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Views: 260 Author: Lydia Publish Time: 2023-10-19 Origin: Site
Use the anchor that is best suited for the situation to properly protect workers on any jobsite. Unlike most fall protection equipment options, which are almost entirely dependent on application, the conditions at the location will heavily influence the anchors you employ. In this part, we'll teach you where to look for the gadgets that will keep your workers safe on your next job. Along with these precautions, you should seek the counsel of a Qualified Person while acquiring fall prevention anchors.
The standards for fall arrest anchors differ from those for fall restraint anchors. When a worker falls, the anchor must be strong enough to withstand the forces caused by the fall. As a result, fall arrest anchors must be capable of withstanding 5,000 pounds of force, or twice the maximum arrest force. Work positioning anchors, on the other hand, require only 3,000 lb. of capacity, or double the amount of expected force.
It is crucial to understand that these capacity limits apply to both the anchor, or device, that you carry to the job site and the anchorage, or structure, to which your fall protection system is attached. You won't be able to ensure safety if one of these components does not match these standards.
When you have a new project location, your Competent Person will need to visit the site in person. They will identify any potential fall hazards and evaluate the type of fall protection device you will require to be safe. The Competent Person will determine which structures can be used as anchorages during this inspection. The Qualified Person will then decide if the structure can withstand the loads required for the application.
Once they've determined which anchoring you'll be using, your Qualified Person will inspect it to determine the type of substrate it's constructed of. As previously said, knowing what type of substrate you're dealing with is critical for selecting the appropriate device. The Qualified Person can then select what type of anchor will work best for these situations once they have this knowledge. Other considerations to consider include the type of work you'll be performing, whether personnel need to be able to move around, and whether it's best to use a temporary or permanent anchor. Based on this information, they can select the optimal gadget for the job.
Along with selecting the appropriate sort of anchor for the substrate, you must also decide whether you require a piercing or non-penetrating anchor. Penetrating anchor points are not permitted in some substrates, such as steel beams. Others, such as many roofs, require the use of piercing instruments. During their examination, your Competent Person will choose which choice you require.
falltech-safety-blog-inspecting-anchorRegular, comprehensive inspections are an essential component of fall protection. Your equipment may be damaged in the field, as a result of incorrect storage, or over time. Inspections are the only method to ensure that your safety systems are functioning properly. Workers should conduct a pre-use inspection before each use to look for any faults. In addition, your Competent Person must inspect all of your equipment at least once a year. In addition, the user handbook should be consulted for the manufacturer's recommended inspection schedule and frequency.
Always start with the user manual while inspecting your anchors. Different types of anchors require different inspections, so follow the manufacturer's instructions. If you have any questions, you can also contact the company directly.
Having said that, there are several essential components on every anchor that you should inspect.
Examine the labels to confirm that they are whole, readable, and undamaged.
Rope and web
Inspect webbing anchors by inspecting both sides of the device and bending it into a U-shape for any of the damage described below. Grip the device and twist it to check for unraveling or loose strands when inspecting rope anchors. You should also run your hands along the material of both types of anchors, without gloves, to feel for damage.
Remove the anchor from use if you see any damage, such as cuts, nicks, tears, pulled/missing/cut stitches, broken fibers, cracks, degradation, user modifications, missing straps, knots, kinks, hockling, or popped/deployed fall indicators. Fraying, abrasions, discoloration, hard/shiny patches, excessive hardness/brittleness, undue straining, burnt, charred, or melted fibers, and uneven webbing thickness should all be shown to the Competent Person to assure the device's safety. Mildew can be removed with soap and water.
Some pass-through anchors have wear cushions along the loop to protect the webbing. Even if the wear pad has severe wear, the anchor may still be in good condition. If you have any questions, please contact your Competent Person.
Check for bird caging, broken wire strands, kinks, bent strands, rust, pitting, discoloration, or damage caused by corrosion or severe heat while wearing gloves. Look for crushed, flattened, or jammed strands, as well as bulges in the cable and any gaps between strands.
Hardware
Excessive wear, damage, rust, pitting, corrosion, rough/sharp edges, cracks, breaks, user modifications, and any other damage should be looked for.
If you notice any damage, notify your Competent Person and remove the anchor from service immediately. They will then decide whether or not it is still safe to use.
Anchors used for fall arrest must hold a static load of 5,000 lb for non-certified anchors or a minimum 2:1 safety factor on maximum arrest loads for certified anchors. Anchors for fall restraints must be able to hold 3,000 pounds. Anchors must also support a user's weight of 130-310 lb, according to ANSI rules. We test our anchors up to 425 lb. in some situations for workers weighing more than the ANSI capacity level at FallTech. (Unless otherwise specified, these ratings are for a single user.)
Some scaffolds are built to safely hold an anchor tie-off. In these instances, the manufacturer determines, designs, and tests its scaffolding for this application. Before using a scaffold as an anchorage, consult with the manufacturer and rely on the judgment of your Competent Person.
The safe operating load must be at least double the weight it is expected to support. For fall arrest, this implies it must be capable of supporting twice the maximum arrest force permitted by OSHA for a fall in that condition. Anchors for work placement or fall restraint must be able to withstand twice the expected force.
In some cases, workers require an anchor to allow them to move around the jobsite. Beam trolleys are equipped with wheels that allow them to roll along the beam, allowing workers to move horizontally beneath it. Some "trailing" beam clamp anchors are designed to attach to the top flange of a beam and move with the worker.
Counterweight systems are installed on the roof and are secured with a series of hefty weights. If workers desire to change positions, they can transfer each weight to the new location and recreate the anchor in that portion.
Gantry systems, sometimes known as "anchor points on wheels," are common at airports and are utilized for jobs such as working on a plane's wing. These enormous frameworks can be moved and locked into place, providing secure overhead anchorage wherever it is required.
Why Should You Use FallTech for Your Anchors and Fall Protection Needs?-falltech-blog-
You don't purchase fall protection equipment solely to tick a box on your compliance checklist. Because this equipment has the potential to save lives, it is critical to choose goods that give you complete trust in your workplace safety. The safety of our users is always the motivating force behind our work at FallTech. We handle every product, from anchors to harnesses, as if it were built for our personal safety.
Each product is tested in our ISO 17025:2017-accredited lab to ensure it meets the highest safety standards. We also publish all of this data online, with test reports and Declaration of Conformity (DOC) documents available for each item on our product pages. We may provide a test report for a specific application if you are concerned or have questions about it.
Choosing FallTech means getting a partner in fall protection safety and compliance. Our sales team is an industry leader in fall protection, actively seeking and sharing industry-leading information with others in our area. If you have a query about one of our products or require a system that is suited to your specific requirements, we will work with you to find the optimal answer. As a privately held company, we are able to provide a personalized experience to everyone of our customers, providing you with the assurance you require to feel secure in your workplace safety.
Explore our fall protection anchor products today to begin constructing a system that allows your staff to perform at their best without exposing themselves to undue risk.
