General Industry Fall Protection Systems
Permanent and Portable Gantry Systems
Engineered rigid rail systems for superior fall protection and safety compliance
The facts are alarming. According to data compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, each year, hundreds of workers are killed, and thousands are seriously injured by preventable workplace falls. In addition to the tragic human toll, these accidents cost businesses billions each year in medical costs, fines and lawsuits. Now, regulatory agencies are tightening their requirements for fall protection even more and increasing penalties and fines for noncompliance. Read more here about the real cost of falls and other workplace injuries.
According to OSHA safety regulations, if your employees work at heights of FOUR FEET or more in general industry, you need a fall protection system. But not all fall protection systems are created equal – you need a system that meets your specific application requirements. W.W. Cannon is proud to offer Gorbel Tether Track fall protection systems and portable fall protection systems that can meet your needs for a permanent fall protection system.
Unlike horizontal lifelines, Tether Track Rigid Rail Fall Arrest Systems provide shorter free-fall distances, reduced risk of secondary fall injuries, such as swinging into obstacles, and no negative impact on a second worker in the event of a fall.
W.W. Cannon is dedicated to improving safety and productivity in every industrial environment. Our permanent fall arrest and portable fall protection systems can be tailored to your specific industrial application— whether it’s indoors, outdoors, stationary, or at multiple locations. Our manufacturer uses proven concepts to develop unique fall protection systems for protecting workers at heights that meet or exceed OSHA safety standards. By matching the right fall arrest system to your exact job requirements, we offer superior fall protection equipment while keeping productivity at essential levels.
What is Tether Track™?
Tether Track Engineered Fall Protection Systems utilize an innovative enclosed track system to provide worker fall safety and avoid injuries due to falls while maximizing their productivity. Available in a variety of track styles and specifications, all of our engineered fall protection systems meet or exceed ANSI and OSHA safety standards.
The building block for the rigid rail anchor system is the enclosed track design, which is engineered for easy movement. The cold-rolled steel track keeps dirt and dust from settling on the rolling surface, allowing for smoother, more consistent ease of movement than an I-beam with no need for cleaning or maintenance of the track on the fall protection system. The track also features a running flange with a 2-degree taper to keep the trolley centered. That enables the trolley and attached lanyard to easily follow the worker, rather than forcing them to pull free a trolley that has become stuck.
Why Gorbel® Tether Track™?
Gorbel’s engineered Tether Track Rigid Rail Fall Protection Systems are a reliable, cost-effective way to reduce the risk of injury in elevated work environments. Unlike horizontal lifeline systems, these systems enable workers to effortlessly pass one another without disconnecting from the system— minimizing the risk of a fall during the reattachment process. All systems are designed to meet or exceed OSHA safety standards. Advantages include:
- STOPS FALLS FASTER: Tether Track requires less fall clearance than wire rope systems, making it ideal for low-headroom applications where overhead fall protection is still required.
- LOWER MATERIAL AND INSTALLATION COSTS: Tether Track covers greater distances between supports, thus requiring less material to cover the same overall area.
- SAFER FOR MULTIPLE WORKERS: Unlike wire rope systems, multiple workers are not impacted by each other’s movements.
- REQUIRES NO STRUCTURAL MODIFICATIONS: Tether Track’s rigid fall protection anchor point eliminates the need to modify building structures.
Types of Systems:
There are two basic types of systems, with various applications for each system, depending on the application, available space, and feasibility of mounting options.
- Ceiling Mounted Systems use the structure for support, as the rail is mounted either perpendicular or parallel to the ceiling beams. Should overhead obstacles be present, drop rod hangers with sway bracing can be supplied so that the fall protection system avoids these obstructions.
- Free-Standing Systems may be preferred whenever floor space is readily available to install column supports, when changes in work practices are anticipated, and when a building structure isn’t available. The flexibility of free-standing engineered fall protection systems allows them to be easily modified and moved should processes or fall protection needs change. Multiple bridges can be supplied for both ceiling mounted and free standing systems, thus allowing multiple workers to utilize the system simultaneously, while still meeting or exceeding OSHA safety standards.
Available Systems:
- Bridge System – multiple bridges can be supplied for both ceiling mounted and free-standing systems, allowing multiple workers to utilize the system simultaneously.
- Free-Standing Monorail System – engineered for areas that require long spans and an independent structure for support, this fall protection system provides a single path of fall protection in a permanent manner. Used widely where floor space is readily available, these systems are ideal for the transportation and agricultural markets.
- Ceiling-Mounted Monorail System – when floor space is at a premium, ceiling mounted monorails can provide unparalleled overhead fall protection while maintaining an open floor plan for material handling, production, or related activities. Ceiling mounted monorails use existing support steel for the fall protection anchor strength, and are ideal for production facilities and warehouses with tall ceilings since column support is not needed. Even if the facility has standard ceiling heights, the compact, low-profile design of ceiling mounted monorails provides full worker fall safety without headroom concerns.
- Swing Arm System – when space is an issue or ceilings are inaccessible, swing arm systems can provide flexible fall safety solutions in industries ranging from food distillation to coal processing. Provides circular or semicircular fall protection within a limited footprint and can easily be moved out of the way.
- Fold Away System – provides safety when you need it, and space when the system is not in use. Like the Tether Track Swing Arm System, the Fold Away System supplies convenient permanent fall arrest when extended without sacrificing productivity and can then be “folded away” to maintain much-needed space when not in use. Ideal for railroad maintenance facilities or where large food processors must be regularly maintained. By deploying only when needed, fold away systems allow complete access to overhead cranes to maintain high production levels.
- Single Pole System – when numerous obstacles exist in the workspace and standard multiple column systems are not feasible, single pole systems provide a convenient alternative for worker fall safety. Used regularly in tank car servicing or heavy-duty truck securing and tarping areas, single pole systems require only a single foundation. Standard span lengths from 10′ to 53′ mean the system can be designed to meet the requirements of most loading/unloading and maintenance facilities, while always meeting or exceeding OSHA safety standards.
- Tether Track Portable Gantry – ideal for applications where a permanent solution is not possible. This system allows for single or multiple users to complete their required tasks and can then be moved out of the way.
Recovery Trolley
It’s not enough to protect workers from a fall…what happens after a fall is just as critical. The Recovery Trolley locks in place when a fall occurs to increase the possibility of the worker regaining composure and reaching the work surface for an efficient recovery from a fall. The trolley is designed to use the force of the fall, in combination with the worker’s weight, to allow the rigid trolley body to contact the surface of the track directly. This “trolley-to-track” contact inhibits horizontal motion along the track. Once motion is prohibited, the worker can recover to the surface where they fell.
These solutions offer comprehensive fall protection for your team, preventing accidents and ensuring compliance with safety regulations. Refer to the brochures in the Reference section for more information about capacity, span, number of workers accommodated, adaptability, and track type. At W.W. Cannon, we not only provide these fall protection systems, but we also handle the installation and ongoing service, giving you peace of mind that your facility is always secure. Contact us and let our knowledgeable staff guide you through the selection process.
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