CUSTOMIZED FALL PROTECTION AND LIFT SYSTEM SOLVES RAILROAD COMPANY’S UNIQUE DILEMMA

Overview

Amtrak Maintenance Facilities are where technicians service train cars and maintain equipment safely and efficiently. These facilities perform some of the company’s most important mechanical services. Located in Bear, Delaware, the Amtrak Bear Service Pit is the largest of Amtrak’s Maintenance Facilities. This facility services Amtrak’s entire group of Acela, Metroliner, Viewliner, Amfleet II, and Superliner passenger cars and equipment from the Northeast Corridor and Long-Distance Trains. Amtrak required a system that could protect the employees from falling while lifting heavy objects from the train cars. Unhappy with the continuously rising estimates from competitors, the superintendent of the company contacted Rigid Lifelines and Spanco to see if the companies could work together to solve the problem.

Solution

This system has an unusual overall function, making it a rare piece of equipment that most other companies can’t match. The system must lift heavy materials while also protecting workers from potential fall hazards. To accomplish both of these functions, Spanco provided a Freestanding Workstation Bridge Crane that included 4,000-pound runaways with one (1) 4,000-pound bridge for material handling, while Rigid Lifelines provided two (2) fall arrest bridges, each rated for two people.

Rigid Lifelines and Spanco provided 10-foot bridge buffers so that workers can safely use the lift equipment at height. The employees can now use the system to remove heavy AC units from the top of train cars while being protected from potential falls.

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Impact

The dual system provided the versatility needed to lift heavy materials while simultaneously keeping the employees safe from falling, all at an affordable price. This system provided confidence in the know-how of Rigid Lifelines and allegiance to merchandise from Spanco. The system has definitely provided a better working environment. Thanks to Rigid Lifelines and Spanco, the employees can now use the system to remove heavy AC units from the top of train cars while being protected from potential falls.