improving the quality of life
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, […]
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, let’s focus on more specific details – design changes that affect guardrail. If you’re wondering about how guardrail is affected, there are several new developments in the updated rule. First, guardrail height is officially required at 42 inches (+/- 3), which is now aligned with construction industry regulations. […]
While our previous post in this series focused on the new requirement for ladder safety systems, this post discusses some additional requirements that affect ladder use and design. Here are a few of the most common questions we have received about ladders. Are chains acceptable to protect ladder openings? I often see chains at the […]
This post in our blog series on new OSHA fall protection regulation focuses on common questions related to fall protection anchorages. Most questions on this topic stem directly from the language below from 29 CFR 1910.27(b)(1)(i): “Before any rope descent system is used, the building owner must inform the employer, in writing, that the building […]
Many organizations have struggled to interpret some of the new requirements outlined in OSHA’s update to the General Industry Walking-Working Surfaces and Personal Fall Protection Equipment Standards (29 CFR part 1910, Subparts D&I). In response to specific questions asked by the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA), OSHA has released correspondence that clarifies two key items […]
When you know you’re making a difference, it’s much easier to be passionate about your work. For Thom Kramer, his passion for fall protection was solidified on the Friday before Memorial Day in 1998. That day, he received a call saying that a horizontal lifeline he helped design saved a worker’s life. The circumstances surrounding […]
Turnarounds are both critical and dangerous to the petrochemical and refining industries. There are typically thousands of contractors on site over a 30- to 60-day period – many of whom are unfamiliar with the site. With the increase in personnel and the number of tasks being completed during these maintenance events, it’s not surprising that […]
“Being a Competent Person is not a title, it is a responsibility.” This reminder, which one of our clients sent to his team of Competent Persons, is reminiscent of the famous quote: “With great power comes great responsibility.” Competent persons may not hold power in a traditional sense, but applying their knowledge can mean the […]
The Spot 
Reducing Fall Hazard Risk: Provide Effective Fall Protection Training
For this year’s National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction, I’m sharing these top five ways to reduce fall hazard risk, based on a quarter century of experience providing fall protection consultation. The first four ways are listed below and can be found here: Apply Prevention through Design Perform Fall Hazard Risk Assessments—the Right […]