It goes without saying that any training is (generally) better
than no training whatsoever, but does online fall arrest training really count
as far as the Regulations are concerned?
Interestingly enough, the Regulations go so far as to define the term ‘train’ which means “…to give information and explanation to a worker with respect to a particular subject-matter and require a practical demonstration that the worker has acquired knowledge or skill related to the subject-matter…”
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Requiring a “practical demonstration” is where online training tends to actually not technically meet OH&S requirements here in Saskatchewan. With courses like fall protection/fall arrest it is critical that users are shown how to properly put on and inspect a harness and then practically demonstrate the knowledge or skills acquired by physically inspecting and donning a harness during the training. Each person attending a Northern Strands Fall Arrest Training course is not only required to inspect and don a harness as part of achieving certification, but they are also given the opportunity to perform another practical exercise where they can transfer their body weight onto their harness to verify whether or not they have it properly adjusted.
Another issue users face is deciding whether they should be completing “Fall Arrest Training” or “Fall Protection Training?” Unfortunately there is no crystal-clear answer to this question, but the deciding factor will ultimately be based on the individual requirements of different company policies.
As you may already know, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should always be considered the last line of defense against workplace hazards, and should the hazards happen to involve falling, there are many other ways to better protect yourself than using a Personal Fall Arrest System. Northern Strands Fall Arrest Training (despite its name) explains the regulatory requirements of the other, better forms of fall protection so that users are more suitably informed on how to protect themselves from falling.
If you’re considering online training and your employees will be working in the province of Saskatchewan contact us, to make sure that the training will meet the requirements of the provincial regulations. We also do on-site training so we can make it more convenient for those times when it isn’t actually practical to send an entire crew to Saskatoon to take part in one of our regularly scheduled courses.
Training Centre: 802 57th Street East, Saskatoon, SK.
Fall Protection is a serious business. Designing and supplying Engineered Fall Protection systems is a responsibility and privilege that we do not take lightly. Northern Strands is excited to offer our customers the Gorbel Rigid Rail Tether Track Fall Protection Systems. These systems provide workers with increased mobility and can accommodate multiple workers. The Tether Track Fall Protection System is available in a number of configurations to assist in all types of applications.
Bridge Systems
The Tether Track Bridge System consists of two runways and a traveling bridge. This offers users maximum coverage in a rectangular area. Multiple bridges can be used to support several workers. The bridge(s) can be use for ceiling mounted or free standing systems. This allows for multiple users to use the system at the same time.
Free Standing Monorails
Free Standing Fall Protection Systems are designed to protect workers maintaining, inspecting, or loading & unloading rail cars and tankers. Heights from 16' up to 26 and standard lengths up to 204' in single and dual track styles are available. The Dual bypass track allows workers to pass each other without having to disconnect from the system. Outdoor coatings are offered to maximize protection and the Free Standing Monorail is designed for wind, snow, and ice.
Ceiling Mounted Monorail
Ceiling Mounted Monorails are ideal for situations where floor space is very limited. This system can provide fall protection by using existing support steel and is ideal for production and warehouse facilities. Workers have increased mobility using the curved track and numerous hanger options for all types of building structures
Fold Away Systems
The Fold Away Tether Track System can be deployed when needed and retracted when the job is complete. This system is best used on work cells that require overhead cranes where floor space is minimal or when fall protection is not easily accessible and is required. Single or multiple workers can easily bypass one another without disconnecting when using the dual bypass track.
Swing Arm Systems
This system provides compact circular or semi-circular protection and can swing back in when not in use. The swing arm is able to be maneuvered over the work space whenever it is needed. The track is able to accommodate a single worker or multiple people at the same time.
Single Pole Systems
If space is an issue and fall protection is required, the Single Pole Fall Protection System is a great alternative to standard multi-column systems. This system is popular for servicing tank cars or heavy duty truck maintenance. The Single Pole System requires a single foundation and can span from 10' to 53' in length.
Contact Us:
Engineered Fall Protection Division
801 57th Street East, S7K 5Z2
Dave Perrin - Fall Protection Sales
Fax: (306) 974-5527
Did you know that Northern Strands now offers a variety of Gorbel Fall Protection Products? Gorbel offers a number of Fall Protection Systems that provide users the tools needed to make any job or maintenance application easier!
Ranger Mobile Anchor
The
Ranger Mobile Anchor is a popular fall arrest anchor that can be quickly attached to a towing device. The Ranger Mobile Anchor is easy to operate because the anchor point is above the user. Northern Strands is proud to offer this system to our customers!
The Ranger Mobile Anchor features & applications include the following:
- Steel construction
- Max towing speed of 25 MPH
- Not rated for HWY towing
- Max capacity of 310 pounds
- Indoor and Outdoor use
- Aircraft Maintenance
- Industrial Equipment Maintenance
- Tanker Car Maintenance
- Heavy Machinery Maintenance
Road Ranger Mobile Anchor
The
Road Ranger Mobile Anchor is similar to the Range Mobile Anchor and is also rated for highway towing up to 104 km/hr (65 MPH). This makes the unit extremely versatile for a range of applications!
The Road Ranger Mobile Anchor features include the following:
- Max towing speed of 65 MPH
- Adjustable height 2 inch ball coupler
- Adjustable anchor height
Contact Northern Strands Fall Protection Division today for more information
Call: 1-800-242-7073
email: lifelines@northernstrands.com
Did you know that a wire rope lanyard designed for fall arrest is not the same
as a wire rope sling that is designed for lifting?
When used as a fall arrest lanyard, wire rope by itself is unable to absorb any type of energy. Because there is no elasticity or stretch, this will subject a worker to a injury or even a potential amount of fatal arrest-force should they happen to fall while wearing it.
When wire rope is used as a connecting device, it is absolutely essential that a Personal Energy Absorber is used along with it. A PEA should actually be used with any lanyard or connecting device that allows for potential free fall, despite the fact that the webbing or rope of some lanyard types does actually absorb small amounts of energy.
Most jurisdictions, including Saskatchewan, prohibit fall
forces in excess of 8 kilonewtons. Therefore, employers are
legally required to ensure that a personal fall arrest system used by their
employees is set up in order to prevent arrest forces in excess of 1800 pounds.
The amount of force a human body can withstand has not
technically been verified by modern science. Less arrest force is generally easier on a person's body than more fall force. Additional information on this topic can be found here.
Wire rope slings should never be used as connecting devices in a Personal Fall Arrest System; it
will subject a falling worker to more fall force than a proper energy-absorbing lanyard would.
Northern Strands provides training on both the proper use of fall
arrest equipment and the proper use of rigging equipment. If you
would like more information one either of these programs, please contact us.
Contact us at:
training@northernstrands.com
306-242-7073
One of the most asked questions in Fall Arrest Training is, "Do my fall arrest harness straps need to be tight?". Yes, it is extremely important that your harness straps be tight and your harness fit properly. A degloving injury is one type of injury that can result from improper fitting of a fall arrest harness. Which is an extremely painful injury.
How do you know if your harness leg straps are fitted properly? One method is the Hand/Fist Test.
To determine if your fall arrest harness leg straps are adjusted properly, follow these basic steps:
1. Make your hand flat.
2. Insert your hand between your leg and the leg strap until the strap is across your wrist.
3. Make your hand into a fist.
4. Try to pull your fist in between the leg strap and your leg.
Did fist make it through? If so your leg straps need to be tightened until you cannot pull your fist out. If you weren’t able to complete step 2 above then your leg straps are actually too tight. As you may know, properly fitting the full body harness leg straps is just one small part of using fall arrest equipment.
To receive more information on proper fall arrest harness fitting, fall arrest equipment or fall protection training please contact the Northern Strands Safety Training Division at 306-242-7073, by email training@northernstrands.com or visit our website http://www.northernstrands.com/training.aspx
Attached is our recently completed Safety Training Brochure. This brochure contains information on safety training courses for the construction, mining and emergency responder industries.
Northern Strands Safety Training Brochure.pdf (2.34 mb)
In addition to training, Northern Strands Engineered Fall Protection Division offers a variety of fall protection systems, solutions and services. Custom-engineered solutions can be designed to suit specific requirements. For more information you can call 306-242-7073, email lifelines@northernstrands.com or visit our website http://www.northernstrands.com/fall-protection.aspx
Northern Strands is proudly Saskatoon, Saskatchewan owned and operated.