One of our awesome customers had a great safety idea, and we wanted to share it with you…a Roco Safer Way banner. Of course, if you’ve ever been a Roco student, you’ve heard it many times…”there’s a safe way and a safer way!” Now you can win a FREE Roco Safety Banner (4-ft x 2-ft) for...
Construction is well underway on expansions and improvements to the Roco Training Center (RTC.) The goal is to add new confined space shapes and configurations in order to simulate an even wider variety of scenarios that rescuers may face in the real world. An additional two-story container configuration is being erected east of the pipe rack module. This...
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...
At times, it may be necessary to use a single rope split between two different rescue systems. This can be useful when all ropes are being used for other purposes, such as taglines, extending anchors, etc. Being proficient in using a single rope between two systems helps spread the resources and may be more than just another tool in your toolbox. Someday, it could be crucial to a...
READER QUESTION: If Appendix F is non-mandatory, then why is it relevant to my PRCS program? ROCO TECH PANEL ANSWER: Questions often arise about the application of Appendix F of OSHA’s Permit Required Confined Spaces standard. Those questions usually focus on the “non-mandatory” characterization of the appendix. The question most often asked is: “If it’s...
In January 2004, an explosion at the West Pharmaceutical Company in Kingston, NC killed 6 workers and injured 34 others. Two firefighters were injured during the response to the incident. One month later, an explosion and fire occurred at the CTA Acoustics manufacturing facility in Corbin, KY, killing 7 workers. In February 2008, an explosion...
OSHA’s final rule on confined spaces in construction is being reviewed by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. The review is one of the final steps required before OSHA can formally publish the rule. OIRA, which is a branch of the White House’s Office of Management and Budget, received the rule for review on...
More than $15,000 in fire rescue equipment was donated to a local volunteer fire department in Washington, WV through the Firehouse Subs Foundation. The equipment for the Washington Bottom department is for confined areas such as off-road, industrial and water-related accidents. And the department’s members are already trained to use it. “It’s nice to know...
The following article was featured in the September issue of ISHN, and authored by Roco Chief Instructor Pat Furr. Every team has their most valuable player or person, their MVP. When you consider all the personnel who make up the fall protection team at your facility, who is your MVP? Chances are it is your...
Due to time restraints in refresher training, oftentimes individual team members may only get to build a portion of a rescue system – for example, setting up a mainline or performing patient packaging. In order to have maximum team efficiency, it is important to keep all team members proficient in all aspects of the rescue operation. 1. Lay...
