NEWS
Fall Protection Personal Protection Equipment and Third-Party Testing
By W. David Lough
For years, it has been a buyer beware mentality for SH&E professionals responsible for procurement of workplace fall protection equipment. The acquisition of equipment that does not meet the standards implied by the manufacturer is a real concern to the consumer—whether the consumer is a large entity making a million dollar purchase or a small business spending its safety budget for the year.
Unless the SH&E professional... Read More »
Gravitec's American National Standards Institute Z359 Overview
Introduction
ANSI Z359.1 was introduced in 1992 when standards for common fall protection equipment and methods in the workplace did not exist. That year 600 work-related falls resulted in fatalities, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ANSI Z359.1-1992 made strides by addressing personal fall protection equipment and methods for arresting falls. The standard mandated the type and quality of equipment like full body harnesses and required... Read More »
Material Testing Report: 1.4 Multiplier Test
1. Introduction
1.1 Scope
It is widely acknowledged that when personal protection equipment is activated during a fall, some of the energy of the fall is absorbed by the human body. When conducting dynamic fall protection equipment tests using rigid weight, there is a need to compensate for the fact that a human is not involved. Historically, a multiplier of 1.4 has been used to compensate for the energy abosorbing qualities of the human body in... Read More »
Season's Greetings From Gravitec Systems, Inc.
Bainbridge Island, Wash. - December 10, 2007 - The holidays are upon us and Gravitec Systems, Inc., would like to say season's greetings to our past, present and future clients. You're part of the Gravitec family and we hope you had a safe year. Here at Gravitec, 2007 was an exciting year, so please permit us to reflect briefly on the highlights of this past year.
- We kicked... Read More »
Gravitec Systems, Inc., Not Impacted By Recent Floods
December 10, 2007Bainbridge Island, Wash. - December 10, 2007 - It's been a week since snow and torrential rains caused flooding, power outages, mudslides and downed trees on Bainbridge Island, Wash., where Gravitec Systems, Inc., is located.
While some Island businesses experienced power outages that forced them to close their doors to customers, Gravitec only experienced the occasional flickering of lights. Last week's Fall Protection... Read More »American National Standards Institute Z359 Fall Protection Code Becomes Effective
November 24, 2007Bainbridge Island, Wash. - November 24, 2007 - The much-anticipated American National Standard Institute's (ANSI) Z359 Fall Protection Code became effective today. The original effective was date was Oct.15, 2007, before the ANSI/American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) Z359 Accredited Standards Committee (ASC) announced an extension to allow safety, health, and... Read More »
Gravitec Systems, Inc., Responds to New ANSI Standards with Training and Compliant Equipment
November 30, 2007Bainbridge Island, Wash. - October 12, 2007 - In response to new American National Standards Institute (ANSI) voluntary consensus standards for fall protection, industry leader Gravitec Systems, Inc., is offering an adapted Managed Fall Protection Program Administrator course to address ANSI Z359.2. Gravitec will also continue to offer ANSI-compliant equipment which meets new requirements for snap hook and... Read More »
