In fact, “OSHA requires that fall protection be provided at elevations of four feet in general industry workplaces, five feet in shipyards, six feet in the construction industry and eight feet in long shoring operations.” (https://www.osha.gov/fall-protection)

If you are looking for a full line of fall protection products to choose from, you can count on Elk River to keep you safe with our extensive line of fall protection harnesses and associated hardware. 

• All the gear we create is designed to offer maximum protection and is developed using the expertise and experience of 30+ years in the business. We offer safety equipment that is extremely durable and reliable, has very clear instructions for use, and ensures the comfort and protection you need. We know that fall protection equipment should be reliable, high-quality, and compliant to safety standards at all times. 
• Elk River is one of America’s top providers of fall protection equipment, serving numerous industries and keeping a high standard of quality through our entire product line. 
• We are the oldest privately held fall protection company in the USA, and all of our equipment is made in the USA. We are proud to continue our legacy of American-made products for over 30 years.

Types of Fall Protection Equipment

Elk River is the number one provider of comprehensive fall protection gear and serves various industries worldwide. We have the expertise and resources needed to provide fall protection equipment from A to Z, putting plenty of valuable information at your disposal. 

Elk River makes several kinds of harnesses & associated equipment for fall protection that are used for working at height.  Having a good understanding of how fall protection works keeps everyone safe, so we provide clear directions on how to use our equipment properly.

The safety products we make and distribute include:

• Harnesses & full body harnesses
• Anchorages & hardware
• Lanyards & web lanyards
• Lifelines, self-retracting lifelines, & rope grabs
• Accessories such as d-rings, tongue buckles, quick-connect connectors, and snaphooks
• Carabiners & Retractables
• Fall Protection Kits
• Eze-Trac & T-line Systems

All the gear we create is designed to offer maximum protection and is developed using the expertise and experience of over three decades in the business. Our mission is to offer safety equipment that is extremely durable and reliable, has very clear instructions of use, and ensures the comfort and protection you need. 

Why Choose Elk River?

Choosing Elk River as your fall protection equipment means having your workers’ safety and comfort as one of your top priorities. Our world-class customer service department is dedicated to providing all of the information you need to use our equipment safely, managing orders and delivering the best quality to customers all over the world. 

We start the education process before any purchase is made in order to avoid misunderstandings or choosing the wrong equipment for the job.  We make sure we recommend the best Elk River Fall Protection products based on your specific needs for optimum safety. Choosing the right kind of fall protection equipment depends on the type of job you are doing and the environment you are working in. What we recommend is based on expert assessments and a good knowledge of the challenges raised by working at height. 

Our highest priority is human life. Our products are made to provide a safe environment for workers in all industries, focusing on one of the most risk-prone activities: people working in elevated environments. We strongly believe that every worker in the industry should be provided with the most trustworthy equipment  available to protect them from falls and injuries while on the job. With our help, workers and their families can be sure that their health and well-being are in good hands.

Elk River consultants are more than sales representatives: they are trained to know the latest technologies in the industry and present every single product with precision and expertise. Employers in various industries can come to us with their safety equipment needs and we will offer the best products for their specific line of work, at highly competitive prices. 

Industries We Serve

Because several industries involve working at height, we are aware of the varied needs that come with each line of work and deliver products that are fit for all these jobs. The industries that we work with in giving workers a safe environment while they are doing their job include:

• Tower climbing
• Construction
• Industrial
• Fire and Rescue
• Oil and Gas
• Wind Energy
• Utility 

Businesses of all sizes are welcome to purchase safety equipment from Elk River and use the vast library of resources we continue to publish on our website. We aim to create reliable products with very clear instructions and measurement guidelines so that each worker uses them correctly and eliminates risks related to work accidents. 

Our Distributors

We distribute our safety equipment through a large network of both online and brick-and-mortar stores, ensuring nationwide coverage. Find a distributor or register as one on our website to start working with Elk River,  proud manufacturers of American-made, high-quality harnesses, anchors and lanyards. 

Our distributors are our business partners. They play an important role in informing and educating our clients about the correct way to use the equipment and choosing the best fall protection harnesses & hardware for their needs. 

Contact Elk River for More Information

If you want to find out more about our products and our distribution network, don’t hesitate to contact us. You can request a catalog, inquire about safety instructions and technical details of the products we make, or register as a partner or client. 

Elk River’s goal is to keep a transparent line of communication between us, our distributors, and the final beneficiaries of our products, and ensure that employees who work at height are safe and don’t risk any work injuries. 

Get in touch with us today to learn more about the highest quality fall protection equipment at an affordable price.

The post Why Choose Elk River? appeared first on Elk River.

Elk River began manufacturing Fall Protection Products nearly three decades ago with only twelve products and a handful of employees producing safe and quality products.  Today, there are more than 1,600 line items shipped globally. 

We are proud to represent quality, safety, and tradition. Our Research & Development team is constantly developing new products and designs to improve the comfort, durability, and safety of our products. Reach for Elk River when you need protection, comfort, and safety. Elk River is not just a brand or product;  Elk River is your fall protection partner. 

What You Need to Know to Stay Safe and Legal

As an employer, it’s important you understand the risks of an unsafe workplace, not only for your employees but for the overall health of your company. Let’s take a look at how you can ensure your operation is safe for all employees while also meeting all government regulations.

Why is fall protection important?

For Human Safety

Working with dangerous equipment in a fast-paced environment, it’s no surprise that falls are the leading cause of fatalities in the construction industry. According to the CDC, falls accounted for one in three of the total number of fatalities in the industry during 2019. It’s the responsibility and duty of the employer to ensure safe working conditions for all employees.

Not only can a workplace injury have a devastating impact on the employee(s) involved, the costs associated with a workplace injury, including worker’s compensation, can be devastating to an employer’s bottom line. Not only is it imperative to be sure you are protecting your employees’ health and well-being, but also your brand and bottom line as a whole.

Because it’s Law

According to OHSA’s Standard 1926.501 (Source), it is the duty of an employer to provide fall protection systems in certain work environments.

OSHA

OHSA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, has set forth guidelines and requirements to assist employers in creating a workplace that prevents employees from falling off platforms, elevated workstations, or into holes and ditches. Established in 1970, OSHA is a part of the federal Department of Labor. Its mission is to prevent workplace illness, injury, and death by providing guidelines and enforcing safety standards. Their number one goal is to create a better, safer working environment for all Americans.

Requirements:

Depending on the industry and application, OSHA has set forth specific height requirements:

• General industry applications require fall protection for workers located 4 or more feet above the ground.
• Shipyard applications require fall protection for any worker located at 5 or more feet above the ground.
• The construction industry requires fall protection for workers located 6 or more feet above the ground.
• Long shoring operations require fall protection for any worker located 8 or more feet above a below surface (including water).

It’s important to note that there are times when personal protective gear is required though no height is involved. If an employee is working above dangerous equipment or machinery, or any hazard they could fall into, they must have personal fall protection or guardrails at all times.

Fall protection can be in the form of a guardrail, though when that is not a viable option, personal protective equipment such as harnesses, lifelines, and lanyards are required by law.

Not only does OSHA provide height requirements depending on the industry, but they also offer general requirements for all workplace applications.

By law, OSHA requires employers to:

• Provide working conditions free of known dangers.
• Keep floors in work areas clean and in a dry condition.
• Provide required personal protective equipment at no cost to workers.
• Conduct employee training by a competent person regarding job hazards in a language the employee can understand

Failure to comply with these regulations may result in citations and hefty fines – ranging from $14,000 to $145,000 per violation for repeat offenders. Given these fines can be applied to each instance or citation, a charge of the sort can not only be devastating to your bottom line, but also to your reputation.  

Guidelines to Help Employers

OSHA provides employers with specific guidelines to help address fall hazards. These include:

• Guardrails and handrails, personal fall arrest systems, and safety nets are recommended methods for any surface with an unprotected side or edge that’s six feet or more above a lower level.
• Guardrails and toe-boards are the recommended fall protection when an employee works over dangerous equipment or machinery, such as conveyor belts or vats of hazardous materials.
• A railing and toe board (or a cover) can be used to cover exposed holes in the floor and open-sided platforms, floors, and runways, to prevent employees from falling.
• Employers should have continuous training programs to educate workers on height-related hazards, notify them of the dangers posed by working at any height, and how to remain safe on the job.

In 1997, OSHA responded to a request for a reevaluation of Section 1926.501(b)(5) to ensure the standard properly addresses fall protection for pre-assembled rebar assemblies. This clarified rule states that fall protection is not required while an employee is in motion up to 24 feet, meaning fall protection is not necessary for employees climbing on or moving on built-in-place rebar assemblies at heights below 24 feet. Though, employers are required to provide safety equipment to employees working on rebar assemblies once those employees have reached their workstations or have moved to points at least 24 feet above a lower level. (Source)

Other Employer Resources

In partnership with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) – Construction Sector, OSHA has created a nationwide outreach campaign to raise awareness about common fall hazards in construction and how to prevent them.  OSHA emphasizes that falls can be prevented through three important and highly effective steps: 

1. Plan ahead to get the job done safely
2. Provide the correct equipment
3. Train everyone to use the equipment safely and properly

Backed by Elk River’s excellent customer service department, we are equipped to discuss any specific applications you may encounter – your safety is our priority. For nearly 30 years, our focus has been putting our customers and their families first – never sacrificing quality in an effort to preserve margin.  The combination of values, quality, and expertise allows us to provide the highest level of quality and service.

When it comes to falling in the workplace, you can never be too safe. No matter your industry, Elk River has quality fall protection equipment to keep you and your team safe. Contact us today to discuss your needs and what Elk River can do to keep your operation safe, legal, and effective. We are your source for all your fall protection needs – Elk River is your fall protection partner. 

The post Elk River Fall Protection Harnesses: Keeping You Safe and OSHA Compliant appeared first on Elk River.

It’s critical for the safety of all employees to understand how to properly inspect personal fall arrest systems prior to using the system. In an ideal world, all fall hazards would be engineered out of the workplace, though rarely is that possible. In the event of a fall hazard, it’s required by law that the employer provide a reliable personal fall arrest system to keep the employee safe. All Elk River equipment meets or exceeds the current and applicable OSHA regulations as well as ANSI and CSA Standards. Under OSHA standard §§1926.502(d)(21) and 1926.503(a)(2)(ii), fall prevention equipment must be inspected prior to each use by an employee trained in proper inspection protocol. (Source)

Components of a Personal Fall Protection System

A legal personal fall arrest system consists of at least 4 components:

1. A Full Body Harness
2. An Energy Absorbing Device
3. An Anchorage Connector
4. An Anchor

When used properly, these 4 components provide an individual with an additional level of life-saving protection by absorbing the energy of a fall.

Calculating Proper Fall Clearance

During the fall hazard identification process, each job site can present unique challenges that need to be considered during installation. Fall clearance is one of the first and most important measures to consider when addressing a fall hazard. To calculate fall clearance, you’ll need to calculate:

• Height of worker
• The initial length of the energy-absorbing device
• Deployment distance of the energy-absorbing device
• Harness Effect (This is the distance that the dorsal D-ring will slide up during a fall arrest)
• Safety Factor (Usually 3 feet)

See more in the Elk River Fall Calculation Chart PDF

Inspecting Your Fall Protection Equipment

Prior to using any safety harness or other fall protection equipment, it is the responsibility of the user to inspect the equipment. Per OSHA guidelines, this user should have been trained to complete this inspection by the competent person on the job site. OSHA defines the competent person as “one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them” (Source: 29 CFR 1926.32(f)).

An inspection typically consists of steps similar to those outlined below:

1. To start your inspection, grab the harness by the D ring, raise it up, and shake it. This will allow the leg straps to fall into place and give you a better visual of the harness and its intended position. This will also help untwist the harness should it have been tangled up during storage.

Carefully inspect each point of the harness

2. Stitches – It’s critical that all stitches are in a good, intact condition with no fraying or breaking. OSHA fail criteria consists of pulled, missing, or cut stitches, hard or shining spots, and the discoloration of stitching, depending on the cause.
3. Webbing – This is the strong, narrow, and closely woven fabric that makes up the majority of the body harness. Grasp the webbing and bend both sides to create surface tension, making cuts and damaged fibers easier to see. It’s important to not only visually inspect the webbing but manually (touch) as well. Some tears and abrasions may be difficult to see with the bare eye, though they can be felt.
   On the webbing, you’ll want to look for cuts, abrasions, nicks, excessive wear and tear, or water damage. Carefully inspect areas that may have come in contact with a rough or sharp surface or edge.
4. Hardware – It is vital to the effective operation of fall protection equipment that all hardware functions properly. This includes hooks, carabiners, and d-rings, and also includes connection configurations such as quick connects, mating buckles, and tongue buckles.
   OSHA fail criteria include distortion such as twists and bends, rust and corrosion, broken grommets, additional holes or other modifications by users, broken springs, and more.
5. Rope – Inspecting your rope may sound like a tedious task, but it’s a critically important part of the safety inspection process. Be sure to look for frays, cuts, or other deformities that may hinder the rope from being properly and safely used. Just as the webbing, it is possible that a deformity can only be felt. Be sure to inspect the rope both visually and manually.
6. Cable – Cable must be inspected for cut wires, corrosion, or kinks.
   Once again, it is critical the cable is inspected both visually and manually to ensure all deformities are detected if they exist.
7. Check the Tagging System. Each harness must have a legible tag to identify the harness, model, date of manufacture, name of manufacturer, limitations, and warnings. This will allow you to ensure the safety harness is within its service life.

To review OSHA’s detailed harness inspection guidelines, visit here.

Be sure to read the product instructions prior to donning any personal fall protection harness or equipment.

It’s important that all OSHA guidelines are followed and employees are trained by the competent person on the job site. This article does not replace the training provided by the job site’s competent person. Additionally, all personal fall arrest system equipment is to be inspected at least once every six months, also by the job site’s competent person.

Preserving Fall Protection Equipment

The lifespan of a personal fall arrest system depends on the care given to the equipment. To increase the longevity of your Elk River safety harness, be sure to keep the equipment clean and free from dirt, sunlight, grease, oils, and other harmful materials and substances. Perform a post-wear inspection and store the equipment in a cool, dry environment, away from direct sunlight fumes, or corrosive elements.

Cleaning

It’s important to clean your harness to prevent dirt and debris from building up on the equipment. This increases the lifespan of the fall protection equipment in addition to its effectiveness

1. Wipe the harness with a damp sponge 
2. Lather a sponge with a mild detergent and water solution
3. Create a thick lather on the harness. This includes the webbing in addition to the hardware. Be sure to focus on heavy wear areas to deter debris buildup
4. Wipe dry with a clean cloth and let air dry if necessary

Elk River Is Your Fall Protection Partner

All Elk River equipment meets or exceeds the current and applicable OSHA regulations as well as ANSI and CSA Standards. With nearly 30 years in the business, we are dedicated to bringing you only the most reliable, trustworthy safety protection gear.  We listen to you and strive to provide the highest quality products you want, exactly when you need them. We aggressively research new designs to improve comfort, safety, and durability.

All of our Elk River harnesses and lanyards are made in the USA and trusted by industry leaders worldwide. We are proud to represent quality, safety, and tradition. Our combination of values, quality, and expertise allows us to provide the highest level of service and quality for you and your team.If there is ever a question about the integrity of the personal fall protection equipment, contact Elk River for guidance. We are your partner in fall protection, we are here to help keep you and your team safe. Contact us today.

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