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Benefits of Turnkey Fall Protection Systems: Design, Installation, and Certification

In the book How Big Things Get Done: The Surprising Factors That Determine the Fate of Every Project, from Home Renovations to Space Exploration and Everything In Between, researchers analyzed projects of all sizes to understand why they succeed and fail. They found a shocking number of projects: 91.5% go over budget, don’t finish on time, or both.

One way to improve project success rates is through a turnkey approach. Turnkey solutions deliver enhanced control and consistency to your building’s fall protection project. This strategy helps combat the challenges of miscommunication, material shortages, and poor planning. Keep reading to explore the advantages of a comprehensive service package for fall protection requirements, providing confidence and security in turnkey fall protection systems.

Why You Need Comprehensive Fall Protection Systems from Start to Finish

Falls from heights are a significant risk in the construction and general industry. Second only to highway crashes in avoidable workplace fatalities, falls from heights are also a leading cause of injuries, time away from work, and regulatory citations. In efforts to reduce these tragic incidents, OSHA released the National Emphasis Program (NEP) on Falls, and continues to increase inspections, citations, and awareness for safely working at heights. As a building owner or property manager, you must provide proper fall protection to meet OSHA requirements.

Too many cooks in the kitchen, in this case, multiple vendors, can prolong the project. Turnkey solutions mitigate these challenges through a comprehensive approach to the entire fall protection project. Our turnkey process removes the project management piece from your plate. Furthermore, our experiences accessing building facades and working on roofs allow us to design systems that will meet the needs of the facility and the people who have to use them. In short, we handle everything, so you don’t have to.

Here’s how we do it:

We begin by learning how you plan on using the fall protection system and what your building requires. With this knowledge, we design a system that meets your needs and safety regulations. From there, we seamlessly pass the baton to our installation team. Lastly, if applicable, we certify the system using OSHA guidelines.

Throughout the project, we serve as your single point of contact to leverage from initial design through installation, leaving nowhere to point fingers except back at us.

Streamlined Installation Processes

By leveraging the expertise of a single provider, you ensure everyone is on the same page. This strategy also delivers consistency, from design to certification. It also saves you the time of having to manage multiple vendors. You can be confident that your fall protection system meets stringent safety and regulatory standards.

  • Streamlined Process: Turnkey solutions integrate the design, installation, and certification phases into a seamless process.
  • Expertise and Consistency: Working with a single provider guarantees consistent quality and adherence to safety standards throughout the project, instilling confidence and security in the process.
  • Cost Efficiency: Turnkey solutions help control costs by minimizing delays and ensuring all project aspects are managed by experts, preventing budget overruns. Our solution helps avoid delays and costly rework by completing the job correctly the first time.

Substandard fall protection can cause preventable incidents. Leveraging our turnkey approach can protect workers to reduce this risk as well as the associated noncompliance costs.

Certification and Compliance Assurance

Meeting compliance requirements can complicate a project, especially when there is confusion or contention between the design and installation. Again, the consistency of turnkey solutions comes into play to ensure the system meets requirements and can be installed properly, given the building’s architectural features. Our building services divisions use the same fall protection systems, so we have a unique perspective when designing and installing these systems. We always keep the end use and longevity in mind. Additionally, our team of experts installs fall protection systems using the best resources available so you can feel confident that your building has the highest level of protection.

From initial design to final certification, a single point of contact simplifies the process, relieving you of potential complexities. Our process provides a smooth, compliant, and cost-effective solution for installing and maintaining your fall protection system. You also gain the added assurance of knowing your system meets OSHA requirements after the third-party engineer completes the testing.

Ensure Building Safety and Compliance with Turnkey Fall Protection Systems

Installing fall protection systems that comply with OSHA regulations is crucial for worker safety and avoiding costly fines. We expect organizations like OSHA to continue to enhance measures to help eliminate fall hazards, such as the NEP on Falls and the National Safety Stand-Down held in early May.

Turnkey solutions for fall protection systems offer a strategic approach to eliminating fall hazards while helping avoid project delays. This approach can significantly reduce costs, leaving you optimistic about the financial benefits.

How confident are you in your building’s fall protection system?

Our Rooftop Safety: Fall Hazard Assessment enables you to review your rooftop safety to determine where your building stands and identify your fall protection needs. Don’t leave fall protection to chance. Contact A1 today and take the first step to ensuring your building’s fall protection system is part of the solution to creating a safer work environment for everyone working at heights.

 

 

How Expertise Drives Safety Compliance Across Building Services

At A1, we specialize in various building services, including window washing and facade repair. This work requires our teams to traverse over 13,000 building facades yearly, and it’s not a responsibility we take lightly. While we are experts in working at heights, we also respect the inherent dangers. To reduce risks, we develop unique job site safety plans and hazard analysis before starting a project. We also provide thorough safety training and continuing safety education to our operational teams.

By incorporating safety into every step of the job, we assure building owners and property managers of a safe and successful project. This article aims to convey the value of choosing a building service provider who is not only skilled at their craft but also committed to safety compliance.

Going it Alone into the Building Compliance Unknown

One of the best ways to reduce the risk of legal liabilities, financial penalties, and injuries is to prioritize safety compliance. But compliance is complex, regulations change, and it’s easy to miss something if you don’t stay current.

The latest edition of The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 29 Standard 1926 is a whopping 628 pages long. This publication covers labor and is only one of many standards building owners must be familiar with. The sheer volume of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations—thousands of pages detailing everything from stairwell widths to emergency exit signage—can overwhelm even the most diligent property managers.

With OSHA fines increasing yearly, hoping you are covered is not a risk worth taking. It’s no wonder the number of jobs in the occupational health and safety field will grow by more than two times the national average in the next decade. You can’t plan for everything, but you can bolster confidence in your compliance by working with service providers specializing in safety.

Why Expertise Matters in Safety Compliance

Safety experts know all the ins and outs of OSHA regulations, so they translate legal jargon into clear steps. Plus, these experts create safety plans that fit each specific project. For example, the risks in regular maintenance work, like window cleaning at heights, are different from those in larger capital projects, like waterproofing, so a one-size-fits-all approach to safety will not be effective. Compliance with local and federal regulations is critical, and when paired with industry expertise, injuries and incidents are less likely to occur.

When you choose to work with A1, you gain access to our extensive knowledge of fall protection systems. Our turn-key solutions for installing state-of-the-art safety systems provide a comprehensive understanding of their use and the requirements for compliance. This expertise is a valuable asset in ensuring the safety of your building and its occupants.

Navigating Building Safety Compliance 

Understanding OSHA regulations is the first step towards compliance; implementing OSHA standards solidifies the journey to full compliance. Our team leverages decades of hands-on experience and theoretical learning to design government-approved training courses and develop better safety guidelines through the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

Creating a Safe Working Environment 

A safe job site starts with preventative measures such as conducting a Job Safety Analysis (JSA). During this phase, the goal is to remove hazards altogether, and when that isn’t possible, we devise a written work plan for the safest way to navigate the hazard. When hazards exist, expertise lends itself to properly using fall protection equipment, mitigating the risk of incidents. One example is our initiative to switch from hard hats to safety helmets on the job site, adding an extra layer of precaution while reinforcing our commitment to safety.

Onboarding with Safety in Mind

With a passion for improving the safety of all workers through compliance and education, we deliver seminars and create safety training programs for organizations like the International Window Cleaning Association (IWCA). Our onboarding process includes a thorough screening and a robust training program. Employees must complete field training and pass written tests for work eligibility. Our training programs, thoughtfully crafted by our experts who are recognized by the industry for their lifelong commitment to safety, exceed OSHA and industry standards.

Continuous Safety Training and Awareness

We further supplement our safety culture through weekly on-site safety inspections of all work sites and personnel. In addition, we are proud to participate in events such as OSHA’s National Safety Stand-Down. Our newsletters share practical safety tips and serve as a great avenue for keeping safety top-of-mind.

Maintaining Compliance and Document Management

Lastly, documentation and certification round out critical building safety compliance requirements. Our SafeSite Program is designed to help building owners manage documentation and meet inspection and certification requirements.

Case Study: From Safety Repair to Maintenance

Our skill set came into play during a recent renovation in Washington, D.C. While the existing building envelope was to remain the same, the building’s fall protection systems needed rooftop anchors, new davit pedestals, and arms to meet compliance regulations. Our sister company, Valcourt Safety Systems team worked closely with the owner, architect, and our third-party engineer to design a plan and carry out the work.

Once complete, Valcourt’s window washing team won the window maintenance contract and began regular window cleaning with the peace of mind of working with certified fall protection and rooftop anchorage systems. In turn, the building owners knew they took the necessary measures to meet compliance regulations and moral obligations.

Our comprehensive solutions and industry expertise help you achieve and maintain compliance with complex regulations.

Keeping Your Building Safe and Compliant 

For property managers, the checklist for maintaining building compliance may seem never-ending. All the requirements can leave you wondering if you have checked every compliance box. The risk of fines, litigations, and potential injuries is motivation enough to remove all uncertainty. Our commitment to safety across building services removes that uncertainty, saving you time and worry.

Our top priority is ensuring the safety of our people and community. Contact us today for a quote and enjoy the assurance of working with professionals who prioritize safety and quality workmanship.

 

Why Façade Safety Repairs are Crucial for Building Integrity

Fissures and cracks are whispers from your building’s façade, warning you it’s time to take action. Those whispers can quickly turn into roars if not addressed appropriately. What is your building’s façade telling you? Early detection and mediation of façade safety repairs can save hundreds of thousands in future repair costs and help you avoid potential liabilities. This article will guide you through why routine maintenance and quick remediation of façade safety repairs are the not-so-secret ingredients in preserving your building’s structural integrity.

Is Your Building’s Façade Unsafe?

Unlike your car, your building doesn’t come with a check-engine light. For this reason, to quickly identify façade safety issues, we recommend routine inspections and assessments. Many cities mandate façade safety inspections. The building’s height, age, and construction types all factor into the requirements.

More importantly, passing an inspection doesn’t remove liability from the building owner should part of the façade fail. For this reason, we suggest inspecting your façade at least 2-3 times per year. Emergency façade safety repairs are safety concerns on the exterior of the building that need to be fixed ASAP. Examples include a window mullion dangling off the side of the building or loose stone/stucco/EIFS or architectural elements on the building walls. Items will eventually fall off the building or permeate into other structural elements that jeopardize the entire building’s structural integrity.

For example, despite passing inspections in 2022, a building in Willmington, North Carolina, suffered a façade collapse, causing damage to cars and awnings and minor injuries to one individual.

Three years after initial reports of façade failures, a building partially collapsed. Despite safety concerns, no further inspections occurred, and repairs were never completed, citing COVID for the delay. This reinforces the need to address façade failures when they occur and develop a proactive approach to maintaining a safe façade.

Why Façade Safety Repairs Are Not Just Cosmetic

Your façade is critical to upholding your property’s value, but the benefits extend beyond aesthetics. A well-maintained façade provides energy efficiency, promotes safety, and is your first defense against the elements.

Recognizing the Signs of Facade Deterioration

Many factors determine what to look for, including façade material, building design, façade access, and environmental conditions. For these reasons, the more you understand your building’s unique needs, the faster you can spot building façade safety issues and how to remedy them.

  • Concrete: Cracking and spalling, stains, peeling, cracking, blistering, or pinholes.
  • Brick, Masonry, & Stone: Cracking and spalling, stains, rusting, loose mortar, or biological growth.
  • Balconies & Decks: Standing water, cracks, rusting, damaged coating, loose railings, rot.
  • EIFS and Stucco: Blisters, bulging, staining, loose stucco, or surface damage.
  • Curtain Wall: Loose or missing gaskets or mullions.

These are the more obvious warning signs your building façade needs emergency attention. Without immediate repairs, façade damage poses a risk to public safety from falling items that could lead to injuries or worse. In addition, neglect will drive more extensive measures for repairs and can result in violations or fines.

The A1 Approach to Façade Safety

At A1, we recognize that the façade of your building plays a crucial role in its overall safety and structural integrity. With decades of industry experience, our approach to façade safety centers on prevention, maintenance, and stringent inspections. These skills allow our expert teams to identify early signs of deterioration, such as cracking, spalling, or other structural weaknesses. With A1, you have a partner you can count on to maintain façade safety.

Emergency Façade Repair in Action

Quick action by the property manager at The Water’s Edge at Rahway allowed for rapid balcony restoration, sealant replacement, and EIFS repair. Our sister company, Valcourt’s, ProXpress team began with a full assessment to investigate the damage. The work involved removing portions of the damaged façade and replacing the railing. The result? A return to manufacturer’s standards and appealing aesthetics with minimal disruption to residents.

When an apartment complex in Philadelphia began experiencing leaks, they called on the ProXpress team for rapid leak detection and repair. The team quickly identified the cause of the leak and began carefully removing layers of brick and debris to replace the membrane and flashing. Next, they took preventative measures to divert water before replacing the brick to match the building’s exterior.

A1 is committed to maintaining the highest standards of façade safety. We provide comprehensive solutions that fix existing problems and take proactive measures to enhance your building’s resistance against future façade damage.

Comprehensive Façade Safety Repairs

Regarding façade safety repairs, it pays to act fast. Minor façade issues grow in scope, cost, and risk when left untreated.

We offer peace of mind, knowing that your property is in expert hands and protected against current and future challenges. Contact us today and see how we can collaborate to address all your façade safety repair needs.

 

two men inspecting commercial building facade preventative maintenance

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