Fall Protection Now Available Through US Cargo Control
US Cargo Control officially launched its distribution of fall protection equipment and supplies to its customers this week. Fall protection provides workers from various industries like construction, rigging, longshoring, shipyards, scaffolding, and more with the necessary gear to keep them safe and protected at high elevations. US Cargo Control offers a wide variety of fall protection gear from favorite brands like DBI Sala, Protecta, MSA, Honeywell, Miller, Guardian, and FallTech in an effort to emphasize the importance of worker safety in these critical environments.
Read on to learn more about fall protection and the equipment offered through US Cargo Control.
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What is Fall Protection?
Fall protection involves a wide variety of means that work together to either prevent falls from occurring or protect workers against injury in the event of a fall. There are two common means of fall protection that most businesses implement: active protection, which are controls that require active participation from the user (e.g. harnesses, anchorages, connectors, additional PPE), and passive protection, which are installed beforehand as means of fall prevention (e.g. safety nets, guardrails, barricades). Both methods work to mitigate the severity of falls that occur in certain situations while on the job.
Why Is Fall Protection Important?
Falls are a serious concern for those working from various heights, near edges, or in suspended applications. The imminent dangers of working in these environments requires businesses to implement fall protection and prevention systems for various industry workers at specific heights, depending on the industry standards set by OSHA. These height thresholds include construction sites at 6 ft. or more, long shoring applications at 8 ft. or more, and scaffolding at 10 ft. or more.
The statistics around work-related falls are quite alarming:
- In 2021, there were 850 work-related fatalities due to falls, slips, and trips - a 5.6% increase from the previous year - according to the BLS's National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries report.
- Of these 850 fatalities due to falls, slips, and trips, 370 of these were accounted for in construction and extraction occupations. This reflects 1 in 5 workplace deaths occurred in the construction industry in 2021.
- The National Safety Council found that 211,640 workers were injured from falls that required days off for hospitalization and/or recovery.
- Lack of fall protection at construction sites was the #1 most frequently violated OSHA standard in fiscal year 2022.
It's pretty clear about the importance of using fall protection for these jobsites. The number one priority for businesses needs to be worker safety. By using fall protection, businesses can rest easier knowing safety precautions are put in place to prevent accidents from happening.
Types of Fall Protection
US Cargo Control offers a wide variety of fall protection gear and equipment divided up into 11 different categories. Below shows a synopsis of each variety:
1. Safety Harnesses & Body Wear
Safety harnesses are the most common fall protection gear and a critical component of personal fall arrest systems (PFASs). Choosing the right safety harness is important for your specific application. Some variations include different sizes, materials, connectors, and belting. Additionally, one size does not fit all, and finding the right one that fits tightly on your body while allowing you the mobility to do your job is paramount.
US Cargo Control sorts their safety harnesses into three categories:
- Good Safety Harnesses provide the necessary fall protection gear at a reliable price point with uncompromising reliability in their effectiveness.
- Better Safety Harnesses combines both quality and affordability into fall protection options offering slightly more comfort and flexibility.
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Best Safety Harnesses offer the most comfort, fit, and quality materials for maximum protection and dependability with every use.
2. Self-Retracting Lines & Personal Fall Limiters
Self-Retracting Lines (SRLs), also known as yo-yos, are devices that attach to safety harnesses or other body gear containing connectors or D-rings. Comprising of self-retracting housing units and lanyards, these devices work by maintaining tension while the worker moves around. As the worker moves away from the anchorage, the lanyard extends, while it retracts as the worker moves closer. Each SRL contains a braking system that quickly arrests the user's movement in the instance of a fall, reducing the impact and holding the worker in place until they can be rescued.
SRLs and Fall Limiters (compact versions of SRLs with shorter lifelines) are classified based on class types set by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI):
- Class 1 SRLs consist of standard devices with an ANSI Class 1 Compliant rating. This means these SRLs are suitable for anchorage connections at or above the dorsal D-ring (generally found on the backs of safety harnesses).
- Class 1 SRL-Ps have the same class compliance as standard Class 1 SRLs but apply to full-body body harnesses.
- Class 2 SRLs are standard devices with an ANSI Class 2 Compliant rating. This indicates the devices are suitable for anchorage connections at, above, or up to 5 feet below the dorsal D-ring. They are also rated for leading edge, or any platform where elevation between the next level or the ground is greater than 5 ft.
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Class 2 SRL-Ps have the similar Class 2 distinction but applied to full-body safety harnesses.
3. Lanyards
Safety lanyards puts user safety first by connecting harnesses to secure anchor points. Lanyards, like SRLs, are important in keeping workers tethered to a safe anchorage, preventing any risk of severe falling accidents. Available in many lengths, these lines ensure workers stay safe while working from heights or near edges.
There are two types of lanyards to choose from:
- Shock-Absorbing Lanyards automatically stretches and retracts as a worker moves. Made of energy-absorbent polyester webbing and a built-in impact indicator, this lanyard limits fall arrest forces, reducing impact on workers. The bungee-like material also prevents trip hazards on the jobsite.
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Adjustable Positioning Lanyards are a more economic alternative that provides similar safety benefits, but without shock absorption. Nevertheless, these lanyards make adjusting on the job easy to do with self-locking snap hooks that connect to the harness and anchorage.
4. Connectors
If lanyards don't provide the right kind of connection you need, we offer a variety of different connectors that provide a secure connection between different elements of your fall protection system. Connectors come in different varieties suitable for specific applications. Below are a few different categories of connectors offered through US Cargo Control:
- D-Ring Extensions provides extra length to give workers easier access when attaching lanyards and SRLs to dorsal D-Rings.
- Carabiners are the main connectors with different types used at various points in fall protection systems.
- Lifeline Rope & Rope Grab work together to create a mobile personal fall arrest system. The 5/8" lifeline rope contains a snap hook for easy and secure connection, while the rope grab works by running along the length of the vertical lifeline for added flexibility. Rope grab products include friction-sensitive brake locks that activate in the instance of a trip or fall.
5. Anchorages
Anchorages play a crucial role of providing secure anchor points for workers on various jobsites. There is a multitude of anchorage options that US Cargo Control offers, from varying makes and materials, to application types and connection points. Choosing the right one is crucial for your particular jobsite, as one anchorage does not fit all. These anchorages work for the following applications:
- Roof Anchors are hinged pieces of steel with D-rings on top that screw into the peaks of roofs and allow for safe connection to workers' safety harnesses. These tools allow for workers to move about the space while they work on the roof.
- Beam Anchor Clamps work by adjusting the two clamps to fit the widths of different I-beams and contain a connector ring positioned either on the sides or centers of these tools to fasten lanyards and SRLs to. Sliding beam anchors allow workers to move along the beam itself for a wider range of movement.
- Concrete Anchors can be attached and removed from embedded rebar to keep workers secure during concrete pours.
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Tie-Off Adapters consist of polyester webbing or galvanized cable fitted with D-rings or O-rings that loop around another object, then pass through each end fitting for versatile usage. Each material adapter comes with either a vinyl coating protection (cable) or wear pad (webbing) for abrasion resistance from the wrapped-around objects.
6. Dropped Tool Prevention
Looking for ways to keep tools attached to you in case of accidental drops? Tool tethers, also known as tool lanyards, work to keep equipment attached to harnessed workers, preventing harm caused by accidentally dropped tools on a worksite. By attaching tools to the proper tool tethers, workers can have peace of mind about accidental drops, working more safely and efficiently.
US Cargo Control offers a variety of different dropped tool prevention tethers including self-retractable tools, lanyards that secure to tools such as drills and pliers, and tethering kits for different tools.
7. Horizontal Lifelines
When anchor points aren't available at certain worksites, workers can use horizontal lifeline systems to ensure their safety while being able to move around. Each lifeline system attaches to both anchor points and harnesses using durable carabiners and contains O-rings for additional connection with SRLs and shock-absorbing lanyards. Perfect to use in applications where height is involved, these tools are lightweight and easy to install wherever needed.
These lifelines are available at various lengths, including 30 ft., 60 ft., and 100 ft.
8. Rescue & Descent
In the event an issue occurs where workers fall, get stuck, or become trapped, having the right rescue equipment can help save lives. US Cargo Control provides rescue response systems that works for a variety of situations, involving the necessary equipment for controlled rescue and descent applications.
- Rescue Safety Equipment Kits: These kits include three modes of lifting to cater to different rescue situations: a manual handwheel, a telescoping ratchet handle, and a power drill adapter for secure ascension. Kits are available in a demo length of 50 ft., as well as working lengths of 150 ft., 300 ft., and 500 ft.
- Emergency Rescue Ladder: Designed for safe retrieval of conscious workers, the 20 ft. ladder is easy to connect and deploy using the pre-connected anchorage carabiner to attach to secure points. The hi-vis webbing and alloy steel tubes ensures the rescue ladders holds up against any and all workers.
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Suspension Trauma Straps: Harness trauma straps work to relieve pressure after a worker has fallen. Available in clips that attach to universally all harnesses.
9. Fall Protection Kits
Combining all the necessary elements, US Cargo Control also offers all-inclusive fall protection kits that works best for those looking for general fall protection, but need help on choosing necessaray equipment pieces. There are two types of kits to choose from:
- Roofing Safety Harness Kit: This kit includes a Contractor-series harness, reusable roof anchor, rope lifeline, single-leg shock-absorbing lanyard with a trailing rope adjuster, and storage bucket. Perfect for those working on roofs, taller structures, or near edges without any guardrails present.
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General Fall Arrest Harness Kit: This basic kit includes the necessities of general fall arrest systems like a Contractor-series harness, single-leg shock-absorbing lanyard with alloy steel snap hooks, and medium storage bag.
10. Confined Space Equipment
Confined spaces, according to OSHA, "limit[s] or restrict[s] means for entry or exit and is not designed for continuous occupancy." Such places include manholes, pipelines, tunnels, vessels, silos, storage bins, vaults, tunnels, etc. These areas present hazards that other types of fall protection fail to handle. Therefore, our line of confined space equipment offers flexible and fast tools to keep workers safe in these environments.
You can choose from two main types of confined space systems. Both come equipped with personnel winches, SRLs, or both depending on the model:
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Confined Space Tripods: These tripods provide workers with a mobile fall protection system that's easier to transport and more economical than Davit systems. The adjustable legs these systems come with fit a range of standard entry points.
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Davit Systems: These heavy-duty systems come with a sturdy, squared-off base and mast extension to precisely align your lifeline for easy entry. This allows workers more versatility and access to confined spaces compared to confined space tripods.
11. Netting
Lastly, safety netting includes a wide range of styles and makes used in a variety of different industries. Commonly used as a form of passive fall protection, netting works as a back-up in the instance of a fall or failure of fall protection gear. Some of the uses for safety netting includes the following:
- Scaffolding & Debris Netting provides protection for personnel and property by creating a system that not only reduces risk of accidents but also improves productivity and reduces clean-up-related downtime.
- Truck Loading Safety Nets work as a measure of fall protection in situations where handrails or guardrails are not present. These are impact-absorbing nets that secure both personnel or cargo that fell through openings.
- Personnel Safety Nets offer the highest level of security for workers and businesses. These nets can even lower insurance costs in certain situations.
We also offer custom safety netting for construction for those unable to find the right-sized nets. Simply fill out the form found on our "Netting" page or call our sales team to place an order.
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