I hear you’re the fall protection expert who’s in the know. Here’s my question for you:
Can I install the anchor points over my roof shingles?

Sincerely,
Ted

This is a common question I get asked all the time and here’s  the answer in a nutshell:

You must secure the anchor directly to the surface of what it is approved for.

Now here’s the reason why:  It all goes back to when manufacturers test the anchors. Manufacturers do their pull out tests on what they approve it for. For example, if they approve their anchor for 3/4″ plywood. What they’re going to do is attach the anchor directly to the Plywood and do the testing and see if it holds up. (I am just simplifying what actually goes on) They approve it.  So now, if you take and put a shingle in between the anchor and the plywood you are changing the parameters and creating a totally different test because the shingle creates a gap that can change the results. Therefore it is not approved to do this in the field.

Why don’t they test it with shingles and see if it holds up? Great questions – it’s because there are so many different roofing materials out there that would make it near impossible to test for everyone. And there is a huge liability by allowing the workers to install these in the field this way – too many different variables means too many risks in these situations.

Technorati Tags: anchor points, fall protection, fall safety advice

Wearing his harness. Safe - right?

Hmmmm, lets see where the anchor point is....

I have been going through photos people have sent in to me or great photos that photographers have allowed me to share on this site. I am re-posting my favorites over the next couple months.

The ones I am sharing today are from Kevin (an Aussie transplant working in China) who took these photos of the ac repair men. Notice from the first photo how high up they are and then check out the other photo. Notice any problems?

Secure anchor points are the most critical component when using fall arrest equipment.

Technorati Tags: fall harness equipment, workplace safety

Today OSHA has proposed $70,000 in fines (for one willful violation), citing a failure to protect workers from falls. The company was also cited for the same violation in 2007 but failed to remedy the situation. OSHA defines a willful violation as, “one committed with plain indifference to or intentional disregard for employee safety and health.” and gives the company, “15 days to comply, request a conference with OSHA officials, or contest the ruling and fine.”

Detailed information about fall hazards and safeguards is available on OSHA’s Web site at http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/fallprotection/construction.html.

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

This question is often asked. I’ve seen harness that needed to be disposed after one year and others that are in great condition after a decade. Here’s what you need to know:

Most fall protection companies use the ANSI standard and the five year life as a guideline. This is only a guideline. You must inspect your harness and follow the maintenance guidelines that go with the harness. Do you see damage? Has it been left out in the elements? Has it been exposed to chemicals or intense heat? How it’s taken care of may shorten it’s life. Good care and maintenance may extend it (store at room temperature away from chemicals, moisture, and ultra-violet light). Your harness and lanyards should have instructions for their use, inspection and cleaning. Check it out.

Fall protection companies require that, “all fall protection products to be visually inspected prior to use and regularly inspected by a ‘Competent Person’, such as defined by OSHA or CSA.”

Technorati Tags: fall harness, fall protection question

There are costs (fines, injuries, lives) to not following rules. Interestingly, the blogger chat about this company was mostly about short cuts. Shorts cuts in building and short cuts in protecting employees. It will be interesting to see what happens.**

**All companies, after receiving a citation and proposed penalties, have 15 business days to either comply, meet with OSHA or contest the findings.

Technorati Tags: osha fines, osha violations

In a nutshell, that is where your body best takes the load in a free fall without doing internal damage. Many people do not understand that just because a harness has d-rings on the side you can never be solely attached to those -they are used for positioning. If you did take a fall while just being connected to one of those rings, it could potentially snap your back. Ouch.

Technorati Tags: d-rings, fall protection questions

Let us know if it’s useful or about your favorite free resources. We like to pass them on.
Be Safe!

Technorati Tags: workplace safety, workplace safety resources, workplace training resources

If you’re interested in details then check out the link (see below)and read the synopsis or watch short clips of the videos. To get the safety training video from their library there is a contact number where you order what you want.

Snug Harness, a fall protection safety company, also offers safety training videos for free. You only pay for shipping (under $4.00 I believe) and they will send you a DVD that you can keep. Currently they have two training videos listed, Rescue and Retrieval and ABC’s of Fall Protection. And as always, they add their own brand of spice to their videos.

If you could request a certain type of training video, what would it be?

MSHA resources: www.msha.gov/Streaming/SafetyHealthClips.asp

Technorati Tags: fall protection DVDs, fall protection training, MSHA, workplace safety training

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

Allegedly, workers were exposed to a 50 ft fall while working without fall protection on a building’s roof. Workers are required to use fall protection when working at heights of 6 ft or greater.

$70,000 is a pretty steep fine until one ponders the consequences of an injury or death from a fall – workman’s comp, insurance or lawsuits. Yep, that gets pricy. And when one considers that falls are the number one cause of death in construction work, well, put the pieces together -spend the time and money on fall protection.

Technorati Tags: fall protection, osha, osha fines

So you’re 300 ft up from the ground working on a wind turbine. You may be up for 30 minutes or up for 8 hours. You would be crazy not to have a fall harness that is comfortable. (Okay –if you’re 300 ft in the air you already are a little crazy –right?)

So I asked Larry Board, Wind Technology Boot Camp Instructor, about the type of protection he used and recommended. He prefers and uses DBI-Sala ExoFit Harness. The ExoFit harness is more expensive than many harnesses on the market but you’re investing in comfort and fit. He thinks it’s worth it to spend more.

I liken it to buying $20 high heels or the $50 pair of heels. Any women knows that if you plan on wearing heels more than 30 minutes you buy the higher quality pair. They both may get the job done, but only one makes it much easier to focus on the job itself.  A day in cheap heals will make you cranky.

Other comfy harnesses for those up in the air regularly:

• Ultra Safe’s Ultra Pillow Harness
• Guardian’s Vest Harnesses
• DBI-Sala Exofit harness
• Guardian Monster Edge Harness (won design award!)

Technorati Tags: fall harness, fall protection comfort, wind industry safety

A recent discussion group on an online safety site was discussing passive and active fall protection. Safety experts weighed in on their preferences between the two.

First of all, for those of you who need a quick 101 in fall protection, follow along. An example of Passive Fall Protection Systems would be guardrail safety rails, netting or warning lines. It doesn’t require active participation from workers. Active fall protection would be fall harnesses, lanyards, horizontal lifelines, trolley systems and fixed point anchors.

The overwhelming majority of these safety professionals preferred passive systems when it was cost efficient (and you were able to do so) because the less one has to rely on operator, the better. There are so many more opportunities to screw things up when you throw a human into the mix.

Technorati Tags: active fall protection, fall protection systems, guardrails, horizontal lifelines

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

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

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

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

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

It didn’t matter that I had a life jacket on or that I was a great swimmer (at the time I was swimming for a University). Sometimes, no matter how you prepare, stuff happens. I was lucky that day.

That’s why it’s important to have a Rescue Plan in place so “near misses” don’t turn into something worse. Be it a fall protection rescue ladder, a controlled descent device or another choice – Having a plan in place can make all the difference.

Technorati Tags: controlled descent, fall protection, rescue plan

For instance. If you are a painter, you generally only paint with one arm so you do not need Fall Protection. If you do siding. There are times when you need both hand to perform your work. That means that you have to attach an overhead anchor, use a shock pack lanyard, and a harness.

A lot of people have the concern that they are only 4′ up on a ladder and if they are using a 6 foot lanyard. If they fall they will hit the ground anyways. In these instances you will need to use a retractable. They lock up in less than 18 inches. That should stop you before your feet hit the ground.

Also. Always remember the 4:1 ladder rule. For every 4 feet of ladder you are using. The base of the ladder has to be a foot away from the foundation.

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

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

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

That brings me to Marcia from Lazy MJ Ranch. She bought her first safety harness, SafeWaze SafeLight, at the age of 60. She liked it so much she bought another one. Said that the “good quality and reasonable price was a great combination for a do-it-yourselfer” like her.

That’s Marcia in the picture on top of the dome hut she and her husband are building on their ranch. They also built a Quonset hut shop but regretted the less than stellar harnesses they had for that project.

I want to be Marcia when I grow up – a fearless adventuress who is smart about safety.

Technorati Tags: fall protection, safewaze safelight, women fall protection

• 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

It means you’ll have more freedom of movement and feel less restricted – two really great things.  And not having to deal with slack (when close to your anchor point) getting caught in your bolt bags is awesome too.

Check it out HERE or talk to Luke to see if being a Super Hero will work for you!

**Eliminates slack the regular 6’ lanyards have.

Disclaimer: If, for any reason, you feel the need to leap tall buildings or web climb walls, we are not responsible.

Technorati Tags: fall protection, miller fall protection, miller twin tubo system

“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

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

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

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

• 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

Solutions:

• Consider using aerial lifts or elevated platforms to provide safer elevated working surfaces;
• Erect guardrail systems with toeboards and warning lines or install control line systems to protect workers near the edges of floors and roofs;
• Cover floor holes; and/or
• Use safety net systems or personal fall arrest systems (body harnesses).

Resource:
OSHA’s Worker Safety Series, Construction – Pocket Guide

Technorati Tags: fall protection, harnesses, warning lines

* 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

Okay, let’s start with the bad news and end with the good.

The bad news?  Vest harnesses don’t come in pink. Sorry, but no. So you ladies and metrosexuals out there, it’s not going to happen.

The good news? Where do I begin!?

The vest harnesses are so convenient and comfortable. With the added bonus that they don’t make you swear like a sailor when you try to put them on. You know what I am talking about Mr. Potty Mouth – where did you learn words like that?  Seriously, regular harnesses can annoy the hell out of anyone. But these vest harnesses? Well it’s a whole new level of satisfaction. Some of them even have multiple pockets. For tools, snacks, cell phones and lip gloss. Who can resist this kind of satisfaction?

This week I decided to model some samples and I was thrilled by the fit and feel. And just between you and me, they are much more attractive to wear than regular harnesses.

There are so many styles to choose from – vest or jacket, camo, flotation, high visibility and an assortment of colors. My personal favorites are the Guardian Jacket Tux Harness and the Guardian Green Mesh TuxVest Harness .  I like the green one for the superficial reason that I look good in green. So sue me. Nothing wrong with looking good, feeling comfortable, and being safe.

Can you handle more good news? Your wife is going to love this! (I guess that’s a little sexist to say – sorry) They’re washable! Yep, throw them in the washer. Really, you don’t have to disassemble anything. The WHOLE thing can go in the wash. I asked numerous times and they kept giving me the same answer. YES! Your stinky- I mean, manly smell is gone.

Technorati Tags: fall protection, tux harnesses, vest harnesses

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

Reminders are good – they keep us from becoming complacent. So with that in mind, the following is an excerpt of a posting from Tower Times that shares an older-timer’s mistake that he lived to warn others about.

“I had the good fortune to visit with a retired professional climber in 1994…  He was an older guy who quit his career after a fall. [He] spotted us at work and stopped by to see what we were doing (can’t get it out of our blood, I guess).We talked for a while.  I ALWAYS  try and learn from other peoples’ mistakes, here was his mistake…

As we all know, on a tower, you have to disconnect and reconnect your main lanyard time after time after time.  This fellow was in a hurry, and when he re-attached, it was mistakenly to the shank of a large tool, and not the big belt ring as he thought.  He leaned back and they were calling the ambulance. We should all be glad he lived to tell this story.

Anyway, whenever I reattach, before I unattached the above mentioned double protection, I visually inspect my main lanyard to assure it is attached to my belt on both ends. Thank God I got smarter as I got older.”

Technorati Tags: dual leg lanyards, fall protection, lanyards

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

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

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

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

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

In case you didn’t know.  OSHA required this point to support 5,000 lbs. of force.  Well, holy hell! I know it seems crazy.  Your heaviest guy doesn’t even weight that much and you have some ginormous dudes on your crew.

Well, it doesn’t matter.  Yep, it doesn’t matter.  It’s the law.  The Occupational Safety and Health Administration Law.

So what does this mean to you?  Well, for one make sure to follow all of the directions included with any anchor you purchase.  Also if you have existing construction or weird applications you may need to bring in an engineer to scope out the situation.

Yes, that can be a pain in the ass, but so is dying.  It aslo doesn’t feel good when it’s your fault.  If you’re unsure get it checked, and seriously read the directions.  You’d be surprised how most of them answer your questions directly.

This isn’t a model plane, it’s your life.  If your model plane looks like a ball of glue it only hurts is your pride and self esteem, I wish I could say the same for fall protection anchors.

Technorati Tags: anchor point, fall protection, osha

With that in mind, we’re taking a look at Guardian’s Horizontal Rope Lifeline Kit.

Now, let’s talk some features to get any fall protection nerd excited.  For example, this kit includes 100 ft. of rope.  That’s a pretty long rope in a situation where size does indeed matter.

The kit also includes all of the required accoutrements you need to make a fully functioning lifeline system, even a rope tensioner to make sure the limp rope stays taught.  Pretty darn fancy eh?

And for those of you that still think that cable is better, this rope lifeline system accommodates a two worker system.

And a carrying case!

Okay, the carrying case isn’t that big of a deal, but it’s still nice.  Trying to carry 100 feet of rope can be… um… tricky.

Hopefully, you’ve been awoken to the hidden potentials of a horizontal rope lifeline, including the awesome cost savings.  So, please at least give a look at Guardian’s Horizontal Rope Lifeline System.

You can also check out some more lifeline kits if you’d like.   For our full collection…

Come on people give rope another chance!  And let us now about your experiences working with rope lifelines…

Technorati Tags: fall protection, lifelines, rope lifeline

However, if you happen to work in an environment with machines that grab loose clothing and mess you up do some damage, you may want to consider a break-away style hi-vis vest.  An example of this would be a wood chipper, or your sink’s garbage disposal.  If you’re going to be directing traffic all day, you may not need one.

However, it doesn’t hurt.  Having a break-away vest is not going to be a bad investment if you happen to get one.

The only time we would recommend not getting one is if you have portly gentleman on your crew that wants to rip the vest off everyday after his shift. ugh.

On a side note, a break-away high visibility vest is an ideal costume for a  stripping construction worker. Dudes need not apply.

Technorati Tags: break away vest, hi vis vest, high visibility, safety

It all depends on your situation, which includes the work environment and risk involved.

Before selecting your color, take a look at the environment around you. Are you in a rural or urban setting?  Is there heavy foliage or desert around you?  Another thing to take a look at is the work zone devices and equipment around you. Is it yellow or orange?  Have you ever seen a grown man naked?

Ultimately, you need to ask yourself these questions and select the color safety vest that is going to make a worker look fabulous stand out the most. Which color provides the most contrast from the environment?

Unfortunately, there is no hard and fast rule for this selection process. However, keep in mind that if a worker doesn’t stand apart from his environment and gets destroyed hit, the high visibility safety vest you bought was a waste of money. Choose wisely.

Technorati Tags: hi vis vest, safety gear, safety vest

This handy little item is completely temporary, reusable, and recyclable.  Yep, it’s completely portable, which is definitely a nice feature to have in this economy.  There’s nothing worse than having to buy new anchors every time a new job comes up.  In fact I’m quite sure that’s one of the factors that contributes to fall protection non-compliance, but I digress.

The girder anchor is meant to be used overhead and quickly installs into pre-drilled rivet holes on beams.  And when I say quickly, I mean it.  You squeeze the end and it slides right in…. uh…. anywho.

Another awesome feature of this bad boy?  It plays well with horizontal lifeline systems, and should work with equipment you already have.  Oh an for you technical nerds, the anchor fits in a 3/4″ – 1 1/4″ hole diameter and meets all applicable OSHA Standards.

And for the pricers out there, this is a great value.  Trust us.  You’re wasting your money if you’re paying for a glassy metal work of art.

(On a side note, the picture is very deceiving. From that picture it looks like a plastic key to a set of toy handcuffs.  It’s much more substantial, and is sure to impress.  After all, it can support a body.)

So, if you work in the steel industry, this might just be the anchor for you.  I hope you’ve enjoyed this look at the French Creek Bolt Hole Girder Anchor. If you need other anchors for steel construction, take a look at some of these steel anchor products.

Oh, make sure to let us know what anchors you use in the field of steel construction.  What do you like best?

Technorati Tags: bolt hole anchors, fall protection, girder anchors

Finally onto ANSI Class 3…

Class 3 High Visibility safety garments are never supposed to be attractive vests.  In fact Class 3 garments are meant to be at least a t-shirt, as well as jackets, coveralls, or rain suits.  These are highly reflective garments that are meant for the most dangerous of situations where visibility is of grave importance.

A Class 3 garment is to have 1240 square inches of visible background material, which can consist of either fluorescent yellow-green, fluorescent orange-red, hot pink, and fluorescent red.  In addition to the visible background, a Class 3 safety garment must have 310 square inches of visible reflective material which must have a minimum width of 2 inches.  You can wake up now.

A Class 3 safety garment is to be used with complex work backgrounds, when workers are working at great distances and must be identified as a person. Class 3 garments are also to be used in extreme weather conditions.  For example, a Class 3 garment is ideal for emergency response, utility workers, roadway personnel, and survey crews.

Well, there you have it, our complete rundown of the three ANSI classes for reflective safety gear.  Hopefully, this will help you determine what class you should be using to stay safe. Remember, there’s a difference between the classes.

Technorati Tags: ansi, high visibility vest, safety vest

Onto ANSI Class 2…

Class 2 garments are intended to be t-shirts and vests, anything less would be a bra.  Remember, no matter how bright a bra may be, it should never be worn for reflective safety.

A Class 2 vest should have 775 square inches of visible background material, which can consist of either fluorescent yellow-green, fluorescent orange-red and fluorescent red.  In addition to the visible background, a Class 2 safety vest must have 201 square inches of visible reflective material which must have a minimum width of 1.375 inches.  Holy technical mumbo-jumbo Batman!

The Class 2 safety vest is the ANSI whore most common class and is used in riskier situations than the Class 1 flavor.  A Class 2 safety vest is to be used with complex work backgrounds, when the weather is inclement and requires higher visibility, and while working in close proximity to vehicles traveling at 25 mph or higher.  For example, a Class 2 vest is ideal for forestry, ship cargo work, roadway construction, airport baggage/ground crew, emergency response, and pigs law enforcement.

There you go, check back to learn about class 3 garments…

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Onto ANSI Class 1…

Class 1 & 2 vests are intended to be t-shirts and vests, anything less would be a bra.  Remember, no matter how bright a bra may be, it should never be worn for reflective safety.

A Class 1 vest should have 217 square inches of visible background material, which can consist of either fluorescent yellow-green, fluorescent orange-red and fluorescent red. In addition to the visible background, a Class 1 safety vest must have 155 square inches of visible reflective material which must have a minimum width of 1 inch.  How’s your mind?  Is it blown?

A Class 1 safety vest is to be used with non complex work backgrounds, when a the worker is separated from traffic, and that traffic is traveling under 25 mph. For example, a Class 1 vest is ideal for parking lot attendants, roadside “right of way” or sidewalk maintenance workers.

Here’s the thing though… We recommend going up to a Class 2 no matter what.  The class jump will not only increase you visibility, but it won’t hurt your wallet because a price jump is virtually non-existent.

There you go, keep checking back to learn about class 2 and 3 or subscribe to our feed…

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1.  Release All Buckles: The first thing you want do is release all of the buckles.  Nothing makes it harder to see how a fall protection harness should go on when half of the buckles are buckled and the rest are swaying in the wind.  So, release of the buckle, it’ll save you a ton of confusion shortly.

2.  Hold By Dorsal D-Ring: Next grab the dorsal d-ring on your harness.  This would be the giant ring that looks like… well the letter “D.”  This is what will eventually go on your back and attach to your lanyard or  SRL.   Anyway, grab  the dorsal d-ring and shake the harness.  All of the straps and buckles should untangle and hang down.  This makes it easier to see the structure of the harness, and that saves headaches, just like Bayer Aspirin.

3.  Slide Into Shoulder Straps: After you’ve shaken the harness from the dorsal d-ring you should be able to see the shoulder straps branching off.  All you need to do is slide into those, almost like putting on a jacket.  Once the shoulder straps are over your shoulder make sure that there are no tangles in the webbing from the d-ring.  These tangles could cause serious problems later, so make sure the straps are laying flat.  Now would also be the time to make sure that your dorsal d-ring is centered on your upper back across your shoulder blades.

4.  Attach Leg Straps: Once the harness is resting on your shoulders like the weight of the world, reach between your legs….  (We are on a slippery slope here…) You want to grab your leg straps and buckle them.   They should start in the back go through your legs and attach somewhere by your hips, roughly.  This can depend on how girlish your figure is.  Again, as with the shoulder straps you want to make sure there are no tangles in the webbing.  This is not an area of the body you want getting pinched.  Also, if you have a waste buckle or belt, now would be the time to connect it.

5.  Connect the Chest Buckle: Now you’ll work your way up your smokin’ hot body and connect the chest buckle.  This buckle ironically should lay across your chest, no matter how big your moobs might be.  And that’s about it for this step.  Again make sure the strap lays flat and isn’t tangled.  If you your chest buckle is tangled, you may be mentally challenged and probably shouldn’t be working in construction.

6.  Tighten Straps and Secure Connections: The final step is fairly simple, make sure that all of the straps are sung and that all of your connections are secure.  How tight?  Well, the standard text book answer is as tight as you can without restricting movement, but remember it’s a harness and it’s supposed to be tight.  This isn’t like a pair of pants that you can wear a little baggy because it’s more comfortable.  It’s possible to slip out of your harness if it’s not tight enough.  You’ll also want to make sure that all of the extra webbing from the buckle site are tucked into keepers or behind the strap.  The last thing you need is a material appendage waiting to catch on something and cause you to trip.

Now, if you’ve followed the above steps, your harness should be on properly.  I hope it wasn’t to painful for you, and I hope that  thinking about this crucial step in fall protection will increase your awareness while donning a harness.  If you have any questions about this or any other fall protection procedures, products, and performance call Luke from Snug Harness.com Toll Free at (888) 549-1700.

Technorati Tags: fall protection, how to, safety harnesses

Check Your Webbing: The webbing of your fall protection harness is crucial.  Frays, broken fibers, cuts, and pulled stitches can lead to serious injury.  We’ve found that by gripping the webbing with your hands about half a foot apart and moving your hand towards each other it’s possible to bend the webbing into an inverted U-Shape allowing you to more easily identify cuts, tears, frayed edges, burns, and chemical damage.  (The same strategy applies to most body parts). If you find any of the previously mentioned damages, you should discontinue use of that harness.  Unfortunately, it’s difficult to know how that damage react if you fell.  Even if the harness looks okay, it’s very difficult to assess internal damages that can cause serious injury.

Check Your D-Rings: These bad boys shouldn’t be bent, cracked, or have rough or sharp edges.  The d-ring should also pivot freely.  The d-ring is crucially important to any harness and damage here can spell disaster.  If a d-ring were to crack in a fall, you’d hit the ground wearing your harness.  So much for being alive safe.  Also a sharp d-ring can cut through webbing and create another weakness in the harness.

Check Buckle Attachments: You should also be checking where buckles connect to webbing.  These are crucial spots where failures can occur.  You’ll be looking for the same damage as on the harness webbing such as cuts, tears, and frayed fabric.  blah blah blah… These attachments can connect buckles as well as d-rings.

Check Tongue Buckle Grommets: If you have tongue buckles on your harness you’ll want to take a look at the grommets on the tongue to make sure there are no loose, bent, or broken grommets.  The tongue normally receives heavy wear and tear from repeat buckling and unbuckling.  It’s also important to remember that the webbing on the tongue should not have any additional punched holes.  This is dangerous.  If you gain or lose that much weight, you need a new harness.  Jimmy-rigged and damaged grommet holes are poison.  Take it easy tubby!

Check Tongue Buckles: If you have tongue buckles on our harness, make sure that nothing is bent and that everything is working properly.  You should also be concerned with any sharp edges that have the potential to slice through webbing.

Check Mating Buckles: If your harness has mating buckles, it’s important to make sure that both components are straight.  A bent mating buckle can slip out and compromise harness integrity.  Check to be sure the latch is secure.  Again sharp and rough metal edges are an area of concern.

Check Quick Connect Buckles: And for those of you that have fancy quick connect buckles, you to need to check for bent and distorted components.  You also need to make sure that the release mechanism is free of debris and that it connects properly.  A small pebble in this mechanism can cause a world of hurt if not properly checked.  The dual tabs should only release the tooth when pressed at the same time.

I hope these tips have made what to look for while inspecting your harness a little less daunting and doable.  It’s important to inspect your harness before every use, and this is one area you don’t want to take for granted.  It never hurts to be overly cautious.  Being lax with inspections and letting things slide is when injuries and fatalities occur.

Technorati Tags: fall protection, harness inspection, safety harness

Ultimately, blood begins to pool in his legs and his heart is unable to pump it back up to his brain.  The body’s natural instinct is to faint, which makes perfect sense.  His body wants him to faint.  This way his body can fall over and the blood can redistribute throughout his body.  The problem with suspension trauma is that when the worker passes out, he doesn’t fall over.  (Another case of man screwing up the natural order of life).

Once the victim passes out, the blood fails to reach his brain.  The brain no longer receives oxygen, and he will kick the bucket die.

Unfortunately, no one is immune to suspension trauma, and we have no idea how a body will react until it happens.  (Note: we wouldn’t recommend testing this.) In fact, people react differently to suspension trauma one day to another.

So how long does a person actually have?  It’s impossible to say.  Worst case scenario… the victim is dead in 10 minutes.  Some people last 10 minutes, while others hang on for an hour.  It just depends.  The important thing to remember is that there isn’t much time, and you don’t get a free pizza for tardiness.

To prevent this from occurring, it’s imperative to have a rescue plan in place on the job-site, and quality rescue equipment to make the rescue faster.   It’s a very serious risk.  Hopefully, these suspension trauma facts have encouraged you to be a little more diligent with your rescue plan.

Technorati Tags: fall protection, harness, suspension trauma

Unfortunately, there is no direct answer.  Most manufacturers subscribe to the five-year theory, requiring you to dispose of the fall protection harness after five years regardless of use. (We don’t recommend this for unused body parts….)

Note: To be exact you’ll have to consult your manufacturers instructions.  Some manufacturers may void their warranty after five years, and others may not have anything written in stone.

We recommend removing a safety harness from service five years after the original purchase date.  If after five years of service, the harness has passed regular inspection and shows no sign of frayed webbing, chemical damage, burns, or tears, you should still remove it from service.  If your harness exhibits any of the aforementioned deficiencies the product should be removed from active duty, and disposed of so it won’t accidentally be used.

If you haven’t used your safety harness in five years and it’s essentially brand new, you still need to get a new harness.  It may seem ridiculous, but  you have no idea that the internal structure of the universal harness is still in tact.  In fact, your harness may no longer be under warranty and if it broke during a fall you’d be S.O.L.  Always stay conservative and take the safe route.

And if you want your harness to make it to the five year mark, when not in use store your harness at room temperature away from chemicals, moisture, and ultraviolet light.  In other words, don’t spill acid on it, clean it in the washing machine, leave it in the rain, or let it soak in the sun.

Technorati Tags: fall protection, safety harness, safety tips

How was the list determined? Well with a lot of head scratching and finger nail biting. As you can see illustrated in the picture above this was awkward and uncomfortable process, especially when Doug took of his shirt. Most people cleared out of the conference room when he pulled out the canola oil. When he was confronted with the picture he held his head in shame and assured us he would be starting a diet soon. He hinted at Trim Spa.

Anyway you can see the fruits of our labor by CLICKING HERE.

Technorati Tags: concrete fall protection, fall equipment, fall protection

(Note:) Keep in mind that this article isn’t intended for those guys on the jobsite that think they’re invincible to falling because they’re men and they’ve been doing it for years. These are the same people that tend to think that after falling from a ten-story building they’ll merely get up and walk away, because unlike the rest of us humans, they’ve been constructed of solid steel. No this article is for people that would like to live to see another day.

Now, back to your dilemma, you work with concrete and you need fall protection. OK let’s get down to business and start with some anchors. Ironically, this journey doesn’t begin with an anchor at all. No, I’ll start with the C-Slab Grabber. This guardrail post clamps onto a slab of concrete and can provide a railing around the edge of your elevated platform. The railing is completed by stringing 2×4’s through the posts. A simple system for working on concrete decking, but you’re not always working on decking. So, lets get into the full-blown fall arrest anchors.

Let’s start with a simple claw anchor. This anchor has become extremely popular and was developed for the rock climbing industry. Almost every company manufacturers one of these meat hooks, and they’re all the same. There, I said it; they’re all the same. The only difference… price. Two manufacturers I like, SafeWaze and Guardian. What does it do? It installs into a ¾ in. hole at least 3 ft. deep into cured concrete capable of withstanding 5,000 psi. Another plus, it’s completely reusable. Also, if you need a stronger capacity, Guardian offers a 10K psi model.

Then you got your good ole’ concrete anchor strap. This little thing-a-ma-jig is installed before the concrete is poured and is usually wrapped around the rebar of what will soon be a concrete post. This leaves a little ring hanging out of the cured concrete. A simple solution, but unfortunately this anchor is disposable. After you’re done, you simply cut the D-Ring off and move on your way. This is a nice solution if your employees don’t take care of anything and lose tools, or if you don’t do that much concrete work to require a reusable anchor. A concrete anchor strap is a very inexpensive solution.

Hey, what about those CB anchors? Well you’re probably talking about the CB-12 & CB-18 anchors from Guardian. A completely unique concrete anchor that installs on a concrete roof, and can transform into a full horizontal lifelines system, allowing several members of your crew to tie off in a fall restraint situation. This is a great way to install a permanent system on a roof and provide a lifetime of safety for future construction work and maintenance. Or you can take it with you to your next job as well, which is a feature I like… user’s choice.

Let’s see what else there is. Oh, Guardian also creates what they call a Double D Anchor. (I won’t even mention the plethora of possible jokes this product name creates.) This concrete anchor installs into a piece of PVC pipe that has been cured into a poured concrete post, leaving a d-ring exposed from each side of said post. This anchor is truly unique in that two people can tie off at the same time, one from each side. While the PVC pipe can’t be reused, the anchor can be, making this anchor pretty darn economical.

Another recent development in concrete fall protection came when Guardian introduced a concrete anchor for precast hollow core concrete. Which is a refreshing innovation due to the fact that a large part of concrete construction is switching to this material. Completely reusable, you simply drill your hole, and push the rod in while squeezing the tip and releasing once inserted, and voila it’s locked in. (That sounds disgusting.) It’s probably a one on the old difficulty level, making it a breeze to use. Moderately priced this anchor could be just what the doctor ordered.

Finally, a concrete anchor I fell in love with when I first saw it. For those of you wondering, yes we did set a date, March 9^th, and Fr. O’Malley will be officiating the ceremony. The French Creek Concrete Anchor combines everything you could want in a concrete anchor. First of all it can be used almost anywhere. This makes it a bit more versatile than the Double-D anchor which can pretty much only be installed into concrete post. It also needs to be planned for in advanced, where French Creek’s Anchor can be installed during any part of construction process. You simply drill a hole in cured concrete and put in the anchor. Not to shabby eh? Another plus for this guy is that it’s completely reusable, which feels nice on the wallet. You simple need to buy more bolts, but even with an additional 10 pack of bolts the price still comes in under almost all of your other options. Which I think is pretty damn good.

Next in the process, let’s review lanyards for concrete work. Lanyards are lanyards. That’s all I can say. You want to find a strong lanyard that will resist abrasion. A heavy-duty lanyard will save you money in the long run. More important on this front is retractable lifelines. If you’re going to be working with concrete you’ll want a web retractable. Why? Because when clumsy Stan spills wet concrete on your outstretched web retractable, all you have to do is wait for it to dry, bend the webbing and the concrete will crack right off. A cable retractable is less forgiving and odds are pretty good that your going to be sending rock fragments back up into the mechanism of your retractable. Not a good thing. I would hate to have a retractable that doesn’t retract, but simply reels you out to your death.

As far as harnesses are concerned there is one suggestion I would make. SafeWaze makes an abrasion harness that I think is ideal for concrete situations. The heavy-duty webbing will stand up to the rigors of concrete work and the inevitable rock scraping that’s bound to come with it. It’s reasonably priced, and of course more comfortable than your average jock strap harness.

Well, hopefully I’ve inspired you with some new ideas to the age-old problem, how do I keep from falling off stuff? Feel free to follow the links in the text to look at some of the products mentioned. Again, thanks for your time. Go forth and be Semi-Safe.

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