A Ladder Safety Gate Helps to Restrict Access to Ladders

When using ladders in your work environments it is important to restrict access to only those employees who need to use the ladders. You also need to make sure the ladders are securely in place and they cannot be easily knocked over. One way to create a restricted location, while also taking steps to help lower the risks for accidents is to use a ladder safety gate. This type of gate blocks off the location where the ladder is being used.

Construction Industries Move a Ladder Safety Gate around Their Job Sites

 

A ladder safety gate can be installed permanently in a fixed location or moved from one location to another. For example, in the construction industry, this type of safety gate has to be moved from one job site to the next as construction projects are completed. Rather than installing the gate permanently at the job site, it is set up in the desired location and moved around until the work has been completed.

Not Following OSHA Safety Gate Requirements Can Result in Fines and Accidents

Providing and maintaining safe working environments are the responsibility of organizations. It is does not matter what industry the business is in, as there are safety requirements for all types of operations. OSHA and other government agencies set standards for maintaining safe working conditions. These guidelines must be followed otherwise the organization runs the risk of not only having employees get injured while at work, but also being fined. A good example is lack of OSHA safety gates. OSHA safety gates are inexpensive, easy to install and an easy way to avoid fines.

You Need to Verify Safety Gates Meet OSHA Safety Gate Requirements

 

When ordering safety equipment for your organization, such as safety gates, you need to verify the equipment meets and satisfies OSHA safety gate requirements. Failing to verify this information could result in added expenses for your company. Should OSHA come in and discover you were not using approved safety gates they will require you to replace the gates as well as may fine you for not following the regulations. Fortunately, you do not have to worry about this anytime you obtain your safety equipment from Safety Rail Company, as all of our products meet or exceed the current OSHA requirements.

Organizations Need to Install Safety Railings in Order to Prevent Falls

Safety railings should be installed in any location where one of your employees could accidently fall and get injured or hurt. Railings can be placed along the edges of elevated locations and have to meet the OSHA required heights. Railings need to be inspected on a regular basis to ensure they remain secure, intact and are noticeable. For example, if your inspection reveals paint is missing from areas of the railing, you will want to repaint the railing.

Safety Railings Can Be Placed Around Machinery and Equipment

 

Another application for safety railings is to place them around dangerous machinery and equipment. The railings will prevent employees from walking up to or near the machinery or equipment while it is in operation. In addition to using the railings, it is often common for employers to attach warning, danger or notice signs to the railings. It is important to remember as an employer, it is your responsibility to create a safe working environment for your employees.

Make Sure Every Hatch in Your Facility Has Hatch Guards Installed

There can be several locations where hatches need to be installed in your building. Hatches may be found on your roof as well as on the ground floor for access to sewer and electrical lines. It is your responsibility to make sure every hatch has hatch guards placed around it. These guards will prevent people from accidently falling down into the hole whenever the hatch cover is open.

Several Types of Businesses Requires Using Hatch Guards

 

Construction companies, electric companies, telephone companies and other such businesses should have a supply of hatch guards on hand and available. Anytime work is being performed in a location where a cover is opened or removed the guard needs to be set up and in place around the opening. For example, telephone or electric companies working on lines underground accessed through a manhole cover have to block off the area with the guard before workers descend into the hole.

Section of Work Areas by Using Visual Warning Line Systems

Visual warning line systems can be used in order to section off specific areas and locations. You are able to set up posts and flags to block off access while certain types of work are being performed. For example, this system is ideal for companies specializing in paving and sealing parking lots. Anytime a section of the parking lot is being paved or sealed, the warning lines prevent people from driving through the area and keep your workers safe.

Use Visual Warning Line Systems to Load or Unload Trucks

 

You can use visual warning line systems anytime you receive a delivery or are loading a truck for shipment. You will want to section off the location to prevent employees and other people from accessing the area. Only the workers who are responsible for unloading or loading the truck are allowed to be in the sectioned off area. This type of setup is ideal especially if forklifts or other kinds of machinery are being used to load or unload the truck.

Hatch and Ladder Guards Can Help Prevent Accidental Injuries and Falls

Using hatch and ladder guards aids in preventing accidental falls and injuries. These types of protective railing systems are designed to fit around hatch locations and places where ladders are used. You can find both permanent and portable solutions to fit with your organizational needs and requirements. Before opening a hatch or using a ladder you should make sure the guards are properly set up and installed.

Hatch and Ladder Guards Are Necessary Equipment for Construction Sites

 

Construction sites will require the use of hatch and ladder guards. Not only can portable hatch guards be used around hatches, but also converted and set up to be used as portable guard rails. You do need to use guard rails in any area where there is a direct drop off to the ground below, such as on the roof or on floors that are still under construction. The use of ladder guards helps to prevent people from walking into or under the ladder, as well as lower the chances for accidently knocking the ladder over.

What is the Required Height of a Permanent Safety Rail?

There can be some confusion about the required height of a safety rail in order to satisfy OSHA requirements. At one time, rails which were at least 36 inches tall and permanently installed were sufficient because they were installed before OSHA building codes went into effect. However, after building codes went into effect, OSHA changed the requirements for the overall height required for guard rails. Certain organizations were grandfathered in and allowed to leave the 36 inch tall rails in place, due to the expense for replacing such systems. The current OSHA building code states that guard rails should be at least 42 inches tall, measured from the base of the floor to the top of the rail.

What is the Required Height of a Temporary Safety Rail?

 

The OSHA requirement for a temporary safety rail is at least 42 inches tall. Since these types of guard rails are put up, taken down and not permanently installed, there is not a grandfather clause. Organizations which were using 36 inch rails prior to OSHA building codes had to replace their temporary guard rails once the new building codes took effect.

Use Mezzanine Safety Gates and Guard Rails around the Open Sides of a Mezzanine

In order to create storage space inside large open warehouses, factories and other industrial buildings, it is common to install steel mezzanines. Mezzanines are smaller, sub-sections of elevated floors, often installed in corners with a stairwell. The open area of the mezzanine floor often only has two walls from the corner and the other two sides are left completely open to the ground floor. Since this is an elevated structure, you will need to install mezzanine safety gates and guard rails around the perimeter, in order to prevent accidental falls.

Mezzanine Safety Gates Can be used with Any Elevated Walkway

 

Besides using mezzanine safety gates as part of your steel mezzanines, you can also use these gates with any elevated walkway or semi-permanent structure in your facility. For example, you may have an industrial catwalk installed above equipment, which is used to perform maintenance on the elevated sections of the equipment. However, when the equipment is in operation, you will want to make sure the catwalk is blocked off at both ends with safety gates, along with warning signs to warn against entering the location while the equipment is in operation.