safetybriefs.org

Inside the hot and sweaty world of safety

-->
  • Disclaimer

      * Snug Harness assumes no liability as to the information contained on this website. You should check the policies of your employer, and refer to state and federal regulations pertaining to the proper use of fall equipment.
  • -->

    Archive for the ‘Fall Protection News’ Category

    Mar-1-2010

    Fall Protection, Fatalities and a “Lucky” Break

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In early February, Terry Thompson, 51, was killed from a 100 ft fall as he worked on dismantling a cell phone tower. He had almost 30 years experience. OSHA and local officials are still investigating.

    The same day in Florida, construction worker Daniel Caldwell, 40, died after a 25 ft fall off a roof.

    Two weeks ago construction worker David Pink, 25, was injured in a 60 ft construction fall. Pink was taking plywood off the top floor of a building when the wind caught him and he went off the edge head first.

    Most recent sources say that Pink’s 30 ft retractable did not engage and when he hit the end of the retractable he flipped and the cable snapped. After the cable snapped he continued to fall another 30 ft, shattering his hip and the side of his face. What saved his life was that he was working across the street from a hospital and the ambulance, as well as a doctor, arrived in minutes. He was able to get to the UW Trauma center immediately.

    Most retractables need to be re-certified every 2 years and it was believed this retractable was closer to 3 years. OSHA is investigating this accident.

    Most people don’t get do overs. Stay safe! 100% tie-off, check your equipment, keep up to date, train your workers properly! DO what you need to do for everyone to stay safe and alive.

    Technorati Tags: , ,

    Email This Post Email This Post | Print This Post Print This Post | Add comments | Bookmark and Share | (No Ratings Yet)
    Feb-13-2010

    OSHA Fines for Construction Fall Leading to Death

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In August of 2009 a masonry worker for a Pennsylvania construction company died after falling 13 feet from the roof of the building he was working on.  A fellow co-worker said they were pulling cables to the roof and they weren’t wearing a fall harness because they, “were only working on the roof of the Romanesque building.”

    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: , ,

    Email This Post Email This Post | Print This Post Print This Post | Add comments | Bookmark and Share | (No Ratings Yet)
    Aug-29-2009

    Free Workplace Safety Resources

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Whenever I hear about free safety items on the web I always take note.  A member of the Safety Community I belong to shared this site, called Tool Box Topics.  The site provides resources for safety talks. For ideas on how to use them, check out this page.

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

    Technorati Tags: , ,

    Email This Post Email This Post | Print This Post Print This Post | Add comments | Bookmark and Share | (No Ratings Yet)
    Apr-18-2009

    Top 40 Award: Positive Impact for On-the-Job Safety in Construction

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    For the past nine years Skanska USA Building Inc. has been awarding honors to its largest subcontractors with the goal of reducing construction-related falls. That’s putting their money where their mouth is.

    Through Skanska’s Top 40 competition they hope to “leverage the best leadership of the subcontractor organizations to eliminate all on-the-job falls…Skanska’s Top 40 subcontractors have successfully worked together to create ways to eliminate falls, lacerations and flexibility-related injuries.”

    I wish more companies thought big picture and displayed this kind of leadership. I’m thankful for the ones that do. What does your company do that makes a difference?

    Technorati Tags: , ,

    Email This Post Email This Post | Print This Post Print This Post | Add comments | Bookmark and Share | (No Ratings Yet)
    Feb-27-2009

    Safety No-Brainer Day

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Today is No-Brainer Day. Yes officially! Finally! I’ve been waiting all year for today.

    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: , ,

    Email This Post Email This Post | Print This Post Print This Post | Add comments | Bookmark and Share | (No Ratings Yet)
    Dec-3-2008

    Safety With The Simpsons

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As some of you may know, I am a huge fan of the Simpsons.  And it has come to my attention that ca company by the name of Safety World is manufacturing safety posters based on America’s Favorite Family…  That would be the Simpsons… Here is one of my favorites about ladder safety as well as very important safety video we can learn from…

    Technorati Tags: , ,

    Email This Post Email This Post | Print This Post Print This Post | Add comments | Bookmark and Share | (No Ratings Yet)
    Nov-11-2008

    On a Serious Note: Die Another Day

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Below are some headlines I gathered from September. Sadly, it didn’t take me long to collect these and there were plenty more that I could have added. Do you see the common thread? Good. Lets be smart out there people. Life is short enough.

    Construction worker falls 40 stories
    Sept 4th, NY, NY — A subcontracted construction worker fell 40 stories after he lost his footing. The safety harness he was wearing was not attached to anything.

    Fall Claims Silo Builder
    Sept 10th, Minneola, KS – Silo builder killed while working on grain silo. He fell 120 ft from the scaffolding.

    Construction Worker Killed in Fall
    Sept 16th, Mooresville, NC - Construction worker killed in fall. Lost balance on scaffolding and fell 20 ft.

    Worker Killed in Fall
    Sept 14, Los Angelos, CA – A worker died from injuries after attempting to replacing a skylight and falling through chute.  He had been wearing a safety harness but unhooked it.

    Construction Worker Dies After 6-foot Fall in Morton Grove
    Sept 12, Chicago, IL - Further investigation is needed to show what caused the death of a Chicago construction worker who fell 6 feet from scaffolding outside a home in Morton Grove Thursday.

    Cell Tower Technician Falls to Death
    Sept 12, Port Angeles, WA - An employee of Emerald Wireless died from injuries from falling 40 feet from a cell-phone tower. He was not wearing safety equipment when he fell.

    Technorati Tags: , ,

    Email This Post Email This Post | Print This Post Print This Post | Add comments | Bookmark and Share | (No Ratings Yet)
    Nov-5-2008

    OSHA’s Top 10: In A Bad Way

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The following is the list of the top 10 most cited OSHA violations this past year.  Unfortunately, this list is very similar to lists recorded in the past.  These violations continue to crop up around the country, and directly effect worker safety.  If you’ve got an issue on this list, take care of it.  It could cost you… more than money.  Especially you Electrical General violators.  Get your crap together…  Generally speaking.

    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: , ,

    Email This Post Email This Post | Print This Post Print This Post | Add comments | Bookmark and Share | (No Ratings Yet)
    Oct-16-2008

    Top 5 Best Harnesses Currently Available

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Here is what we here at the Snug Harness Blog call a quickie… The list of the top five best harnesses available…

    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: , ,

    Email This Post Email This Post | Print This Post Print This Post | 1 comment | Bookmark and Share | (No Ratings Yet)
    Oct-14-2008

    Ladder Safety in the Land of Morons

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    I just read that, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 532,000 people in the USA were injured in falls from ladders last year.

    With Fall upon us (pun intended!), it’s prime time for ladder injuries since many of us will be cleaning gutters, washing windows and doing other autumn chores – maybe adjusting your cable dish for football?

    Up here in Wisconsin, roofing companies are squeezing in as many jobs as possible. Thank goodness for the unusual 70 degree weather. Wisconsin can be a fickle in the weather department, but right now it’s giving us lots of love.

    Be careful out there! -Especially getting on and off your roof! That’s where 80% of ladder falls happen. Need ladder dollies or ladder extensions? We have ‘em for you. Even dollies for those monster ladders.

    The Home Safety Council offers many home safety tips that you might want to check out: http://www.homesafetycouncil.org/safety_guide/safetyguide.aspx

    Technorati Tags: ,

    Email This Post Email This Post | Print This Post Print This Post | Add comments | Bookmark and Share | (No Ratings Yet)