END-USERS
VOLUME 1
ISSUE 3
focus on: OIL AND GAS
Industry Responsiveness
Life on an oil rig can be hard. Not only
are you away from home for several
weeks, if not months at a time, but
you’re also exposed to some of the
toughest environments nature has to
offer. Derrick operators and
roustabouts work at heights that
require special attention to fall protection. Capital Safety has long been in
the business to make sure oilfield
workers return home safely.
One of our company’s hallmarks is
responsiveness to industry concerns.
In fact, the Rollgliss® Descent Device
was developed in the late 1990s based
on demand for a modernized and safer
escape system for offshore drilling rigs.
Since its introduction, hundreds of
units have been sold each year for offshore and land-based rig use and
installation, as a replacement for
escape buggy type systems.
Capital Safety also offers full body
harnesses and body belts that are
customized for the derrick hand and
monkey board operator, featuring a
connection for an optional derrick belt,
a seat sling with positioning D-rings
and a D-ring on the back of the belt
for positioning. Shock absorbing
lanyards and self retracting lifelines
are built to last in the harsh patch
environment, and reliable emergency
escape devices are engineered with
the oil rig in mind.
Capital Safety’s best asset for the oil
and gas industry, however, is the
people who serve it. With dedicated
consultants and trainers who focus on
the oil rig, our experts’ specialized
knowledge can help keep you safe and
well versed in the latest fall protection
innovations.
Introduction
DID YOU KNOW?
Capital Safety has improved their Velocity Ship Program
Effective July 2nd, all velocity ship items ordered by 12pm CST in
the USA, 12pm EST in Canada, will ship the same day or the cost
of freight is FREE!
Order today, Ships today!
Greetings,
Few, if any of us, stop to think how the
fuel that we fill our cars with actually got to
the gas station. Most of us are aware that it
doesn’t come straight out of the ground in a
ready-to-use state. Indeed, there are many
steps between drawing the raw material from
the earth to refining to transport to use, be it
petroleum or natural gas.
One thing that is certain, though, is that we
wouldn’t be driving our cars and SUVs without
the dedicated workers who spend countless
hours on oil rigs or at refineries. Their dangerous job is crucial to the country’s economy.
Capital Safety is the market leader in fall
protection for the oil and gas industry because
the equipment we manufacture is designed with
the specialized needs of the worker in mind.
Our harnesses, lifelines and escape systems are
used on rigs worldwide, and workers every hour
of the day rely on DBI-SALA and PROTECTA to
bring them home safely.
In this issue of Capital Connection, you will find
multiple articles related to fall protection on
drilling and service rigs.We’ll get you up to
speed on the update to ANSI Z359.1 and how
you can help your customers prepare for the
new standard.We’ve also included features on
several products with specific applications in the
oil and gas industry that will simplify your fall
protection needs. Lastly, Jim Graef, our resident
oil and gas industry expert, will also share his
experience working directly with the men and
women that keep the pipelines flowing.
We hope you will find the stories and
information contained within these pages
inspiring and helpful. As always, we welcome
your feedback and appreciate your partnership
with Capital Safety.
Dave Thomas, President
Capital Safety - USA
2
focus on:
OIL & GAS
Table of Contents
Industry Responsiveness ....1
Introduction ......................2
Falling for Safety ................3
New Products ....................3
The New ANSI Z359.1 ........4
Fall Rescue Planning ............4
i-Safe™Simplifies Equipment
Management ......................5
Focus on: Products..............7
Rig Safety & New Products
Falling for Safety on Drilling & Service Rigs
By Jim Graef, Capital Safety Global Sales Director Oil & Gas
I have been working in fall protection focusing
on the drilling industry for the past 13 years. I
have had some amazing experiences and met a
lot of interesting people. However, there is one
person I will never forget. He was a former
derrick-hand who was referred to me for a job
about 11 years ago; we’ll call him Mike for simplicity. He was a really nice guy, seemed full of
life and eager to find a new job. As we started
to talk, Mike told me a story of an accident that
he was in the previous year.
The jackknife double that he was working on
had just been moved to a new lease site and
the crew was in the process of rigging up. The
company had actually been quite proactive for
the time, and had just installed a new fall protection system on the derrick at the last hitch,
including a new sealed self retracting lifeline
(SRL) at the crown for fall protection while
climbing the derrick ladder and working at
height.
tagline attached, which is used to pull down the
snaphook on the SRL for connection prior to
use. The night crew had forgotten to connect it
to the SRL prior to raising the rig. Mike donned
his harness and, not thinking anything of it,
climbed the rig like he had always done by connecting to the “easy-climber” climb assist counterweight system. He got up to about monkey
board height and then needed to climb out to
one of the boom lines to unpin it. He took off
the easy climber and free climbed out along a
cross member, again like he had always done
before. When he got out to the boom line, he
gave it a big push. Unbeknownst to Mike, the
night crew had greased it while the rig was laying on its side. Instead of the stiff movement
he was used to, the line swiveled with ease and
Mike slipped and lost his grip.
Mike fell about 60 feet. I can’t imagine what
that 2 or 3 seconds must have been like,
falling through the air, but he said he did not
Unfortunately for Mike, the SRL did not have a
Cont’d on pg 8....
SEALED-BLOK™ NEW AND IMPROVED SEALED
SELF RETRACTING LIFELINE
Capital Safety has taken the DBI-SALA sealed SRL which is field proven, operating safely on some of the
world’s most challenging work sites for over a decade and improved it! The new SRL's incorporate a revolutionary patent pending concept, all dynamic components including the motor spring and brake system
are isolated (environmentally sealed) from foreign elements (ex. grease, moisture, dirt, etc.).
With our new design you always know your SRL is operating at peak efficiency, without worries about
what is happening inside the housing, no matter how dirty or damp your environment. It will maintain
consistent lifeline retraction, proper fall arrest distances and forces providing added worker satisfaction,
productivity and safety. In addition, the sealed design will lower your overall cost of ownership by extending maintenance intervals and product longevity.
•
•
•
•
•
•
Environmentally sealed motor spring and brake components provide added
reliability, safety and longevity
Extremely lightweight at only 18 lbs. and incorporates a built-in carrying handle for easy
transport and anchoring
Self adjusting disk brake stops falls within inches and limits arresting forces to 900 lbs. for
added safety
Stainless steel and cast aluminum construction resists dents and damage and provides
corrosion resistance
Optional retrieval models available for emergency raising/lowering capabilities
Other standard features include pivoting anchorage loop, self locking swiveling snap
hook with impact indicator and reserve lifeline retention system
Models Available:
3400800
3400801
3400802
3400850
3400851
3400852
Sealed-Blok™
Sealed-Blok™
Sealed-Blok™
Sealed-Blok™
Sealed-Blok™
Sealed-Blok™
swivel hook
with
with
with
with
with
with
30 ft. of
30 ft. of
30 ft. of
retrieval
retrieval
retrieval
3/16" galvanized steel wire rope, self locking swivel hook
3/16" stainless steel wire rope, self locking swivel hook
3/16" stainless steel wire rope, stainless steel self locking swivel hook
winch, 30 ft. of 3/16" galvanized steel wire rope, self locking swivel hook
winch, 30 ft. of 3/16" stainless steel wire rope, self locking swivel hook
winch, 30 ft. of 3/16" stainless steel wire rope, stainless steel self locking
SEALED-BLOK™ AVAILABLE FOR SHIPMENT DECEMBER 2007
3
Standards & Rescue
The New ANSI Z359.1
By Nate Damro, Capital Safety Global Product Director
ANSI Z359.1, Safety Requirements for
Personal Fall Arrest Systems, Subsystems and
Components, was originally published in 1992
to address technological advances in fall arrest
equipment that occurred in the 1970s and
1980s. The recently updated standard, published in 2007, includes a significant change
for connective devices. The gate face
of a snaphook or carabiner must be
able to withstand a load of 3,600
pounds, up from 220 pounds.
Additionally, the side of the gate must
be able to withstand 3,600 pounds,
increased from 350 pounds, and the
minor axis of a snap hook or carabiner
must be able to withstand 3,600
pounds (except for those with captive
eyes), which is new to the Z359.1
standard. The tensile load requirement
will remain at 5,000 pounds.
These changes are being proposed to make
fall arrest equipment stronger, which must be
differentiated from describing it as safer.
Equipment that meets the standard in its
current form will protect workers in the event
of a fall, provided that the equipment is used
correctly. Accidents happen due to misuse,
incompatible elements and damaged equipment, not because elements of the equipment
are not strong enough.
Employers utilizing the equipment should
develop plans for the maintenance and overhaul of equipment currently in use. At this
point, two considerations should
already be accounted for. They
include implementation timelines and
budgeting.
Retrofitting old equipment with new
hooks is not an option due to the
assembly of the products, and a
staged phase-out of old equipment
should be developed to be compliant
with the new standard. Employers
will also need to prepare end-users
of the equipment for the change. The strength
and size difference of the new hooks will contribute to a slight increase in weight, but the
difference will be minimal. Operation of the
snaphooks and carabiners and the equipment
they are incorporated in will remain the same.
Equipment will remain ergonomically friendly
and end-users should notice no difference in
comfort.
Fall Rescue Planning
By Craig Firl, Capital Safety Product Manager
Having a fall protection plan in place is almost
worthless if that plan does not account for the
rescue of a fallen worker. Unplanned rescues
do more than risk dropping the fallen worker;
they risk time, which is critical when a suspended worker is hanging motionless.
Suspension trauma can occur when a person is
hanging in a harness post fall arrest. The leg
straps of a harness can constrict the veins,
causing blood to pool in the legs. The heart
and subsequently the brain do not get enough
blood necessary to function properly when this
happens, resulting in a natural reaction: fainting. If the person were standing upright, the
fainting would bring the pooled blood in the
legs to the same level as the heart. However,
when that person is suspended and loses consciousness, the harness will keep him or her in
a vertical position, holding the blood in the
lower extremities.
Several factors can help reduce the possibility
of suspension trauma including proper harness
fit, use of a proper shock absorber or system
which reduces fall arrest forces and whether
the worker can move his or her legs.
Unfortunately, the best position to withstand
the forces of a fall (dorsal “D” ring, near vertical) is not the best position to be suspended
motionless for an extended period of time.
DBI-SALA’s Suspension Trauma Safety Straps
Cont’d on pg 6....
4
i-Safe™
i-Safe™ Simplifies Equipment Management
By John Fuke, Capital Safety Global i-Safe™ Manager
Just over a year ago, Capital Safety introduced the i-Safe™ Intelligent Safety System
for fall protection equipment. i-Safe™ couples
radio frequency identification (RFID) with fall
protection equipment to effortlessly track
inventory and log inspections. The system is
comprised of several synchronized parts: RFID
tags, PDA readers, a
Web portal and retrofitting kits.
Each RFID tag is
programmed with a
unique ID that registers model type and
history of the equipment it is attached
to. The passive tag
emits radio waves
that transmit a
variety of coded
information to the
PDA, which is equipped with a reader. The
PDA displays the product make and model
and upcoming and past inspections, in
addition to jobsite and worker assignment.
This data is linked to a personalized Web
portal which can provide further information
including user manuals, inspection checklists,
DID YOU
KNOW?
Capital Safety Introduces
the NEW Oil & Gas Industry
catalog!
This new catalog is a guide to
the best fall protection available,
specifically researched, engineered, tested and
manufactured to meet the
demanding needs of oil and
gas workers. Designed for users, specifiers,
health and safety committee members and
purchasing agents, the catalog contains the
products needed to ensure that everyone in
the workplace has the right fall protection
tools to get the job done safely. Order yours
today! (Form: 9700074)
training records, industry regulations, product
advisories and other useful links. Retrofit kits
are available to outfit existing lines of equipment with the electronic tracking capability.
As an example, self retracting lifelines (SRL),
largely used in the oil and gas industry, must
be serviced regularly.
i-Safe™ can help the
safety director track
past and upcoming
service dates without
the hassle of a paper
inspection log, saving
valuable time and
ensuring compliance.
One i-Safe™ user
estimated that the
system saves him 6-10
hours per week.
How else can RFID
technology benefit fall protection users?
• Safety: Provides the user with current
inspection information to ensure the
product is safe and ready to use.
• Compliance: Promotes proper equipment
handling and record keeping for long term
accountability.
• Productivity: Reduces the time required to
complete and record inspections for due
diligence.
• Cost Control: Reduces access time to
inspection information safety directors
need to do their jobs efficiently.
• Inventory: Provides an accurate purchase
and service history to help coordinate
inspections and replacement dates
according to inspection details and
in-service life expectancy. It also helps
identify and track equipment that is
leaving service to ensure it does not
return to service accidentally.
5
Rescue & Descent
Fall Rescue Planning
Cont’d from Page 4
By Craig Firl, Capital Safety Product Manager
will help reduce these effects, but we must be
able to get the motionless and the active fallen
worker to the ground. To do this quickly, efficiently and safely, a rescue plan must be in
place that addresses risk areas, preventative
measures, rescue systems, training, timeliness
of rescue and rescue services, among others.
Equipment selection should
always depend upon the situation. Whether conducting a full
rescue of a fallen worker or self
rescue with an automatic or
manually controlled descent
device, the goal is to get the
worker down safely and quickly.
One rescue solution is to utilize
a raising and lowering system
to get a rescuer in place to
attach to a fallen worker. This
system should be pre-rigged
and provide a level of control
beyond any improvised hauling
system. The original and best
raising and lowering system in
the industry is the Rollgliss®
R350. The Rollgliss® features a
top head that rotates with the
rope during raising operations
and stops to create a friction
tie off that slows the descent
and subsequently allows for
controlled lowering. The beauty
of this system is its simplicity:
to use it, simply pull it out of
the bag, clip the anchor carabiner onto a
secure anchorage and the other carabiner to a
rescuer or the fallen worker. The mechanical
advantage and lowering system is pre-engineered and already rigged.
In the event of an emergency situation that
requires evacuation from a location where the
primary route of escape is no longer available,
workers will need to have a descent device. An
automatic controlled descent device allows the
6
operator to simply attach his or her harness to
the device and descend to the ground at a controlled rate of descent.
Some work situations require a level of portability not offered by the automatic descenders.
The landing area below the worker may not be
conducive to descending at a
set speed without the ability to
stop before hitting the hazard
below. In these scenarios, the
most effective tool for the
worker is a manual controlled
descent device that gives the
worker the ability to slow down
or stop. Manual controlled
descenders are simple to put
on the rope or webbing and
have the ability to lock onto the
rope/web automatically if the
worker panics or lets go. This
locking feature is very important as it eliminates the possibility of the worker falling to
the ground should they become
injured or unconscious. While
manual descent devices offer a
higher level of flexibility than
automatic, they also require a
higher level of knowledge and
awareness.
Whether your requirement is
for rescue retrieval or evacuation, choosing the right tool for
the job is critical. Once chosen,
make sure that workers
required to use these tools are properly trained
so that any rescue or evacuation is safe, simple and efficient. Remember to always get an
active fallen worker to the ground as quickly
and safely as possible, to have them keep their
legs moving to help with blood flow and never
lay down an unconscious or immobile worker
who is showing signs of suspension trauma.
Remember, equipment is only as good as the
people using it.
Focus on: Products
Fall Protection for the Oil & Gas worker
Ask the Authorized Dealer in your area about these Oil & Gas products
ExoFit™ XP
Cross-Over
Style Oil
Harness
1100690, 1100691,
1100692, 1100693
(USA) 1100690C,
1100691C, 1100692C,
1100693C (Canada)
Saflok® Stainless Steel
Carabiner 2000301 (USA &
ExoFit™
Derrick
Harness 1100300,
1100301, 1100302,
1100303, 1100304 (USA)
1100300C, 1100301C,
1100302C, 1100303C,
1100304C (Canada)
shown with optional
derrick belt
WrapBax®2 Tie-Back
Lanyard
1241906 (USA), 1221906C (Canada)
Fixed Beam Anchor
2108406 (USA & Canada)
Canada)
Tension Limiter for
Man-Riding Systems
5900177 (USA & Canada)
Rollgliss®
Descent
Systems
3303000, 3303002,
3303001, 3303003,
3303015, 3303016,
3303017, 3303018,
3303019 (USA & Canada)
Derrick/Monkey Board Belt
1000570 (attaches to 1100300 harness)
(USA only)
Advanced Side-Entry
Confined Space System
Shockwave2™ 100%
Lanyard with D-ring for
SRL Attachment
8511233, 8511231 (USA & Canada)
1244456 (USA only)
EZ-Stop® II 100% Lanyard
with Steel Rebar Hooks
1220416C (Canada only)
7
Rig Safety
Falling for Safety
remember much of the incident. All he
remembered was waking up in a hospital
bed a few days later being told that he
had shattered three vertebrae, his arm
and pelvis, and had almost been cut in
half when he hit the guardrail installed
around the rig floor. In hindsight, it had
been the guardrail that had likely saved
his life as it had absorbed
much of the energy of the
fall, not to mention the
medical helicopter that
got him to the hospital in
less than an hour. Mike
told me that he had been
very lucky to not sever his
spinal cord, but would
never be the same again.
He was very fortunate to
have his life, but was
looking for a desk job, as
he could not climb or walk
the same.
Many people don’t realize, but Mike’s
high profile accident may have changed
many of the policies with regard to fall
protection on drilling and service rigs in
Canada through the Canadian Association
of Oil Drilling Contractors (CAODC). His
accident started an effort to improve
safety within the industry around the
world. Thankfully, many workers have
had their falls arrested from systems
installed on rigs in the past 10 years.
Where are we today? A good percentage
of drilling and service rigs are now outfitted with fall protection equipment.
Further, fall protection is now standard
on most new rig lists before being put
into service for the first time. A few of
the standard systems and equipment
now on many of the service and drilling
rigs around the world for fall protection
while at height include:
• Sealed self retracting lifelines installed
at the crown and/or Lad-Saf® ladder
safety systems installed for protection
while climbing the derrick ladder.
Cont’d from Page 3
• A sloped line cable or boom arm
installed over the monkey board to
provide an anchor for a smaller self
retracting lifeline used for secondary
protection to the primary positioning lanyard by the derrick-hand while tripping.
• New harness designs specific for use by
rig workers for added comfort and safety.
• Horizontal lifelines
installed for use by
workers when rigs are
laid over and in other
areas such as above
the BOPs and stabbing
board.
• Fall protection equipment lockers including
anchoring products,
double-legged lanyards and extra self
retracting lifelines.
With the changes that we
have seen in fall protection and rescue in this industry there are
still many other systems and equipment
that could be implemented for added
safety. These include:
• New sloped line escape systems such
as Rollgliss® to replace the aging and
often unsafe escape buggy type system.
• Man-rated tuggers (winch lines)
and/or new load limiters that can be
used to safely raise workers to difficult-to-access areas up the derrick.
• Rig floor/deck horizontal lifeline systems such as Sayfline™ are now starting to become required and installed
during rig up and down while guardrails are removed.
• Trauma suspension systems and high angle
rescue products for use post fall arrest.
In 10 years the drilling industry has
come a long way in protecting workers
from falls with the installation of systems
and availability of standard issued fall
protection equipment. The next hurdle to
overcome is the challenge of providing
comprehensive training for workers using
the equipment; a 10 minute doghouse
talk just isn’t enough.
Capital Safety
Call Toll-Free:
(in Canada)
800.387.7484
(in the USA)
800.328.6146
or visit us online:
capitalsafety.com