By W. Jon Wallace, CSP, MBA – Workplace Safety, Inc.
Robin Barfield, SMS, Director, Safety and Risk Management Human Resources Division NC Department of Transportation (DOT) hosted the May 2024 North Carolina ASSP Chapter meeting. In an effort to reduce slips, trips, and falls throughout NC DOT, two products purchased by NC DOT – a slip simulatorTM as well as a Malta Dynamics XSeries Mobile Grabber Fall Protection unit – were on display for attendees to evaluate.
Slip SimulatorTM
Robin states “The average fall in our sector cost about $19-$20k per accident. Many are closer to $50k. There’s not much being done in safety circles to address walking quickly and stride/gait management. Once we learned about this simulator, we added it to our list in 2018 and 2019.
For the slip simulatorTM the user feedback has been tremendously positive. We can also mix in our fall protection equipment too as a supplemental teaching moment. All in all, we are watching this closely in terms of outcomes and ROI (Return On Investment). We also have other DOTs that come to see our models. That in itself is inspiring. We have plans to move into virtual reality training across many roles in maintenance and vehicle equipment repair.”
Slip SimulatorTM
Frieda Sanders trying the Slip SimulatorTM
“My experience with the slip simulatorTM was amazing. Nowhere else can anyone safely test their muscle memory and get a chance to practice and develop a strategy for moving across a slick surface with obstacles. The simulator demonstrates clearly common mistakes that we all make when moving over slick areas and allows you to self-correct. The best part to me was carrying the bin of supplies across the walkway, as often our hands are full of other hazards while doing something that is already risky.”
Frieda Sanders, PhD, RBP, AOEE
Associate Director, Environmental Health and Safety Kriya Therapeutics, Inc.
Bridge Guardrail Fall Protection
According to Robin, “NC DOT is also focusing on fall protection during bridge work: “We have over 13,000 bridges in NCDOT under our jurisdiction. Like all states, the side slabs/rails do not meet OSHA standards and it leaves us with a tremendous burden to engineer a FP system that will be safe and actually work. Back in 2015-2016, a research project by Alex Albert, Ph.D. and Carlos Zuluaga Ph.D. with NCSU, “Selection of Fall Protection Supplementary Devices (FPSD)” focused on the engineering control of extending the bridge guardrail to meet the OSHA required 42” top rail and mid-rail; it was published in August 2018. The research project focused on the engineering control of extending the bridge guardrail to meet the OSHA required 42” top rail and mid-rail. The identified and implemented solution was a clamp system made by “The Bodyguard Rail”, models CC120 and MCC135. These systems clamp to many bridge types in NC while being lightweight and utilize 2×4” lumber as the cross members.”
Bridge Guardrail Extension
For more information on this system click here.
Malta Dynamics – Mobile Grabber
Robin states “Malta started up in 2015 as a local fall protection company in Ohio with a focus on construction and masonry. Our paths collided during some ANSI testing procedures, and they have a testing laboratory that truly certifies their equipment. Later on, we met Bryan Heiss at one of our conferences and we were literally waiting for patents to mature. Wade Baily, CSP, Safety Engineer, NC DOT has led this effort, and many states are inquiring. In August we have a 52 State DOT conference in Branson, and this will be our topic this year.
The gains have been remarkable: our employees not only used the units, but quickly asked for more of them all across our state. It is important to listen to your people and they will tell you if it works. We have several Champion users within our bridge sections because this solves a significant hazard for their work. Frankly- We are in the midst of a significant cultural change here at NCDOT. All this started with a pilot program model, just like our 50-year removal of the traditional hard hat and our migration to the KASK helmet in 2021-2022.”
According to Wade: “The Mobile Grabber units are beneficial to our fall protection program because they provide mobile overhead PFAS anchorage where historically it would be impossible, especially on bridge projects. Overhead anchorage is preferred for many reasons including reduced free fall and minimum required fall clearance.
Malta Dynamics XSeries Mobile Grabber
Mobile Grabber in use by NC DOT employees.
The fall protection company is “Malta Dynamics”, and the unit is officially named the “XSeries Mobile Grabber”.
Robin concludes: “With our prevention team at NC DOT and their continued inspirational flow of great ideas, changes are evident and being embraced. Now we have established skin in the game, respect, and most importantly TRUST from our front line. It’s a great story and we are happy to share it.”
Conclusion
NC DOT is taking very proactive steps to reduce slips, trips, and falls. Many thanks to Robin Barfield and Wade Baily for demonstrating the ongoing efforts to reduce slips, trips, and falls throughout NC DOT as well as Frieda Sanders for sharing her experience with the slip simulatorTM.