Anchors are an essential component of suspended access systems used for window washing and building facade maintenance. That said, there is more to protecting window washing contractors than simply installing rope descent systems and anchors. Here’s why …
For any company with a rooftop, fall protection is essential to keep workers safe during inspections, maintenance or repairs. As a matter of law, OSHA’s General Duty Clause requires employers to provide workplaces free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm.
It’s clear fall protection is something every company should be paying attention to, but understanding the importance of fall safety is just the first step. With so many fall protection systems to choose from, some employers are left wondering what is the best option to protect employees at heights?
In this blog post, we review two of our most popular safety systems: roof guardrails versus cable based lifelines, comparing their pros and cons head-to-head.
During rooftop safety assessments, we often ask our clients to point out known fall hazards. The most frequently mentioned rooftop fall hazard is the building’s leading edge. From here, some clients mention roof elevation changes or access hatches, but most struggle to identify additional fall hazards that may trigger OSHA violations. Sometimes the most innocuous feature—for example, a skylight—is the most troublesome omission because folks fail to see the potential dangers posed by areas that appear safe.
On a recent site visit, one of our clients asked if OSHA’s 1910 four foot rule applies to loading docks. The short answer is usually, yes. Most loading docks are 48-52” tall, but we do see instances of docks a few inches shy of four feet–say 46”. By strict letter of the law, a 46” dock does not require fall protection under the provisions of OSHA 1910. That said, even docks coming in under 4 feet should utilize some sort of fall protection system…
One of the more popular fall protection questions we receive relates to OSHA requirements for safety railing and guardrail systems. Determined inquiring minds can consult OSHA’s revised Walking Working Surfaces ruling for general industry, but this can be a laborious process. In the interest of time, here is OSHA’s official stance on guardrail for general industry applications….
Commercial and industrial grade HVAC units keep personnel and sensitive electronic equipment cool, but maintenance on units taller than 4 feet requires fall protection per OSHA 1910. Our recent installation of HVAC guardrail systems at a local airport illustrates the benefits of partnering with a fall protection company that can provide custom, application specific solutions.
