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Companies dole out capital expenditures (CAPEX) every year to boost their daily operations. However, most overlook the need to create room for fall safety in the funding.
This article dives deeper into the meaning of CAPEX, typical CAPEX investments, and how fall safety fits in. You'll also learn about OSHA regulations regarding fall protection, the most dangerous rooftop areas, and how rooftop safety rails and other fall protection systems come to your rescue.
As a refresher, CAPEX is the funds your company uses to buy, improve, or maintain long-term assets to enhance efficiency. It includes money that goes into purchasing or maintaining physical assets (such as equipment and building) and intangible assets (such as licenses and trademarks).
How you utilize CAPEX can significantly impact your company's financial status. Play your cards like a pro, and your business will run like a well-oiled machine.
Your CAPEX goal is to reduce costs, generate contemporary products, and boost outputs. So financial analysts analyze CAPEX as money spent to:
Cut down costs
Boost earnings
Cater for non-economic needs
It's easy to assume and hope that a fall will never happen in your facility, especially if you've been lucky so far. But let's face this fact: No workplace can guarantee an accident-free work experience.
Just one unexpected slip or freak accident is enough to cost your company vast chunks of money. In fact, every year sees fall injuries gulping down substantial medical expenses.
"Each year, about $50 billion is spent on medical costs related to non-fatal fall injuries ..."- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Don't forget the massive loss of work hours, negative brand image, OSHA-related penalties, plummeting motivation, and falling stock valuations.
This means that addressing fall safety concerns before a potential incident can cut down on unplanned for costs, as well as maintain productivity and profits. So, how can you inject some long-term funding into your fall safety? Here are some tips:
Create a fall safety plan: Most facilities contend with leftover Q4 funds. Why not channel the money into investing in roof fall protection systems?
Educate employees: Educate your workforce on fall protection to boost awareness of the risks of operating at elevated heights or dangerous areas. Create a culture of best safety practices and risk mitigation tricks, emphasizing on the benefits.
Assess fall hazard workplaces: Evaluate fall risks in your building, construction site, and other work-related areas. Deal with any hazard as soon as it comes to your attention.
Invest in engineered fall safety solutions: Install OSHA-compliant fall protection systems to keep your workers safe. Work with a provider that will tailor a design fit for your budget, facility, and specific needs.
OSHA requires employers to protect every worker exposed to fall hazards such as a rooftop leading edge, roof holes, machinery, and more. Generally, you should provide fall safety at elevations of 4 ft and above (depending on your industry), while working above or near hazardous machinery or equipment can be dangerous at any height. Ensure all your roof fall protection systems and components meet all the OSHA requirements. For example:
Install the best rooftop railings and intermediate components (such as midrails, solid panels, mesh, and screens).
The guardrail system and intermediate members should withstand downward forces of at least 200 pounds and 150 pounds, respectively, at any point.
The protection systems should have smooth surfaces to prevent lacerations and punctures.
Ensure appropriate shapes and dimensions of fall protection systems for firm grips.
Roof hole covers and screens should support twice the highest intended weight.
Fixed ladders should follow all OSHA ladder safety regulations for fall protection.
When assessing safety hazards, it's crucial to go beyond your rooftop edge. An in-depth assessment includes sites on the entire rooftop and, to some extent, within your facility. Fall hazards are common in the following areas:
1.) The leading edge
Your rooftop’s edge is the most hazardous area on top of your facility. Implementing fall protection solutions like guardrail systems and horizontal lifelines can keep you OSHA-compliant and your employees protected.
2.) Skylights and hatchways
OSHA sees these hazards as openings through which someone can fall. A single misstep can lead to severe falls and injuries, especially if the skylight is almost flush with the rooftop surface. Skylight covers and screens provide protection for these types of hazards.
3.) Varying rooftop level
The employee can fail to notice a sudden drop-off in levels. Therefore, you must guard against falls in these areas using guard rail systems.
4.) Fixed ladders
These are another notorious area where most falls tend to happen. According to OSHA ladder safety requirements, you should install proper roof fall protection systems and train your workers to ensure appropriate coordination when using ladders.
Allocate a portion of your CAPEX funding to implement rooftop safety rails and you’ll save money in the long run while keeping employees safe. With the right solution, you can:
1.) Tailor a protective system for your unique needs
Each facility’s rooftop is unique, with hazards in different shapes and sizes. The best rooftop railings provider stocks various solutions that will work for your specific needs.
2.) Satisfy OSHA regulations
As a safety-first facility manager, you want your employees to clock out safe and sound. Go for quality guardrails that meet OSHA standards for your specific industry.
3.) Cherry-pick from various features and materials
Today's rooftop safety rails and other fall protection solutions come in various materials, features, colors, and connector options to fit your needs. Whether you’re looking for a guardrail system or an OSHA ladder safety solution, you should work with a brand like BlueWater by Tractel® that specializes in OSHA-compliant fall safety equipment.
It's prudent to accommodate for fall safety in your company's CAPEX. That way, you'll ensure you have the best rooftop fall protection equipment to keep most falls at bay, stay OSHA-compliant, and save unnecessary costs.
