Fast Fall Facts Blog
Compatible Connections
April 3rd, 2013
If asked to describe two things that are compatible, most people wouldn’t have much difficulty. We would probably hear a variety of responses involving such well suited pairs as salt and pepper, a screw and a screwdriver, or gasoline and an engine; the possibilities are endless. To be compatible, two objects need to work together, at the very least without diminishing the functionality of each object independent from the other. Most frequently though, their functionality is in some way enhanced by using them in tandem.
We're Moving!: Guardian Fall Protection HQ
January 29th, 2013
We at Guardian Fall Protection are excited to announce that we will be moving our company headquarters to a new building, located at 6305 S 231st St., Kent, WA 98032. Only a few minutes away from our current location, this new facility brings with it a multitude of benefits both for us and those with whom we do business.
On the Leading Edge
January 8th, 2013
The Self-Retracting Lifeline (SRL) is one of the most common, and one of the most useful, pieces of fall protection equipment used in the construction industry today. Depending on the model, these versatile units can be either mounted on a full-body harness or to an anchorage connector, thereby allowing them to be either mobile or stationary, and many can also be used in combination with horizontal lifelines.
The Power of the Pen
November 12th, 2012
It is the beginning of the work day. Everyone is arriving at the job site, breakfasts digesting, cups of coffee in hand, getting ready to gear-up and get going. The job today of one particular crew will take them three stories up in an unfinished office building. Gray rebar juts out from the building’s frame. Sparks and metal are flashing out from a welding project on the main floor. The blaring alerts of a reversing concrete truck signal its arrival.
To Prevent or Protect: Selecting the Best Fall Safety Equipment
October 9th, 2012
It’s amazing what words can do. Words are what allow us to have society and culture, to make discourse, and to analyze subtleties. They give meaning to what would otherwise be a dramatically different, and much more silent, world.
Guardian Fall Protection Acquires Norguard Industries
October 3rd, 2012 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
KENT, WASHINGTON — Guardian Fall Protection, a leading innovator in the fall protection industry, is proud to announce our acquisition of our new subsidiary company, Norguard Industries. Based in Ontario, Canada, Norguard Industries is a top provider of fall protection equipment, and offers a diverse range of products, as well as more than twenty years of experience committed to ensuring worker safety. Those at Norguard Industries are excited to be joining Guardian, and look forward to helping us grow as leaders in the industry we dedicate ourselves to everyday.
Existing and Predicting Hazards — The Role of the Competent Person
August 2nd, 2012
As we all know, complying with the standards set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a central focus of the work we do in the fall safety industry. OSHA, as well as other regulating bodies, shape and set the requirements that all the equipment we make and sell must meet. And OSHA’s influence doesn’t stop after our products leave the warehouse.
'Growth' In the Fall Safety Industry
July 11th, 2012
We at Guardian have a wide range of knowledge and talents. But, I wager I can name a field few of us are expert in—biology. The basic biological idea of ‘carrying capacity,’ though, is one that even a non-science-oriented brain like mine can understand: it is the largest amount of a given species that can be supported by their environment.
Ladder Safety with Doug Boehm
June 17th, 2012
Ladder safety is one of those things that many people know about. It’s a common subject of discussion on job sites; and yet, ladder safety remains to be the area of fall protection that is most often neglected, ignored, and overlooked in our industry today.
Guardian Fall Protection Acquires Trojan Tools
June 1st 2012 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
KENT, WASHINGTON — Guardian Fall Protection, a leading provider of fall protection equipment, announced today that they have acquired Trojan Tools, the most reputable manufacturer of power tool accessories in the United States. The purpose behind this acquisition is to promote the product line expansion for Guardian's subsidiary company, Qualcraft Industries.
Guardian Fall Protection Launches Velocity Harness
February 29th, 2012 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
KENT, WASHINGTON — Guardian Fall Protection announced today the release of an industry first: a feature packed, budget friendly fall protection harness line up, the Velocity Economy Harnesses. Each Velocity harness features dual lanyard keepers that reduce the risk of dragging and snagging lanyards. A special identification label allows employees to personalize their harness without jeopardizing the integrity of the webbing. The harness also comes equipped with finished webbing ends to prevent damage as well as providing a clean, professional look. Perhaps the most unique features is the red webbing core of the harness, which provides a visual warning to the user in the case that the webbing has been damaged and should be taken out of service.
Snakes & Ladders
October 3rd, 2011
Snakes and Ladders was invented in India over 100 years ago and, eventually, made its way to the United States in the early 1900’s. The board game giant, Milton Bradley, changed the name to Chutes and Ladders in the spring of 1943; and the game remains popular with kids today. The object of the game is to successfully guide your game piece from the bottom square to the top square, being both aided by ladders and hindered by chutes.
Top OSHA Violations: Residential Fall Protection
September 19th, 2011
OSHA recently released the 2011 top cited safety hazards in the construction industry, and residential fall protection was number one. In this last year, OSHA’s revised residential standards have caused quite a stir in the home building and roofing market, having many contractors scrambling to comply.
August 2011 - Did You Know
August 10th, 2011
Per ANSI Z359.13-2009, there are very specific restrictions and limitations for fall arrest. For example, in a 6 foot freefall, the maximum amount of force allowed for a worker to endure is 1,800 pounds and the average amount of force cannot exceed 900 pounds. In a 12 foot freefall the maximum force allowed remains the same but the average is allowed to increase to 1,350 pounds because of the increased distance of the fall.
The FAQs of HLLs
July 26th, 2011
Horizontal Lifelines are one of the most common components of fall protection. However, they are also one of the most misunderstood. The debut of our new Horizontal Lifeline (HLL) Absorbinator Kits, gives us a chance to go over some of the most common questions when it comes to HLLs. I’ve gone directly to our experts on this. Bradley Dillon is one of our engineers and whose been nice enough to join us and help clarify a few points when it comes to Horizontal Lifelines in general and Absorbinator Kits in particular. Here they are:
What to Expect When Your Inspected
July 19th, 2011
It seems that a week can’t go by without the announcement of another large fine imposed by OSHA at another construction site. As I’ve mentioned before, these fines are only getting larger and inspections are becoming more and more common. On top of that, this year OSHA has implemented what they’re calling the Severe Violators Enforcement Program (SVEP). This program is intended to subject employers to more significant enforcement measures and penalties for willful, repeat, and failure-to-abate violations. It’s becoming clear that in many cases it’s not if OSHA will show up, but when. That being the case, it might be good to know a few things about what to do when OSHA shows up.
What Is Your Life Tied To?
July 14th, 2011
The Sanford Heart Hospital has been under construction for the past year in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Henry Carlson is the contractor. When Carlson contacted Moen Steel Construction out of Omaha to do the steel work, they sent 31-year-old Jason Bauer. Jason had the rare luck to have a job he loved. Along with motorcycles and his family, working with steel was one of his favorite things. He’d even built his own motorcycle using the skills he’d learned as a journeyman ironworker.
What Every Building Owner Needs to Know
July 6th, 2011
As soon as the first skyscraper went up, there were window washers. It's a profession that has a lot of inherent danger in it. Improvised and unsafe equipment or practices were often commonplace. Even when newer, safer equipment was available, it wasn't able to be used because it wasn't authorized for such work. Tracey Domaszowec, whose husband, Robert died in New York City after falling seventeen stories while cleaning windows said, "People don't realize that being married to a window cleaner is very much like being married to a fireman or a policeman."
The New Residential Fall Protection Directive and You
June 27th, 2011
As most of you know, the new rules for residential fall protection are now in effect. This directive states that people working in residential construction must use conventional fall protection and can no longer use other methods such as slide guards instead when working at heights of over six feet.
Projects In 2011: New Gear or New Projects
June 20th, 2011
While the effects of the economy over the last two years have been felt everywhere, it is perhaps most felt in the construction industry. Go to any large city or suburban area and you would see unfinished construction projects and vacant lots where the first nail hadn’t even been driven. Contractors laid off workers and some companies went out of business altogether. The economic downturn didn’t just hurt contractors. It hurt those who make building materials and safety equipment.
More Articles...
- OSHA Scaffolding Standards: A Refresher
- New Falls, Old Mistakes
- New Fall Protection Rules in Residential Construction
- "If You See the OSHA Guy, RUN!"
- How Safe Is Your Job?
- Halfway to Hell
- Guardrail Guidelines
- Five Fall Hazards to Watch For
- Cutting Corners, Costing Lives
- Blowing the Whistle on OSHA's Whistle Blowing Investigations
