OSHA Residential Construction Fall Protection

Just a reminder that the three month phase in period for the OSHA residential construction fall protection is over.  It is know required and non compliance can mean large fines.  A simple solution is the use of a roofers bucket safety kit that complies with the OSHA requirements.  Another solution would be guard rail roof brackets that are installed at the roof edge to eliminate a fall.  For larger jobs system guardrail packages are available from Bluewater Manufacturing.  Avoid fines that could be crippling to you business.

Werner Aluminum Planks

It was brought to my attention that customers think that Werner is making their aluminum planks in Mexico.  The truth is they are made in Louisville, KY.  made in the USA.  It is a fact that Titan Planks are made in China.  Werner is a company trying its best to keep as much production that is feasible in the USA.  Lets try and support manufactures that are making product here in the USA.  When you think about buying a foreign made product ask your distributor about product liability on the product in writing.  Werner has it and will give you a printed copy.  There is a cost for insurance which is reflected in the price.  If something happens to you on an imported plank who will protect you, China, your distributor?   

Make your aluminum pump-jack system freestanding.

What is the biggest hassle in setting up your pumpjacks?  What if there was a product that you could use with your system that eliminated tying your poles to the building?  No more drilling into the house, no more setting up a ladder, one person setting up your system in less than 15 minuets.  One person moving the system to the next location.  Think of the time you will save along with the extra profit you will make.  Reechcraft has created this solution for you.  By using their system your pumpjacks will be free standing up to 24ft.  One person can set up your system in a quarter of the time.  One person can roll it to the next location. Reechcraft speed rail guardrail system is also a quick way to incorporate fall protection on the job site. 

New Product- Brentwood Wheelbarrows

Brentwood Industries, Inc. manufactures a full line of wheelbarrows with over 60 models to choose from. Whether you’re a landscape or concrete contractor, or simply working in your backyard, we can supply you with the appropriate wheelbarrows to make any job successful. Our wheelbarrows are constructed using the most durable materials, using high-density polyethylene pans, varnished hardwood handles, structural steel & heavy gauge metal chassis with a 4” heavy-duty rear stabilizing plate. Pan sizes of 5, 6, 7, 8 & 10 cube, 1 or 2 wheel, multiple tire types and a variety of wheelbarrow styles to choose from, our wheelbarrows can accommodate any application. Each wheelbarrow is backed by a limited warranty and our name, Brentwood Industries!

6 cubic ft. 6" wide turf tire  INTRODUCTORY PRICE  $ 174.00

Bird Ladder Open House

Bird Ladder is again having there contractor open house May 12, 2011.  The hours will be 9-4.  We will be serving lunch.  There will be factory reps. avaiable to answer any questions.  We will have special pricing on our complete inventory.  Truck load pricing on ladders, planks, pump jacks, aluminum brakes, safety equipment, truck and van equipment, gang boxes, compactors, power trowels, concrete mixers, and hand tools to mention a few.  There will also be demo on Granite Power Snappy, Reechcraft Powerpole, Abortech brick and mortar saw.  We will also have a drawing for four tickets to a Brewers game.  So don't miss this event.  Best prices in 2011. 

OSHA top ten citations for 2010

OSHA's Most Frequently Cited Violations

Federal OSHA recently issued its list of top ten list most frequently cited violations for the 2010 fiscal year.  In all, there were approximately 94,000 violations issued  and the top ten represented nearly half of all violations.  The 2009 and 2010 lists have many similarities as scaffolding topped the list again with 8,371 violations.  The full list is below:

1.        1926.451 - Scaffolding: 8371Violations

2.        1926.501 - Fall Protection:  7,559 Violations

3.        1910.1200 - Hazard Communication:  6,633 Violations

4.        1910.134 - Respiratory Protection:  3,932 Violations

5.        1926.1053 - Ladders:  3,820 Violations

6.        1910.147 - Lockout/Tagout:  3,531 Violations

7.        1910.305 - Electrical, Wiring Methods:  3,381 Violations

8.        1910.178 - Powered Industrial Trucks:  3,224 Violations

9.        1910.303 - Electrical, General Requirements:  2,770 Violations

10.     1910.212 - Machine Guarding:  2,556 Violations

Reech Craft PowerPole

Bird Ladder & Equipment Co. is proud to announce that we are now a stocking dealer of PowerPole.  Whether you install siding, roofing, windows, or all three, the PowerPole will be your competitive advantage by providing the performance to get the job done faster and safer. Start with the Standard System and add on more speed, safety, and versatility with our innovative line of attachments.  Dollar for dollar, pound for pound, no piece of equipment can match the power, speed, safety, and versatility of the PowerPole. Just imagine cruising up or down 50’ with a 1000 lb load!  Using Powerpole they will guarantee you will  be more productive, reduce labor costs and increase your profit on every job.  Take a look at their video library that shows all the reasons you should be using using this equipment.  Powerpoles are even recommended in the James Hardie labor efficiency manual.  It has also been featured on DIY network cool tools. We hope to be renting these in the near future.  Please give us call 1-800-776-3595 if you have any questions.

Bluewater Safety Guardrails for Construction and Industry

Bird Ladder is now a Distributor of Bluewater guardrail safety products. Meet the World's Most Versatile and Non-Penetrating Guardrail System! Companies are using SafetyRail 2000 for: Fall Protection, Temporary Fall Protection, Roof Edge Protection, Roof Hatches, Skylights, Hazard Barriers, Warehouse Dock Doors, Warehouse Traffic Lanes, Cell Workstations, Construction Dig Sites, Dock Platforms, New Building Construction, Drive-In Truck Pits, Rail Car Platforms, Mezzanines, Break Areas, Assembly Areas, Conveyors and many more. All products are OSHA complaint to meet your safety needs.  They offer a system that requires no drilling and does not require counterweights.  They also offer a universal rail that will work with Garlock rail system.  Another produce in their line is called Kwik-Rail.    Kwik-Rail is a permanent safety handrail system that is easy to assemble and can be easily installed on site. It is a metal handrail and uses handrail brackets and handrail fittings to erect. The Kwik-Rail Safety Railing is an economically priced handrail system that is easily assembled with just a hex key. Create a tough and durable barrier in just minutes with no welding. The cross members come standard in 6' lengths that give you a lower cost per foot. If 6' is too long for your needs, simply cut the cross members to size. The metal handrail railing is 42" tall. The systems come in kit form and custom gates can be manufactured. The kits can be secured by off-the-shelf anchoring bolts.Optional galvanization is also available.Please call(800-776-3595) or email (chuck@birdladder.com) us if you have any question.  

Ladder Safety Lock

There is a new product that can be used to secure your extension ladder to a building and reduce the possibility of your ladder falling. The product is called "Ladder Lock" It will help you comply with OSHA requirements to secure your ladder. It will clamp onto plywood, metal overhangs, 5 and 6" gutters, drip edge and wall cap flashing and tubing. When used on gutters the adjustable arm actually folds back into the gutter to prevent the ladder from crushing the gutter. The ladder lock can be installed on either the left or right side of the ladder. An independent engineering company has tested the ladder lock and it follows OSHA guidelines for securing an extension ladder. Here is a link to a facebook video on the product showing it in use. If you are interested in purchasing, here is a link to our site.

Safety Training Videos

while searching the internet I came across some safety videos that might be of interest to you to keep up with OSHA training requirements. Two of the sites are free and one is pay.

A video on fall distance calculations as covered in 1926.502(d)(16).

This 22 minute video introduces the viewer to fall distance calculations for personal fall arrest systems. OSHA, (July, 1998). Topics covered include anchor points, lanyard types, lanyard reach and various harness types. Sample calculations for determining proximity to the edge of a platform and fall distances are also included in the video.

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/video/whatsthefalldistance/video.html

Roof safety video

http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=osha+safety+videos&hl=en&emb=0#q=roof+safety+video&hl=en&emb=0

This web site has training programs available at a cost that your employees can do online.

http://direct.safetyskills.com/safetyskills-course-list.aspx