Q&A: Energy Absorber Systems and Safety Lines
READER QUESTION: Is an energy absorber system needed on the safety line to help limit the impact forces should the belay system be engaged to arrest the falling load?
Rescue Talk™
Mission Driven, Safety Focused Content
Questions And Answers
Inspection Process for Roco Training Ropes
Question: We recently had a student ask how our training rope is monitored for wear and tear because of its extensive use…
Why Use a High-Point Dorsal Connection Point?
We recently had a Facebook inquiry about attaching a rappeler’s belay line (safety line) to their high-point dorsal connection on their harness. We choose to do this for a number of reasons including: (a) compliance with applicable regulations; (b) adherence to safe and practical rescue procedures; and, (c) the physiological effects of falls – how...
Job Assignments and Rescue Duties
QUESTION: Should industrial rescue team members be informed of any scheduled confined space entries at the beginning of their shift?
Calculating Compound M/A
We recently had a request for additional information beyond what was shown in our “Theory of Mechanical Advantage” video by Chief Instructor Dennis O’Connell. The reader would like to know more about calculating compound mechanical advantages. First of all, a simple mechanical advantage (MA) is quite easy to calculate as long as you follow a...
Pre-entry Atmospheric Clearance Measurements
The following article was written by Russell Warn and published in ISHN magazine (ishn.com), December 2016. Roco comments have been added to the article and are noted in red. Working in confined spaces presents a unique and dangerous challenge in combatting the unseen – oxygen deficiency, poisonous or explosive gases, and other hazardous substances are...
Q&A: Fall Pro Recert
READER QUESTION: I went through competent person for fall protection several years ago and since that time a lot has changed regarding the types of fall protection equipment and systems that are available. Should I get update training for this role?
What is a Competent Person?
Many OSHA standards, especially in construction, require a “competent person” to be designated at the jobsite. Filling this role requires proper training, relevant experience to the work being performed and adequate knowledge of the associated regulations.
Q&A: What are the Rescue Requirements for Trenches/Excavations?
READER QUESTION: One of our readers recently asked about rescue requirements in excavations. We did some searching and found an interesting Letter of Interpretation (LOI) from OSHA that explains when rescue provisions are required during trenching operations. ROCO TECH PANEL ANSWER: The following is from OSHA LOI in regards to this answer. In regard...
Roco Tech Panel Q&A – Prompt Rescue by Shift
READER QUESTION: Our company procedures require an on-site rescue capability for permit- required confined space entry operations during normal Monday-Friday “day shift” operations, but for entries other than during that shift, we rely on an off-site rescue service. Shouldn’t the rescue capability, specifically the rescue response time, be the same no matter when the permit...
