Railroad Bridge Netting Installation

FallProof recently completed the last phase of a four-phase railroad bridge netting project for a major public transportation company in the State of New York. This particular project involved the netting of a 440-foot long lift bridge that spans mostly water. This involved the unique challenge of completing the entire project from a barge. We installed personnel-rated netting underneath the span, thus, providing an OSHA-compliant solution for fall protection, eliminating the need for workers to tie off while conducting maintenance and track replacement. The netting also served the two-fold purpose of debris collection. As part of the project we cleaned and inspected the existing nets. Read more.

Here at FallProof Systems, I serve as the primary trainer for our fall protection training classes. Each class I teach is a little bit different. We get all types of workers as students, and their reasons for taking each class often depend on the type of class.

To give you a quick overview, the Fall Protection training courses we offer are: Read more.

Whether you’re talking about tankers, flatbeds, or open or enclosed trailers, the business of loading and unloading, or servicing large vehicles can present a fall hazard. Working on loading docks, on scaffolding above or beside the trucks, or on the roof or sides of the trucks themselves, workers put themselves at risk in multiple situations where they are in danger of falling. Read more.

Construction sites and demolition operations come with their own set of unique fall hazards. Putting people in serious danger and structures at risk for major damage, these scenarios have potentially costly ramifications in terms of both lives and dollars.

Safety netting, also known as debris or personnel netting, helps to prevent fall hazards around construction sites and demolition operations. Read more.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2012, there were 544 fall-related fatalities. Of those cases, about one in four occurred from a fall of 10 feet or fewer. This statistic suggests something rather stark: It doesn’t take a whole lot of distance for a workplace accident to be fatal. As the person responsible for safety at your factory, you’re likely aware of the gruesome statistics. But, are you fully informed of all the various ways that fall protection systems keep your personnel safe? Read more.

Rooftop fall protection is a necessity for keeping your workers safe while they perform tasks atop buildings. OSHA 1926.501(b)(1) states: “Unprotected sides and edges. Each employee on a walking/working surface (horizontal and vertical surface) with an unprotected side or edge which is 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above a lower level shall be protected from falling by the use of guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems.”  Read more.

Fall arrest systems are designed as a safety backup mechanism when a worker must be exposed to a fall hazard in order to accomplish assigned tasks. When the worker needs to be able to move along either a horizontal or vertical plane, lifelines are used to protect the worker. The lifelines can be constructed using either cable or fixed-track. Read more.

Does your facility feature elevated work areas, unstable walking or working spaces, unprotected edges, floor holes or wall openings?

If so, there are safety-netting solutions to help ensure your workers – along with pedestrians and nearby structures – are safe from this large variety of fall hazards.

There are, however, places where it’s most important to make sure these solutions are in place:               Read more.

As a facility manager in charge of worker safety on elevated job sites, it’s important to understand the differences between OSHA regulations and ANSI standards when developing your fall protection program.

By understanding these differences, you are better able to:

• Avoid stringent fines for non-compliance;
• Reduce fall hazards and related accidents;
• Improve worker safety and productivity; and
• Decrease lofty workers’ compensation claims.

Read more.

Conducting annual lifeline inspections goes hand in hand with proper training of your workers. Your equipment isn’t protecting anyone when it has missing, worn or defective components. Worse, it can create an unwarranted illusion of security. Installing fall protection equipment in your workplace is a great first step towards keeping your employees working at heights safe from fall hazards. Read more.