“Falls are among the most common causes of serious work related injuries and deaths. Employers must set up the work place to prevent employees from falling off of overhead platforms, elevated work stations or into holes in the floor and walls.”- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Whether you are a facility manager, safety officer, or CEO of an organization, protecting your employees and machinery is your top priority. Below is a look at the key ways a modular safety rail system can help prevent worker injury and equipment damage.
How Do Safety Railings Protect Employees and Machinery?
“A total of 20,498 occupational fatalities occurred in the construction industry from 1992-2009. Of these deaths, nearly one-third – 6,591 – were attributed to fall injuries…” – EHS Today
Modular safety rail systems serve a variety of purposes in the construction industry. In addition to helping to prevent falls, railings can be used in conjunction with other safety equipment as part of a comprehensive safety initiative for facility managers and safety officers. Below are four ways that having a modular safety rail set up around machinery can help reduce both worker injuries and equipment damage.
1) A safety railing helps prevent workers from inadvertently walking into floor holes.
The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) is among the many governmental organizations that specifically reference the need to “Cover or guard floor holes as soon as they are created during new construction.” A sturdy modular safety rail provides an immediate means of keeping employees from being injured by unintentionally walking into floor holes.
2) Modular safety rails help prevent employees from tripping over elevated platforms and runways.
Elevated platforms and runways are common on industrial sites. Unfortunately, they contribute to injuries among workers who do not recognize a change in elevation until it is too late. Surrounding elevated platforms and runways with a modular safety rail draws attention to such elevation changes, thereby preventing trips and falls.
3) Guardrails and railings help prevent workers from falling onto dangerous equipment or machinery.
Employees are not the only valuable commodity involved in construction projects. Machinery and construction equipment can cost tens of thousands of dollars, making it difficult to replace damaged machines. And, what’s more, the equipment itself can pose yet another danger to your employees. Erecting a durable modular safety rail system around machinery will help minimize the risk of damage to both your workers and your expensive equipment.
How to Choose the Best Modular Safety Rail System for Your Facility
“Employers must set up the work place to prevent employees from falling off of overhead platforms, elevated work stations or into holes in the floor and walls. In addition, OSHA requires that fall protection be provided when working over dangerous equipment and machinery, regardless of the fall distance.” – Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
The surest way to choose the modular safety rail that best protects your employees and machinery is to seek the guidance of an industry expert. A robust railing system should adhere to regional safety standards while assuring compliance with OSHA regulations. Below are four features to seek when evaluating safety railing systems:
- Simplicity – The modular safety rail you select should offer an unprecedented level of convenience. You should be able to install your chosen railing system quickly and without cumbersome tools.
- Versatility – As described above, safety railings serve a variety of functions. They help reduce the number of employee falls, protect workers and machinery, and prevent employees from walking into floor holes. The system you choose should fulfill these roles and should function well on floors as well as elevated platforms.
- Durability – A well-manufactured railing system will stand the test of time and help you optimize your investment. Choosing a system that can withstand the harsh environments and everyday wear and tear is paramount.
- Engineered to Order – Every employer and project is unique in terms of safety hazards. Investing in generic safety rails for your facility work could ignore key risks, leaving your employees and machinery unprotected. The modular safety rail system you select should be customized and engineered to meet your specific safety needs.
Selecting a Trusted Provider
Not all railing providers are created equal. Separating the top providers from the competition is vital to protecting your employees and ensuring your satisfaction. As you evaluate manufacturers of modular safety rails, make sure that you concentrate your search efforts on quality companies with a proven track record of experience in your industry. In addition, American-made systems are more likely to be designed in compliance with current OSHA regulations and manufactured to withstand the most demanding industrial circumstances.
