MSA answers stringent fall safety call.
To meet the stringent fall safety requirements regulating industry today, MSA Africa invests much time and effort in ensuring the equipment it supplies is the safest and most durable available.
MSA Africa Fall Protection product manager, equipment, Debbie Joynt, says that amendments to occupational safety legislation in recent years now place the responsibility for workplace accidents squarely on the management of the company responsible for the workplace safety.
“The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH) rules and regulations are enforceable by law and management is held accountable,” Joynt notes. “Harsh penalties – including abatement periods – have been enforced in some instances.”
To offer the safest products, says Joynt, MSA Africa sources fall protection products both locally and internationally. “We review the needs of the market and our customers and source products accordingly. In keeping with OSH regulations – and bearing in mind the penalties – MSA sources only the most robust and safe equipment.”
New regulations, according to MSA Africa marketing director Hayley Arnesen, have encouraged an unprecedented interest in MSA’s products in the construction sector. “While we have operated in various sectors of industry over the years, the construction sector is a relatively new area that offers huge opportunities for MSA Africa.”
The company also provided an initial supply of fall protection equipment as part of a pilot project for a local petrochemicals giant, and Joynt says that MSA is confident of a positive result from this project too.
Full body harnesses, energy-absorbing lanyards and horizontal lifelines form part of the MSA offering in this sector. “MSA has a commitment to this sector, particularly because of the amount of construction currently underway in South Africa,” says Joynt. “With an array of ladder climbing equipment and vertical lifelines, as well as rescue products such as winches, ropes, tripods and a specially designed fall protection rescue kit, MSA is assisting its customers to meet all safety regulations.”
One product that has impressed, explains Joynt, is MSA’s Ultimate Harness, which has an orthostatic intolerance, and is adapted to suit the rigours of both the construction and mining industry.
“The Ultimate Harness has a variety of features that are suited for industry, including an ultraviolet pacifier, a static freeze, customised sizing, shoulder padding, adjustable leg straps and reflective yarn in the webbing,” says Joint. “What is more, it is manufactured in line with South African National Standards (SANS) for safety.”
According to Arnesen, MSA Africa recently introduced a range of fall protection safety harnesses that have been well received in the construction industry. “The industry reaction has seen our market share grow from 0,5% to around 5% in just a year,” she says.
“We undertake training on the use of the harnesses and conduct inspections after the equipment is supplied. We also advise our customers on when to replace existing harnesses in order to ensure workers’ safety,” says Joynt. The company is also involved in management training sessions to ensure managers are familiar with the fall protection equipment.
“This is vital, as they are ultimately accountable,” Arnesen adds. “MSA is extremely proud of the fact that none of our customers have had fatalities in the past year. We constantly improve our equipment offering and invest heavily in research and development.”
Joynt concludes by adding that the company’s focus now is construction companies as well as the oil, gas and petrochemical industries.
For more information contact Debbie Joynt, MSA Africa, +27 (0)11 610 2600, debbie.joynt@msanet.com, www.msaafrica.co.za
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