Industrial Maintenance Fall Prevention Equipment - Added 9/11/13
Why is fall protection so important?
Falls are among the most common causes of serious work related injuries and deaths. Employers must set up the work place to prevent employees from falling off of overhead platforms, elevated work stations or into holes in the floor and walls.
What can be done to reduce falls?
Employers must set up the work place to prevent employees from falling off of overhead platforms, elevated work stations or into holes in the floor and walls. OSHA requires that fall protection be provided at elevations of four feet in general industry workplaces, five feet in shipyards, six feet in the construction industry and eight feet in long shoring operations. In addition, OSHA requires that fall protection be provided when working over dangerous equipment and machinery, regardless of the fall distance.
Fabrication Authorities International, LLC. offers a large range of products to satisfy a wide variety of applications. From expansive multi-purpose aircraft maintenance stands to small office ladders, to industrial man lifts and aviation maintenance platforms, we assist you in making your work area safer, more efficient, and therefore more productive. Our aircraft maintenance platforms provide your maintenance technicians with access to all service zones on the aircraft, from equipment bays to engines, to the empennage. Most are height adjustable and have casters for portability from job to job. Our aircraft ladders are constructed from the highest quality materials available, and we offer a wide selection to choose from. Our helicopter maintenance stands come in 9 different series to suit your needs, and custom designs are also available.
Our Aircraft Maintenance Stands provide your technicians with ergonomical access to maintain aircraft systems, providing critical fall protection to ensure a safe and comfortable work environment. These maintenance stands improve your facility's overall productivity and efficiency. They may be utilized to service, overhaul, repair or inspect any aircraft within their set platform heights.
Our B2 Stands are a popular choice because they may be utilized to service any aircraft within their 10' to 19' height range and one stand may replace the need for several different types of platforms and ladders. The B2 Aircraft Maintenance Stand plays a vital role in the aviation industry ensuring the utmost safety for the mechanics. These height adjustable platforms may also be used as temporary access stairway for aircraft and any industrial arena.
Customers with small hangars prefer our B4 Aircraft Maintenance Stand because they may be utilized to service any aircraft within their 3' to 7' 2" height range and one stand may replace the need for several different types of platforms and ladders. Some prefer this product over traditional B1 or B2 Stands because it has a smaller footprint and stows easier than some of our larger stands.
Fabrication Authorities International, LLC. offers a complete line of Aircraft Maintenance Stands which incorporates the absolute best in engineering, design, materials, and manufacturing quality. We deliver safe and efficient equipment at wholesale pricing for both marine and trucking industries.
Selecting the Right Ladder for the Job…added 10/1/13
Making the selection of proper type of ladder for your job application requires knowledge of several key points.
Different people, projects and tasks require ladders of varying styles, sizes, grades and materials. Style, size, duty rating, material and tread type are the five key elements to understand when choosing the right ladder for the job.
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Some of the questions that may help you to understand your needs include: |
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Ladder Style
The first step in ladder selection is choosing the right style of ladder for the job. There are several different styles of ladders to consider, all of which are designed with different beneficial qualities in mind. Utilizing the wrong style of ladder or misusing the equipment can result in a fall or serious injury.
If working indoors, a stepstool, stepladder, platform or multi-purpose ladder is usually recommended when you need a reach of two to eight feet. Outside, a taller stepladder, multi-purpose, extension or retractable ladder is often more appropriate for jobs requiring a reach of thirteen feet or more. If you need access up or over equipment, a cantilever ladder might suit your needs.
Ladder Size
Length & Width-Choosing the right size or length of the ladder is just as important as the ladder style. One of the most common and potentially dangerous ladder selection mistakes is purchasing a ladder that is either too short or too long. You will also need to consider the base size of your ladder. Will it fit into the area that needs to be accessed? Where will the ladder be stored when it is not in use?
Height-To ensure you choose the ladder best suited to your needs, consider the platform and working height requirements. The height requirement goes in hand with handrail size. Standard handrails are 30” high. There are handrail options for California OSHA compliant 42” high handrail with a 21” midrail and 4” toeboard. If you are needing a 12 step, 120” high ladder, you might want the extra fall protection the 42” handrails offer. A person’s maximum safe reaching height is approximately 4' higher than the height of the ladder. For example, a typical person can safely reach a 9' ceiling on a 5' ladder. You will need to consider not only the ladder height, but also the working height needed.
Ladder Performance & Duty Rating
Ladders are designed and constructed to safely hold up to a specific amount of weight. The Duty Rating or Capacity is defined as the maximum safe load capacity of the ladder and is defined in terms of pounds. A person's fully clothed weight plus the weight of any tools and materials on the ladder must be less than the duty rating.
Ladders are also built to handle the demands of various applications. For example, a ladder used frequently on a construction site by rugged workers should typically be stronger and have a corresponding higher Duty Rating than a ladder used by a lighter person for light chores around the home. Workers should be advised to consider both the weight which will be on the ladder and the work application and to select the proper grade of ladder which is designed to handle anticipated usage.
Ladder Material & Tread Type
The final step in selecting the right ladder is choosing the proper material the ladder needs to be manufactured form. Each material has different characteristics which make it best for certain applications, or one material may simply fit the personal preferences of the user. For example, steel ladders may be the best choice for a heavy duty rating, while stainless steel ladders may be a better choice for corrosive environments.
Tread Options-There are several tread options to consider. The key points to consider here are slip resistance and environment.
Perforated Tread provides moderate slip resistance and is for indoor applications.
Grip Strut & Serrated Tread provides the most aggressive tread. The design allows dirt and debris to fall through the tread and is perfect for outdoor or boot applications.
Expanded Tread is flat, non-skid tread, generally used for moist or outdoor applications. The open grating allows debris to fall through, and it perfect for warehouse and industrial applications.
Abrasive Mat is ideal for areas with less dirt. The non-slip footing provides safe climbing, making it the best choice for many office/retail environments.
Grip Tape is an adhesive tape with a hard grit surface. This tread is recommended for indoor and dry environments and is perfect for offices and users with dress shoes.
Ribbed Aluminum Tread is slip-resistant tread that may be used in moist environments, marine docks, and industrial applications or on graded or uneven platforms. There are also non-metallic options.
Diamond Plate Tread was the first non-skid tread ever created in the industry. It reduces slipping but is not recommended for oily or wet conditions.
As you can see, there are a lot of factors to take into consideration when making a ladder purchase. Fall prevention is an absolute requirement in any work environment.
Fabrication Authorities International, LLC. has experienced sales technicians on hand, educated to provide you with a professional consultation to determine the product(s) needed to help make your facility a safer, more productive place to be. Contact us today!