Industrial

Rigid Lifelines is the leading industrial fall protection systems expert for industrial fall protection applications. We have designed, engineered, and installed industrial fall arrest systems in steel mills, manufacturing sites, power plants, warehouses, mining operations, wind turbines, bridges, oil refineries and drilling rigs, and chemical production facilities.

Problem

The industrial workplace encompasses many industries with a wide array of fall hazards. Rigid Lifelines offers a full line of rigid track industrial fall arrest system configurations that are applicable to many of these industrial fall hazards. Some hazards are more common than others, like companies seeking a fall protection solution underneath their facility overhead crane, but many hazards are job specific and require custom design and engineering by an expert. Consider letting Rigid Lifelines guide you through the process of finding the perfect solution for your industrial fall hazard. The following are several common industrial related fall protection applications we frequently encounter.

Possible Solution

Fold-Away Fall Protection Systems

Many industrial operations use large overhead facility cranes to assist in moving product or assemblies. When job tasks require workers to climb on top of these large products, machines, or assemblies and fall protection is required, it becomes a problem because the overhead crane restricts ceiling mounted fall protection solutions. A Rigid Lifelines Fold-Away Fall Protection System is the perfect solution for this application. Our system mounts directly to the building columns and provides industrial fall protection that can be open and closed manually or with motorization, providing fall protection when it is needed. These systems can be designed with single or dual tracks providing a straight path of fall protection. The enclosed tracks have easy rolling trolleys that allow for effortless lanyard hookup. The swing arms on these systems can be locked into place when open, and when folded away. Learn More »

Possible Solution

Overhead Crane Rail Inspection Fall Protection Systems

Workers in industrial facilities that have large overhead cranes are required by OSHA law to perform annual crane runway inspections. Runway inspections present a serious fall hazard. The crane runways are located at ceiling height, and ceiling height can vary depending on the size of the building. Crane runways are often narrow and the rails themselves are difficult to walk along, so a system that provides easy movement is critical. Rigid Lifelines Overhead Crane Rail Inspection Fall Protection Systems provide a rigid track solution that can be used in any facility with an overhead crane with appropriate headroom. Our system utilizes a special reinforced version of our plain track (no trusses) that accommodates 25’ support centers and is mounted overhead. Having a rigid fall arrest system overhead in runway inspection applications provides benefits that can’t be provided on wire or cable systems. A freefall on our industrial fall arrest system means decreased fall distance and an opportunity for self rescue. When a worker falls off of an overhead crane runway while attached to a wire or cable system, the deflection downward confines them to the lowest point on the rope, putting them at significant risk for suspension trauma. Our rigid track can also be engineered into the crane bridge to provide rigid track protection for the entire crane inspection process.

Possible Solution

Bridge Inspection Fall Protection Systems

Many state governments require annual inspection of highway bridges, and sometimes bridge inspections uncover the need for bridge repairs. When inspection and repair teams access the underside of the bridge they are exposed to a fall hazard. Rigid Lifelines Bridge Inspection Fall Protection Systems are dependable and make bridge inspection easy. Our enclosed steel track is easily mounted to the underside of various girder and truss style bridges. Due to the lack of headroom, our track can be flush mounted to the bridge ceiling and span the entire length of the bridge. The straight run of track makes it easy for a worker to walk the entire length of the bridge while attached to our smooth rolling trolley. Rigid Lifelines systems do not require pass through anchor points which cause disruptive and hazardous hang-ups. When a worker falls off of a bridge while attached to a wire or cable system, the deflection downward confines them to the lowest point on the rope, putting them at significant risk for suspension trauma. Rigid Lifelines Bridge Inspection Fall Protection Systems decrease free fall distance and put a worker in a position to rescue themselves in the event of a fall.

Possible Solution

Wind Turbine Maintenance & Inspection Fall Protection Systems

Wind turbines are a growing method of power generation as experts look for cleaner ways to produce electricity. Most modern day wind farms are made up of large three bladed wind turbines. These wind turbines may be as tall at 300’ and require gear box and generator maintenance. In order to perform maintenance, wind energy workers must climb the structure until they reach the Nacelle, the rectangular housing that contains the working components that drive the large blades. Rigid Lifelines Wind Turbine Maintenance & Inspection Fall Protection Systems are engineered to protect workers as they perform work on or inside of the Nacelle. Our system easily bolts to the existing foot rail bosses and is engineered with pivoting legs and track that allow for easy stand-up and fold-away overhead rigid track fall protection. When in stand-up position, the worker can easily attach himself to the rolling trolley on the overhead rigid track. The Rigid Lifelines system provides limited fall distance and enables self-rescue, allowing the worker to easily step back onto the Nacelle in the event of a fall. Current industrial fall protection systems being offered in the safety market for this application present serious risks. Cable systems and vacuum systems allow for significant free fall distance which translates into injured workers. Even more concerning is the fact that these systems provide no method of self-rescue. A freefall on these systems may leave a worker suspended in their harness below the Nacelle where they will wait to be rescued and will almost certainly become a victim of suspension trauma.

NOTE: If the possible solutions mentioned on this page don’t fit the vision for your application, please browse our full product line of fall protection equipment here, or please call Rigid Lifelines sales for more information on how we can help provide a solution for your specific fall protection application.