Photo By Kaylee Larocque | 160603-N-LQ867-001 JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (June 6, 2016) New mobile fall arrest systems...... read more read more
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE) artisans on the P-3 line now have protection from above.
Though they’re made of metal, the P-3 line’s new fall protection devices could prove to be a Godsend if anyone ever falls. In addition to the B-4 stands that provide a walking platform around the massive, four-engine patrol planes, FRCSE engineers and safety personnel purchased 18 Tuff Built “cubes” with telescoping arms that can reach up to 41 feet. The arms, like a crane’s arm, reach yards above the artisans and attach to their harnesses via a cable. If someone slips, the cable locks like a seatbelt.
“These provide more safety while the artisans are working on the aircraft more than four feet off the ground,” said FRCSE process engineer Marc Saint-Fleur. “So if they fall off the aircraft, there’s something that can catch them before they land and are possibly injured.”
On Aug. 4, sheet metal mechanic Sam Arulraj was attached to one of the devices while he walked about, working on a P-3 wing. FRCSE program management specialist Joe Lubarsky looked on from below.
“These flow with the artisans a lot better,” Lubarsky said. “Some of them have used systems similar to this that either put a constant tug of tension on them, or lock up too easily. They seem to think this system is much easier to use.
“Now our artisans can hook up their harnesses, go up in the lift and walk directly out on the wing and start working.”
Not only are the units safer, they’ll also clear-up room in the hangar.
“It will increase hangar bay floor space, because we can remove most of the B4 stands,” Saint-Fleur said. “We’re not going to get rid of all of them, but the ones we do keep won’t be considered fall protection.
“They’ll be stands to help the guys put up props or equipment onto the aircraft.”
The journey from idea to reality for the new equipment began two years ago.
“Our safety office determined there was a big need for fall protection, especially on the P-3 line,” said FRCSE safety and occupational health specialist Don Waters.
After months of testing, acquisition and certification, the cubes are now in-use.
“Nothing is perfect, but these are the closest things to it,” Waters said.
| Date Taken: | 09.12.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 09.12.2016 14:48 |
| Story ID: | 209328 |
| Location: | JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA, US |
| Web Views: | 62 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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