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Fall Protection for Railcar Loading and Unloading

Slippery tank cars, rain- and snow-covered ladder rungs, and variable loading platform shapes all expose your workers to significant fall hazards while loading and unloading rail cars. Railcar safety equipment and devices must not obstruct rail traffic, yet still need to provide full access and mobility. Diversified Fall Protection provides comprehensive railcar fall protection equipment that meets the unique needs of this industry.

We are a complete turnkey provider of rail car loading and unloading fall protection systems and have years of design and installation experience in this market sector.  Contact us for expert assistance with your fall arrest, fall restraint and fall protection requirements

Fall Protection Solutions

Design Considerations

Catwalks, elevated platforms, and ladders are all common surfaces for workers loading and unloading railcars. The preferred railcar fall protection equipment combination is to use an elevated platform with a fold-down gangway, safety guardrail, and horizontal lifelines. This allows a worker to be elevated to the height of the top of the railcar, where they’re protected by a guardrail while attaching their self-retracting lifeline, and can then walk down the gangway to access the top of the railcar.

Access platforms and gangways are often used in conjunction with rigid beam trolley or tram systems, allowing for a high degree of mobility. The overhead trolley system relies on a supported beam running parallel to the track, covering a span near and at loading areas. The supporting beam allows for a continuous attachment of a lifeline lanyard and body harness.

Typically, an articulated arm system supports an overhead rigid rail. Based on the needs of your facility, we will put the support on either side of the track. Alternatively, a cantilevered support arm allows the overhead lifeline trolley to mount between two parallel tracks, providing overhead safety attachment for two railcar lines.

At Diversified Fall Protection, our site survey technicians are intimately familiar with railroad specs, and we understand the emphasis our customers must place on load-out time windows and shuttle train schedules. We are knowledgeable about methods and procedures for hatch opening, car cleaning and prepping, car moving and loading. Whether your facility loads a rail car in three hours or three minutes, with single or multi-car applications, we have the experience to equip you with the fall protection system you need to maintain the highest standards of rail yard safety.

Diversified understands and complies with chemical plant site evacuation procedures, local safety rules, and personal protective equipment requirements, as well.

OSHA Regulations & ANSI Standards

OSHA fall protection requirements for railcars change frequently. With so much on the line, find up-to-date OSHA railcar regulations to ensure your company is in compliance.

Walking Working Surfaces – 1910

Safety and Health Regulations for Construction – 1926

ANSI Z359 Fall Protection Codes

Talk to a fall protection specialist

Tell us about your fall protection needs, and we’ll configure a system that rises to your challenges.