There are many circumstances across a huge range of applications that require employees to work on elevated surfaces. From manufacturing to construction, the jobs that make the world go round can be some of the most dangerous occupations out there. In fact, OSHA reports that 4,836 workers were killed on the job in 2015. Taken as an average, that means that more than 93 deaths occurred weekly, or 13 daily. 21.4% of these deaths occurred in the construction field and OSHA pinpoints the ‘fatal four’ as the leading causes. The fatal four are defined as falls, struck by object, electrocution and ‘caught in or between.’ The number one killer in the fatal four turned out to be falls, with a whopping 38.8% of deaths being caused by falls that were likely preventable. These statistics show not only the dangers of having workers in elevated areas but also the importance of planning appropriately for their safety. It is the duty and responsibility of company owners and safety managers everywhere to ensure their best effort regarding employee safety on elevated surfaces.
Prevention is the Best Policy
The first, best step responsible parties can take is appropriate planning. Far too often, safety is brought on as an afterthought or isn’t properly budgeted for. Make sure that everyone involved in the planning process understands that safety features are non-negotiable budget items that need to be installed and checked before work commences. Any headache this might cause to project time is more than made up for in potentially saving someone’s life. Make sure the project team carefully reviews each step of the job and plans appropriately for the right fall protection that is suitable for that specific environment. Mezzanines, elevated working platforms, and roofs are some of the main culprits in the fall category and each requires its own specific type of prevention equipment.
Working Up Top
Mezzanines and elevated work areas provide a number of advantages including increasing the floor space and storage space of any facility in a cost-effective manner. Mezzanines can typically be constructed quickly and without much fuss. To be OSHA compliant, these spaces must be completely enclosed for the safety of the workers and appropriate gates must be installed to ensure safety as well as ease of use. A mezzanine gate is the best way to properly secure elevated work surfaces. In some cases, mezzanines are constructed as a day two item. Luckily mezzanine safety gates are easily installed after the fact and can be modified to fit a wide range of applications and sizes.
Unfortunately, poor planning and budgeting can put many companies in a tight spot if they haven’t properly planned for providing the appropriate safety features. It’s important to note that the solution reached to protect employees from falls needs to be a professional system and not something built on site or just ‘good enough.’ Mezzanine safety gates, no matter their application, should be made from the appropriate materials with the correct mounting systems and should be OSHA approved.
Double Gate – Double Safety
In order to prevent unnecessary mezzanine or elevated platform falls, a single safety gate isn’t enough. Employees need constant protection with a double mezzanine gate system, ensuring that there is always a point of safety between an employee and the edge of any platform. While it might be tempting to try and get by with a single gate, there is a much higher chance of preventable accidents.
Finding the Right Gate
Finding the right gate starts with understanding the application and potential evolution of the use of your mezzanine or elevated working area. To find the safety system that is best suited for your needs, it’s important to determine the specifics of the area in which you need safety protection.
1. Will the mezzanine area need to accommodate tall loads? Not all loads are the same and for some applications, the mezzanine gate will need to be able to accommodate extra tall loads.
2. Will the mezzanine area need to accommodate single or double pallet loads? Consider not only what you have to accommodate today, but what the future might hold as well. While it certainly depends on the size of the mezzanine and the use, preparing for larger loads can help workflow and productivity in the future.
3. Do you require a dual gate system? A double gate system with a counterbalanced gate will ensure that one gate is always between your employees and the leading edge, allow the safe loading and unloading of materials.
For the past four decades, Fabenco, The Safety Gate Company, has been the “one-stop shop” for excellent quality, made in America, safety gates. Fabenco has worked diligently with OSHA compliance to develop unique mezzanine safety gates that are guaranteed to provide the highest level of safety.
Fabenco’s mezzanine safety gates have several layers of protection built in. They are made of high quality, powder-coated steel and are guaranteed easy to install with common tools.
Our Gates
When considering which mezzanine gate is best for you, determine if you need to accommodate tall loads. Our MZ-Clear Height Mezzanine Safety Gate does the job of protecting employees working in elevated mezzanine loading areas with no height restriction to accommodate tall loads. The gate is counterbalanced to ensure that there is always one gate between your workers and the leading edge. This safety gate allows your employees to load and unload materials safely and effectively.
If tall loads aren’t an issue, the MZ-Pivoting Mezzanine Gate will protect employees in elevated mezzanine loading areas. This safety gate system is available in single or double pallet widths so you can load and unload larger orders.
All of our gates break down for shipping efficiency and assemble easily with tools you are sure to have on hand. Fabenco have been innovators in the field of workplace safety since the company started, four decades ago. With the highest commitment to precision and quality, Fabenco’s safety gates ensure a sterling level of safety for your workplace and employees.
