When buying and using fall prevention equipment, there are several issues to take into consideration ensuring you have the proper equipment to do the job well and with no slips, trips, falls or other injuries.
Give thought to the following issues when purchasing fall prevention equipment:
Weather
Do your operators need to access vehicles in all kinds of weather including high wind, snow, ice, heat, rain, etc.? If so, you may want to consider a canopy, non-slip surfaces and aluminum construction, which is non-corrosive.
Time of Day
Are operators and supervisors on-site at night? Ensure adequate lighting for safety purposes and improved throughput. This is even more important if workers must use harnesses and lanyards.
Frequency of Use
Fall prevention that gets excess use may create a need for different types of equipment. On the opposite end of the spectrum, areas that are used infrequently may benefit from a portable system.
Cycle Time
How fast do workers need the equipment to operate in order to get the job done? And can the equipment handle the constant speed for 8 to 10 hour shifts?
Material Being Transloaded
What types of product does your business handle? Any hazardous chemicals or liquids? Are they flammable? If spilled, will the product cause a slippery surface? You will need special equipment if your workers handle hazardous or flammable liquids: special loading arms, non-corrosive pipes, correct pressures, odorant injections and more.
Number of Employees
What is the load capacity of your fall prevention equipment? How many people will be operating the equipment at the same time? Is the equipment durable enough to tolerate the weight and daily use?
Operator vs. Driver
How easy is it to operate the equipment? Will the employee need to be trained to operate the equipment properly and safely?
Variety of Configurations
Take into consideration the variety of configurations that your workers come into contact with each day. Do they use a variety of loading racks? If so, what are the differences? If it’s a tank truck, what types of ladders, crash boxes, walkways are there and where are the hatch and vents located? For a railcar, what size platform are your workers using? Where is the handrail opening? Do different rail cars have varying heights?
Cost
What is the total cost of the equipment? Not just the price of the equipment itself, but how much is it to install, maintain and operate over the life of the equipment?
What it all boils down to is that one of your company’s major priorities is to keep employees safe by avoiding accidents. Asking your workers and yourself the above questions will also help you determine what type(s) of equipment you need and avoid buying too much or too little. Contact Carbis today at 1.800.948.7750 and we will help you determine exactly what types of fall prevention equipment will work best for your company.
