Workers Falling Through Skylights

Check out this Ontario Ministry Of Labour (MOL) alert on Workers Falling Through Skylights >>> http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/pubs/ib_skylights.php

Pro-Bel specializes in more than window washing systems; we are also experts in fall protection systems.  These systems can include:

• cable systems, 
• guard rails, and
• localized anchors;

All of which would be excellent solutions for protecting workers from falling through skylights.

Cooling Towers

The Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes has proposed changes to the National Building Code that would:

·        impose minimum distances between cooling towers and a building’s air intake and exhaust vents

·         mandate backflow prevention devices and other drainage controls

·         reference for reducing legionella risks

This is intended to address the longstanding problem of inspections and maintenance of a building’s potable water system and to protect building occupants of legionella disease.

These proposed changes will require building owners to install service platforms and fixed caged ladders to provide ready access for inspection, monitoring, and testing of cooling towers.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Labour and TSSA inspectors are currently issuing time orders to have this equipment installed (when an Inspector views a cooling towers without safe access).

With the Inspector’s increased enforcement this puts pressure on building management to take a proactive approach.

Pro-Bel can provide an assessment of your cooling tower to ensure access equipment is installed and is safe to use.

Accidents On Low-Rise Buildings

Falls are the most frequent accidents that occur on low-rise buildings and low-rise construction sites.  OSHA data shows that fall accidents on low rise buildings are the cause of many serious injuries and fatalities.

At the same time, the data shows that falls have certain properties, which may help designers to devise preventive approaches on low rise buildings.  OSHA data shows that nearly half of the fall accidents occur on projects involving commercial buildings and single family dwellings.  However, whether it is a commercial building, multi-storey building or even a single storey building; the potential for falls remains a significant hazard on low-rise buildings and construction sites.

OSHA data shows that falls occurred at what some would consider relatively low elevations.  About 75% of falls occurred at elevations of less than 30 feet, and 45% were less than 20 feet.

Environmental Concerns

Over half of the fall injuries are related to environmental factors involving the working surface (icy or wet conditions for example) or building layout conditions (awkward or inconvenient roof layouts).

Human Errors Resulting In Falls

Analysis of human errors showed that “misjudgement of the hazardous situation” is the most frequent type of error involving falls, accounting for 30% of all the accidents.

Location Of Falls

80% of all building fall accidents took place:

 

• from roofs,
• from or with scaffolds,
• from or with ladders, and
• through openings.   
 

These falls can be effectively prevented with adequate safety equipment, proper training, and suitable fall protection.  Without fall protection, workers may not be aware of their surroundings and ignore hazards.

The bottom-line is; fall protection equipment is need:

• In Canada, where any section of the parapet wall is less than 36 inches (and someone is subject to a 10 foot fall)

• In the USA, where any section of the parapet wall is less than 42 inches (and someone is subject to a 4 foot fall)

Early Fall Protection

Falls are the leading cause of worker deaths in construction (and have been for many years).

Why is this so?  We have a fall protection standard (29 CFR 1926, Subpart M).

Are we ignoring the codes, standards, and regulations?

Have we learned ways to "outsmart" them for production's sake?

When the standard calls for fall protection are we simply putting the worker into a harness and lanyard and calling it "fall protection" (to meet the minimum requirements)?  And is this the best way to ensure the safety of the worker?

Can we do more; such as engineer the hazard out with guardrail systems or some other means of protection?

One of the marvels of early 20th century construction is a testament to safe work practices and fall protection.

In 1933, (during the middle of the Great Depression), work began on the eventual 4 year project to build the world's longest suspension bridge at a cost of $35 million.  The workers who were hired to perform this dangerous work at great heights, (in strong winds over rolling water and with fog moving in and out regularly), largely were inexperienced with steel erection or with construction in general.

Because of the economic situation in the country at the time, a well paying job like this was much sought after, (even if it was one of the most dangerous jobs in the world).  Those who claimed to be ironworkers often came from very different backgrounds, but would buy identification from local residents so they would be allowed on the job.  They would, however, claim to be "experienced" ironworkers, and therefore didn't need any training.

At the time, contractors estimated one fatality for every $1 million.  As this was a $35 million project, 35 deaths were "budgeted" from the start.

The man charged with the design and engineering of the bridge was Joseph Strauss.  He was a pioneer in the world of safety and the fall protection methods he used on the bridge have been refined into state of the art systems.  He required workers to tie-off with a lifeline, and those who didn't were fired.

Today, one may even purchase ready to install systems that can be set up in minutes and systems have become comfortable to wear and easy to use.

The best known engineered fall protection device on the project was the safety net Strauss had installed prior to beginning work on the roadbed segments.  This cantilevered net ran the entire length of the roadway and extended 10 feet out from either side (protecting workers from falling to certain death in the choppy waters of the bay).   

Unfortunately, on February 17th, 1937, (just months away from final completion and opening the bridge to traffic), a scaffold carrying 10 men gave way and actually fell through the net.  Along with another worker who had fallen earlier, these were the only reported fatalities during the project.

This net was installed at a cost of 130,000 Depression-era dollars.  But the value added in saving lives proved worth it.  Of the 19 men who fell into the net, (and were later dubbed the "Halfway to Hell Club"), anyone of those who hadn't been saved by that $130,000 net could have cost the project considerably through delays, work slowdowns, and morale.

The Golden Gate Bridge opened 73 years ago; almost 40 years before OSHA mandated that these safe practices routinely be included for these hazardous activities.

Product Profile: Davit Systems

Davit arms are commonly used to rig over non-structural parapets, decorative cornices, and glass balcony guardrails. These arms act as the primary suspension points usually for swingstages, but are also used for supporting single man cages and bosun's chairs. Comprised of a mast (the vertical) and boom (the horizontal), davit arms are secured to structure using bases. These bases vary to suit the roof or wall construction.

The main distinction in davit systems is whether or not the system is designed to be ground rigged or roof rigged. In a ground rigged scenario, each successive "drop" is done by picking up the platform from ground level, raising it to roof level, then back to the ground level. At ground level the platform is then moved to the next "drop" location.

In a roof rigged scenario, the mast on the davit arm is tall enough to allow it to pick the platform up from ground level, and hoist it onto the roof. The stage is then relocated on the roof level to align with each "drop" location. Please find below an example of roof rigging a stage.

 

Davit arms are typically portable and are relocated to new bases for every drop. They can be broken down into segments for ease of carrying. Mast and boom size vary depending on building requirements. At times, arms that are very large or are required in difficult to access areas, are recommended or necessary to be permanently left in place for facade access. In the below picture, the davits could not be practically moved onto the catwalk, as such the arms there are permanent. Also referred to as, "dedicated arms".

 

 

 

Michael Gray

Marketing and Sales Support
Ontario and Eastern Canada

Pro-Bel Enterprises Ltd

e: mikegray@pro-bel.ca

t: @Pro_Bel

w: www.pro-belgroup.com

 

Not Just Roof Anchors

I don't plug Pro-Bel Enterprises Ltd very often in my blog postings. In fact, I think this may be the first time. I try to post blog articles that are industry specific only and have no bearing on any individual company. However, with this particular blog posting it is unavoidable. I digress.

Pro-Bel Enterprises Ltd is associated with being a provider of window washing, suspended maintenance, and fall protection system products and services. However, there are many products we offer that people are not aware of.

S-5 Clamps / Snowguard Systems

Pro-Bel is an authorized distributor for S-5 (http://www.s-5.com/distributors/Index.cfm?DistCat=6). S-5 is a great product that allows securement of clamps to a standing seam metal roof without penetrating the decking. A common use for these clamps is to secure snowguards.

Guardrail Systems

We can design, manufacture and install permanent or counterweighted guardrail systems.

Breakaway Anchors

Complete with its own internal shock absorber, the breakaway or collapsable roof anchor can be installed right into the roof deck without being secured to the supporting structure underneath.

Hoisting Arm

Much like a davit arm, Pro-Bel can manufacture hoisting arms which are portable and secured on site to permanently installed bases.

Residential Roof Anchor

Residential roof anchors are used on sloped shingled roofs. They can be nailed or screwed directly into the wood truss roof support structure and be used as tie off points for roofers. These are becoming mandatory for roofers in the United States in June, 2011.

Best,

Michael Gray
Marketing and Sales Support
Ontario and Eastern Canada
Pro-Bel Enterprise Ltd
e: mikegray@pro-bel.ca
t: @Pro_Bel
w: http://www.pro-belgroup.com/

Working With Concrete

In the roof anchor business, it doesn't matter if its retrofit or new construction. Reinforced concrete is the best of the best when it comes to a structure to work with. It's more cost effective, doesn't typically require localized reinforcing or access to the underside of the structure. It also has a host of other benefits as well such as improved insulation and sound barrier qualities.

The best part in new construction is that we don't have to send anybody to the site for installation which saves everybody time and money. We simply send the anchor to the site with our shop drawings and the anchors are cast in place. There are three types of cast in anchors: single stud, four stud, and fully embedded.

Single stud are the most difficult to physically place for casting in as they only have one bolt from which to balance the anchor.

Four stud are much easier to cast in. As you can imagine they have four studs or bolts from which to vertically support the anchor. These extra three studs are required by engineering for taller anchors.

 And finally we come to fully embedded. This is my personal favorite for two reasons: one its very east to stand up for casting, two, it is more cost effective than both the single and four stud anchors.

In the unfortunate event that a pour is missed by the roof anchor manufacturer and the anchor have to be retrofitted, its not as bad as you think. We simply have use an adhesive anchor and glue, or epoxy the roof anchors into place.

There is also an option of using a bolt through style anchor in the chance happening that is pour is missed to retrofit the anchor it but I would not recommend it. The bolt through style anchor requires access to the underside of the structure to complete installation and it also requires leaving a plate exposed.

For its strength and forgiving nature, concrete is definitely the structure of choice for roof anchor manufacturers.

Best,


Michael Gray
Marketing and Sales Support
Ontario and Eastern Canada
Pro-Bel Enterprises Ltd
e: mikegray@pro-bel.ca
t: @Pro_Bel
w: www.pro-belgroup.com