improving the quality of life
LJB project manager Tracey Riepenhoff, P.E., C.S.P., PMP, has led and performed hundreds of fall hazard risk assessments and abatement design projects for LJB clients. It’s meaningful work that Tracey never takes lightly—knowing that her expertise may be the difference between someone safely working at heights and someone suffering a catastrophic fall. But, for Tracey, […]
One of LJB’s secrets to longevity is our ability to evolve. As we stride into 2019, our 53rd year, our evolution continues. In 2018, we opened new offices and expanded existing ones, we celebrated collective and individual accomplishments, we networked and educated at events around the globe, and we had some fun. Most of all, […]
To conclude this blog series, we want to provide a specific recommendation for how to not only comply with OSHA’s regulations, but also increase safety and manage risk for your organization. Simply put: You cannot comply with one line of the OSHA regulation and think your systems are safe. Consider this: When you prepare to […]
As explained in the previous blog posts in this series, the evaluation of rope descent anchorages can be incredibly complex—and potentially very damaging. However, that doesn’t change the fact that OSHA still requires building owners to provide the assurance that their anchorages are fit for use. When deciding how to move forward, it is critical […]
As mentioned in the previous blog post in this series, load testing without analysis is not a reliable way to determine anchorage strength. To avoid damage and unnecessary expense, anchorage strength should be predicted using analytical methods. When workmanship cannot be verified visually, such as with adhesive anchors, then nondestructive testing may be appropriate. But relying […]
Because of the new OSHA regulation language on rope descent anchorages, which we covered in our last blog post, many facility owners are heavily investing in designing, installing, inspecting and testing anchorages. Too often, though, the resources spent do nothing more than provide a false sense of security—or worse, cause more harm than good. It is […]
When an organization takes ownership of a building, they also take on the responsibility for protecting workers who will inspect and maintain the facility. Many building owners hope to transfer that liability to the contractors they hire, but it cannot be fully avoided. In some cases, OSHA specifically places responsibility on the building owner. Rope […]
There are a variety of worthy New Year’s resolutions to consider as we enter 2018. If worker safety is important to you, I encourage you to pledge to improve your organization’s fall protection program this year. Last fall, OSHA announced that fall protection citations ranked as the top violation for the seventh year in a […]
In this installment of our blog series, we continue to focus on more details that changed with the new OSHA regulations – specifically design changes that affect stairs. OSHA 1910.29 says that for any stairs installed after January 17, 2017, a handrail that measures 30-38 inches is required, as well as a 42-inch stair rail. […]
The Spot 
Vol. 6 – OSHA clarifies RDS certification requirements
As many in the fall protection industry expected, OSHA has published a letter of interpretation (LOI) in response to a question about testing anchorages for rope descent systems (RDS). You can read it for yourself here, but when you do, I caution you to be attentive to the details. You’re probably familiar with those optical […]