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Fall protection equipment for offshore, oil & gas industries

Fall protection equipment for offshore, oil & gas industries

Good practice guidelines for working at height (WAH) from the G+ Global Offshore Wind Health and Safety Organisation suggest a hierarchy of protective measures. WAH should be avoided where possible, but where this is not reasonably practicable, offshore sites need to have collective protection (such as fixed guardrails), and personal protection (such as fall prevention or restraint systems).

In the US, OSHA fall protection standards require that any personnel working on a  surface more than 6ft high with an unprotected edge must have fall protection equipment. Offshore fall protection requires the best quality equipment that workers can rely on.

Finding the Best Oil and Gas Fall Protection

Consulting safety experts is the most efficient way of finding equipment that is best suited for your site or for any given application, as well as ensuring that your workers are correctly informed on how to use the equipment.

Carroll Technologies has more than 40 years of experience providing safety expertise and industry-leading safety equipment, and has searched the market for the best of the best. Carroll supplies offshore fall protection equipment such as harnesses, hooks and shock-absorbing lanyards from trusted manufacturers.

From MSA, Carroll supplies rugged, energy-absorbing lanyards that keep fall arrest forces below 6 kN. MSA’s restraint lanyards are designed to be placed between the anchor point and the harness, which prevents workers from dropping into the fall area.

Honeywell’s Miller brand provides a high-quality range of full protection solutions, including its harness and fall limiters. The Miller AirCore harnesses are lightweight and made from corrosion-resistant aluminium and breathable open-core padding to allow for optimal airflow, as well as reduced heat and moisture entrapment.

Fall protection equipment available through Carroll Technologies includes:

  • MSA retractable lanyards
  • MSA vest-style harnesses
  • MSA full-body harnesses
  • MSA lanyard restraints
  • MSA trauma prevention
  • MSA lanyards with hooks
  • Honeywell Miller AirCore harnesses
  • Honeywell personal fall limiter

Carroll Technologies also supplies fall protection equipment for most industrial applications, including fall protection for the mining and tunnelling industries. Contact us to discuss your project.

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Mine collapses in North America

Mine collapses in North America

Carroll Technologies reviews some of the worst mine collapses in North America.

Avery Island salt mine roof collapse 

 

On December 14, 2020, the roof of the Avery Island salt mine operated by Cargill collapsed, resulting in Rene Romero, 41, and Lance Begnaud, 27, losing their lives. 

The mine was shut down immediately after the incident while rescue efforts were underway, and it was permanently closed six weeks later.  

The widows of the miners who lost their lives filed lawsuits, citing that known roof collapse hazards were ignored, mining regulations were not followed, and specifically that the two men were killed during a failed attempt to preserve profitable salt mining operations at the mine. The Cargill salt mine roof collapse is a prime example of the importance of listening to safety inspectors, and the catastrophic consequences if operators do not have adequate procedures in place. 

Donkin mine roof collapse 

 

Fortunately, the series of roof collapses at Donkin mine in Cape Breton did not result in any workers being injured. However, the operator, Kameron Coal, was fined $2,000 for an accumulation of combustible coal dust and a further $2,000 for failing to implement a safety plan that “may have provided an indication that the roof strata were exhibiting signs of potential failure.” 

As mining excavations go deeper, the focus on rock support to prevent roof and floor failure has never been more important. The failure of hard roof strata can be the most violent dynamic instability event in underground longwall mining. 

Marshall County mine roof collapse 

 

In 2015, one worker, John Garloch, 45, was killed and two others were injured in a coal mine roof collapse at the McElroy Mine in Marshall County, West Virginia. The incident was attributed to a “rib roll”. In underground mines, the walls or sides of travel ways are referred to as ribs and need to be secured.  

According to Lima Ohio news: “MSHA inspectors have issued 189 citations to the mine for alleged violations that included coal dust accumulation, hazardous conditions, noise exposure levels, air quality and other safety issues. The mine received 970 citations in 2014.” 

Carroll Technologies provides a range of high-quality Simplified Mining Instruments (SMI) ground movement monitoring devices to help prevent mine roof collapses within North America. Their product range includes the Sag Flag Roof Monitor which is used as a solid early warning system for ground control management, and the SMI Miner’s Bore Hole Camera for the inspection of boreholes. Contact us to discuss your mine safety requirements.

View the SMI Sag Flag early warning and ground control management system installation

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Fall Protection

Fall protection equipment on industrial oil rig

Industrial Fall Protection 

Finding the right industrial fall protection equipment can be a challenge, so many industries turn to safety experts for advice on what solutions are best suited for their needs. Carroll Technologies have more than 40 years of experience helping more than 800 US mines and other industries as a consultant and supplier of the best fall protection solutions for many industries, including mining and tunnelling, energy, power and utilities industries and offshore, oil and gas industries. 

Carroll supplies a broad range of industry-leading equipment from trusted manufacturers such as MSA and Honeywell Safety, with offerings such as harnesses, hooks and shock-absorbing lanyards.

Through its online store, Carroll also offers a range of high-quality ropes and hoists to keep workers secure. Fall protection equipment available through Carroll Technologies includes: 

  • MSA retractable lanyards 
  • MSA vest-style harnesses 
  • MSA full-body harnesses 
  • MSA lanyard restraints 
  • MSA trauma prevention 
  • MSA lanyards with hooks 
  • Honeywell Miller AirCore harnesses 
  • Honeywell personal fall limiter 

MSA energy-absorbing lanyard keeps fall arrest forces below 6kN, while the restraint lanyards are designed to be placed between the anchor point and the harness to prevent workers from dropping into the fall area. 

Honeywell provides a new generation of full protection solutions under its Miller brand. The light-weight Miller AirCore harnesses are manufactured from corrosion-resistant aluminium and breathable open-core padding to allow for optimal airflow, as well as reduced heat and moisture entrapment.  

Developing a Fall Prevention Plan for Industry 

Over the past ten years, 29 miners have lost their lives after they fell from an area where they worked. Having a fall prevention plan in place, in addition to high-quality equipment, is the best way to ensure that these tragedies are not repeated. 

MSHA makes a number of suggestions when it comes to best practices for developing a fall prevent plan for industry, including providing mobile or stationary platforms at locations where there is risk of falling. 

Industries should also assign a safety harness and lanyard to any miner who works at an elevated height, and they must have a stable and secure anchor point for the lanyards to be attached to, which should be regularly inspected. MSHA also recommends physical barriers around all floor openings. 

For areas where fall protection equipment is required there should be visible signage, and work areas and tasks should be designed to minimize fall hazards. 

Fall Protection Equipment for the Water Industry

Due to the common requirement for use of heavy machinery in the water industry, – for example, such as when digging tunnels for pipelines – ensuring adequate fall protection for workers is vital. Fall protection systems ensure that staff working at heights – such as on tall machinery or structures – are kept safe from the potentially life-threatening injuries associated with falling from large heights. These systems allow for safe engineering and construction work to take place within the water industry, ensuring operational efficiency and productivity.

Compliance standards for industrial fall protection 

 

Safety regulation 56/57.11001 indicates that a safe means of access should be provided and maintained to all working places. 56/57.15005 states that safety belts and lines should be worn when there is a danger of falling, and a second person shall tend the lifeline when bins, tanks, or other dangerous areas are entered. 

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Renewable Energy Safety Equipment

Bird's eye view of wind farm

Wind farm safety equipment 

Both onshore and offshore wind farms will require guard rails, safety nets, and personal fall protection equipment (such as lanyards and harnesses) to keep workers safe when they climb turbines. Hard hats are also necessary if there is a risk of equipment or debris falling. 

Inside the turbine, workers are restricted to confined spaces, where exit routes should be clearly marked. Additionally, during the manufacturing of wind turbine blades, workers may be exposed to dust or harmful gases, so they must be protected by a reliable ventilation system and the use of protective personal equipment (PPE) such as respirators and gas detection devices. 

Offshore wind farms are generally more dangerous environments, requiring non-slip foot and handwear, as well as ear protection. Wind farms may also utilise personnel tracking systems or man-down radio functions to keep track of worker safety in remote offshore areas. 

Solar farm safety equipment 

Solar panels are heavy and may be installed on elevated areas or rooves. Personnel need to be supplied with fall protection equipment and reliable PPE, as well as adequate training, to keep them safe. 

Electrical safety may also be a concern, so shock risk assessments need to be carried out. In addition to safety measures such as circuit breakers, personnel should be equipped with insulated tools, voltage-rated gloves, and provided with safety training.

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Offshore Oil Rig Safety Equipment

panoramic view of an offshore oil and gas rig

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, vehicle accidents, being struck by or caught between equipment, fires, falls, and chemical exposures are just some of the hazards that workers face at oil rigs. In fact, the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries declared that between 2013 and 2017, 489 oil and gas extraction workers lost their lives on the job.

Keeping workers safe is the key priority, and the industry continues to develop new and innovative oil rig safety equipment to manage hazardous offshore environments.

Oil rig safety systems

From loud, heavy equipment to hazardous elevated platforms, it is essential to continually monitor remote oil rig sites and provide reliable communication, hazard detection and alarm systems.

Flammable gases and spark-producing equipment can be a deadly combination, so oil rigs require rugged fire and gas detection systems with sensors and alarms, as well as integrated safety and emergency management systems, to ensure complete control and visibility.

Surveillance cameras such as closed-circuit television (CCTV) are used for machine monitoring as well as an anti-piracy deterrent. At oil rigs, they are used to monitor pumping and control rooms and to keep all areas of the platform secure.

Communication is always key, and oil rigs require rugged intercom and radio communication systems to keep in contact, as well as be alerted to any potential danger. Oil rigs also utilize technology for personnel tracking systems such as satellite-based location tracking with GPS for collision avoidance and tracking personnel to ensure that they do not enter danger zones or off-limit areas.

Offshore oil rig safety gear

Personal protection equipment at oil rigs needs to be rugged, reliable and durable. Oil rig hard hats, such as NLT cap lamps, can incorporate LED technology, as well as proximity and tracking tags.

Similar to mining and construction equipment, oil rig safety boots and safety clothing needs to be manufactured from rugged materials, providing reliable protection as well as comfort. Companies such Protective Industrial Products (PIP USA) offer an extensive range of custom-made safety solutions such as hearing protection, protective clothing, respiratory safety, warning beacons, welding protection, electrical safety and fall protection, as well as extensive eye, foot, hand and head protection.

Slips and falls are one of the main causes of injury at oil rig sites. Reliable fall protection is essential for keeping workers safe, and the industry offers a broad range of equipment, from high-quality harnesses and sturdy hooks to shock-absorbing lanyards.