Author: Gravitec Systems Inc.
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Selecting a Fall Protection Training Class
Even if you’re not new to fall protection and working at height, it’s easy to be left with questions when researching which fall protection training class is right for you. Here’s a quick breakdown: Authorized Person Fall Protection Training is for the end user, the professionals who are exposed to the fall hazards every day. …
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Y-Lanyards
Lanyards consisting of a single length of webbing often restrict the user’s range of movement to a 6′ (1.8 m) radius around the anchor location. Another issue is 100% protection. To move, the lanyard must be disconnected, possibly creating fall hazard exposure. To address these issues, a Y-lanyard may be used. Y-lanyards typically consist of…
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Energy Absorbers
Energy absorbers are a critical component to any fall protection system. In the event of a fall an energy absorber reduces the energy exerted on the user in order to keep impact forces around 900 lb.—well below the injury threshold for the majority of the population. A fall protection system without an energy absorber exposes…
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Inspecting Your Petzl I’D Descender
If you’ve used the PETZL I’D Descender, you know why it’s so well loved by rope access technicians, rescue professionals, tower climbers, and many others. The I’D provides efficient and smooth control when descending. The anti-panic handle and anti-error cam make the I’D very intuitive to use safely. But one thing that isn’t immediately intuitive…
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Hierarchy of Fall Protection
The Hierarchy of Fall Protection is the preferred order of control to eliminate or reduce fall hazards. This methodology mirrors common safety practices for hazard abatement beginning with elimination and ending with administrative controls. Using the data collected from the fall hazard assessments, each solution in the hierarchy can be applied to each hazard. Definition:…
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Harness Buddy Check
No matter what type and style of full body harness is being used, the wearer should have a co-worker check the following five points to ensure the harness is being warn correctly: Is the sub-pelvic strap located under the buttocks Are the leg loops taut enough that it is difficult to slide a hand between…
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Fall Protection Harness Inspection
All fall protection wears out and must be inspected before each use by the authorized person. Many accidents and fatalities have occurred because equipment was not inspected. Before any fall protection harness is used, its condition needs to be inspected for damage or wear that might keep it from functioning as designed. No item should…
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Wild Horse Wind Farm
An Eastern Washington sunrise is incredible, especially at 221 feet. From the top of a wind turbine at Wild Horse Renewable Energy Center the sun catches a sea of giant turbines spinning out across the horizon, down to the Columbia river. But our fall protection trainers didn’t wake up at 2 AM for the views.…
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Two Generations of Gravitec
Charles Hughes and his son Devin were excited when they ended up in the same Tower Climber & Rescue Trainer and Refresher course. Charles—who owns a wireless broadband tower company—was here for his third training. This was Devin’s first time at Gravitec, before that he’d gotten his fall protection training from his dad. “I was…
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Carabiners, Snaphooks, and Kilonewtons
Types of fall protection connectors Dependable connecting hardware is essential to any fall arrest and restraint system. We’ll show you some of the most common connectors in fall protection. We’ll also explain what a kN is and why it’s so important. Snaphooks Snaphooks are the most common type of connector. They consist of a forged…
