The Sam Carbis Solutions Group Safety Blog

There are a great many factors that go into planning a fall protection solution for your truck or rail loading spot.  The time spent planning cuts down on costly delays and expensive rework later. Before getting into the weeds of your project, here are a few top level issues to consider: Weather – Will the vehicle have to be accessed in all kinds of weather? High wind, snow, ice, rain, etc. can make moving products more hazardous and can potentially damage product.  Do you need a canopy structure to protect your operators and products? Time of Day – Will the site be supervised late at night? This is especially important with harnesses and lanyards as the act of hanging from a harness can cause irreparable harm or death. Is there adequate lighting for night work? Is there adequate shade for work on bright days? Frequency of Use – High frequency of use could dictate different types of equipment. A spot used infrequently could, potentially, even use a portable system....

How to Limit Accidents at Petrochemical Plants   Working in the refining and petrochemical industries can be dangerous work environments, with machinery that can burn or cut workers if not properly maintained. Fires and explosions are among the most frequent accidents in petrochemical plants, which makes complying with safety standards paramount to their operation. To safeguard against them, they must abide by applicable legislation on occupational health and safety. Safety Measures for Elevated Workspaces Many workers in the refining and petrochemical industries must use dangerous chemicals, work in tight spaces, lift heavy loads, inspect equipment for any malfunctions or mishandling that could compromise health and safety and regularly clean it to ensure optimal operation. Petrochemical plants often lie in remote locations where emergency services may take longer to arrive or, in the case of a large accident or fire, may not even exist at all. As such, it is essential t...

Safety First: How to Design a Corporate Safety Plan   Safety is a top priority for any company. But developing a safety plan requires more than just creating emergency documents and having lots of meetings, a good safety plan is a living document that grows with your company and its needs. Creating a strong safety policy requires thorough job hazard analysis and risk assessment. It also involves a system to onboard new employees and to reward safe behaviors. With a positive reinforcement program, you can encourage everyone to follow the company’s guidelines. Identifying Hazards To create a safety plan, you must first identify all the hazards in your workplace. You can do this by looking at the work environment and talking to workers. Consider each hazard and ask yourself two questions: How likely is the hazard to cause an incident, and how serious would it be if it did occur? Answering these questions will help you prioritize your hazard assessment and determine what co...

There are 6 Key Questions to Assess Your Current Situation Loading and unloading trucks is a hazardous activity that presents significant safety and efficiency challenges. There are a lot of moving parts, with trucks coming and going, and workers moving quickly to load and unload product to keep throughput flowing. Over time, loading area logistics evolve as new demands, different types of trucks, and changing loading patterns come into play. What may have worked in the past suddenly becomes obsolete, and existing truck loading racks and safety equipment may no longer be effective. 6 Top Considerations When Assessing Truck Loading Rack Systems Because each loading environment is unique—with its own set of challenges—it’s important to routinely assess and evaluate your: Truck loading requirements Safety equipment Fall protection goals As a guideline when doing do, there are many questions to consider. Here are 6 top ones to start with: Are there any special handling requirem...

 Safety plays a vital part in the business world since it has an immediate impact on factors such as productivity, employee morale, and regulatory compliance. Even though all areas of safety are important, particular attention should be paid to fall prevention systems because of the severity of accidents they prevent. The return on investment (ROI) for such systems is beyond convincing despite the fact that there are upfront costs associated with implementation. It is a cost-saving technique, a life-saving gadget, and a venture that generates profits all packaged into one business opportunity. To begin, it is important to remember that one must never discount the importance of the human factor. When companies make significant investments in all-encompassing fall prevention systems, they are sending their workforces the powerful message that the employees' health and safety is a primary concern. This not only boosts the morale of the workforce but also raises their overall output....

OSHA audits aren’t the only reason you should safeguard your site against accidents . Your workers’ safety is a priority, and the right solutions help them work more efficiently. However, OSHA fines and their impact on your budget shouldn’t be downplayed. Your facility must be prepared for an inspection. During a visit to your site, an OSHA representative will determine whether you are complying with the agency’s standards for a safe and healthful workplace. OSHA professionals have comprehensive training in safety and industrial hygiene. Why OSHA May Audit Your Site OSHA needs to choose carefully what sites it visits in order to provide maximum protection for American workers. If your facility presents an urgent risk, you’re more likely to receive an OSHA audit. The agency prioritizes its visits  in the following order: 1. Imminent danger – When OSHA is reasonably certain that danger exists at your site and may cause death or serious physical harm, it inspects your facility firs...

When choosing safety equipment for your facility, the stakes are far too high to trust a one-size-fits-all approach. Perform A Job Safety Analysis Or Job Hazard Analysis Identifying your safety equipment needs starts with assessing your facility’s safety concerns, including any concerns that could arise in upcoming initiatives. To gather this evidence, conduct a standard step-by-step job safety analysis or job hazard analysis (JHA) . If you face particularly complex or dangerous safety risks, OSHA recommends several in-depth methodologies .  By gathering empirical evidence about safety hazards, you’re able to show measurable justifications for each of the safety issues you’ve identified. For example, you might use the number of breakdowns in the plant over a month as evidence of a specific safety issue. Focus On Value, Not Cost When evaluating your safety equipment needs, it’s important to look beyond the cost of solving problems and consider how your facility could benefi...

There’s no getting around it: Your throughput depends on the loading, unloading and cleaning of tank trucks. Without proper safety solutions and equipment, these tasks are incredibly dangerous for your employees and drivers. Even the most seasoned workers could experience serious injuries or even death depending on the tasks they have to accomplish, the training they’ve been through and the protection they’re provided. Do you know the risks your drivers and workers face when accessing the tops and insides of tank trucks? Learn the top three hazards they may encounter and how to protect them with the right mix of equipment and training. Tank Truck Safety Hazard #1: Falling Off The Top Of The Tank In most cases, accessing the tank for loading and unloading means your employee has to climb on top of the tank to open a hatch or compressed air valve. Without the proper prevention or protection, simply standing on the top of the truck puts your workers at risk for serious injuries from ...

Marine safety equipment is necessary for helping your workers access ships safely and preventing falls. Safer work conditions often increase efficiency and improve your bottom line. While you may have an idea of what type of equipment you’re looking for, it’s important to not miss any important details. Always shop for safety equipment with the following four qualities: 1. Adaptable To Various Conditions No two days at your marine facility are exactly alike. Whether you run into problems with limited dock space, variable water heights or obstructions blocking ship access points, you need safety equipment that’s flexible. Marine safety equipment must adapt to changing conditions  within your work environment. For example, the barges you’re working on and their access points may change throughout the day. Your safety solutions provider should give you the following mounting options to choose from in a barge gangway: Float mode – As water levels rise and fall, your barge simply dr...

If you’ve ever shopped online for flatbed trailer safety systems, you know there’s no shortage of solutions. It may seem daunting to narrow your options and find the ideal equipment for your site. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to simply pick your safety solutions from a website. Consider the following types of equipment and ask yourself honestly whether you would be able to choose the precise models suited to your facility: Drive-off protection Warning lights Swing gates Flatbed tarping platforms Overhead tarping systems Canopy systems Complete terminals Perhaps you read an article about swing gates or know that a competitor uses certain flatbed tarping platforms. But how do you know if the equipment meets your specific requirements? Learn how to assess your site’s needs and choose the correct equipment with the help of a safety expert. Factors That Determine Your Ideal Safety Solution Your flatbed trailer safety equipment must suit your site layout, processes and trucks. ...

There's more than one way to load and unload products. The two most popular options for tank trucks and rail cars are hoses and loading arms. Each option has its own purpose as far as moving product, ease of use, and increased throughput. There are three basic types of hoses – vapor recovery, steel braided, and composite. • Vapor recovery hoses  are used when lightweight and flexibility are needed. These hoses are appropriate for diesel, gasoline, and lubricating oils. • Steel braided hoses  are ideal for hydraulic situations that use the dreaded combo of high heat and high temperature. They have good corrosion resistance as well as resistance to fire and abrasions. These types of hoses have to be durable and reliable, with a high degree of safety. For really high-pressure applications, two or three layers of braiding may be added. Still, the braiding is flexible and able to follow the hose’s movement. • Composite hoses  are compatible with the widest range of chemica...

Investing in the right safety equipment is a decision you should consider carefully. While the benefit of improved workplace safety often justifies the financial costs, you need to work with a vendor who is just as committed to your company’s industrial safety program as you are. How many times have you purchased a safety solution, such as fall prevention equipment, from a vendor and never received a follow-up call? After the sale is complete, your provider should check in to confirm that you were able to install the equipment properly and that employees feel protected against dangerous falls. Whether your vendor calls you, sends a service person to your location or provides you with other forms of customer service when you have questions, the day of the sale should not be the last time you hear from your vendor. There are other ways to tell whether the industrial safety equipment provider you are working with is right for you. Learn more about the characteristics of a high-quality ...

Loading and unloading goods transported by trucks, while a routine activity for many companies, presents a significant number of safety hazards, including the potential for falling employees, objects and machinery. These accidents often result in serious injuries or even fatalities, and you may be held liable as the employer. That’s why it’s important to identify safety issues early on, especially if you’ve experienced close calls in the past. In order to promote truck safety for your workers, your company should take certain expert-recommended precautions. You must choose the appropriate safety equipment, advocate proper truck spotting and implement employee training. These three best practices help you improve workplace safety at your facility. 1. Use The Appropriate Equipment For Your Specifications Simply telling your vendor you need a loading rack does not provide them with enough information to recommend the appropriate equipment. Before you place an order for your safety so...

Implementing the right industrial safety measures is vital for protecting your workforce from serious accidents that may cause injuries and fatalities. While these consequences are reason enough to improve workplace safety, your company may also be held liable after an accident if your work site does not meet OSHA standards. Fall prevention equipment is a beneficial solution for companies that need a system to access the tops of truck and rail applications safely. Many loading racks are configurable for single or multiple hatches. Depending on your work site needs, you may choose a loading rack that incorporates a combination of the following elements: Platforms Gangways Pumps Valves Loading arms Metering While choosing to protect your workforce with safe loading racks is a simple way to improve workplace safety, designing your custom solution may be more complicated. Learn the three key factors to consider when designing your loading rack based on your company’s...

Finding ways to reduce the risk of injury at your work site is a constant struggle, and there are many factors to take into consideration when implementing fall prevention strategies. Rail safety solutions play an important role in preventing injuries at your site, but to be effective they must be combined with safety procedures and training for your employees. Before implementing new fall prevention strategies, it’s important to understand common hazards associated with rail sites. Here are four common rail safety challenges and how to prevent them: 1. Safely Accessing The Top Of The Rail Car To prevent injuries, workers need safe access to the top of the rail car. Fall prevention equipment, such as rail safety cages, is often the best way to accomplish this. A lack of rail safety equipment makes working conditions dangerous and may lead to falls, injury and death. 2. Inability To Perform Tasks Safely This usually boils down to two factors: training and the right safety equipme...

Every workplace has its hazards. When it comes to tanker truck, rail car, aviation and marine environments the hazards have a tendency to be more life threatening than the average office. In order to keep workers safe, OSHA has done a lot of the work for you by setting standards that should be employed in every workplace. Fall prevention is the ideal scenario on any job that requires heights. Fall protection is the second best option. • Evaluate all hazards associated with routine and non-routine tasks. • Whenever possible reschedule, isolate or change a task to make it safer. • Take a look at walking surfaces and surroundings then make improvements by adding non-slip surfaces where needed, ensuring there are no holes in the floor, unprotected sides, wall openings and other fall hazards. • A written fall prevention plan needs to be in place for all employees and they need to read and follow it. • Schedule regular (and mandatory) fall prevention training for employees. • If you m...

Your chemical plant is filled with potential threats to the safety of your employees and to your company’s bottom line. You need to keep materials coming in and products going out, while also protecting your workers. Do you have the equipment and solutions you need to accomplish these mandates? Learn three key benefits of installing an expertly designed and constructed truck loading rack.   Key Benefit #1: Protecting Your Workers From Unnecessary Risk It’s likely that most of the chemicals you move in or out of your facility are transported in tank trucks. While these trucks are the most efficient way to transport chemicals, they also pose some critical risks when it comes to loading and unloading . Getting your chemicals in and out of the trucks means accessing the hatches on the tops of the tank. Without proper fall protection solutions, drivers could easily fall off the tank. Even with a side access ladder, drivers are at risk of slipping and falling. Additionally, workers...