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For those working in Carpentry, Drywall, Electric, General Labor, HVAC, Landscaping, Masonry and Plumbing.

Website: http://www.ansellconstruction.com
Members: 185
Latest Activity: 1 day ago

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Discussion Forum

Tom Trauger

Nail guns 1 Reply

Anybody have experience using sequential and contact type nail guns?Which one is better and why?Have you seen many nail gun injuries?

Started by Tom Trauger. Last reply by Ronald McKenzie Mar 7.

Jay D. Rohman

Ladder Safety

I am presenting at the Construction Safety Conference   "Ladder Accidents & Violations…an Unnecessary Expense" in Chicago in a couple of week. I am about done with my presentation and would like…

Started by Jay D. Rohman Jan 30.

Mark Dennington

DOES YOUR FALL PROTECTION MEET THE MINIMUM FEDERAL FALL PROTECTION STANDARD? 8 Replies

Does a manufacturer required anchor point elevation of 18½ feet preclude the use of a shock absorbing lanyard in aerial lifts? On January14, 2009 Noah Connell, Acting Director, Directorate of Constru…

Tagged: safety, federal standard, interpretation, fall distance, compliance

Started by Mark Dennington. Last reply by Ray Butler Jan 15.

Jay D. Rohman

Input for Construction Safety Admiminstrator Certificatio

I want to wish you all a Happy New Year and ask for your help. I am contracting with an organization to create some on-line content that safety individuals can complete to become a certified Constru…

Started by Jay D. Rohman Jan 7.

WorkSafeBC.com

You're a Pro: Power Tool Safety

Four new videos on power tool safety; free to download for use in your safety presentations or click-through to YouTube for embed codes to post them on your website. You're a Pro: Power Tool Safety

Tagged: tools, video, construction, worksafebc

Started by WorkSafeBC.com Dec. 23, 2009.

Comment Wall

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Terence (Terry) Kidd Comment by Terence (Terry) Kidd on March 7, 2010 at 2:44pm
Ron is giving good advice here guys but I have some points to add. Rather than relying on harnesses, retractables and anchor points why not install edge protection instead? Eliminate the risk of a fall rather than rely on fall protection.

In addition, I often see guys working from the bucket of an elevated work platform (in Oz you must where a harness and be hooked onto the bucket when working from EWPs) but they will be working only 12-20 feet above the ground and are wearing shock absorber lanyards on their harnesses. The problem is that the shock absorber lanyard will not stop them from hitting the ground at those heights.

One other point, when there is an arrested fall what are the rescue plans you insist on to avoid suspension trauma? We require rescue within 5 minutes and insist on a rescue plan being written into the safe work method statement for the task.
Ronald McKenzie Comment by Ronald McKenzie on March 6, 2010 at 8:08pm
That depends on the area\state you are working in. California, depending on the code section, does not allow you to tie off below the waist. You should never have more than 5 foot of free fall. A retractable should not allow you to travel more than 2 feet. When you attach at your feet then you have the 4 foot distance to the level of your D ring, retractable, plus the four feet of slack in the line, (at least). then the 2-3 feet of the harness stretching because no one ever wears the harness as tight as they should. So... basically, the lanyard, harness will extend 6 feet over your head, plus however tall you are. ( 13 feet?, plus swing room)
Tom Trauger Comment by Tom Trauger on March 6, 2010 at 7:56pm
Can you use a retractable line with anchor points at your feet on a wood structure?
What is the minimum fall distance clearance you need so you do not hit the level below if you are using a retractable line with anchor points at your feet?
Ronald McKenzie Comment by Ronald McKenzie on March 6, 2010 at 7:47pm
If the entire length played out, then they had the wrong type of retractable. Some retractables are not designed for horizontal use. The ratchet mechanism should stop within 2 feet. Otherwise the acceleration will exceed the max. strength for the cable.
Heather Comment by Heather on March 6, 2010 at 7:28pm
Hi Daniel-
I've been trying to find out the details of this for something I was working on. February seemed to have many falls! (Not all in construction) But the info is kind of skimpy. The retractable did not arrest - it went the whole 30 ft, then snapped. The person I talked to wasn't sure what the material was made of - they just knew it was past due for recertification. I appreciate your thoughts on the matter.
Daniel Wampler Comment by Daniel Wampler on March 6, 2010 at 7:16pm
Hey Heather -
Thanks for spurring on discussion! To answer your question, usually re-certification is not too expensive (like $50 - $100). Even without re-certification, though, the unit should not have snapped. Are you saying that the unit did not arrest the fall - that it just kept "playing out" for the entire 30'? Often, the failures that are seen with retractable lifelines have to do with using the wrong type of retractable for the application. For instance, if the lifeline itself will need to go over a leading edge (be exposed to the edge itself) during a fall, it needs to be a steel cable or Kevlar material that is certified for that type of use. Most retractables are not. When exposed to the extra trauma of the leading edge - and transferring the forces of that fall against that edge - the unit may "snap" if not designed for that. I wonder if this is what happened in that case. Retractables that are made for this application also should have a secondary deceleration device mounted to the end of the lanyard attached to the worker that will absorb most of the force of the fall. Here is an example: click here.

I know that was a whole lot of info that was not the exact question that you were asking, but is a "misuse" that I run into quite a bit. I thought it was worth mentioning. Thanks!
Heather Comment by Heather on March 6, 2010 at 4:16pm
Hey again- another question. How many of you work with retractables?
Last month a local construction worker in my city was blown off the roof he was working on head first. His retractable went 30 ft - stopped his fall - but then it snapped & he fell another 30 ft to the ground. The person I was talking to said he heard that it was a retractable that had not been recertified (maybe 3 years old).
Luckily the man survived! (he was working across the street from the hospital & they arrived in minutes with a doctor) Who is in charge of keeping equipment updated? How costly is it to get equipment recertified?
Terence (Terry) Kidd Comment by Terence (Terry) Kidd on March 2, 2010 at 2:50pm
Cheers !!! Our pleasure.
Heather Comment by Heather on March 2, 2010 at 2:45pm
Thanks all for your input! It's always great to hear from people in the field.
Ronald McKenzie Comment by Ronald McKenzie on February 24, 2010 at 3:12pm
Hi Heather,
I agree with Terry, the Hierachy of controls is the guide. We do mainly Highrise construction, and Ladders are never used for access to the working deck. 60" high guardrails with netting to prevent falling material.
A cost comparison would be next to impossible. The work will go faster without PFA, but that is a difficult item to quantify since the site conditions change so much.
There is a huge learning curve to teach someone how to utilze manlifts instead of climbing the re-bar or steel structures, and then the next building is completely different.
 

Members (185)

Mike D. Ray Butler Mark Dennington Site Administrator Jessica Muller Tom Trauger DoorJak Team Jay D. Rohman Mark Balduzzi Erin Tricker Mike Octave Mariya Nikolayeva David Green Lara Kretler Powell T. Stevenson WorkSafeBC.com Mike Silva Garry L Mullins Jr, COSS Tracy Haus John Miley Doug Kos Glen Givens Matt Blake William Ernie Doggett Jr John Maiorano Rick Zimmerman Heather Cindy Bateman Brewer Bill Parker,CHST
 
 

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Forum

Anandha padmanaban

Information 3 Replies

Can anyone please suggest me where could i get some usefull informations, books, study materials regarding safety..? Thanks in advance..

Started by Anandha padmanaban. Last reply by Anandha padmanaban 14 hours ago.

Sam Windom

Top iPhone Apps for the EHS Professional

I just posted the Top 8 Environmental iPhone Apps for the EHS Profession.  Do you have an iPhone?  Check http://todayinehs.com/?p=435 to see if I got it right.  Don't have an iPhone, well then use th…

Tagged: Apple, iPhone, TodayinEHS, Environmental, EHS

Started by Sam Windom 1 day ago.

Sam Windom

OSHA Listens - My Feedback to OSHA 2 Replies

I'm sure most everyone has heard about the OSHA Listens event held last Thursday (here's the link to the event http://www.osha.gov/as/opa/osha-listens.html)...we I decided to answer the 9 questions t…

Tagged: TodayinEHS, Safety, EHS, OSHA

Started by Sam Windom. Last reply by Sam Windom 1 day ago.

Susan Quigley

Topic Assistance

One of my pet prives about EHS systems and programs is that I spend alot of my time retrofitting OSHA, building code etc codes/rules after a system has been put in place by the design department.  I…

Started by Susan Quigley Mar 8.

Raymond Reiff

My Anti-fatigue Mat Rant 1 Reply

Over the past year we have been invaded by anti-fatigue mats.  Good meaning supervisors have decided that they have a multitude of locations that would benefit from these mats but unfortunately their…

Started by Raymond Reiff. Last reply by Michelle Sears Mar 5.

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