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Scissor lifts are one of the most popular ways for workers to reach projects at heights. But do the guard rails on these lifts provide all the fall protection necessary for the workers utilizing them? The American National Safety Institute ( ANSI) deems guard rails around the work platform to be a sufficient fall prevention measure. But in practice they may not be. Fall protection needs to be evaluated in relation to the work being performed. If you have a scissor lift in operation at …

Chris Coyle from Capital Safety recently spent some time with us talking about what is involved in the inspection of self-retracting devices (SRDs) under the new ANSI Z359.14 standards. According to these new standards a competent person, as defined by OSHA regulations, will be required to inspect SRLs yearly, bi-annually, or quarterly depending upon the frequency and duration of use. If you have questions about inspecting any of your fall protection devices or more specifica …

Self-retracting lifelines have created a new level of fall protection for at height workers since they were first introduced. Fast-activating braking systems have lowered both fall distances and fall forces. As the use of SRLs (more broadly referred to as self-retracting devices or SRDs) has increased across a wide range of industries, the American National Standards Institute ( ANSI) has taken a close look at the use and maintenance of these life saving devices. Their findings have resulte …

Electricians have one of the most dangerous jobs in the country according to OSHA reports. While the wattage in homes is enough to cause serious damage or death, even greater danger occurs when workers are exposed to the major electrical forces involved with municipalities and major factory and industrial work. And while training and experience are often the best ways to avoid injury, there are tools and clothing that are specially made to help an electrician fare better in the event of an ac …

Workers and employers are becoming more aware of the problems associated with suspension trauma (also called orthostatic intolerance) which can affect a fall victim who is held aloft by their full-body harness. What people have been asking with some regularity lately is if the suspension trauma straps from one company will work with a harness from another. The answer, as far as we can tell with the products we have tried and the manufacturers we've talked to, is yes. Last week a cust …

Spiderman is washing windows. And he's doing a great job. According to an ABC News report, employees at the Chicago-based American National Skyline window cleaning company came up with the idea of donning superhero outfits as a way to entertain the kids at the children's hospitals where they rappel down the buildings while cleaning the windows. This story was picked up by the major news outlets and the idea has now grown to several other cities. When you see the pictures of these tou …

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) doesn't make the laws, but it does influence the standards adopted by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) which is tasked with enforcing safety and health legislation. ANSI fall safety standards such as the ANSI Z359 Fall Protection Code are developed by a consensus of experts in government, private industry, and related organizations. But they're not the law, so why do so many people follow their directives? ANSI Z35 …

There are loads of new arc flash rated fall protection products that have hit the market recently. If you are working with your feet off the ground as an electrician, utility worker, welder, or have some other trade working with high heat or the possibility of arc flash, you owe it to yourself to consider these products. DBI-SALA came out with their Nano-Lok line of lightweight, compact self-retracting lifelines earlier this year, and they have very recently added several Arc Flas …

Lots of homeowners will be pulling the ladders out to get their lights up this year. But we'd like to focus our attention on the roof guys. If you are planning on getting onto your roof to install Christmas lights, here are a few things you should keep in mind. First, don't be cavalier about this job. It can change your holiday plans in a hurry. One misstep can land you in the emergency room or worse. Last year the Consumer Product Safety Commission reported over 12,000 trips to the hos …

Once you are in the safety business, you start to notice things other folks wouldn't. Our offices are located in a fairly industrial part of town near a boat repair facility. Along with the workers who are using personal protective equipment (PPE) correctly, I constantly see people misusing their safety equipment. For instance, there's a guy who uses a Genie lift near us all the time. He is always wearing a harness, but it's so loose he would come right out if he ever fell. But that …