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The authors ask you:
Even two sides of protection are a major improvement. Three rails have been stolen.
Imagine what Rene´ thinks of his Hand Rail after working without one for 30 years!
A picture is worth a thousand words.
Inventor Gary Chipman, saved twice from nine foot fall.
Falls are one of the leading causes of injuries to construction workers (1). There were 1192 deaths in 2005. Falls accounted for 33% of that total (2). Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that 60 percent of all lost workday fall injuries occurred at heights Under Ten Feet! Forty-one percent of these injuries were to construction workers (1). Nonfatal injuries from falls are typically severe and costly. (2). One OSHA study found that approximately $718 million is spent each year on workers' compensation for lost workday fall injuries (1). New solutions are clearly needed to guard against falls. This presentation introduces a simple effective low cost fall protection device, where there was none, until now. Companion Guardrail (3) will prevent many falls from mobile scaffolds. The guardrail accessory has been used in the field by construction workers over the past five years on various job sites, and they will not part with their units. The device is ready for widespread use, and we believe it is an excellent candidate for the research agenda. Companion Guardrail can prevent death and injuries now!
There are 2.3 million construction workers, or 65% of the construction industry, who work on scaffolds frequently (4). Guardrails are nonexistent, for “step ups” or “minis” used by various trades. Employers are reluctant to release injury data, but employees will tell you the injuries are numerous and severe, this is truly an urgent matter! (3). Deaths have occurred from falls under 30 inches. (5)
Provided a simple one piece detachable and portable guardrail with soft bends for gentle fall arrest to reduce injuries and deaths, increase security, comfort, sense of well-being, Improve ergonomic body mechanics, enhance balance, and safely increase efficiency.
Simple multifunctional Guardrail has been used successfully by independent professionals, No falls since 2003 on real jobs. Safety Directors from Turner, Bovis, Gilbane, M,L, McDonald of New England and others, want to make Guardrail requirement for job site scaffolds.
Effective solution bogged down in red tape, obscurity, liability concerns; needs help being officially recognized as useful. Rail will prevent many injuries!
Have research or study to identify, benefits, potential risks, and guidelines for best practices, as possible solution to pressing health hazard. Specifically, for falls under ten feet, pass over red tape, bring solution to practice (S2P), publish results, increase exposure, reduce injuries, adapt to fit six and eight foot baker type stagins for falls up to ten feet, and use rubberized paint to prevent electrocution!
The findings and conclusions in this poster are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Citations to Web sites external to NIOSH do not constitute NIOSH endorsement of the sponsoring organizations or their programs or products. Furthermore, NIOSH is not responsible for the content of these Web sites.
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