Posted: 1 May
Falls from elevated job sites are a leading cause of severe injuries and death in the manufacturing, construction, and other industries. These accidents lead to downtimes and may also attract costly penalties and lawsuits, especially if you don’t have safety barriers like guardrails. Such safety barriers are mandatory if your job site is elevated at a height exceeding six feet.
For this reason, it’s no surprise that many project owners and managers are looking to install guardrails in their job sites. So, how do you choose the appropriate guardrail system for your job site? Here are the critical roles to ask before you engage a safety guardrail sales & installation company. Call us today for a consultation.
Guardrails get installed for various reasons. Your reason for installing a guardrail system will determine the type of guardrail you need. For instance, if the guardrail system is required for protection, it must meet standards applicable to you, including OSHA. Similarly, consider whether you need the guardrail for fall protection or something more robust for protection from forklift traffic.
Guardrail systems typically get installed on rooftops. Other potential installation locations include inside warehouses, on a dock, and even on mezzanines. Remember, each site has unique considerations and requirements, determining the guardrail type to install. Furthermore, different safety guardrail sales & installation companies offer different products. So, knowing where the guardrail system will go helps you determine the company to work with.
This may sound obvious, but it is an oft-overlooked consideration when installing guardrail systems. The last thing you want is to purchase guardrails that will last for only a few months. Indeed, guardrail systems will deteriorate over time, but investing in something that will last for as long as you need it is best.
In this regard, consider the type of material used on the guardrails. Powder-coated steel guardrails may not last for as long as galvanized steel ones. Generally, lower-quality options are sensible if you only need protection for a short time. However, if you want something that will last, consider safety guardrail sales & installation companies that offer the best quality.
When looking to install guardrails at a job site, it’s forgivable to think that you only need to abide by OSHA requirements. However, other codes also come into play, including local ones. For this reason, ensure the guardrail system you intend to install meets the minimum safety requirements outlined by all applicable codes and regulations.
OSHA stipulates application and industry-specific fall protection height requirements. Nonetheless, the height requirements specified in local codes also come into play and depend on your specific application and industry. Therefore, before you commit to a safety guardrail sales & installation contract, understand what is required of you. It will help you identify an installation company offering the most appropriate guardrail systems.
Some applications may require you to wear fall protection equipment. Thus, consider user-friendliness, comfort, and flexibility when installing guardrails. In this case, the guardrail systems complement the wearable fall protection equipment.
With the number of fatal accidents resulting from falls on the rise, much can be done to keep workplaces safe. Installing guardrail systems is one such measure. Nonetheless, you can only find the appropriate guardrail for your industry and application by asking the right questions before committing to safety guardrail sales & installation.
If you need help choosing the right guardrail system for your application, call us today! We will help you sort through your options to find what suits you best.
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