Worker Plunges to Death

Greetings,

Worker Plunges To Death in the St. John’s River

Under normal circumstances my goal is to keep these communications to you, our valued clients and friends, upbeat, informative and positive. A tragedy occurred in the industry last week and let me preface by offering my condolences to the family that lost a member. By no means do I wish to use this story to, in any way, devalue the loss that any family has experienced.

Last week a worker was performing some task on a bridge here in Jacksonville, Florida. In doing so the worker fell into the very tumultuous currents of the St. John’s River. The full details are not yet revealed but the news report revealed that a very brave co-worker risked his life and plunged in to rescue his fallen fellow worker. The worker did not make it out of the waters of the St. John’s River alive.

Loss prevention and education is the primary reason for our existence at Consolidated. The industries that we serve are often times very dangerous. The thought in our mind, for every sling that we make, is that there could be someone’s husband or dad working under what we have fabricated. Every fall protection class that is taught and every fall protection system that we install is with the thought of getting that husband or dad, (wives or moms too), home safely for dinner. Rules enforced by government agencies alone don’t keep workers safe, but education and quality systems do. It is our goal to provide the best in quality rigging and fall protection training and products.

To view the video of the news broadcast just click the link below.

Click here

I hope that you have a safe and productive day.

John Raulerson

*This video is from a public television broadcast and Consolidated Rigging is making no claim or judgment in any pending case. Consolidated Rigging was in no way involved or forms no opinion about this case specifically as we do not have all of the facts regarding this particular case, it is merely being pointed out that an accident involving a fall has occurred.*

Training for the Great Escape

The Great Escape

One of the basic human responses to any type of danger is first and foremost self preservation. We see this self preservation manifested in many forms. Take for example a fire rescue professional, they are trained to first and foremost save self while taking the calculated risk of rushing into a burning building to save the innocent. When I trained as a rescue swimmer in the U.S. Coast Guard my instructors repeatedly taught us to save one’s self while making the rescue. As a rescue swimmer, we even trained for self defense in the water.  Often the person being rescued will attack the rescue swimmer, in an attempt to save themselves, and possibly drown the rescue swimmer. It seems strange that a drowning person will drown their only hope for salvation, however, a person in imminent danger panics and does the unthinkable. Any rescue professional is always trained to save self and plan for a successful recovery from the danger that they face.

As I was thinking of this basic human reaction a funny story came to mind. Way back in the 70’s when Las Vegas was really becoming a popular attraction for those wanting to increase their cash revenue, with a not so calculated risk, at the gaming tables. My grandfather was one who had that draw for the card tables and liked to spend time out west in Vegas. Well one particular point in time there was an outbreak of hotel fires in the casinos. I am not sure if it was arson, bad wiring or smoking in the hotel bedrooms but there was a clear and present danger at that time. So not to be deterred from the blackjack tables my grandfather devised a “self preservation” rescue plan. He was not going to fall victim to some guy with a pack of pall malls and too much booze passing out and setting the hotel on fire. So he came out to the shop and directed the guys to pull a reel of ½” 3-strand nylon rope, cut a three hundred foot piece, and form knots in twelve inch increments  the entire length of the rope. He then wanted it coiled back up and put in a bag. This seemed an odd request so the guys asked him what he was doing with the rope. After he told them to mind their own business he explained his odd request. He explained, “well I am going to Vegas and they have had a bunch of fires at many hotels. They aren’t gonna burn me I am going out the window on this rope” That is quite the action plan, repelling 300 feet on a rope is not my idea of a good plan,  but he was the type of person that was not going down without a fight. This plan probably came from his Navy training in WWII where they learned how to stay alive and do so in a practical manner.

This common sense approach to saving one’s self has not changed in scope but has greatly improved in process and equipment. When it comes to fall protection,  fall arrest systems and personal protection on works sites  equipment has greatly improved. The awareness has greatly improved as well.  A recent project that Consolidated completed was a problem that one of our clients has struggled to solve for over four years. The area of concern was elevated about forty feet and the workers entered a very tightly confined work space. The risk of falling was heightened by the oily slick flooring in the housing. The other problem was the structure was built out of wood, cancelling out many of the “out of the box” fall protection applications. We brought in the experts from Webb Rite Safety who evaluated and engineered a flawless system with 100% tie-off capabilities and put an end to the fall protection risk once and for all. The workers were able to return to a productive work environment without the risk of falling to their peril. In addition to learning the value of self preservation from my grandfather I have learned that if you do not have the answer or the solution… know where to find the answer or solution. It is the many business relationships and the many professionals that add to our successful solutions that we offer to you our client. Work with purpose and do so safely.

All the best

John Raulerson

“Supply chains are only as strong as the weakest link”

Supply chain has been on my mind lately as I get deeper into contracts with major clients. My normal role in the sales process, over the past several years has been project work. I have primarily worked out in the field speaking with safety managers, purchasing managers and maintenance personnel, in various industries, as an outside sales representative. Many of you know me and still know me as your personal sales representative for Consolidated Rigging, lifting and rigging products. It has been an honor and it is my passion to personally visit with and closely work with each and every one of you.

However, over the past several months my role has changed somewhat or expanded in the scope of work that I am responsible. The role that I have matriculated into has opened my eyes to the full scope and reality to how difficult the supply chain is to manage. In essence, as a service provider you must have everything that every customer needs in perfect time at the perfect price. This process is never flawless and involves much sweat equity and cash flow to achieve. When you as a company obligate yourself in a long term contract at a set price often times you do so at a loss at one point in time or another. Working in a volatile and ever changing world market, companies must posture themselves correctly so the losses are not very long lasting.

When speaking of the Supply Chain many only recognize the distributor/end user,  or the last transaction in the process, as the only link in the chain. This is of course is not the full picture or the full length of chain. When thinking of the process it brings to mind the relationship distributors have with manufacturers, the folks that make the product that must be finished into a useable product for the end user. As is the case with Consolidated Rigging, we buy huge inventory of manufactured wire rope, for example, then we cut lengths for installation on cranes, make lifting slings, or fabricate some other end product for end users. The same scenario is true with the bulk chain that we buy or the bulk nylon webbing we turn the raw material into a workable product.

This whole process of having the stock on the shelves, so to speak, and having it waiting for the customer’s need, usually emergency need, is not a task for the faint of heart or the thin of pockets.

However, oftentimes the manufacturers of the raw products get impatient and herein lies the rub. Manufacturers also have competition and quotas and they have managers breathing fire down their neck just like the salesperson for distributors. So what to do, well the manufacturers also have many distributors that they must keep up an appearance of loyalty to keep them selling their products. So the manufactures of the raw goods will get creative and make contact with the end users, “well after all some end users are large enough to warrant a deeper discount especially if they are offering a long term contract”, they will say.  So now the plot thickens and the supply chain has been made weak. Why?, because the union between manufacturer and end user has cut a link out of the chain. Why do you think the motivation to do this would be? Well certainly you must follow the money, if possible, and secondly the manufacturer does not have the confidence in their supplier to sell their product ONLY, or to do a good enough job in doing so, would be my best guess.

Although many manufacturers will require distributors to carry massive amounts of inventory, of their product, at not such a great discount, and then turn right around and go to your customer and sell to them directly. So again the chain has been weakened. It reminds me of a story that Bobby, the President of Consolidated, told to me describing this very situation. Like many industries, the wire rope industry has their own association called AWRF, Association of Wire Rope Fabricators, to which Consolidated Rigging has been a member of for well over thirty years. Anyway, as the story goes, Bobby was enjoying a nice dinner with a representative from his best client, with whom he had worked with for many years offering the best service. Also attending the association meetings are the manufacturer’s representatives. So a manufacturer’s rep joins them for dinner as is customary. So the representative from the great local client/end user, in arrogance and boldness, after a few drinks just comes out with what he is really thinking and openly approaches the rep for the wire rope manufacturer, “ Now we buy a large amount of wire rope in a year’s time, why don’t you just sell to me directly?” This immediately raises the tension level to 10. Bobby’s reply, “well if you two need a minute alone to discuss how you are going to cut me out of the picture, I will leave”. Now this story happened quite a few years ago and back then it was still taboo to dishonor a relationship or stab someone in the back, openly anyway, so the rep from the wire rope company backed off and vehemently rejected the very thought of cutting out his loyal business partner. That was to be applauded. However, he probably realized the fact that, while this one customer is quite large, the distributor (Consolidated) keeps inventory, thereby reducing  shipping costs, as well as services hundreds of other smaller customers that would not have the clout or the guts to attempt to buy direct. He certainly did not want to sacrifice the other business for one client and he probably also realized that it would tarnish his reputation with other distributors who would have, without question, heard the news.

Additionally, the world is getting smaller and smaller and the internet offers many amazing opportunities to save money. However, there must be a competent company on the other end of that mouse to offer your company the service and “just in time” delivery that is required to keep your business operation running smoothly. If there is just a product or a price with no service on the other end of the computer, then you have missed the boat. Consolidated Rigging has been at the rigging business for over forty years, over forty years of knowledge, expertise and inventory. Nearly every square foot of our 70,000 square foot facility in Jacksonville is packed with gear to get your job done correctly, safely and on time. Inventory is the key link in the chain of supply chain without the inventory…. simply put your job waits and/or your ship doesn’t sail. We have adopted and are utilizing the internet and letters like this as a modern tool to service our clients, however, what makes the difference is the competence on the other end of the computer that you can count on.

John Raulerson

When your toilet is broken call a plumber

The old adage is when your toilet is backed up “hire” a plumber. The meaning of this is more profound than a catch phrase or a “wives” tale. Now let me preface this by saying that I have spent countless dollars and man hours trying to do my own home repairs over the years. I, like the next guy, like to save a buck or two and do so quite well. I can reset a new toilet or lay tile but it is a lot of work and a frustrating effort for me. I usually do not have the right tools and spend the money that I thought I was going to save on tools that I will never use again. I am the guy who makes 22 trips to the home improvement store because he didn’t remember or didn’t know what he needed when he went the first 21 times. So after I have wasted precious time and about 4 weekends I have an improvement that would have taken a professional less than half the time and would have looked ten times better. So I get to look at my work and remember the sweat equity every time I sit on the wobbly toilet that still leaks.
So this week I have been thinking about the amount of effort and money that we sometimes waste all in an attempt to save a buck, don’t get me wrong though I am all about saving money. However, we lose precious time and energy in our businesses when we do the same thing I am describing here with my home improvements. Often, people take a somewhat cavalier attitude to heavy lifting in the work place. By heavy lifting I am not speaking of 100 to 200 pounds but rather more like 10 to 20 Tons. When this amount of weight is taken for granted, and what this amount of weight can do to equipment and what the end result may be if load ratings are not calculated properly, people can get hurt and equipment will suffer damage. Many times I have seen professional engineers cross reference load rating capacities for steel I-beams used for building construction into an application for overhead crane lifting of major weight capacities. This can be quite haphazard and dangerous. A moving and/or un-equal load has a much different effect on flexible I-beams in a lifting situation over a building construction situation; where the steel is braced and tied in with other beams. One must ask the question, over time will the hardness of the I-beam wear and become weak, and the answer is yes the I-beam does have a tendency to peen over time with severe force loads on trolley wheels, particularly in high load capacities.
Recently, I visited a client that was facing this same situation. They had an exceptional amount of weight to be lifted. Although the lift would not be very high or travel very long and would not be performed over an extended period of time. My client asked me to have a look at the proposed lift plan as this person is very intelligent and thoughtful in all that they do, however; they were relying on information from others, that were not professional crane builders, and merely wanted a second opinion. First, they were in the process of constructing the crane themselves which I explained, in that case they take on the full liability of the success or failure of the design. My first reaction was to consult my, Gorbel Crane Brain (trademark name), this tool has been built by the best minds in the industry and is available for us in the field to design and build a safe working overhead crane. While the weight capacity exceeded the limits of a Gorbel crane we turned the engineers at Cleveland Tramrail (a Gorbel subsidiary), who support crane capacities exceeding 2 tons. I explained to my client the truth in the matter, that while other engineers may be able to cross reference steel charts, the engineers that we work with at Gorbel make the process easy and foolproof. Cleveland Tramrail designs and builds cranes using the age old and trusted patent track rail. If you are not sure what the difference is between regular I-beam and patent track Click below: https://www.gorbel.com/resources/products/bridgecranes/tarca/documents/CTbrochure.pdf
We enter the pertinent dimensions and let them take over the design. Once the crane builders at Gorbel/ Cleveland Tramrail design a system you can rest assured that it will be safe and secure. Consolidated will install your custom built system or you can install it yourself, if you have the time and capability.
So again the old adage is, if your toilet is broken hire a plumber or if your car is broken hire a mechanic, but most importantly if you need a crane system designed and built call Consolidated we can help. You will thank yourself later. While age old wisdom takes a back seat in today’s world some advice is still true regardless.
All the best,
John Raulerson

• Gorbel, Cleveland Tramrail & CraneBrain are all registered Trademarks of Gorbel, Inc. and their subsidiaries.
• This email and all communications are registered Trademarks of Consolidated Rigging & Marine Supply, Inc. and no portion of this or any communication may used without express written consent.

Have GPS still get lost, Train your GPS to read your mind

A few weeks back I went on a road trip with my daughter and her friend. They were following me, the driving leader of the convoy, and they were in her car. The GPS was in their vehicle. Now in preparation for the trip I quickly gathered all of my maps and hotel confirmations. This was a last minute trip for them as I was scheduled for a conference in the Tampa area. Now I can get to Tampa with my eyes closed but getting around Tampa is quite another task. They girls decided to follow me down and go to the local high school championship game for the 8A title playoff. The team from our local area and actually my high school alma-mater, Fletcher High School, was for the first time in school history a part of the State Championship and in the highest classification. So it was a perfect plan as my daughter’s friend has a family member in the Tampa area just a few miles from the site of the big game, the biggest in Fletcher’s history. Although Fletcher’s opponent, Tampa Plant, had been in this situation before being the defending champions. So the girls come right after school to meet me and I am not ready to leave as I am still pulling up instructions to get to the field at Plant City. So the decision from Jacksonville to Tampa is whether or not to take I-4 probably one of the busiest interstate highways at least in Florida and especially during the holiday season mainly because of the main attraction to all world travelers, Disney. So I have my directions as we are going directly to the field and there is no time to waste, only time for one bathroom break to get to the game by kick off. So I decided to not take I-4 and go through the State on slower but more direct path to avoid the major traffic delays.
At our one designated bathroom break about halfway I instructed the girls to follow me, stay close and don’t lose me once we get into Tampa, by the way they had the GPS. My daughter’s friend plugged in the address of her family member and they were set and so was I because I already had my pre-printed instructions so if they did get separated there would be no issues we would get to the same location about the same time. So we make the trek on I-275 for about an hour with no problems. When we get to the junction of 75 and 275 there is a decision to make but I had it already made; go I-75 and connect to I-4 the dreaded highway but we were on schedule to arrive in time or at least that is what I thought. I branch off and they stay on I-275, there is no turning back. So I called them in frustration and asked what the heck they are doing not following me. They both replied on speaker phone, “the GPS told us to stay on I-275”. Of course my reply was, “we are supposed to stay together”. They asked should they turn around and I told them to follow that GPS since it is so smart and that my directions are probably taking me another way to the same location. Well I thought that I was on the “right path” to get where I was going, and I was, only there was one problem. After getting stuck in typical I-4 traffic delays upon making my connection I finally arrived at Plant City High School. The lights were on there was lots of traffic and I am on time. So I called the girls and asked, “are you guys here yet” They said “yes they were at her family’s house which is only a few miles down the road”. So I wait in the traffic for my turn to get into the parking lot thinking I should make it for kick off. I pull around and notice empty stands and the players on the field are not wearing football uniforms or should I say American football uniforms, they are wearing soccer uniforms! I inquire with a family walking in, “is this the Tampa Plant/Fletcher High football game?” The mother replied, “this is a soccer game I am not sure where a football game is being played.” In frustration I called the girls and ask my daughter where they are and they were at the “Football game” already. That is when it finally dawned on me that I made it to a destination but it was the WRONG destination. Although it was a similar destination by name and all along I had set in my mind that I was going to the “RIGHT” destination but my thinking was incorrect the whole time! The aunt of my daughter’s friend got on the phone and explained the game was at Tampa Plant NOT Plant City two very different locations. So I got the right directions, about 1 hour back in the direction I just traveled, on the other side of downtown Tampa. Now I am telling a very embarrassing story on myself to highlight the fact that we can travel down a path in our business life thinking that we are on the right destination path. We can have all of our goals laid out to a “T” and be extremely confident in where we are going and leave out one detail like the “Correct” destination and we will be totally off track. As with my story I had the perfect plan and arrived on time but I was at the wrong destination. The girls were just following the instructions from the GPS and I was following the directions from my trip map, only I had bad input.
Thinking of this illustration for this week’s newsletter I reluctantly decided to tell on my own blunder to help you with your business. I thought of how businesses approach their safety plans when it comes to fall protection and how they lay out a plan or course of action. Most companies take a relaxed approach that barely meets the guidelines for keeping workers safe when working in elevated heights. They don’t take this course of action because they want their employees to get injured or die while performing their jobs, but they merely do not have a clear destination in mind or a clear end game in mind. Maybe it is because the managers do not know how to designate a fall protection plan or they think it is too expensive and the budget cannot handle the necessary action plan for fall protection. Well I have just the plan for you if you were considering or have a need for fall protection in your work area. Consolidated Rigging has qualified personnel that can instruct a group on the right fall protection plan of action that fits YOUR specific requirements, not a cookie cutter plan, but a plan designed specifically for your work plan. Fall protection is one of the most growing concerns for employers in keeping their workforce safe and secure. We can help and all you have to do is call and arrange a day and time. There are many situations where workers are exposed, for instance, on top of a fuel tank, an airplane, or on top of a crane.
Recently, we solved a blaring issue where workers needed to access a large fuel tank to take various readings and the access point is on top of the tank which is about 9 feet off the ground and a rounded surface. These are optimal “fall” situations. Our experts evaluated the situation and formulated several options and finally settled on a solution that extended a horizontal lifeline permanently above the tank so a worker could access with the proper harness and SRL, do their work and get down to the ground safely. We did so all for a very reasonable price saving them thousands of dollars from other proposed options all while keeping them OSHA compliant. We look at all possible scenarios and try to offer the most cost effective solution. The user described it this way, “you guys did a great job and your offer was reasonable and fair” What more can you ask for? With over 200 hours and counting of certified training our fall protection team can and will find the right fit for your team.
Best,
John Raulerson

Monster Market Rally

Monster Market Rally!!
That was the headline yesterday on one of the national business channel line ups. At first I thought it was an advertisement for a monster truck rally featuring “Grave Digger” and the huge trucks on a course through Central Park and Wall Street. What better to clear Wall Street of the tents and occupiers than to have a monster truck rally right through their tent city? As funny as that picture is to me the headline “Monster Market Rally” was NOT an advertisement for a Monster Truck rally at all and I have to admit I was slightly disappointed.
The good news is that the Stock Market took a major surge upward almost 500 points! This is not only good news but GREAT news. Although the surge was in response to the IMF announcing that they will be easing credit limits in Europe with a possible backing from the Federal Reserve. Also, China has made moves to release their tight grip on their stock piles of cash they are amassing. All of this is good news for the American business as we need stable markets world-wide so we can continue to export our products and services as well. While this is not a political newsletter the economy does affect us all. Every day we hear in the news that this is a TOUGH Economy and these are BAD times and for many it is. But many companies the really astute companies see these TOUGH times as opportunities to grow. Some really smart companies are capitalizing on the cheaper prices and planning for the future. They are not waiting around for Congress to act for them to act they are investing in their companies by adding equipment that will make them more competitive and more efficient. Rather than retreating backward these entrepreneurs, the folks that make up the economy, are forging ahead and using these times as a springboard to CREATE better times for themselves, their employees and their clients.
One way to forge ahead in business is to invest in equipment that will make your operation run faster and smoother. One client of mine really gets that concept and has taken action to improve their work flow. By integrating into their work flow an intelligent lifting arm that has cut his work time in half. Not 5% or 10% but half. No longer will they have their employees manually lifting these heavy objects slowing the work flow, risking injury and hurting the bottom line. This client chose to ignore the negative news and forge ahead with his own game plan. They have taken a task that was a repetitive motion for the operator resulting in straining their muscles, joints and ligaments reversing the flow of work. Do you think that this made the employee/worker happy? Absolutely it did. They felt less exhaustion at the end of the day and much more satisfied with the double production that resulted from having the help they needed to get the job done.
If you are on the fence right now about investing in the growth of your business or workplace reconsider. Now is the time to invest in yourself and your business. Not to mention the fact that capital expenditures will be realized for 2011 and can begin the depreciation schedule if orders are in before the year’s end. A new overhead freestanding crane system or an Easy Arm jib with G-force technology would be the right fit for any operation that requires lifting. Whatever lifting challenge you face we can help. Check out a few solutions that we provided below in very different applications.

500# Jib Crane installed in tool room makes life easy

Easy Arm with G-force technology makes workers happy

David “Randy” Atkins

Thank you to all who have inquired concerning the well being of our friend and colleague David “Randy” Atkins. Saturday September 17th the call came in from Randy’s wife Edith that Randy had passed. While the news was shocking and devastating Randy had lived and suffered with the effects of Crohns Disease for many years. Many of you knew Randy just by speaking with him on the telephone. I have heard on many occasions that Randy has had relationships with clients or vendors for 15, 20, 25 years and the folks just “knew” Randy yet had never actually met him face to face. If you had ever spoken to Randy you can relate to what I am speaking of, Randy never spoke to strangers he always made you feel like his best friend. When you spoke with Randy he switched gears immediately and you were his only focus. Randy had an uncanny ability to make you feel so important to the conversation and always lent a hand to anyone in need.
Speaking from a personal standpoint; Mr. Randy as I called him, to which he would always reply “Young John or Brother John it’s like this…” Randy has been a part of my life since before I was double digits in age. To me Randy was more of a family member than a co-worker. He was a mentor, friend, confidant, & teacher. Randy was the still calm voice in any storm and never was confrontational to any-one. I can remember a recent time when a customer Randy was working with, building a custom boat lift sling, and bending over backwards to make sure that the working loads were correct and that the material was correct, the guy railed and screamed at Randy as if he were a dog, over a few dollars on the price. Randy calmly answered, “There are certain costs that we had to spend to make the item and the labor to fabricate the custom sling and that was the price.” The way in which Randy would relate and speak with people is like no other person that I have ever met. In fact it was extraordinary! You never heard a harsh word spoken from his mouth against any person or about anyone.
If you had ever spoken with Randy this time of year you would know every statistic for the BYU Cougars. Randy knew every player’s statistics and personal background. He would know where the player’s hometown was and how they played in high school. Randy was a big football fan and would always encourage my son Hayden in his football interests. Randy liked the honor code of BYU athletics and lived his life by the Honor Code of the Church in his own life. The evidence of His honor showed in Randy’s everyday life and personal walk in this world. Randy was a man of honor and principle and you could witness it in his daily life and walk. My father said this of Randy, “that man has more integrity in his little toe than most people have in their whole body.”
Randy was, as I said, a friend, mentor and teacher to whom I owe a great deal of gratitude. Randy will always be alive in the memory of our company and in each and every one of us at Consolidated Rigging who worked side by side with Randy for so many years. Randy will forever be in our hearts and minds.
If you never had the opportunity to meet with or speak to Randy you really missed out and for those that did I am most assured that you agree…Randy was truly one of the GOOD GUYS!

Randy Atkins & Wayne Armstrong in Savannah

Wayne & Randy on the bus to see Gladis Knight (no PiPs) at LDS in Sav.

With much Love and Respect
John E. Raulerson

Remembering Our Fallen!

Ten years ago today America endured the worst and most deadly surprise attack on our own soil in recent history.
There is not much to say really. Fox News did a wonderful job today and I am sure other outlets did so as well, in respect for the deceased and covering the new fountain/memorial. I especially liked the fact that they read every name of the deceased and let the family memebers read off the name of their lost loved one. What a heart-wrenching experience and it brings a tear to the eye of even the toughest guy. Our own Jim Meadows had the pleasure to work with the courageous Men in New York several months after the attacks. Jim has shared these (and more) photos with me, to share with our friends and family. A big thanks to Officer Caminero for sharing these photos and his story. I have not had the pleasure to meet you but Jim speaks very highly of your and the guys in your company.
After ten years the memory begins to fade from those of us not directly invoved, which is sad really we just are mere spectators with seemingly “no skin in the game” but we are all connected. We get weary and forget but the Men and Women that commited to “Do something” about the wrong that happened to US.
Pastor Mark told us today that he and his son were going on a fishing trip that Tuesday. His son was undecided as to his career path…but on September the 12th was mentally committed to enlist into the Marine Corps!! It is my goal to respect and honor each and every person that fell that day and the people that rose up to fight back.

First Responders Ground Zero

Officer Caminero

May God Bless us with the strength to continute the fight and not grow weary.

NEW OSHA Standards

Get Ready because the new OSHA fall protection standards are in effect as of June 2011 and the new compliance instruction for construction work was published December 2010.
This action was taken to reduce the amount of deaths that occur from work related falls. Primarily this action takes aim at residential roofing compaines who have seen a rise in fall related deaths. The new requirements actually points back to the original fall protection guidelines from 1995, known as subpart M OSHA 1926.500-.503.
Fall protection is required anytime a fall of six feet or more is possible. Opposed to popular belief, roof work is included in this standard. Traditional roofing methods of fall protection no longer apply; for example twenty five feet eave-to-ground height threshold or slide guards are not acceptable. If conventional fall protection is not feasible or presents a greater hazzard then a written “site specific” plan must be in place. OSHA instruction STD 03-00-001 which provided some flexibility for fall protection has been cancelled. The new standard will apply to employees engaged in residential construction work. This is defined as a home or dwelling being built with traditional wood frame construction materials and methods. The limited use of structure steel in a predominantly wood framed home would still qualify as residential construction. Residential construction employees conducting work six feet or more above a lower level shall be protected from falling. Depending on the particular activity, acceptable forms of fall protection include guardrails, safety nets, active fall arrest systems, controlled access zones, covers, positioning systems and warning line systems.
Consolidated Rigging has developed many different solutions to keep our clients safe while working in areas where falling was a risk. Recently a client contracted Consolidated Rigging to develop a fall protection system over an above ground fuel tank yard. The tanks were in an open yard with no attachment point except for clouds. After taking measurements and designing the proper solution we were able to complete a plan that allowed the workers to traverse the top of the tank and safely take the readings. Not only did we install a fall protection system but we provided training to the employees so they were able to use the system properly. Our main goal is to insure that every worker makes it home safe!

Special Labor Day Offer

Summer is winding down and fall is just around the corner. Labor Day is the gateway into this time of year which will be upon us very soon. Fall is my personal favorite time of year, football is back and the waves of heat will soon be replaced with cooler temps, relatively speaking as Florida never experiences the true fall season like our neighbors to the north. But any break from the 100+ temps is a break nonetheless.

As I reflect on the change of season a special offer came across my mind that I wanted to share with you. We at Consolidated Rigging are involved with many special lifting applications and solutions that we provide our clients. We design, build and put together systems that make work flows seem effortless. For years we have stayed on the cutting edge of lifting technology and offered the very best quality equipment available in the industry.

The team here has worked on a special lifting tool to perfection over the last eight years.  This tool is revolutionary in design harnessing the versatility and power unmatched by any tool pound for pound. Until now we have put this lifting power in a few hands and the reviews have outstanding. Listen to what a manager of a World-Wide crane builder had to say, “This by far has been the most useful tool in our tool box. It weighs in at a mere 10 LBS but can lift up to 1200 LBS with ease. It really saved our keesters on one job. The shear versatility alone surpasses any normal hoist on the market. I have recommended that our other branches get two for each service truck.”

The time is right to release this tool and what better time than Labor Day. It has been a phenomenal process to develop this product that can benefit the handy-man to the professional so later this week keep your eyes open for this special Labor Day offer!