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Owners and managers of industrial facilities have to maintain healthy profits in order to continue operations. Reducing costs can help contribute to higher profit margins, but you have to be careful where you make cuts. One place you should never skimp on is safety. In fact, investing in fall safety for your employees is imperative for your employees and your company. What you may not realize is that taking actions such as installing OSHA compliant safety railing systems and other fall protection equipment can actually save you money in the long run and may even contribute to increased productivity and profits. Continue reading to learn how you can ensure both safety and profits for your facility stays at an all-time high.
Injuries from falls are a major issue in facilities of all types. Whenever workers are completing tasks on elevated working surfaces, walking across catwalks, navigating heavy equipment and machines, accessing the roof, or climbing stairs and ladders, they are at risk of falling. Per OSHA 1910.28, employers are obligated to provide fall protection anytime work is performed at heights of 4' or more above a lower level. Failure to follow these requirements can result in:
Serious injuries requiring medical attention,
Lost productivity and decreased morale,
Damage to machinery and equipment,
OSHA fines and penalties for non-compliance,
Financial responsibility for legal and medical expenses,
Loss of investors, partners, and other shareholders,
Closing of your business due to injuries and expenses.
In other words, fall protection should be one of your top priorities, period. The consequences and costs are simply too great to think of it any other way. In fact, OSHA has just announced instance-by-instance penalties for high-gravity workplace safety violations to combat workplace injuries. Falls are among the top concerns so it's wise to be proactive so you can avoid these serious consequences.
Every investment that you make in your organization must come with an adequate return for it to be worthwhile. For example, purchasing new equipment can increase your output and therefore your profits. Fall protection equipment may not contribute directly towards your bottom line, but it can decrease expenses over time including:
When an employee is hurt on the job, they have the right to file a workers' compensation claim. While it can protect a worker from financial problems, it's expensive for your organization. On average, falls in the workplace cost companies around $50,000 for medical and indemnity charges. Severe injuries could result in even higher expenses including potential lawsuits.
When your production lines are working at full capacity, you can reach your profit goals. An employee that is injured and cannot work has a dramatic effect on your company's ability to maintain productivity and profits. What's more, replacing an injured worker, even temporarily, can cost thousands of dollars and countless hours of training.
Running afoul of OSHA regulations can net your organization fines of up to $15,625 per violation. If someone is injured due to a lack of fall protection, your fines and penalties may be higher. Not only that but once you're on OSHA's radar for non-compliance, the odds of a surprise inspection and additional fines increase.
Although OSHA sets forth requirements for employers to provide fall protection, it does not specify what equipment you must use. Since every workplace is unique, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to take. Instead, it is up to you to determine the best fall safety equipment for your facility depending on your situation. One of the most trusted forms of fall protection is a guardrail. If you opt for guardrails, they must meet the criteria specified in OSHA 1910.29 including:
To practice OSHA roof safety, guardrails, and railings must be 42" tall (+ or -3") measured from the walking/working surface.
Top rails of safety railing systems must withstand, without failure, 200 lbs. of pressure in any direction.
Mid rails must be able to handle a force of 150 lbs. without failing.
Safety railing systems must be made of materials that won't snag, scratch, or injure workers.
To prevent falls onto stairways and ladders, a self-closing safety gate or offset made of OSHA compliant handrails should be installed. Bear in mind that safety gates must meet the same standards as your guardrails.
Guardrails are the most common form of fall protection for industrial facilities. Modular guardrails, a customizable fall protection system, are particularly attractive since they are easy to install without special tools or training. This means they can be used in a variety of settings from the leading edge of mezzanines to prevent falls and falling objects to protecting workers on elevated walkways. They can also be used for machine guarding and to restrict access to sensitive or dangerous areas of your facility.
Industrial rooftops are generally flat, expansive, and full of potential fall hazards. As workers perform roof maintenance and repairs or work on rooftop mechanicals, they are often forced to get very close to the leading edge. Again, OSHA roof safety guidelines don't specify what you should do to protect them, but OSHA compliant handrails are a good choice. Roof guardrails can be used to protect the leading edge around the perimeter of the roof, around rooftop mechanicals, to surround a specified work area, to protect skylights and other roof openings, and anywhere a fall hazard is present on the roof.
As you know, a fall can cost an employee and your organization dearly. You have to do everything you can to prevent falls, lost productivity, fines, penalties, and other expenses. That's no easy task unless you have a safety expert you can trust by your side. Contact us at BlueWater and we'll help you determine what fall protection equipment you need to avoid this unfortunate scenario. Whether you need OSHA compliant handrails for your facility's interior, roof guardrails, or both, our qualified safety experts are here to help you keep your people safe without sacrificing profits.
