SafeTec’s Safety Blog – Safety Articles and information on the lightweight and portable X-Decks, work platforms, scaffolding, ladders, aerial lifts, and scissor lifts.
I recently had the privileged of watching the X-Deck in use in a locked high radiation area at a nuclear plant in Florida. The original plan was to build a 6ft scaffold in an area that had been putting out high radiation. The scaffold builders had already practiced building the scaffold outside so they knew they had the hundreds of components they needed to build the scaffold. The original plan was for 4 guys to enter the room and spend an hour and fifteen minutes building the scaffold and making is seismic.
Then they decided to use their X-Deck. The lightweight, safety award winning, pop open, safety work platform.
Now only the X-Deck and the 4 handrails needed to be brought into the LHRA. Two men went into the LHRA and a third man stayed outside the room and fed them one by one the 4 handrails. The RP stayed outside the room and told the scaffold builders to stay away from certain hot spots. It ended up being a massive success. The total job only took eight minutes.
Here is the detailed breakdown from the work order:
Total dose for scaffold ( X-Deck) installed the LHRA Equipment Tank Room
MS = 6.3 Mrem
RP = 3.0 mrem
Total Job 9.3
Regular scaffold install > 100 mrem (estimated )
Break down of install
2 mins to erect deck and Handrails
6 mins to make X-Deck Seismic compliant
Total install time 8 minutes
For any information on the X-Deck Nuclear Edition models – Please contact us.
I understand that companies nowadays have been putting more focus on safe work practices by putting employees, especially those in more dangerous work environments, through a number of safety courses to ensure the employees are practicing safe work procedures that provide a safer work environment for everyone leading to less injuries in the work place.
However, one may need to ask themselves….are companies really looking out for the workers best interest or that of their own? By training employees with the correct way to perform a job they may be lowering the possibility of the worker getting hurt, however, with the injury of a worker comes a lot of other expenses…almost all on the companies behalf.
According to OSHA, It has been estimated that employers pay almost $1 billion per week for direct workers’ compensation costs alone. The obvious direct costs being having to pay workmans’ compensation, legal and medical expenses while the indirect costs such as hiring and re-training, implementing corrective measures, and production downtime can be just as expensive as the direct costs.
Also according to OSHA statistics (2012), the claims costs for falls by roofers and carpenters are more costly than other falls. However, using equipment such as ladders and unsafe scaffolds seem to be a never ending trend as they are seen as cheap options, especially when their are safer alternatives in todays day and age. This number is alarmingly increasing and putting a large enough dent in some companies pockets to the point that they are now beginning to ban the use of simple unsafe equipment such as the ladder, a basic piece of equipment used since the stone age.
Here is some food for thought….every time a worker uses a piece of equipment on the work site such as a ladder, scaffold, mobile elevated platforms, stepladders, etc., are the conditions of the environment and the equipment always ideal for safety of the worker? Are safety coordinators and equipment inspections prone to human error leaving the worker vulnerable from the start? How does a company truly look out for their workers as well as that of their own?
As time goes on and technology advances, there will always be equipment that is safer than their last version. However, finding the correct piece of equipment that is known to not only minimize risk and injury, but also not require ridiculous paperwork and out of pocket expenses is the ultimate goal of any company. Companies need to take more notice to market trends, not only in the newest, cheapest, equipment but also the alarming increase of injuries using traditional work methods. Sometimes the true key to reducing employee injuries and company expenses is paying more up front for a safer product. Although the upfront cost may be a few times more expensive than traditional equipment, the price you pay in the long run will ultimately keep dollars in the companies pocket.
I have been in the safety management role a little over 10 years now and as I am sure many of you know, everyone’s idea of “safety” has varying degrees.
While the safety of workers is a main concern for many companies, how they go about achieving maximum safety with the equipment being used comes down to a simple comparison of the equipment’s features and the application they are looking to accomplish,
As most companies tend to you standard ladders, stands, and platforms from Little Giant, Cotterman, and AllMetal, sometimes working with basic safety equipment isn’t always the safest route to go, or the most practical.
One of the biggest mistakes a company can make with their equipment is going with the cheaper options that provide the workers with the bare minimum. Aside from the possibility of slipping and falling, using a ladder that a worker must set up on uneven ground, walk up, and have a 3 – 5 foot area of reach that requires them to constantly stretch to maximum their reach and then move the ladder along the work area can be expensive, time consuming, and has a high risk of injury (Werner).
So what is the best option that provides maximum safety, stability, and productivity?
A piece of equipment that was recently brought to my attention at a Safety Trade Show from a company out of Bardstown, Kentucky is the X-Deck. The X-Deck was specifically designed to address all of the issues mentioned above – safety being the biggest feature. I will briefly highlight some of the ways the X-Deck is able to maximize productivity in the work place, reduce risk of injury, and offer a convenient option that pays for itself in the long run.
The X-Deck is described as an “always assembled scaffold” that is ready for set up right out of the box and takes no longer than sliding out a pin, choosing the desired height, then securing the pin back in place – our shop workers are able to set it up in under 20 seconds.
With safety equipment comes the need for OSHA compliancy which usually comes with inspection, paperwork, and more paperwork. However, the X-Deck is OSHA compliant right from the start – requiring none of the usual processes to certify safety equipment.
In Maine, a small sign and digital graphics company that does vehicle wraps won the opportunity to sticker the sides of four large trailers for Pepsi co. They had purchased two of our 5 Step 18” X-Decks as well as a 10′ plank with a handrail at a regional trade show. With the two units and the plank, they could quickly set up over 30′ of elevated walkway to safely and easily do the job. When they arrived on site at Pepsi, they set up their X-Decks and got to work. After the job, the head safety guy for that location came out and told them that they had hired dozens of different graphics companies over the years, but this was the first time a company showed up with actual safety equipment. Because of the use of safety equipment they were awarded the contract for the entire fleet of over 400 trailers. The husband and wife owners of the business were so excited they called us up to tell us the story and to purchase 3 more sets of X-Decks and connecting planks.
As a dedicated user of the X-Deck for 8 years I can truly say that this product has saved my employees and I a lot of time. With its easy pop up design and multiple height levels for the platform I can tackle more square footage than with a standard ladder. This is ideal in today’s trucking environment. Getting my customer’s 18 wheeler back on the road in a timely fashion is my priority. Whether it is using my X-Deck for maintenance on the engine or just just getting the truck looking good again I get way more accomplished than continually going up and down a ladder. Take my word for it and pick up an X-Deck to replace your old ladder.
The X-Deck is extremely popular with aircraft, helicopter, and aviation mechanics. The largest US helicopter maintenance company that works on Robi
nson and Bell helicopters contracted out for most hospitals is a heavy user of the X-Deck safety work platform. At the recent Heli-Expo in Louisville KY we had dozens of maintenance workers approach us and let us know that their lives are significantly better working off of an X-Deck because at the end of the day they are not as fatigued as they had been working off of the bakers scaffold and traditional scaffolding they once had.
This goes hand in hand with a report given to us by the largest military jet manufacturer in the USA. Their Ergonomics and Safety department wrote up a report that there was a 25% reduction in fatigue compared to working off of concrete or steel. The reason for this is the deck of the X-Deck has a little flex and it feels like you are standing on comfort padding. This slight flex is very comfortable for the worker that has to stand up on the work stand for hours on end. At the end of the workers shift, the worker is not going to feel the leg, knee, and back pains they would of felt if they had stood on solid concrete, steel, bakers scaffolding, or any type of ladder.
Another ergonomic benefit to using the X-Deck is it allows the user to comfortably move around once up in the air. They can shuffle their feet, stretch their legs, or otherwise move around. A great feature to the X-Deck is its ability to hold multiple workers at the same time. Because of this, a worker does not have to strain themselves, but rather can get help and have multiple hands on their job at hand.
The X-Deck allows the worker to maintain three points of contact when ascending or descending the stairs. If a worker was to be up in the air and hurt their hand it is still possible to walk up and down the X-Deck hands free. This is impossible to do on any other type of scaffolding – bakers or otherwise.
Comes fully assembled and ready to use from day one.
Setting up handrails and outriggers are done in an instant.
You can safely walk up the rungs on the side or the end of the platform.
Amazing accessories that allow it to get into areas $40,000 Genie lifts cannot.
Baker Scaffolding
Every time it is used it must be assembled and inspected.
Must climb straight up and then dangerously step over the side rail.
Manual states that if you weigh more than 200 lbs you are not allowed to climb up outside ladder if your body gets more than 6″ away from the ladder.
Unstable – Out riggers must be used for safety unlike the X-Deck that has a non tip design.
Any accessories are not as amazing.
We also have the brand new Nuclear Model X-Deck that was designed for the nuclear energy market to make securing it for seismic reasons very quick and easy.
According to energy industry comptrollers, the average 6 foot scaffold costs $6,000 with each work order.
The X-Deck costs more in material goods initially but is proven to reduce labor costs by 80%. Thus paying for itself after only two uses. Therefore, you will be saving money for every subsequent use.
Energy Industry Update
The X-Deck Pro Nuclear Edition was featured and presented at the FME Industry Working Meeting in Portland, ME from July 17 – 19th.
Contact us for a demo at your energy facility! The X-Deck is great for nuclear plants, coal power plants, renewable energy, solar energy, hydro energy.
We have great success stories from many nuclear power plants.
The X-Deck Pro Nuclear Edition
This specialty model features three different mechanisms to make it seismically compliant. The X-Deck Nuclear Edition also features the connectivity to your traditional scaffolding.
The seismic upgrades to the Nuclear Edition models are quite unique. It has been proven to be able to set up in less than two minutes and make it seismic in less than 4 minutes. Quickly and safely use your XDeck!
Compared to other platforms and low-level scaffolds you might be using, you will see on our website that all of our X-Decks are:
Always assembled out of the box allowing set up within seconds
OSHA compliant from the start requiring no inspections and less paperwork
Mobile and portable giving the workers more time to work and less time having to break down and re-setup equipment
Flex Technology allows workers to use decks for extended periods of time, reducing stress on their feet and back
Adjustable height settings allow 7″ increments between height placement
Designed with safety accessories such as Guard Rails, Work Trays, Wide Steps, Rung Safety Bar, etc.
Our most popular decks are the 6 Step 18″ platform and the 5 Step 36″ across all industries and for all applications. Please keep in mind we are able to fully customize any of our decks and accessories, including a detachable ladder that can be used on any side of the deck, double wide steps, kick plates, etc.
We are doing a special promotion that includes sending any model X-Deck with any of our accessories for 30 days at no charge for your shop guys to try out and compare to some of the current equipment being used. At the of the 30 days you can decide to keep it or send it back.
If interested I can send you the main point of contact’s information for any of the other energy facilities we are currently working with that use any of our decks and accessories, just let me know.
Please let me know if you have any questions or need further information or more pictures of any of the units/accessories.
The X-Deck is often used for photographers and videography. The X-Deck is lighter than a ladder so it is easier to carry around. Plus it allows the photographer or videographer to stand comfortably on an elevated platform. Bill Dance’s videographer uses his X-Deck on the fishing boat as it is driving around. The X-Deck even on a rocking boat will not tip and makes getting the shot easy as possible.
Photography is great on an X-Deck, because you can get the shot above the crowd. Photographers will often use a tripod or monopod when working off of an X-Deck. The X-Deck is very comfortable to stand on – so if you are watching an entire football game – you will feel comfortable on the deck of an X-Deck. Live action sports shooting requires a stand that is easy to move around, allows you freedom to move around on the work stand platform capturing your shot safely, and strong enough for multiple people and equipment.
We have even had large sports networks buy the 5-36 to set it up in front of a crowd of people and have their announcers sit on top of the deck of the work stand. We have seen up to 4 people in chairs and a small table set up on the deck of an X-Deck. This reduces set up time, because prior to this, they would have to set up scaffolding an entire day in advance. Now they can get to the game and set up in minutes.
Hollywood and film crews have used the X-Deck to get shots above a crowd. The X-Deck is a great tool for jobs on the move, because the X-Deck can fold flat for easy storage. If you have a truck or a van, the X-Deck can easily fit in the back.
We have had news crews use the X-Deck safety work platform to get photographs at news events.
The X-Deck has been popular for outdoor star parties. We have had owners of dobsonian and newtonian telescopes purchase the X-Deck for climbing up and looking down the eye piece. The great thing is the X-Deck is light enough to easily carry or put in a small trailer. Once you get to where you are going, the X-Deck pops open in seconds and you can comfortably stand on the ladder platform for hours on end. Since the X-Deck can hold multiple people you and your friends can take turns looking down the eye piece of your telescope. The X-Deck works great in soft wet ground and because of the wider base than the top it will not tip over even in a field that isn’t flat.
1) Before climbing up on your X-Deck, one needs to check if there are any cracked welds. If your X-Deck was overloaded, the most likely place a weld might be cracked is the most upper/topmost vertical spot where the round leg outrigger meets the square leg. Cracks are most likely to happen on either side of the weld- use a flashlight if lighting is not excellent.
2) As you are walking around your X-Deck make sure there is no obvious sign of damage or missing parts. If you see a cut wire or damage to the X-Deck or handrails, do not use your X-Deck.
3) If you found a cracked weld or damage, please contact us at Allstands so we can take care of your problem. 502-331-9759
Annual detailed inspection
1) Check your entire X-Deck for any cracked welds. Using a flashlight will help while looking under the deck at the top of the legs. Look your entire X-Deck over and don’t forget the handrails and the pockets that are welded onto the side of your X-Deck.
2) Stickers- If any stickers are illegible, contact us for replacement options.
3) Check the rubber feet for signs of wear. Rubber feet are cheap and it’s best to replace them if worn. The rubber feet can easily be removed with a pipe wrench.
4) Check for any signs of damage – cut cables, broken latch, missing pins, etc.
5) If you found a cracked weld or damage, please contact us at Allstands so we can take care of your problem. 502-331-9759
