Fall Protection PPE Equipment

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) covers a wide range of industries and safety objectives, from law enforcement to sports, industrial settings, contractors and even casual retail environments.  The various functions of PPE are designed to protect hazards in support of work safety policies and controls.  These can range from bodily injury, exposure to environmental threats, breathing mechanisms, and much more.

With OSHA having a renewed focus on Fall Protection and having imposed new rules for Fall Protection PPE, businesses in a range of industries are investing heavily in fall protection equipment.  Consider the following review of Fall Protection PPE equipment and how it can help to reduce injuries at your workplace.

Personal Protective Equipment Options for Workplace Fall Protection Safety

Personal Protective Equipment is required by OSHA when positive fall protection such as guardrails, access platforms, gangways, catwalks, and stairways are unavailable.

When guardrails and other positive fall protection are not available to protect from falls, workers must use personal fall protection systems (such as harnesses, lanyards, lifelines). [29 CFR 1910.6729 CFR 1915.7129 CFR 1915.73, and 29 CFR 1915.77]

Harnesses & Lanyards

Harnesses and lanyards are considered personal protective equipment since each individual worker must be fitted with the equipment for fall protection safety, as opposed to an all encompassing solution.  A lanyard is the rope or other length of connection between a single point anchor source and a safety harness, worn by an employee.  Snap hooks, D-rings and caribiners are utilized to ensure a safe connection.  Anchors must be secured and can be affixed to a variety of stable structures.  The complete fall protection system must be able to adequately support the weight of the employee.  Fall protection PPE systems are typically categorized as a fall restraint system, which prevents falls similar to a car seat belt, and a fall arrest system, which catches a falling worker prior to contact with the ground or other solid structure.

Fall Restraint Systems

The advantage of fall restraint systems is the prevention of the need to absorb the shock and otherwise prevent further injury in the event of a fall.  Further, in cases where the environment requires rescue efforts in the case of a fall, a fall arrest system is preferred.  Generally speaking, fall arrest systems are more safe and less expensive, while more limiting and often less efficient in a workplace.

Fall Arrest Systems

Fall arrest systems often require shock absorbing lanyards and must be carefully considered to avoid further injuring the employee when a fall occurs.  These systems are often used in work environments such as roofing, construction, and shipyards.  In these work environments, a fall is more permissible compared to a mining operation or manufacturing plant with heavy machinery.

Horizontal and Vertical Lifelines

Lifelines are a broad range of fall protection equipment that can be applied for horizontal applications such as roofs or ship decks, as well as vertical applications such as enclosed spaces or ladder systems.  As opposed to a single point anchor, lifelines provide more freedom of movement as they are typically connected to a cable, pipe, or other continuous structure.  Horizontal systems can be designed to provide ultimate movement flexibility via pass through systems, overhead connections, and other similarly unobtrusive mechanisms.  Vertical lifelines can be track based or climb assist systems on ladders at heights, or pulley operated systems for confined spaces and similar applications.  In each case, lifelines generally differ from harness and lanyard systems in so much that they are less mobile and more of a direct method for cases where fall protection risk is consistent and eminent.

The Trucker™ Series of Ladders Rated as ANSI Type IAA

The Trucker™ Series of ladders was recently tested and passed ANSI Type IAA Special Duty performance requirements.  ANSI (American National Standards Institute) standard A14.7-2007 applies to portable metal ladders and provides duty ratings from 200 to 375 pound capacity.  Type IAA is the maximum 375 lb. duty rating, described as an Extra Heavy Duty Industrial Ladder.

The Trucker™ Series of ladders are safety engineered to reduce fall injuries and improve efficiency when accessing truck trailer decks.  The Trucker ladders provide dimpled Wide Grip Strut® plank steps, feature handrails that extend above the deck to provide 3 points of contact, and are engineered with a diagonal stairway design for ease of access.  The ladders meet and exceed the general requirements provided by OSHA for ladder safety:

When there is a break in elevation of 19 inches(48 cm) or more and no ramp, runway, embankment or personnel hoist is available, employers must provide a stairway or ladder at all worker points of access.
Source: Stairways & Ladders: A Guide to OSHA Rules

 

ANSI

ANSI A14.7-2007 Testing Procedures

The Trucker™ ladders underwent tests far exceeding the duty rating, passing test loads in excess of 1200 lbs. to meet the requirements of the 375 pound special duty rating.  Tests included In-Use Inclined Load Test, Step / Rung Bending Strength Tests, Side-to-Side-Rail Shear Strength Tests, Rung Torque Tests, and Handrail Tests.  With a durable design including CNC billet mounting hooks and extruded aluminum frame, The Trucker Series of Ladders offer the durability to provide mobile safety for truck fleets, stationary trailers, or individual truck drivers when accessing the trailer deck.

 

The Trucker Series of Ladders

The Trucker™ Series of Ladders

The Trucker™ ladders are designed to mount to a variety of flatbed trailers including drop deck, roll tarp, curtain side, and more.  The Trucker Series of ladders feature plank steps and a pivoting bottom step, and fold up compactly for storage and mobility.  Additional ANSI rated Trucker ladders include a shorter two step ladder and longer four step ladder, originally designed for crane trucks.  Mounting options include the standard CNC mounting hooks, for mounting throughout the stake rack, or steel brackets for more permanent ladder placement.

The Safety & Numbers blog is pleased to highlight The Trucker™ Series of ladders as a valuable equipment investment for businesses to improve work safety.  Trucker ladders provide features designed for the mobile truck driver or service fleet.  In addition to the compact design, lockable storage racks and accompanying flatbed work platforms can provide safety on and off the work site.

Work Safety Policy EMR Strategies to Lower Workers’ Comp Rates

At the beginning of each fiscal year, your insurance agency will provide you with your Experience Modification Rate, or EMR. This value serves as a multiplier to calculate your annual workers’ compensation insurance premium. EMR may lower or raise your premiums based on the history of safety and injury claims that your company exhibited over a three year period. It is also the most direct method of calculating a return on investment on work safety investments.

By improving work safety policies and following preventive practices that lower injury loss rate, business can save thousands of dollars annually on premium reductions.

Work Safety Policy EMR Strategy

The most direct way to lower your EMR is to institute a Work Safety Policy that is supported and promoted throughout the organization. Work safety policies build cultural safety values and institute programs, incentives and controls that improve processes and cross-departmental knowledge of safety.

Here are some ideas from a work safety policies at successful companies.

  • Develop a Safety Committee to assess and improve communication about safety policy and strategic EMR initiatives
  • Create a Return to Work Policy to encourage workers to return when able and reduce the length of claims
  • Initiate Job Classification reviews to communicate job responsibilities to employees and improve expertise
  • Implement strategies to generate a Safety Culture including Management Involvement, Incentive Plans, and Injury Claim packets with helpful information

Equipment Work Safety Policies for EMR

In support of work safety policy, effective management of equipment can further help reduce injuries and lower EMR. Ensure that equipment is operating properly and develop an Out of Service policy to inform team members how to handle malfunctioning equipment. Conduct work hazard analyses to identify equipment to reduce injury risk. Input from the employees that actually operate the equipment is highly valuable when developing policy. And remember that each work site or piece of equipment is unique and thus may require custom access solutions.

The above article was originally published in the January 2014 IAS Trucker Newsletter.  Sign up today to subscribe and receive our monthly Work Safety newsletter.

The Importance of Fall Protection in Construction: INFOGRAPHIC

The national initiative to improve fall protection measures has been a topic that we have touched on in various posts throughout 2013.  The statistics are eye opening: In 2012, Falls killed more than 1 construction worker every 2 days, and the trend continues to grow.  Have a look at our newest infographic to consider the need for Construction Fall Protection and get started implementing work safety policies to reduce your risk.

The Rent vs. Own Decision and Equipment Investment Safety ROI

In preparation for the 2014 budget, many companies are making strategic decisions related to equipment investment.  The decision often comes down to rent vs. own.  Determining whether a piece of equipment will support multiple projects, considering interest rates, and other basic factors aside, long-term risk and opportunity considerations are a critical decision making variable.  When making equipment investment decisions, market indicators and risk factors must be projected  in order to assess return on investment.  Work safety is an important risk factor to consider, but strategic decisions are based on a variety of factors.

One such factor is illustrated by Oil & Gas Industry growth.

“I never imagined when we acquired Beckwith Machinery in October of ’05 that oil and gas would become a significant contributor to our performance. We had no visibility to it even though the first oil well was drilled in Pennsylvania many years ago,” says Cleveland. “We certainly had no idea how big it would be for us. In the downturn of ’09 there was some talk about oil and gas. And then as 2010 rolled out, that’s what really brought us back from the doldrums. Pad development came on full force throughout 2010 and then a lot of drilling after that.

Source: Rental Equipment Register

Equipment companies in western and central Pennsylvania experienced a market shifting increase in rental demand in 2010 when the oil and gas fracking industry increased by 6 times. Shortly after the 2008 recession it was made public of a successful shale well drill that has placed the region at a level of production to rival Saudi Arabia.  Projections continue to grow for the region as the country seeks a more effective energy plan.

Market Factors Affect Investment Decision Making for Multiple Industry Players

Presented with increased rental service activity as new contractors entered the market, many rental companies invested in new equipment to meet demand.  Investing in drilling pads and related equipment allowed businesses such as Cleveland Brothers  to overcome the recession and claim new market share.

In this case, the Rent or Buy decision could be viewed from multiple perspectives: Rental companies were challenged with the risk and reward of buying equipment to service the growing industry.  Contractors new to the market or region were able to alleviate risk by renting equipment.  Other existing contractors such as heavy/highway construction were provided the opportunity to expand into the market.  The influx of oil and gas industry work also boosted the economy in other markets, such as infrastructure and hospitality, and increased the demand for related equipment such as light towers and work platforms.

Long-Term Strategic Factors and their Relationship to Work Safety

In addition to projected industry demand, long term strategic factors can include

  • Advantages of new equipment with respect to technology and regulations
  • Supply/demand and price points of rental equipment
  • Labor availability and expertise
  • Equipment maintenance and repair needs
  • Capability to apply internal resources for unique needs
  • Safety factors for aging equipment and as scale grows

Each of the above long-term strategic decision making factors can be applied to safety equipment investments.  New equipment is typically equipped with more current safety features, thus purchasing or renting newer equipment will often provide safety risk management ROI.  This will reduce the liability of lost worker time and the frequency of equipment repairs, freeing up resources for profit driving activities.  Overall, the rent vs. own decision will be based upon a variety of industry factors, but business owners and executives should also factor in safety to optimally assess the ROI decision.

Work Hazard Analysis

Identifying Workplace Hazards is an integral component of an effective work safety program.  As a required element of OSHA VPP Program participation, following an organized hazard assessment process can be the backbone of a company’s safety policy. Identifying hazards provides the ability to mitigate risk and evaluate safety effectiveness.

The work hazard assessment process consists of five main components:

  1. Identify Hazardous Condition
    Hazards that can lead to injury or illness range from physical injury risk to chemicals, temperature, radiation, noise, and electrical.  Employees need to be involved in hazard analysis from the beginning to assist with acceptance and recognition of benefit.
  2. Determine Root Cause
    Potential root causes can include lack of knowledge, lack of physical ability, improper training, or unidentified hazards.  Managers should reassess hazards when new equipment is installed or new work processes developed.
  3. Eliminate Hazards
    Mitigate risks via controls based on level of injury risk, frequency of exposure, and potential harm.  Evaluate the level of overall risk to prioritize controls and implement.  Identify PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) such as gloves, safety glasses, etc.
  4. Control Measures
    Risk management efforts can include engineering controls to manage exposure, layout, and access; administrative controls to to manage employees, tasks, and training; and  work practices for safety, hygiene, and work area cleanliness.
  5. Evaluation of Effectiveness
    Hazard assessment programs should be evealuated on injury prevention effectiveness.  Evaluation tactics include routine inspections; documentation for injury reports and near misses; requesting, researching and responding to employee feedback.

Source: Marine Corp Community Services

Initiating a Work Hazard Analysis

When commencing hazard assessment, plan to document responsible team members, tasks, and step sequence for processes with injury risk.  A Hazard Assessment checklist similar to this sample provided by the California Department of Industrial Relations may be helpful.  Next, determine and document preventative measures, equipment, and Personal Protective Equipment, and train employees accordingly.  Finally, consider residual risk – any risk that remains after controls have been implemented – for future evaluation and improvement.