how are they tied off?

1Q18 Newsletter

How Are They Tied Off?

Every project that Cajun performs involves a Fall Protection Plan. These plans range from a simple ladder safety plan to more complex scenarios with multiple fall protection systems and unique equipment to protect workers at great heights. In construction, drilling a hole in a finished product to install a temporary piece of equipment is counterproductive. Fortunately, many options on the market are designed to be non-destructive to the finished surface. Some systems utilize large water tanks, heavy metal counterweights, or clamps to the structure using u-bolts and cables. These systems are designed to be stationary and often limit crew mobility.

If you’ve visited Cajun’s Baton Rouge campus recently, you may have noticed exterior renovations to the Pelican Building. This project presented its own fall protection challenges. Roof work was necessary to add flashing and perform other exterior repairs. As with many commercial building construction projects, there were no approved anchor points readily available for a worker to attach lanyards. Damage to the existing roof membrane with heavy counter-weights was also a concern.

To address both issues, a Raptor TriRex Mobile Roof Cart was selected for the Cajun Office Renovation Project. It is rated for up to three men for fall arrest. An additional two men can be attached to the fall restraint tie-off rings, allowing five workers to be tied-off at the same time. The cart also prevents damage to delicate roof membranes because it does not require heavy counterweights as an anchor. In the event of a worker fall, it works by releasing a spring operated steel claw that penetrates the roof substrate and anchors the cart to the deck.

The cart works great on foam-insulated rooftops, like the Cajun office, but is powerful enough to penetrate concrete. This makes it ideal for a small crew working near the edge of an unprotected elevated concrete deck.

The mobile roof cart is lightweight, making it easy for one man to reposition. It’s a unique and versatile piece of equipment that the Building Division has used on projects requiring work on elevated concrete decks, flat roofs, or when a conventional lifeline could not be utilized.

Beau Gibson | Division Safety Manager

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