re surrounded by yellow lights, or you want to reduce the glare from fluorescent lighting you might want to go with a blue lens.

Elvex Xenon Blue Lens Safety Glasses >>

Vermilion Lens Safety Glasses:
Another low light safety glass, the vermilion lens safety glass won’t provide as much contrast as an amber lens, but it still excels in this area while providing glare protection from fluorescent lights like a blue lens would. A vermilion lens also increases the visibility of target point sighting the red alignment or leading beam.

Uvex XC Vermilion Lens Safety Glasses >>

If you’ve used these lenses, let us know about it so we can showcase more options for using these versatile safety glasses. Just put your experiences in the comments section.

Technorati Tags: amber safety glasses, blue safety glasses, low light safety glasses, Safety Glasses, vermilion safety glasses

8. Yoko, you single handedly broke up The Beatles.
7. Umm…
6. Ah…

Okay that’s about all I’ve got. But remember, if you don’t take the extra effort to seek out, demand, and wear your safety gear, you have no one to blame but yourself. Even if the new guy at work really is a douche.

Technorati Tags: safet gear, safety, yoko ono

And, for those of you who didn’t know, if you’re running a job site where a head injury could occur you need to provide hart hats.  So to help you out, here are some guidelines…

1. Employers are responsible for ensuring that a safety helmet is worn on a construction site where:
* There is a possibility that a person may be struck on the head by a falling object.
* A person may strike their head against a fixed or protruding object.
* Accidental head contact may be made with electrical hazards.

2. Every person on a construction site should wear a safety helmet:
* Where there is a risk of a head injury.
* If required to do so by an employer and/or the person in control of the workplace.

Technorati Tags: hard hats, head injury, head protection

The funny thing in this equation is how inexpensive safety glasses are. It’s not like it’s some huge investment to make. A down payment on a house is an investment, a pair of safety glasses is like skipping one big mac.  Doesn’t seem to make sense does it?

I wish I was barking up a fake tree, but three out of every five injuries occurred when the injured wasn’t wearing eye protection. So eat it doubters… So from a purely fiscal viewpoint get some safety glasses. Especially if you’re an employer, I believe it’s the law and I wouldn’t want to be around when OSHA starts handing out the fines.

Technorati Tags: eye protection, eye safety, osha, Safety Glasses

A clear lens is ideal for indoor applications.   I’m not saying that you can’t use them outside, but they excel indoors. If you must wear them outside, take comfort.  Like most safety glasses, clear lenses can still provide 99.9% UV Protection.

The clear lens offers about 92% visual light transmission (VLT).  What does visual light transmission mean?  Visual light transmission as the amount of light that passes through an object.  92% means that it’s not stopping too much light.  If it’s bright outside and you wearing a clear lens, it’s going to seem bright.

What type of indoor applications would a clear lens be best for?  For example, you might use a clear lens for any of the following applications or environments:

Indoor construction, lab work, food processing facilities, American Gladiator competitions, light yard work, garage work, model airplane building, assembly work, factory work, and toe nail clipping.

Popular Clear Examples:
Radians Rad-Atac Clear
Elvex Elite Clear

Technorati Tags: ansi, eye protection, Safety Glasses

Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper, and Ritchie Valens died in a plane crash… make sense?

The thing that always strikes me about this story is that Buddy Holly only enjoyed his success for about a year and a half before it was all over. And in that time he wrote a plethora of influential hits, enough so that in 2004, Rolling Stones Magazine ranked Holly #13 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All-Time. It was all based on a year and half of work.

Which brings me around to my point, what if he didn’t die that February evening? More importantly, what would you miss out on if you died on the job. I’ll let you think about that for a little bit… Seems pretty stupid not to wear a harness huh?

Technorati Tags: buddy holly, fall protection, safety harness

The World of Concrete Convention is going on right now. Literally. Right now. Unless you’re reading this sometime after the 6th. Then, alas it has passed, but in celebration I thought I’d re-list the top 5 fall protection products for concrete…

5. SafeWaze SafeClaw Concrete Anchor (completely reusable and easy to install)
4. Guardian Pre-Cast Hallow Core Concrete Anchor (a nice solution for prefab building materials)
3. Guardian CB-18 Anchor (easily creates a horizontal lifeline system)
2. French Creek Concrete Anchor (a versatile anchor that’s economical)

Awkward drumroll please…..

1. Guardian 10K Concrete Anchor (it’s reusable, economical, and a 10,000 lb. anchor point.)

So to celebrate the World of Concrete, check out these innovative products and see if they can help you complete you next job. Let’s just pretend I was a booth at the show with scantily clad women draped over me. Yeah that’s it.

Technorati Tags: concrete anchors, fall protection, world of concrete

Judging by the way irony works in this world, the odds are extraordinary that the day you forget to put on your safety glasses or harness is the day you’ll get jabbed in the eye or fall. Think about it.

It only take one day, one hour, one nano-second for an accident to happen. I kind of like the idea of being boringly safe everyday and going home every night.

Of course in a similar note from Ground Hog Day, if you see your shadow don’t be startled and fall off a roof.

Technorati Tags: fall protection, Safety Glasses, safety harness

• Limit your exposure to cold, duh!
• Wear layers of loose, dry clothing
• Keep moving
• Cover your head, hands, feet, and face
• Take regular breaks in heated areas
• Know the symptoms of frostbite (Same goes for hypothermia)
• Act quickly if frostbite/hypothermia strikes (Get medical attention!)

These of course are just the basics.  For more detailed instructions head over here.  They’ve got a great list.

Technorati Tags: cold weather work, frostbite, hypothermia, safety tips

The most basic of course is Ear Plugs.  Ear plugs fit tightly into the ear canal, and in most cases are disposable.  The important thing to look for in ear plugs is fit.  If these little guys don’t close the ear canal then their use is limited.  And remember not to jam them too far into your ear.  That’s a good general rule for anything really.

Next we have Ear Canal Caps.  Ear canal caps minimally close the ear canal and are mounted on a headband for easy use.  They may be more comfortable, but in most cases aren’t as effective.

Finally, you’ve got Earmuffs.  Earmuffs are mounted on a head band and sit over the ear, and are generally more comfortable because they don’t enter the ear at all.  However, many workers can’t stand earmuffs in hot weather.  You can be the judge.  Some earmuffs even come with radios!  That last part was a bit random.

Well, those are your options for ear protection. Enjoy!

Technorati Tags: ear plugs, ear protection, earmuffs, hearing protection

We were recently informed that Snug Harnes and Safety Glasses Inc. both received and A+ from BBB Online.  That would be the Better Business Bureau.  Which is an agency that measures the quality of businesses for consumer protection, and not a well made dresser for businesses as I originally thought.

So to those fine sites we say congratulations, and keep up the good work selling the safety gear we frequently talk about.  Huzzah!

Technorati Tags: BBB Onlines, safety glasses inc., snug harness

• Ensure that workers who operate aerial lifts are properly trained in the safe use of the equipment.
• Maintain and operate elevating work platforms in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Never override hydraulic, mechanical, or electrical safety devices.
• Never move the equipment with workers in an elevated platform unless this is permitted by the manufacturer.
• Do not allow workers to position themselves between overhead hazards, such as joists and beams, and the rails of the basket. Movement of the lift could crush the worker(s).
• Maintain a minimum clearance of at least 10 feet, or 3 meters, away from the nearest overhead lines.
• Always treat powerlines, wires and other conductors as energized, even if they are down or appear to be insulated.
• Use a body harness or restraining belt with a lanyard attached to the boom or basket to prevent the worker(s) from being ejected or pulled from the basket.
• Set the brakes, and use wheel chocks when on an incline.
• Use outriggers, if provided.
• Do not exceed the load limits of the equipment. Allow for the combined weight of the worker, tools, and materials.

Technorati Tags: aerial lift safety, body harness, fall protection

Technorati Tags: idiots, ladder safety, ladders

In this time period 4,164 companies (including roofers, carpenters, general contractors, masons, and plumbers) were sited on Standard 19260501.

You don’t know what Standard 19260501 is?  It’s the “Duty To Have Fall Protection.”  That’s a lot of companies.  The kicker is that these companies all have 1-9 employees.  That sounds like a small business if I’ve ever heard of one.

So the 4,164 of the companies they inspected were cited.  The bad news is that there were more citations than companies meaning that some companies got more than one citation.  Could I say citation anymore?

Now, in case you’re wondering the fine total for just this standard eclipsed $5,106,754!  That’s an average fine of $1,226 per company.

So ask yourself.  Is $1,226 an expense you’d like to afford in a recession?  And if 4,164 companies were caught, how many companies did OSHA inspect?  Are you next on the list?  Be safe.

Technorati Tags: fall protection, osha, osha fines

French Creek Productions

Anywho, what’s so great about the Door Jamb Anchor besides its name?   Well, it’s a great temporary anchor that mounts in door jambs and window openings from 24″ to 43″ wide.  That is pretty damn convenient.  Especially during renovation work.  It can also be used for roof tops with elevator shafts and wall openings or in emergency and rescue situations.

If this sounds like something of interest to you, take a look.

Technorati Tags: door jamb anchor, fall protection, french creek production

What’s in it for you?  For one, you get to be a part of an awesome new adventure in the safety world on the information super highway.  The other thing, which may be more interesting to you, you’ll gain exposure to the business owners, safety coordinators, and construction workers that read this blog.  That’s a pretty good group of people get in touch with.  Anywho, if you’re interested please fill out our contact form and we’ll see what we can  do to get you set up as a contributing author.  It may just be the best business move you could make.

Technorati Tags: safety, safety consultants

1. The Vest Harness emerged as the best harness solution on the market.  Sure, it debuted more than a year ago, but 2008 was the first year that the vest harness began to establish some sort of dominance over the marketplace.  It single-handily combines everything you’d want from a harness, and I don’t see this freight train slowing down any time soon.

2.  Wiley X obliterated the bar on designing safety glasses that people would actually want to wear.  Gone are the days of using windshield sized plastic for eye protection.  It would seem that if people think their safety glasses look cool, they’re more likely to wear them.  A novel concept.  And kudos, to the gang at Wiley X for being innovative and introducing transition safety lenses.

3. Ladder safety became a bigger concern in 2008.  Sure, it’s always been an issue, but it would appear that this year OSHA and the gang realized how many average joes hurt themselves falling off ladders.  You don’t have to be building a multi-billion dollar structure to fall off of a ladder, and it’s nice to know steps and products are being made available for Joe the Plumber.

4. The Bucket of Safety is still the best all in one solution.  Another year, and no one has yet to top the novelty and simplicity of the bucket of safety.  It really doesn’t get much simpler than this.  I’m confident that the bucket of safety has single-handily increased compliance across the industry and put guys in harnesses that would have been naked (in safety terms) five years ago.

5.  People began to pay attention to rescue and retrieval this year.  It’s almost as if some one said, “Hey guys, we got all this crap to prevent people from plunging to their death, but what do we do when the jackass is just hanging there.”  As a result manufacturers began pumping out rescue equipment like crazy this year.  Which is a good thing.

Those are my defining insights from 2008.  What will you remember from the safety world this past year?

Technorati Tags: bucket of safety, fall protection, Safety Glasses, wiley x

To actually do the things we know we should be doing.  You know, listening to that little voice in our head that says,  “eh hem, excuse me mister, but you should be wearing safety glasses when you’re grinding metal and hacking apart drywall.”  Everyone has it.  I encourage you to actually listen to that little guy this year.

For the most part, you already know what we’re talking about on this blog.  You’re not learning anything earth shattering or mind boggling.  You know what you need to be doing, but time after time we ignore that little voice.  Listen.  He may save your life.

And to cheer you up, I’ve added a little joke to the end of this post.

“On New Year’s Eve, Marilyn stood up in the local pub and said that it was time to get ready. At the stroke of midnight, she wanted every husband to be standing next to the one person who made his life worth living.Well, it was kind of embarrassing.  As the clock struck – the bartender was almost crushed to death.”

Technorati Tags: safety, Safety Glasses

1.  People will continue to teach safety practices in the lamest and most outdated ways possible.

2.  Safety glasses may actually tip the scale, with fashionable glasses outweighing clunky obnoxious styles.

3.  Consumers will continue to order safety equipment online about three seconds before they need it.

4.  Guardian Fall Protection will invent a Jell-O Anchor.  Finally.

5.  People will continue to forgo ear protection and still hear that constant buzz.

6.  Fall Protection companies will keep making uncomfortable harnesses for next to nothing.

7.  Chainsaw Chaps will become fashionable for everyone, not just loggers, strippers, and the Village People.

8.  Wile E. Coyote will turn down a lucrative branding offer from Wiley X Safety Glasses.

9.  Some moron will tie off to the back of a pickup truck that will inevitably drive away.

10. Elvex will develop a hard hat with can holders on the side.

11. FogTech will find its way into the bedroom

12. The Bucket of Safety finally pop the question to Mr. Bucket.

Technorati Tags: chainsaw chaps, fall protection, guardian, Safety Glasses, wiley x

Anyway, as we start the new year, I thought I’d outline what we’ve got planned for the upcoming year.  We’ve changed our name, but we’re still planning on giving you the fun and educational post we’ve written in the past.  We’re also hoping to increase the number of authors and contributors while focusing on a slightly broader segment of the safety world.

Oh, and did I mention that we’re looking for more readers.  Hopefully this year will top out over the 13 mark.  So, here’s to a great 2009 stuck inside Safety Briefs.  I’m out.

Technorati Tags: safety, safety briefs

“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

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

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

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

• 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

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

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

In the safety industry such a fantastic pairing exists…  (barely audible drumroll) The Vest Harness.

Sure a harness does okay by itself, and the safety vest doesn’t have any major flaws, but when these two powers combine the force is awesome.  You combine the high visibility, pockets, and easy donning with a comfortable, easy to clean safety harness and you’ve got a match made in heaven.  Could it get any better?  Just to make sure we took a look at the top ten dynamic duos…

1.  The Vest Harness
2.  Batman & Robin
3.  Peanut Butter & Jelly
4.  Bifocal Safety Glasses
5.  Lone Ranger & Tonto
6.  Starsky & Hutch
7.  Laurel & Hardy
8.  Hall & Oates
9.  Beavis & Butthead
10. Captain & Tannille

Did we miss any classic duos?  Has a duo been inadvertently snubbed from the list?  Let us know in the comments.

Technorati Tags: batman & robin, safety bifocals, vest harness

Bright Ideas for Lights
* Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections, and throw out damaged sets.

* Use no more than three standard-size sets of lights per single extension cord.

* Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights, and a person touching a branch could be electrocuted.

* Before using lights outdoors, check labels to be sure they have been certified for outdoor use.

* Fasten outdoor lights securely to trees, house walls, or other firm supports to protect the lights from wind damage. Use insulated staples to hold strings in place, not nails or tacks. Or run strings of lights through hooks (available at hardware stores).

* Plug all outdoor electric decorations into circuits with ground fault circuit interrupters to avoid potential shocks.

* Turn off all lights when you go to bed or leave the house. The lights could short out and start a fire.

Got any other helpful tips?

Technorati Tags: christmas safety, safety

Technorati Tags: fall protection, snug harness

Technorati Tags: safety, simpsons safety posters, the simpsons

FEATURED ITEMS

Bifocal Safety Glasses

Harley Davidson Safety Glasses

Orange County Choppers Safety Glasses

John Deere Safety Gear

DeWalt Boots

Wiley X Safety Glasses

Technorati Tags: christmas gifts, Safety Glasses

* Use scaffolding based on manufacturer’s instructions.
* Do not mix scaffolds, frames and components from different manufacturers.
* Always place scaffolds on stable ground.
* Make sure to lock scaffold wheels when in use.
* Don’t use ladders on top of scaffolds to increase height.
* Remember to outfit all open ends of scaffold platforms with proper guardrails, midrails, and toeboards.
* Never work on scaffolding during strong winds or storms.
* Don’t use scaffolds as storage for tools or materials.
* Never move scaffolds while in use or occupied.
* Always wear a hard hat and sturdy, nonslip shoes when working on scaffolding.

Do you guys have any other tips we may have missed?  Or any handy tricks for that matter?

Technorati Tags: construction, safety tips, scaffold safety

So, what can you do to clean up your equipment for your next hot date job?  Well here are a few tips…

DO NOT put your crap in the washing machine!

Nylon or Polyester Fabrics (Harnesses & Lanyards)
Remove all surface dirt with a sponge dampened in plain water. Squeeze the sponge dry. Dip the sponge in a mild solution of water and commercial soap or detergent. Work up a thick lather with a vigorous back and forth motion; then wipe with a clean cloth. Hang freely to dry, but away from excessive heat.

Housing (Retractables)
Periodically clean the unit using a damp cloth and mild detergent. Towel dry.

Drying Your Gear (Everything)
Equipment should dry thoroughly without close exposure to heat, steam or long periods of sunlight.

Hopefully, this gave you a couple of ideas…  You no longer have to be the slob on the job, but don’t use a washing machine please.

Technorati Tags: cleaning fall protection, fall protection

One of them would be the Jacket Harness from Guardian.  It’s a harness inside a jacket.  There’s no straps to get tangled in, and it actually looks nice.  Not something I can say about a lot of harnesses.

Another nice option is a fleece liner for a tux harness.  This little item will add warmth to your harness on the coldest of days.  It certainly beats wearing a harness and another coat.  Why not combine the two?

How about a drawstring bag to carry all of your fall protection gear?  Lugging that crap around can be a pain in the ass.  I know you know.  Think about it.  It’s convenient.

Or what about a tool lanyard.  These things are awesome.  They basically keep your tools on their own miniature lanyard so you don’t drop your wrench 50 ft.  Not only is this dangerous, but climbing down from your workspace to pick up your wrench sucks.  It’s also cool having all of your tools in one space.

Finally, you can always get a new harness.  Now I’m not talking about a new chintzy dental floss harness.  I’m talking about a comfortable one.  Make the upgrade.  Especially, if you work in a harness all day.  Upgrade to an Edge Series, a Revolution, or Elevation harness.  You won’t regret it.

Looks like finding a nice fall protection gift for Christmas isn’t as weird as it seems. huh?  Tell your loved ones today.

What tools do you want this Christmas?

Technorati Tags: christmas, fall protection, harnesses

Many of you may use retractables or SRL’s on a daily basis, but are you really inspecting it?  Daily?  Do you even know what to be looking for?  Well, let’s give you a few pointers and get you on your way then…

1. Check the Housing
This would be the big blocky thing.  It “houses” the guts of the retractable.  You want to inspect it for loose fasteners and bent, cracked, worn, or damaged parts.  If you find any of these things… that’s bad.  Stop using it.

2. Examine the Lifeline
The lifeline is either the cable or webbing that winds up into the housing.  Pull out the lifeline and allow it to retract into the unit, if it does not retract do not use the unit. Then, inspect the lifeline for signs of damage such as frayed webbing, and corroded steel.  You know the drill.  If it’s jacked up, stop using it.

3. Test the Breaking Mechanism
This is what actually stops the lifeline in case of a fall, and it resides in the housing.  Test this by grabbing the lifeline above the impact indicator and apply a sharp pull downward to engage the brakes. The brakes should not slip, and if the brakes do not engage discontinue use.

4. Check the Load Impact Indicator.
This is a very simple step.  Retractables include a load indicator, which indicates if the retractable has been used in a fall.  This is a very obvious defect to spot.  Quite simply, do not use if the load indicator has been activated.  Done…

Now, those are the basics.  Unfortunately, this does not get you out of the manufacturer’s required two year service schedule.  If your retractable needs to be re-certified, you gotta do it.  Sorry.

Technorati Tags: fall protection, self retracting lifeline, srl

Creating a fall protection plan is essential to any company.  Especially if you like avoiding OSHA fines…  So we’ve compiled a helpful list of tips to help you create your own protection plan… Let’s go.

1. Understanding Regulations and Standards
The first thing you need to do is understand fall protection regulations and standards.  Trust us, we know this can be confusing due to the regulation bombardment in the industry.  However, we’ll give you a point in the right direction… http://www.osha.gov… they should be a pretty good source

2. Hazard Identification
The next thing you need to do is identify any fall hazards in the workplace.  According to OSHA if you spot a hazard you have two options… Eliminate the hazard or provide protection against it.  It’s best to eliminate it, but if that’s impossible, personal fall protection must be worn.

3. Written Fall Protection Plan
After you’ve identified all of the hazards on the job site, a written program should be prepared.  The plan should state what practices and steps should be taken to eliminate the hazard.  If the hazard is impossible to eliminate, then fall protection measures should be outlined.  Remember, this written report doesn’t need to be elaborate, but it needs cover the basics and to be understood by everyone working at the job site.

4. Product Selection
When the plan is complete, it is important to select the proper fall protection equipment.  Every situation is different, and fall protection manufacturers don’t know your situation.  It’s up to you to become familiar with products in order to select the best gear for your situation…  Or get some fall protection help.

5. Training
And finally, all workers need to be trained in properly using fall protection and in product maintenance.  They must also be able to identify potential hazards and what equipment to use for those hazards.

Now, that isn’t so hard is it?  Everyone should have a fall protection plan when hazards present themselves.  Seriously… You can do this.

Technorati Tags: fall protection, fall protection plan

The Problem: Harnesses are too damn tricky to put on.

The Solution: The Vest Harness…  Seriously it solves this problem in ways you can’t even imagine…

The Videos:

The PG Version

The PG-13 Version
(Not For The Easily Offended)

The Vote:

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Technorati Tags: fall protection, harnesses, snug harness

Before using any fall protection, inspect it.  If a bright red cord, or any red indicator is hanging out, don’t use that equipment.  It’s very simple.

Now, in case you didn’t know, most pieces of fall protection come with a fall indicator (primarily harnesses, lanyards, and retractables).  A fall indicator indicates when a piece of equipment has been involved in a fall.

In most cases this shouldn’t be an issue because when a fall indicator is visible it’s noticeable.  But in case you should happen to walk on an unfamiliar job site where you’re handed equipment, give it look over.  You can only trust yourself to make sure your fall indicator isn’t showing.

Technorati Tags: fall indicator, fall protection, lanyards

• Always inspect the ladder prior to using it. If the ladder is damaged, it must be removed from service and tagged until repaired or discarded.
• Be sure that all locks on an extension ladder are properly engaged.
• An extension or straight ladder used to access an elevated surface must extend at least 3 feet above the point of support.
• Use a ladder only on a stable and level surface, unless it has been secured (top or bottom) to prevent displacement.
• Do not place a ladder on boxes, barrels or other unstable bases to obtain additional height.
• Do not use a self-supporting ladder (e.g., step ladder) as a single ladder or in a partially closed position.
• Do not exceed the maximum load rating of a ladder. Be aware of the ladder’s load rating and of the weight it is supporting, including the weight of any tools or equipment.
• Do not use the top step/rung of a ladder as a step/rung unless it was designed for that purpose.
• Do not move or shift a ladder while a person or equipment is on the ladder.

So, seriously look these over, and re-look them over.  Have any tips we may have missed?

Technorati Tags: ladder safety, safety tips

Technorati Tags: christmas, fall protection, video

It works much like a child’s seat belt in a car.  If you pull it out slowly it will work fine, but if you jerk on it, the unit will seize up… Did that sound bad to you?  Let’s see how can I better explain this…

The unit will let out cable or webbing until you fall.  In the event of a fall the mechanics inside the retractable prevent any more cable or webbing from escaping the SRL‘s housing… preventing you from falling any further.

It is a fairly simple concept and works quite well.  They may be a bit more expensive than standard lanyards, but unlike a regular lanyard they can continue to used after a fall (with proper maintenance and service).

They may need to be inspected and serviced regularly, but they are a great long term investment. Do you like using retractables?

Technorati Tags: fall protection, self retracting lifeline, srls

The mating buckle involves two clumps that fit into each other much like intercourse…  Did I just say that?  There has to be a reason they’re named that right?  Anyway these are the low budget buckle options found on most basic harnesses

Tongue buckles have a cult fooling and they essentially work like any regular belt.  It has a tongue, grommets, and a little stick to put into the holes in the tongue… Mmmm… that came out wrong.  But you get the idea.

Finally, quick connect buckles are the fancy connectors on harnesses.  They are commonly found on the high end harnesses, largely due to the fact of how easy they are to buckle.  They work much like a car seatbelt and are extremely secure.

Well, that was simple.  Now you know, and we’re on the same page.  Some pictures for the still confused…

Technorati Tags: fall protection, harness buckles, quick connect buckles

So, what can you do?   First, suspension trauma isn’t that hard to combat.  There are several products available to help you in your quest.

The French Creek U-Res-Q:
This handy dandy is basically a lanyard with a little sack hanging to the side… uh… anyway, in the case of a fall, a little ladder pops out and the worker is able to rescue himself.

Tripod with Rescue Unit:
This is basically a tripod with a winch in order to lift a fallen worker.  Pretty simple… sorry.

SafeWaze Rescue Ladder:
This ladder is attached to an anchor point and thrown down to a fallen worker to climb.  Again, a very basic concept.

SafeWaze Rescue Step Safety Device:
This little sack is attached to a lanyard and is deployed by the fallen worker.  It isn’t a full ladder, but it allows the worker to step up and relieve pressure caused by suspension trauma.

So, which one is best… Mmmm… Well, it really depends on your unique situation.  However, I can tell you that you need to do something.  There’s nothing worse than knowing the harness did it’s job, but you didn’t do yours.

What do you use as rescue equipment?  Let us know!

Technorati Tags: fall protection, rescue equipment, suspension trauma

1. Scaffolding – 7,027 violations
2. Hazard Communication – 4,973 violations
3. Fall Protection – 4,797 violations
4. Respiratory Protection – 3,062 violations
5. Lockout/Tagout – 2,937 violations
6. Electrical – Wiring – 2,524 violations
7. Powered Industrial Trucks – 2,437 violations
8. Machine Guarding – General – 2,138 violations
9. Ladders – 2,135 violations
10. Electrical – General

Technorati Tags: osha, osha violations, safety

Now, I’m normally not a fan of seeing jacked up eyeballs, broken limbs, or serious burns… Actually, I’m still not.  Yet these videos are a chilling reminder to slow down, and pay attention.

They were released in Canada, and really do a fantastic job of hitting the point…  Again I want to warn you that these videos are a bit graphic and to watch at your own digression.  May not be suitable for children, Eskimos, and grandparents.  ENJOY!

Technorati Tags: public service announcements, safety, video

What you may not realize is how many different places you can put an anchor.  And if you weren’t aware, manufacturers now offer anchors for wood roofs, concrete roofs, concrete columns, steel beams, metal roofs… Hell, you can even get an anchor for railroad track!

Some of you may be saying to yourself, “No duh!”  Well, not everyone reading this blog is as well informed as you… But keep reading, you may learn something.

For example, there is an anchor designed specifically for standing seam roofs… It’s called the uh… Standing Seam Roof Clamp.

Guardian offers an anchor that works with pre-cast hollow core concrete. That one would be referred to the Pre-Cast Concrete Anchor.

And that railcar anchor… It’s called the Railmaster Anchor.

We know it’s easy to get in an anchor rut.  We, understand.  But take a look at the wide variety of fall protection anchors that are available, one of them just may make your next job a hell of a lot easier.

Technorati Tags: fall protection, fall protection anchors, guardian fall protection

One of the more unique items in the rescue line of fall equipment is the Thor Rescue 3D Retractable.  What make it so special?  It’s orange… And it’s perfectly suited for the laziest of jobsites.  Well, not exactly lazy, but it does take a huge amount of stress out of the situation.

How does it work?  How should I know.  I just think it has a cool name.  The Thor 3D.  Not only does it sound like a comic book, it sounds like a comic book I want to read.  Get on it Marvel!  I want a 3-D sledge hammer rocketing towards my face…

Actually, I do know how it works, and it’s awesome.  The Thor 3D works just like any other self retractable lanyard at first.  The only difference is after the fall, this handy retractable lowers the fallen worker to the ground.  Now, that is handy.  No one else needs to be involved in the rescue until the worker reaches the next ground level.  I like the idea of not having workers clumsily hanging over the edge trying to lift up another employee.  That spells disaster.

In a final bit of information for you anal retentive tech nuts, the retractable lowers the worker at the rate of 3 feet per second after the fall so there is no risk of suspension trauma.

If rescue equipment has been a concern for your company you might want to take a look at this retractable and keep an eye for the new Comic Book I’ll be submitting to Marvel. Oh, and if you’ve happened to use this retractable in the past let us know what you thought.

Technorati Tags: fall protection, self retracting lifeline, srl, thor 3d retractable

First, by referring to lanyard hooks, I am referring to the hooks at the ends of your lanyard.  Second, there are two main varieties of lanyards hooks.  They are… Rebar hooks and snap hooks.

Onto the snap hooks… Snap hooks are your everyday run of the mill hooks.  These are standard, and consist of a dual or triple action release.  What does that mean?  It means that it’s pretty damn hard to accidentally unlock.  I’m fairly confident you know what I’m talking about here.

Moving on to the rebar hooks.  If you work in concrete with rebar construction, you know exactly what I’m talking about.  A rebar hook is a bit larger, and looks like Captain Hook’s hook.  These also come with a dual or triple lock, which prevents accidental opening.  So, what do they attach to?  Well… Rebar, and other anchor points that may be difficult to attach to.  These are very common in the dual leg variety of lanyard which allows a worker to be 100 percent tied off.

I hope we’ve shed a little bit of light on these doo-hickeys.  And if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to put them in the comments.  Talk to you later.

Technorati Tags: fall protection, lanyards, rebar hooks, snap hooks

Unfortunately, fatal falls managed to increase… again.  Yep they shot up, when other workplace accidents went down.  So, what’s the deal?

I assume if you read our blog on any sort regular basis, you apparently have some regard for safety.  Thank you. You also probably haven’t been killed in a fatal fall either.  Congratulations.  Are there really that many people who don’t value their lives?  I’m just having trouble wrapping my brain around this mess, and I just can’t figure it out.  It’s almost like tracking Oprah’s weight… Nearly Impossible.

I suspect that too many construction workers are in a hurry.  Whether it’s to finish a project on a deadline or wanting to get home to family, workers need to slow down.

So let’s have that be a motto from now on along with “Illiteracy is Nothing to Laugh About.”  Let’s add this handy catch phrase… “Slow Down and Get the Job Done Properly, There is No Replacement for Your Life, Arms, Legs, or Any Appendage Really.  Just Don’t Be Stupid.”

P.S.  There was also an increase in workplace homicides.  I don’t know what that’s about, but just treat people nicer.

Technorati Tags: fall protection, fatal falls, safety

Solution:  Let those sad sacks rescue themselves.

It’s actually possible now with the U-Res-Q from French Creek.  The U-Res-Q is essentially a lanyard.  But in this case, a very special lanyard.  Why so special?  Well, this magical lanyard has a little sack on it.  And in that sack, nuts a collapsible ladder.

Yes, a collapsible ladder that allows the fallen worker to rescue themselves and relieve suspension trauma almost immediately.

As you can see this is pretty handy device, and a very economic solution.  Now if rescue is a concern for you, you may want to investigate this fall protection product.  It certainly provides a quick and convenient option.

We do have one disclaimer though.  Even with this product you sill need to have a rescue plan in place.  Why? Well, what happens if the fallen worker is knocked unconscious before or after the fall.  It’s pretty difficult for an unconscious man to rescue himself, even if he is really strong.  Just something to think about.

Technorati Tags: fall protection, french creek, rescu equipment

Passive fall protection consists primarily of guardrails and warning lines.    What does that mean?  Well, it pretty much means that workers are prevented from reaching the working edge of construction.  Essentially, someone would have to jump over a guardrail to get near the edge, which is just stupid.

Active fall protection consists of the entire harness, lanyard, and anchor contraption.  You can work near the edge of construction, and there is serious risk that a worker could fall.

That is really about it.  I know it’s not super complicated, but it is an issue that comes up fairly frequently. And we certainly don’t want you to get caught off guard if it should reveal itself in conversation.  Knowledge is power… So blackmail away?  Maybe not.

Technorati Tags: active fall protection, fall protection, passive fall protection

5. Guardian Deluxe Seraph Harness
4. Safewaze AirFlex Harness
3. Miller Revolution Harness
2. Safewaze Elevation Harness
1. Guardian Edge Series Construction Harness

Technorati Tags: fall protection, guardian, safety harnesses

Actually, we just so happen to think that this product is capable of solving most of the construction world’s problems…

It’s such a simple solution.  You get everything you need for a complete fall arrest system in a single bucket.  It doesn’t get much easier than that.

If you only need fall protection for one job, this is a perfect kit.  If you have a rotating crew of workers, this is a perfect kit.  If you work at heights everyday of your life, this kit can be perfect for you.

It’s low cost, and low in fat.  It just makes sense.  If you haven’t really investigated this product, take some time to look it over.  It may just be the quickest solution.  Take a Look…

Technorati Tags: bucket of safety, fall arrest system, fall protection

Sure, comfortable harnesses may cost more, but I can almost guarantee that those costs with be recouped in productivity.  Think about how much time is spent fidgeting and complaining about comfortable harnesses?  I rest my case.

We know the cost is a little higher, but you can’t think about the up front costs in this situation.  More important than productivity, is compliance.  If a safety harness feels like wearing a dental floss thong, who wants to wear it?  I don’t care how important safety seems before you put a harness on, if your harness digs into your skin and prevents you from effectively carrying out your job, you’ll take it off.  Trust me.  It happens.

Take some time to re-evaluate the harness your putting out there, and take a look at our most popular and comfortable harnesses… It may effect your bottom line in a good way!

Technorati Tags: fall protection, fall protection harnesses, safety harnesses

It’s a private non-profit organization that oversees the development of voluntary standards for products, services, processes, systems, and personnel in the U.S.

What a bunch of mumbo jumbo.   Here’s the thing.  Or at least what you need to know.  ANSI is completely voluntary.  A manufacturer does not have to get ANSI approval, but then again it doesn’t really help them because these standards are so ingrained in the safety industry that it would be dumb not to.

ANSI makes it’s biggest impression on the safety glasses industry and high visibility gear.  For example, they make sure that safety eyewear is constructed to specifications to ensure maximum protection.

I guess the breakdown is this.  ANSI doesn’t play a huge part with OSHA, but they have a pretty big reach so it is in your best interest to use ANSI approved equipment when available… Nuff said.

Technorati Tags: ansi, osha, safety

This is a common issue in the construction world.  Each job offers unique challenges and far too often workers opt to do nothing rather than investigate the problem.  They cut corners and determine this is the one time, if they hurry up and just get it done, they don’t really need fall protection.

If you’re having any trouble determining the best anchor to be using, where to put the anchor, what lanyard will work, or what safety harness will do, talk to the folks at Snug Harness… Especially Luke.

No one knows more than us about the lack of fall protection knowledge online.  So, if you’ve got an issue that pops up, (that’s what she said) don’t waste your time trying to find someone online with your exact situation.  Call Luke toll free at 888-549-1700.  And get your issue solved now.  Don’t wing it… (that’s what she said)  But seriously, don’t.

Technorati Tags: fall protection, safety harness, snug harness

But before I dive in, these are both forms of Active Fall Protection which involves wearing a harness, as opposed to Passive Fall Protection which involves guardrails and warning lines…  Anywho

Fall Arrest refers to situations when it’s possible for the worker to actually fall.  Meaning that you need a shock absorbing lanyard and some sort of rescue system.  If you’re in fall arrest environment, and you slip, fall, and roll down the roof, you will fall off.  It’s almost like a bungee jump.  I hope that makes sense…

Fall Restraint on the other hand describes a situation when your lanyard or retractable doesn’t allow you to physically reach the edge of the roof.  It’s impossible.  Fall restraint is more like being on a leash, which can be very fun in some situations.  Why must you guys always go blue?  I was implying that while restrained, you don’t have to worry about getting falling off.

So, there you have it.  Fall arrest allows you to dangle while fall restraint keeps you from getting to the action.  I also think it’s fair to say now that you have no right to screw these two very very, almost identical phrases up.

Technorati Tags: fall arrest, fall protection, fall restraint

It’s come to my attention that a fairly common activity is for people working on existing roofs to tie off to either a big tree or a nearby truck on the other side of the house.

I can’t believe I’m writing this.  I’m laughing right now.   Not now, but just before now.

Please don’t attempt this.  Seriously.  Unless you’re a tree hugger, or a tree scientist, you don’t know if that limb can support you.  If there’s one thing we can learn about nature… “Don’t trust it.”  It’s not worth the risk.

In the same vain.  We have heard stories of people who have wisely tied off to a pick-up truck, and said pick up truck drove away.  Not only DO you fall off the roof(the very thing you were trying to prevent), you get to enjoy a pleasure ride down the road until someone notices your limp body flailing behind the truck.

Please do not attempt either of these half-assed attempts at fall protection.  And if this crosses your mind as the only feasible option available, call Luke.  Not only will he talk you down from your fragile state, he’ll have some hand recommendations as well… Call Luke toll free at 888-549-1700.

Technorati Tags: fall protection, falling, tie off procedures