Does Your Fall Protection Include OSHA's Recommendations?

According to OSHA, fall protection products fit into four functional categories:

1. Fall Arrest;
2. Positioning;
3. Suspension; and
4. Retrieval.

Fall Arrest – Is required if there is any danger that a worker could fall from an elevated position. As a general rule, the system should be used when working of heights of 6’ or more. A full-body harness with a shock-absorbing lanyard or a retractable lifeline is the only product recommended.

Positioning – Holds the worker in place while keeping their hands free. When the worker leans back the system is activated. Note: Positioning is NOT designed for fall arrest purposes.

Suspension – Lowers and supports a worker while allowing them to work hands-free.

Retrieval – Preplan retrieval in the event a fall should take place as part of your fall arrest program.

Do you need assistance with a Fall Protection System? WiscoLift is a nationally recognized dealer of Fall Protection Systems. For more information, call our Sales Representative at 800-242-3477 or email us at smartlift@wiscolift.com.

Reference: OSHA.gov

#fallprotection #fallarrest #OSHAcompliance

Is Your Fall Arrest System Safe?

Did you know that OSHA requires a visual inspection of all fall arrest equipment prior to each use?

To maintain high performance of your equipment, all fall arrest equipment, harnesses, lanyards, and its hardware should be routinely inspected by a “trained and competent” person. Over time, belts, rings, lanyards and webbing can become frayed or distorted which could cause an arrest system to fail.

Before using any equipment, the following should be examined:

Harnesses – Hold one side toward you and invert the harness in a “V” shape. Look for any broken fibers, cuts, or frayed edges.

Rings/Buckles – Check for any distortion, cracks, or rough edges.

Lanyards – Check the hardware for any distortion, cracks, pitted surfaces or corrosion. Thimbles should be firmly seated in the eye of the splice, and there should be no loose or cut strands. Inspect the lanyard by rotating it and check for any cuts, breaks or discoloration.

For OSHA’s comprehensive inspection list, go to: 

https://www.osha.gov/Region7/fallprotection/fall_protection_info.html

Need an ongoing Inspection/Maintenance Program for your equipment?
Email us at smartlift@wiscolift.com or call our Sales Representative at 800-242-3477 and we would be happy to design a program tailored to your company’s needs.

Is Your Inspection/Maintenance Program OSHA Compliant?

There are four parts for a complete program of inspections and maintenance of hoists and cranes for full compliance with OSHA .

1. Daily inspections, most often performed by the crane and hoist operators, (performed at the beginning of every shift for multi-shift plant operations). These are not required to be documented however each employee who performs the inspection must be trained and qualified to do so.
2. Hoist and crane inspection defined by OSHA as a “frequent” inspection. Frequent inspections must be documented with individual inspection records for each piece of equipment. The inspection interval can be anywhere from daily to monthly with a monthly interval the most common.
3. Hoist and crane inspection defined by OSHA as a “periodic” inspection. Periodic inspections must be documented with individual inspection records for each piece of equipment. The inspection interval can be anywhere from monthly to annually with an annual interval the most common. A properly performed Periodic inspection requires partial disassembly of the equipment being inspected.
4. Preventive maintenance. OSHA regulation 1910.179(l)(1)  states:
   "Preventive maintenance. A preventive maintenance program based on the crane manufacturer's recommendations shall be established."

Complete hoist and crane maintenance often involves partial disassembly of the equipment.

WiscoLift has developed a comprehensive program to help you achieve full compliance with all four parts of the OSHA inspection and maintenance requirements.

1. Standardized curriculum training for daily hoist inspection.
2. and
3. Comprehensive inspection with printed reports and web based archiving of all past inspections available for your review 24/7.
4. Complete preventive maintenance carried out for each specific make and model of hoist and crane component.

Are you FULLY in compliance? Call WiscoLift at 800-242-3477, we can design and execute a specialized program for your company.

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