SAFER WORK, BETTER LIVES.
March/April 2019 I 25
installer skills needed to support
the installation team. Next, it is
almost inevitable that an industrial
installation will require working
at heights. Personnel must be
formally trained and provided with
the necessary personal protective
equipment (PPE). The training
components will often include,
but are not limited to the following:
• Fall protection (how to properly
select and use the PPE)
• How to create an appropriate
fall rescue plan
• Aerial lift training for each type
of lift a worker is required to use
• Ladder safety protocols
When working at heights in
industrial settings, there are
common things to consider.
Overhead gantry style cranes are
very common in industrial settings,
and they can be overlooked when
installers are identifying safety
hazards. Make sure the travel
extent of these cranes is understood,
and if work is needed within that
area, make arrangements to work
when the crane can be locked out.
Especially when working at heights,
look for and ask operations
personnel if there are any pieces
of moving equipment in the
planned work areas.
Food, beverage, and
pharmaceutical operations have
strict guidelines for any type of
construction or maintenance work,
due to food and drug safety
regulations. Installers need
to become familiar with these
regulations and adapt work methods
accordingly. Drilling, cutting,
grinding and the use of any
non-food grade lubricants is
generally prohibited within certain
areas of the plant. The commonly
used framing channel, Unistrut, is
generally prohibited since it cannot
be easily cleaned because of its shape.
Conduits are normally spaced off the
surfaces along which they run
to facilitate cleaning. Stainless steel
pathways and support systems may
be required. Consult with the client’s
project manager, operations,
or maintenance staff to ensure
the installation plan meets
their standards.
Within the industrial space, there
is a need to utilize plug/connector
terminations and physical topologies
that are unique to this particular
environment. For example,
a technician will need to know how
FIGURE 4: Industrial installations have a unique set of safety guidelines.