The Sam Carbis Solutions Group Safety Blog

  Loading Platform Safety Assessments Loading racks are a key component of a comprehensive worksite safety program. A loading platform safety system —with gangways, safety cages, and loading platforms designed to meet the specific needs of your environment and access requirements—not only keeps workers safer, but keeps operations running smoothly and on time. No matter what the material is being loaded or unloaded, workers should be protected and thoroughly instructed on safe-handling procedures. Protecting against falls with the right loading rack system can help prevent costly injuries and OSHA fines. How effective is your loading rack? While they don’t have an expiration date, considerations include: The age of the loading platform system Changes in loading patterns or access requirements Worker awareness of what the original equipment was designed to do Loading Rack Safety Assessments offer in-depth analysis and insight into whether your equipment is still doing the j...

If loading racks came with expiration dates it would be easy to tell when you needed addressing. But because they don't it can be difficult sometimes to know when one needs updating. Maybe the current loading rack got to the jobsite before you did and you may not really know what it was designed to do. Or maybe your company's loading rack has seen better days after many years of service. If the loading rack on the job is beginning to show its years or you have no idea what vehicle(s) the loading rack was built for and there’s no documentation, it’s probably time for an update. At the very least have it evaluated to make sure it meets industry standards. The dangers of using outdated fall prevention equipment are many and can cause huge losses for your company whether it is in lives, injuries, lawsuits, or downtime. If you notice any of the following, give Sam Carbis Solutions Group  a call and we will come to your jobsite and evaluate your fall prevention equipment: • Gaps...

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...

Customers often come to us with a “simple” request: a new gangway, loading arm, or safety platform, for example. Safety involves many factors, so rather than merely taking payment and shipping out a product, we often ask a lot of questions. By learning more about how the product will be used, we can ensure that our customers get the right equipment in place to keep them operating at maximum efficiency. As Long As it Does the Job, Right? Most of us have, at some point, used the wrong tool for the job. For example, butter knives seem to be the universal substitute for screwdrivers. Unfortunately, the price of using the wrong tool for the job at work can cost a lot more than just a drawer full of bent cutlery.  Making sure you have the right tool is our job. The Sam Carbis Solutions Group team asks the tough—and vital—questions: Have loading patterns changed? Has equipment been maintained regularly? Have employees been properly trained? On the surface, it may seem that orderi...

  Staying Current Keeps Workers Safer Remember that favorite pair of blue jeans? Like those jeans, that fit great 20 years ago, replacing aging safety equipment with the same model is likely not the best solution for ensuring a safer work environment. Customers often come to us when it’s time to replace outdated equipment and ask to purchase the exact same thing. The trouble is, a lot has changed in the years since the original equipment was purchased. OSHA standards have changed dramatically—from requirements that no gaps larger than 19” are allowed, to the regular inspection and maintenance of walking-working surfaces, and training of workers on fall and equipment hazards.  Does Your Fall Protection Equipment Fit Your Environment? In addition to regular maintenance and training, for fall protection equipment to be effective, it must “fit” in the current work environment. Changing traffic or loading patterns, newer equipment, or employees unfamiliar with operating procedur...

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...

Safety in the workplace does not have to be complicated. Investing in newer equipment—such as fully-encased crash boxes that provide full fall protection—and providing regular safety training ensure a safer working environment and reduce the risk of fall-related injuries. Slips, trips, and falls (STFs) are also costly and can result in lost productivity, increased insurance premiums, and the need to train replacement workers. Creating a safer workplace can sometimes be as simple as a periodic review of safety procedures, proper maintenance of safety equipment, and regular employee training. Often times, employees’ roles change, and newer employees may not be trained in the proper handling or placement of equipment. For example, a worker new to a position may line a truck up a few inches off from where it needs to be, creating a dangerous safety hazard. The necessity for conducting regular safety reviews and remediating hazards was made intensely clear by an incident at a facility th...

Many factors make tarping flatbed trailers a dangerous job. Tarps are often heavy, weighing as much as 150 pounds. They are large, unwieldy and difficult to manage, which may lead to ergonomic injuries. In harsh weather conditions like rain, sleet and snow, treading on the plastic tarp may cause your workers to slip and fall from a height. Wind also throws workers off balance when they’re handling a tarp on a flatbed truck. Your workers should be on guard when walking on top of unstable or uneven loads due to the risk of fatal falls. However, this is only a minimum precaution. You need a more comprehensive fall prevention solution to mitigate safety risks. Don’t wait until an injury or death to evaluate your tarping process. Learn how to protect your workers tarping flatbed trailers with the right safety systems for your facility. First, Seek Expert Safety Consulting It’s impossible to simply pick a piece of safety equipment off a list without first assessing your risks. A truck safe...

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 ...

Maintaining a consistent and efficient throughput is critical to your food and beverage facility’s bottom line. Although you do your best to achieve OSHA compliance and maintain high safety standards, workers may cut corners to expedite the production process. Workplace accidents create a substantial financial burden on your business. Additionally, accidents that result in serious injuries or death may lead to production delays or shut down your facility for a period of time. Here are five tips to help you improve safety and increase throughput efficiency at your food and beverage facility: 1. Assess Your Site’s Current Fall Prevention Measures The first step toward increasing workplace safety and throughput is to conduct an honest evaluation of your current fall prevention measures. Ask an outside source to identify the following aspects of your facility: Safety equipment that is currently in place Shortcomings of your equipment, such as a safety cage that makes it difficult for ...