As with many industries, the COVID 19 pandemic took a toll on the gas and oil industry. Lockdowns, restrictions, and shortages led to a decrease in production. As the pandemic has subsided, ramping up production is essential as people get back to work and the economy improves. And with increased activity comes increased opportunity for accidents, making this a good time to renew your focus on safety. Take the time to evaluate your indoor fall protection to determine whether a new guardrail system, adjustable safety gate, or personal fall protection devices are necessary.

Long hours, physically challenging tasks, and extreme conditions make for tough work in a refinery. On top of that, gas and oil leaks are common, and it is often slippery and difficult to safely move around. Still, repairs need to be made, maintenance must be completed, and production must go on. And no matter how intense work gets, you and your employees can never ignore the risk of falls. It’s up to you to provide OSHA-compliant fall protection for your employees and visitors to your facility.

Indoor Fall Protection Essentials for Oil and Gas Refineries

Working in the gas and oil industry is inherently dangerous. Workers face a wide range of hazards every day from exposure to toxic materials to burns. But slip and fall incidents account for most oil and gas refinery accidents. It’s common for oil and gas industry workers to walk and work on elevated surfaces, and OSHA regulations require fall protection whenever employees are working 4′ or more above the surface.

Here are some of the common fall hazard areas you should be aware of inside oil and gas refineries:

Elevated Walkways

To maximize productivity in your buildings, you take advantage of all the vertical space you can. That means you need to have elevated walkways to help workers get around. Exposed edges on a catwalk should be protected with a guardrail system. It’s also highly recommended that you install an adjustable safety gate to protect the entrance to the walkway and to restrict access.

Mezzanines

Elevated work surfaces are an ideal place to observe the production facility as well as to perform work. They can also be used to store equipment and supplies without taking up valuable floor space. As with catwalks, mezzanines should be protected with a guard rail. Industrial safety gates specifically designed for mezzanines should be installed to keep workers safe as they move loads to and from the mezzanine.

Stairways and Ladders 

Whenever using a ladder or stairway, workers should be using the three-point rule. That is, two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand must be in contact at all times. In addition, protect workers when accessing stairways with railings and a self closing safety gate at the entrance. Fixed ladders that extend 24′ above the previous level should be fitted with a ladder protection system that includes a body harness, carrier, safety sleeve, lanyard, and connectors.

Refinery Equipment Guarding

Oftentimes, workers must work or walk above and around potentially dangerous refinery equipment. A safety rail with a toeboard reduces the fall hazard and the potential for falling objects to damage equipment or harm people. Guardrails and an adjustable safety gate can also be used to limit access to the area surrounding equipment.

Loading Docks

A busy refinery requires supplies and equipment deliveries on a consistent basis. The loading dock becomes a fast-paced, hazardous environment full of people and equipment. A loading dock safety gate is a good way to protect loading dock workers from falling off the edge as the load and unload goods.

How to Choose the Right OSHA-Compliant Fall Protection

There is a lot riding on you making the right decision when it comes to fall protection for your oil and gas refinery. If you get it wrong, someone could get hurt, you’ll face fines and penalties, you’ll lose production, and there could be other financial consequences. Always rely on the advice of a qualified safety expert when deciding which type of fall protection devices to use. Some things to consider:

Guardrails & Industrial Swing Gates

To be OSHA-compliant, guardrail systems and safety gates must be made of strong, durable material that won’t snag or scratch workers. They need to stand 42″ (plus or minus 3″) above the walking/working surface. Top rails must be able to handle a force of 200 lbs. and midrails have to deflect 150 lbs. Guardrails and safety gates can be used in a variety of situations:

• Around and at the entrances of elevated walking/working surfaces
• At ladder and stairway entry points
• To protect equipment and machinery
• To protect holes in the floor or wall
• At uneven levels to provide safe access
• To limit access to sensitive/restricted areas

Personal Fall Protection Devices

When a guardrail or industrial swing gates aren’t feasible or do not provide adequate fall protection, workers may need personal fall protection devices. A well-fitted safety harness, lanyard, and lifeline may be the ideal combination of devices for any given situation. According to OSHA, all personal fall protection must be inspected before use and any components with wear, damage, or defects should not be used. A personal fall protection device should be considered when:

• Guardrail systems cannot be feasibly installed
• Workers are accessing space above dangerous equipment/machinery
• Climbing and descending a fixed ladder inside or outside the facility
• Entering confined spaces where fall hazards and other dangers exist

Consult With a Leader in Oil and Gas Industry Fall Protection

While keeping oil and gas production up is beneficial to the bottom line, you can’t achieve it at the expense of employee safety. You also can’t succeed if your facility isn’t meeting OSHA standards. Non-compliance with OSHA fall protection rules can result in hefty fines and penalties. If someone gets hurt, you’re also going to be saddled with paying medical bills, legal fees, and more. Why put your company and workers at risk like that?

Contact Fabenco today, and one of our oil and gas industry experts will be happy to discuss your fall protection needs.