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# 8 ~ Misc. Stuff & Øther Frequently Asked Questions & Other Interesting
Stuff
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Web~Site Navigation Buttons:
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History & Mission, etc:
International
Safety Equipment, Inc., was founded in 1980 as a Specialized~Importer of
Safety and Rescue Equipment, and Evolved in the early 90's into the Current
Manufacturing / Distribution & Sales Company with an International List of
Clients. Our Systems are Marketed under various Brand Names, and as a part
of many Safety and Rescue Product Lines all over the World. We are located
in Devault, Pennsylvania, approximately 20 miles West of Philadelphia, in
Chester County.
Company Founder and President: D. S.
Miles ~ Φ
Our
Mission is to Manufacture, Distribute, and Provide the Highest
Quality Confined~Space, High~Angle/Vertical, Fall Protection ~
Rescue and Steeplejack Work Equipment Possible.
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What We Need To Know / To Properly
Price & Prepare Your System:
SYSTEM ROPE LENGTH REQUIREMENTS:
Prior to ordering either System *99* please calculate your rope length
requirements as follows. For the standard *99/A* (2 to 1) System ... order
enough rope to span 3.1 times the height or depth. For the *99/B* System ... order enough rope to span 4.1 times the height or depth. Remember to measure
from the Anchor point where the *99* System will be suspended.
SYSTEM STANDARD ROPE LENGTHS:
The *99/A* System comes standard with 200 Feet of Rope.
The *99/B* System comes
standard with 100 Feet of Rope.
We can rope either System *99* with
virtually any
length rope.
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SYSTEM~PUT~AWAY~INSTRUCTIONS:
After You've Finished Using Your SYSTEM *99*:
#1) =
Dry / Clean Rope, #2) = Wet / (& or) Dirty Rope:
Once you're
finished: #1) Ensure that the rope is
completely dry and clean. If it IS dry & clean:
Draw the traveler pulley(s) up (fully) ... to the head assembly, while, (AT THE SAME
TIME), remove all twists & tangles / in the rope. Then, properly
replace all the free side rope into its storage bag. Hold the bag open with one
hand / & pull the rope through your fingers / & *randomly* down into the bag. As
the bag fills with rope / push it down FLAT. This will ensure that the rope
comes out free of twists & tangles the next time you need to use it. After all
the rope is inside the bag, place the hardware in the bag on top of the rope.
IF THE
ROPE IS WET (&) OR SOILED: #2) Wash the rope
(by hand) either with cool water / or with a mild liquid soap, such as the type
you would use on your dishes. Once clean, hang the rope over something like an
"A" frame ladder, in an *airy* area (out of direct sunlight), until the rope is
completely dry. Once dry / draw the lower / traveler pulley(s) up (fully) ...
to the head assembly and follow the instructions in #1 above.
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Hyper~link to System *99* Put ~
Away Instructions ~ One page .pdf File
We received info from our rope supplier that
they are / *UP~RATING* / the capacity of our 3/8" (9.5mm) rope
/ from 5,400 pound capacity / to 6,000 pound capacity ...
Website Generated, F. A.
Q's, [Frequetly Asked Questions & Answers], etc:
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EMAILED IN ~ O.S.H.A. INFO INQUIRY STUFF
PERTAINING TO *FALL ~ PROTECTION*:
Sent: Thursday, August 14, 2008 4:26 PM ~
Subject: a question
My name
is John, and I work for a crane
rental company here in St. Louis. We have had many requests for
bosun chairs to be used hanging from the hook of our cranes. Do
you know if your chairs will work in this application, or is it
even legal, according to OSHA, to use a crane in this capacity?
We have had conflicting opinions from people, and I saw your
website and thought I would ask you. The electric utility here,
Ameren, uses bosun chairs from cranes regularly. I just
wondered if you could help us with this. If it is legal, we
would be interested in looking at anything you may have that we
could use.
Thank you for your help.
John O.-
Safety Consultant -
B. Contracting
Our Answer:
Per Our
Discussion ~ To Answer your question ~ in a Single Word ~ Yes.
Our Chairs will Work Well in Your Applications. And, Yes, you
can Suspend from a Crane ... But, as you would Imagine there are
O. S. H. A. Strings Attached to Using a Crane, or for that
Matter, any Powered Device.
Both O.S.H.A. 1910. (For General Industry), & 1926. (For
Construction), have this opening clause they call the
*General Duty Clause* that says ~ more or less,
*Employers Responsibility to Provide a Safe Work Environment*
they can / & will site you & your customer if anyone ever gets
hurt.
They say, for
example, under 1910.126 (Confined Space), that when you need to
lift a person out of a man-hole that you
ARE required to provide a
*mechanical* means of lifting.
A Back-Hoe, a
Crane, or a Tripod with our System *99* / would quality ... of course
a back hoe / or crane operator won't realize that the person in
the man hole happens to have his foot tangled in the ladder /
whereas if you are using our *99* System you will feel this
resistance ... That said if you rip the guys foot off with the
back hoe / or your crane / I guarantee you will be sited ... but
as always, the Catch 22 is that as long as no one gets hurt the
back hoe, or crane would be legal ... they use this catch all
*General Duty Clause* for "Non ~ Specific" Situations like this.
What we Recommend is that You Attach our *99* System to your
Crane or Back Hoe / and do your Lifting and Lowering using our
Manual Tackle.
BACK ~ STORY: All
this Stems from an Incident that Occurred in the East River in
New York City many years ago ~ A Crane was attempting to remove
a Worker, (who had died), from a Barge full of some Sticky Gooey
Material ... The Body was Dismembered by the Crane ... The
Incident so Horrified all that Heard about it that Moving People
Up & Down with Any Powered Equipment was quickly Banned.
This means ~ That
if You use a Crane to Suspend a Bosun's Chair / You must
SHUT IT DOWN & not use it to
Raise or lower Your Chair ~
ONCE THE CHAIR IS OCCUPIED ... (They call it *Lock-Out
(or) Tag-Out* - Like You Lock/Tag Out an Electrical Box - If
Someone is Working on an Electric Motor, etc.) ... I would say
Further, that the Crane Operator Must Leave & Lock the Cab / &
Take the Keys with Him / So No One Can Accidentally Move the
Crane.
In Plane Terms
that Means You Can Only Use the Crane as a Sky ~ Hook ... Like a
Parapet Clamp. Best advise we can offer, as we said above /
bring your crane hook down / attach your *99* System / with the
chair attached to the Crane Hook or the Back Hoe Bucket Hook.
Raise the Empty Chair, (While you Pay out the Line), to a Height
that will Cover Your Work Project. Shut down the Powered Machine
~ Lock / Tag It Out, (As mentioned Above). Then Man your Chair /
& the Suspended Worker / or a Worker on the Floor / Ground / or
on a Mid ~ Height Platform / does the Manual Raising & Lowering.
If, for example,
an O. S. H. A. Field Inspector Happened to Witness Ameren Energy using a
Crane to Raise (or) Lower a Worker Seated in a Bosun's Chair they could very
Well Shut the Job Down. It's Discretionary ~ It would Totally Depend on the Inspector.
I Hope this
Answers your Question ...
ADDITIONAL INFO:
In Rescue Use / Anything Goes
... Use Whatever You Can Put Your Hands On
~
QUICKLY
...
Even a Boat Trailer Winch will Due ... O.S.H.A. Won't Say a Word
...
WORK POSITIONING:
Is anytime
An Employee Stops
Descent or Ascent over Three (3) Feet Above the Ground ... to do
Any Kind of Work ... You, (The Employer) Must Follow the O.S.H.A.
Regs ... (Or ~ IF there is an Accident), You and Your Client / &
the Property Owner & Anyone else with Deep Pockets / Will be
Sited. If You are Using this Type of Fall ~ Protection Equipment
Yourself ... Again, O.S.H.A. couldn't care less ~ They have NO Jurisdiction over what
You Personally use & how you use it ...
They Only have Jurisdiction over Employers / as to How they
Equip THEIR Employees ... But, Be
careful, They do have People in the Field and they Perform
Random Inspections from Time to Time, and Even if you're a One ~
Man ~ Band, Technically, You may be Considered an Employee of
Your Client / (or) the Property's Owner.
WORK POSITIONING / BELAY
LINE / BACK UP FALL PROTECTION:
Required, again, for
EMPLOYEES: See the Picture Just Below ... Must be Capable
of Holding 6,000 Pounds ... And Be Attached to an Entirely
Different Mounting Point / Above the Suspended Worker. In the
picture the *Belay* is Attached to the Floating Belay *D* Ring
on Our Chair ... (or) Is Attached to a Harness in the Same Way.
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MORE CLIENT QUERIES!
The info below will
make better sense / if you fully understand how our system
works.
(Q)
=
"I have heard your systems referred to as
*CONSTANT~PERCENTAGE~BRAKE* Systems, and much of your competition
referred to as *STOP~OR~GO* SYSTEMS. Please, what does that mean?"
(A)
= "Yes, (WITH ALL DUE RESPECT), to stop~or~go systems, (See
Images #1 & #2 Below), they are all
modified handled ascenders, with one or more pulleys added. They
either provide a 100% Brake / or 0% Brake /
NO IN BETWEEN. They are all more
similar to our *Rope~Control~Stopping~Handle* ~ than they are to our
head assembly, as they all include a rope
stop cam. They either grab the
rope to stop descent, or releases it (via) the cam, that you can
either lock open, or hold open via a "Small Wire or Cord."
IMAGE #1
IMAGE #2
*WARNING* *WARNING*
Heaven help you / if you should lock it
open / and release the Free~Side rope / when a person is
your load.
"So, these *Stop~or~Go* systems are nothing more than slightly updated versions / of old time block~n~tackle
systems /
with an "auto~lock" (see image #3 & #4 below). Some,
(along with *come~a~longs*) were (and
are still) marketed as *fence~pullers* or *fence~stretchers*. To
use these old style (non~man~rated) block~n~tackles / you pull the
free~side rope down / or horizontal / to lift / or move / your load.
Then, while *holding* the full
% load you force the free side rope approx. 45 degrees
out~and~away from the load side ropes. This action locks the
free side rope. To release the lock, you *snap (or) jerk* the
free~side rope back straight
in line with the load ropes, and you are again, holding the full % of the load.
These updated knock~offs substitute a cam / (just as our handle has)
/ to lock off the free-side rope."
"Problem is / that
with no constant high percentage friction brake present /
WHEN you
release the locking cam / you are suddenly holding the full % of your
load weight, again ~ that's why they're called *STOP~OR~GO* systems."
"And, unless you're very careful / your load will *Drop~Maybe~a~Foot~or~More*
/ while you discover or / master / (or) regain your dexterity. What you gotta
remember is that even if you are only dealing with 33% of a 200
pound load (as you would be with a 3 to 1 system) ~ it is still 67
pounds / (that's approx. half the weight of a full~grown Woman),
and, is more weight than most can lift with one hand, and holding
this much weight, (with your fingers), becomes exhausting ~ real quick."
IMAGE #3, (FROM THE
BOSS'S COLLECTION)
IMAGE #4

"Øur Systems SUPPLY A *CØNSTANT*
90% Brake At All Times / When The Rope Drum Is Not Turning / 'NUFF
SAID!"
Another Excellent Question!
(Q)
=
"In reading the operating
instructions for the *MSA* Surety~Rescue~Man~System, I noticed that
if the rope gets dirty, & (or) wet, their system QUITS. As we work
in very dirty & wet condition, (as do almost everyone using a system
like this), & we can't possibly shut down our work in the middle of
the day, I'm concerned. So, figuring, that the rope will inevitably
become fouled, what do we do, & how do you handle these conditions
with your systems? By the way, I'm sorry to be bothering you guys
with this question, but the guy who is trying to sell me the MSA
can't provide any answers that make any sense."
(A)
= "Hmmm~very
interesting question ... & not a bother at all. Yes, I've seen this ... I've attached an actual cut of the above referenced item just
below. And, under the picture is how we
*openly* address & correct this problem."

"First, MSA's system is
a double brake system. Both the top head pulley & the lower traveler
pulley have a one~way action, and *double~brakers* / have a tendency to *over~brake*. It was
designed by an old acquaintance of our
Boss."
Back to the
question at hand. "Well, at least MSA
actually mentions this problem. To my knowledge, aside from us /
they are the only ones that actually admit that this can happen.
Everyone else just leaves users / with this problem /
dangling
(no pun intended)."
"All rope /
*Constant~Friction~Brake~Systems* (including ours) are susceptible
to this potential problem. No way to avoid it / as mentioned above /
all these systems are routinely used in *dirty~&~wet* environments."
Remedies:
"First: Our *99* Head Assembly is totally (360 degrees) open
to visual inspection. Any obstructions the rope may have picked up /
are viewable. (To my knowledge, again) virtually / all
others are covered / or sealed. ***
For
Trouble~Shooting: ('Your ability to fully~examine the head is
*critical* & at least / Extremely Important')."
"We provide full
& complete instructions on how to remedy this situation / in our
trouble~shooting~section / of our Operating Instructions, (Adobe
.pdf attachment link / last page of this site). And / it's simple /
& / only takes a few moments / & does not require you to
make any additional
purchases. Time required to make adjustment, (example). Here in our shop / it takes us about fifteen minutes
to perform this procedure." In the end (after several back~n~forths)
this gentlemen became one of our satisfied clients."
Back to Top
1)
Price Sheets, Ordering Instructions,
Trouble Shooting & Operating Instructions are located on the last
page of this site as Adobe .pdf document links. Please / feel free
to download &
print them if you wish.
2)
Rope length requirements for both
systems are discussed on the top of this page.
3)
Rope specifications, size, type, & capacity is discussed
on page # 7, [*How the System Works*], and, (in more detail), in our
operating instructions.
4) (Q)
=
"You mention *Brake* repeatedly, what does that mean?"
(A)
= See Page #
7 ~ [*How System Works*].
5) (Q) = "Can you
provide me with actual user's as references?"
(A) =
"Oh~Yeah! - Just send us an email / or give us a call for
names & phone numbers / within *privacy* preferences, of course. We sell many systems a month & all
customers ARE HAPPY!"
6) (Q) = "What do I do
if my rope gets twisted?"
(A) =
"See your operating instructions, but basically you just untwist it, and make sure
you are storing it as described in the
trouble~shooting guide & in your operating instructions.
(Namely = Feed it into the bag randomly
/ & then push it down flat
in the bag).
Do NOT EVER
twist it, or coil it around anything / (i.e.) = and especially / NOT
/ around your elbow, down to your hand. This is
NOT a
clothes~line."
7) (Q) = "What do we do
if our guy in the chair won't come down?"
(A) =
"Make sure your rope is not hanging up on its way up or down. Any rope travel impediment will cause
friction. To much friction = too much braking = guy won't
descend. To reduce the rubbing / Use our Stock # 2299 /
Custom Edge
Roller ... or / you can pad the rope / & / or / run it over a slippery tarp,
for example. The other cause / is rare / and the situation is described, discussed, & Instructions to resolve
/ are
provided in our Trouble Shooting section of our Operating Instructions."
8) (Q)
=
"I un~rigged my system *A* and now I can't remember how to re~rig
it."
(A) = "See
page # 5 [*System *99/A*], for the *A* various rigging diagram & narrative
instructions."
9) (Q)
=
"Can I use a half~inch nylon rope as an upper tie off and anchor
line?"
(A)
=
"Yes, as long as the rope is rated to
hold at least 5,000 pounds. A steel cable would be better. If you use rope,
Remember, rope is soft / & it can be cut. You must protect this
anchor line
as it *MIGHT* pass over a rough surface
that could *SAW* at the line / such as
a roof edge. It is typical for the anchor line to move over the
rough area / from side to side. Pad the rope at all points where it
makes contact with *ANYTHING* / with a
tarp or some thick strong material / or a soft piece of aluminum flashing /
*AND* check the rope
during use & before each
subsequent use."
10) (Q)
=
"This looks perfect for my work. Can I get someone to give me a
demonstration?"
(A)
=
"Absolutely! Just give us a call / or
send us an email / & we'll have one of our Distributors contact you
/ and make an appointment to show you how this unique equipment
works, at your convenience / & on your site."
11) (Q)
=
"Is there a recommended method of tying down the # 2299 *Edge
Roller*?"
(A)
=
"Ahh~No / will vary with each application
... you'll have to use your own inventiveness ... BUT ... Do ~ remember, however, that it needs
to be tight / solid / & unable to wiggle around ... If it's gonna be used in the same
place / you can fasten with screws through the base~plate ...
you'll need to drill a few holes / & I would recommend
that you use pretty good size screws / say 1/4" by 2.5 ~ to 3" in
length (Hex~Head / type carriage bolts would be
better) ... Don't leave it out in the weather ... it will prematurely age ... the six holes
shown in the picture / & / mentioned in the description are
provided to attach tie~down-straps / (i.e.) = like
motorcycle tie down straps / better yet / use the ones that are
similar to the ones used on 18 wheeler trucks
/ to tie down cargo. They have a more positive & strong
leveraged / *ratchet* handle / pull~over-tightener
... (Perhaps ~ Pep Boys?) ..."
12) (Q)
=
"I tried to click on your credit card banner to place an order, but
nothing happened?"
(A) =
"Sorry, but we only accept orders by phone, fax, or email. The reason
for this is because / all of our systems are *Custom~Assembled* & we have
found that it is better for you to contact us by phone first. Then we can
both be sure
you will be receiving the proper system / & rope length / & any
accessories you will need for your job."
13) (Q)
=
"How often should we send our system in for inspection / re~roping & re~certification?"
(A)
=
"F. Y. I. = All this kind 'a stuff is
covered in the operating instructions / accessible as an Adobe .pdf
link on the last page of this website ... to be brief, though, if
the system is used daily = it must be fully inspected prior to each
use / & you send it in at least every 12 months, = The opposite end
of the use schedule / If used only in a rescue required *ONLY*
status / and it sits in storage till needed / then (send it in) at least every 36
months. That said, if you do use it for a rescue / it would be a
good idea to then send it in right away. Same kind 'a deal with all
harnesses / fall restrictors / safe stops / decelerators / and
other stuff you use in the rescue ... as this stuff sits 99% of
it's time / good idea to replace it after a rescue. Thank you very
much."
14) (Q)
= "How come you
guys don't have a page with a list of your customers?"
(A) =
"Hmmm ... Think'in about it ~ problem is / it is a
VERY long list. A bunch of our
customers are featured ~ with their web site contact info ~ on pages
3 & 4."
15) (Q)
=
"Our top priority is crew safety. Do you have any guidelines for employers using this type of
equipment / to help avoid accidents?"
(A)
=
"Yes, point well made! We
agree 100%! Perhaps the following will
help. We include a *flyer~copy* in our operating instructions.
Feel free to copy & paste the text below into a flyer / or a poster
/ if you
wish, or click on the hyper~link just below the text ~ for a .pdf
copy. Boss has long thought it should be a required part of info
given to all employees, new (or) old, that work at height using bosun's
chairs. You will also find a link on our last page to the 2005 U. K.
(England) *Working at height* regulations. Not a requirement here in
USA, but a very interesting & helpful read ... indeed!"
15) (Q) =
"Do you guys use any foreign made steel or
aluminum?"
(A) = "No ~
No potential *junk* foreign steel or aluminum ~ all our materials
are *Made-In-The-USA."
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BOSUN'S CHAIR AT HEIGHT SAFE WORK PRACTICES:
*WARNING*
*WARNING*
BE SURE TO DISTRIBUTE
COPIES TO ALL EMPLOYEES & THEN POST IT PROMINENTLY!
EMPLOYERS, SUPERVISORS
& USERS RESPONSIBILITIES:
Employers
Responsibilities:
-
Check the references and qualifications of
workers, especially
for high~hazard *At~Height* Bosun's Chair Work.
This is frequently
exaggerated by applicants (If you have any doubt / train 'em up)
-
Understand all safety requirements, including special
*Bosun's Chair / at Height* requirements (# 4, # 6, # 7, # 8, # 9, & #
10, in
the supervisors section, just below, & # 1, # 2, # 3, # 4, & # 5, in the
workers section / 2nd~section~below) These areas are marked with three
red asterisks, as follows (***)
-
Regularly / Train supervisors / and ensure
that they understand their responsibilities
-
Provide workers with proper equipment,
adequate instruction, training, and supervision
Supervisors
Responsibilities:
-
Regularly Train / and directly supervise
workers to ensure workers are capable of performing their work safely,
especially new workers and workers performing new tasks
-
Ensure workers follow safe work procedures
-
Ensure equipment used by workers is safe /
and in good working condition
-
(***)
Ensure that a bosun's chair will provide the stable and adequate support
for the user
-
Regularly inspect all equipment before use
-
(***)
Always require workers at height (three feet above the ground / or
higher) to seat / or un~seat themselves / while still on the roof,
*well* in / and away from the edge, or from *well* inside a window /
door / or opening, or at ground level & *CINCH* all straps / fully
before the worker is suspended
-
(***)
Never allow workers at height (three
feet above the ground / or higher) to seat / or un~seat /
themselves in (or) on / a bosun's chairs / unless their back up fall
protection line (belay) is properly attached to the worker's chair, (&
or) back up A. N. S. I. Class III full~body harness, and the top anchor
point
-
(***)
Under NO
circumstances / allow a worker at height (three feet above the ground or
higher) to attempt to seat or un~seat themselves / in or on a bosun's
chair / by hopping out of a window, or from a roof
-
(***)
Never, Never! Allow a worker to *STAND* up / while in a bosun's chair
-
(***)
Make sure your suspended worker keeps the back~up belay *taught* ~
Whenever your workers stop their descent / or ascent / to perform a task
/ make sure they re~set their back~up belay line with no more than
three~feet of slack
Workers
Responsibilities:
-
(***)
Whenever you are working at height (more than three feet above the
ground) always *seat~or~unseat* yourself in / or on / a bosun's chair
while you are still on the roof, *well* in / from the edge, or *well*
inside a window / door / or opening, or on the ground & *CINCH* yourself
in fully with all straps / before you are suspended
-
(***)
Never HOP out a window / or off a roof / into or onto a bosun's chair,
even if you are wearing an A. N. S. I. Class III approved full~body
harness, and are already properly attached to your back up fall
protection line (belay)
-
(***)
Never start your ascent / or descent / without assuring that your
back~up fall protection line (belay) is properly attached to your chair
/ or harness / & your anchor point above (Never
Assume / Double check it!)
-
(***)
Never, Never! Stand up / while in a bosun's chair
-
(***)
Keep your back~up belay *taught* ~ whenever you stop your descent / or
ascent to perform a task / make sure you re~set your back~up belay line
with no more than three~feet of slack
-
Take reasonable care to protect your own
health and safety, and that of others who may be affected by your
actions
-
Follow safe work procedures, and take no
shortcuts or actions that may endanger yourself / or others
-
Use protective safety equipment, devices, and clothing
that is provided and required of you
|
IF YOU WISH AN
*EASILY PRINTABLE* COPY OF THE
ABOVE POSTER CLICK HERE - TWO PAGE ADOBE .PDF FILE
As we get more stuff
that fits into this category, we will add it ...
Questions? ~ Email Us!
We Check Our Messages Several Times A Day ...
Sales@System99.com


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