Archive for the ‘Scaffolding’ Category

How To Classify The X-Deck – Ladder, Platform, Scaffold, Work Platform, Aerial Lift, Scissor Lift, Ladder Jack, Elevated Platform?

Monday, December 14th, 2009

 

A Common question a lot of safety people ask is how to classify the X-Deck?

~ Is the X-Deck a Ladder, Platform, Work Platform, Scaffold, Aerial Lift, Scissor Lift, Ladder Jack, Elevated Platform?  

 

 

We have been called a lot of different things depending on the business and the safety director. I think the best definition for our product is the following as coined by a OSHA director at the Georgia Safety Show:

The X-Deck is ALWAYS ASSEMBLED SCAFFOLDING.

  • The reason for this is that all of our X-Decks come ready for use straight out of the box.
  • You do not ever need to disassembled an X-Deck, merely fold it flat when not in use.
  • One of the biggest benefits to this definition is that you do not need the scaffolding to be tagged and inspected before use, because it was not put together merely raised up to a height setting.
  • If it is going to be used between shifts, merely have the last guy lower it down between shifts.
  • Businesses still want a competent person to erect the X-Deck and they do this by having their employees watch a 2 minute training video.

This is the same interpretation that many nuclear power plants have adapted as well as the US military.

 

For a more generic definition of our product you can also use the standard scaffolding standards that are found below: 

Regulations (Standards – 29 CFR)
Scaffold Specifications – 1926 Subpart L App A


 

• Part Number:

1926

• Part Title:

Safety and Health Regulations for Construction

• Subpart:

L

• Subpart Title:

Scaffolds

• Standard Number:

1926 Subpart L App A

• Title:

Scaffold Specifications

 

Please review the OSHA standards under the Scaffold heading OSHA 1926- all sections.

See: www.osha.gov and www.dol.gov

 

We meet all OSHA standards including SWL (Certified for weight, 4X SWL).  In addition to the strength requirements, we meet the height and width requirements and all handrail height and strength requirements. 

 

We offer OSHA gates which are not required but sometimes suggested by OSHA.

 

We have been approved by the safety department of numerous large or fortune 500 companies, such as: Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Boeing Aviation, NASA, Kennedy Space Center, General Electric, Dynamic Industries, Cessna, First Energy – OH and PA, Surry Nuclear Power Plant – VA, Husky Energy – CAN, Palisades Nuclear Power Plant, TVA – Watts Bay Nuclear Plant and many others.

  

We were approved by the State of Georgia Department of Labor – OSHA division, for showing at their 2007 yearly convention.  One of their seminars on ladders/scaffold featured the SafeTec products.  We were also invited by the State of Ohio, Department of Labor to show at their annual Workman’s Compensation Convention 2006. 

  

We have also been accepted by Sears, Grainger, and Snap on Tools safety departments.

EDKVDB8G7U7S

Telescoping Scaffolding or Other Non X-Deck Adjustable Work Platforms

Thursday, May 7th, 2009

Does your baker’s scaffold, or adjustable work platform have an operator’s manual or instructional manual that has this label real big on the front cover?

Warning Label

The X-Deck does not have any of these labels!

One of the biggest problems with different kinds of telescoping scaffolding or other adjustable work platforms is the inherint danger in the product. Below I will list the traditional problems with this type of scaffolding in black and in blue will be the reasons that the X-Deck is better:

  • Traditional and other type of telescoping scaffolding requires complicated assembly that if not done properly may result in serious injury or death. Do you trust ALL your workers to ALWAYS properly assemble the scaffolding? 

  • The X-Deck on the other hand is always assembled and thus eliminates the inherint danger.   

  • On other scaffolding you have to make sure after you properly assemble the scaffold that you use the outriggers, because if you forget to slide them into place and use the scaffold it is likely to tip over. Also, because you are assembling this type of scaffold you might lose the outriggers all together.

  • The X-Deck on the other hand works great up to a 10 degree pitch (Which is almost all workplace or outside terrain.) at which point we have leg extenders that will allow you to use the X-Deck at these steeper angles.   

  • Another problem with these telescoping work platforms is that the are always on casters. This causes the worker some additional worries, because if they forgot to lock the wheels in place the scaffold could roll off with them in it OR when they are working and they need to push on something they will roll backwards!

  • The X-Deck does not have these problems, because of our innovative wheel kits a worker cannot even walk up the X-Deck without automatically locking the wheels and becoming stationary on the grippy rubber feet.   

  • Another problem with these adjustable work platforms is that you still have to climp up the outside. This makes carrying tools difficult and also a serious fall danger if their foot slips or they lose their grip. This is why scaffolding is so dangerous!!

  • The X-Deck eliminates these problems with the fact that you can walk up the rungs often hands free, because the steps are so wide and comfortable. The X-Deck also gives you many options for places to hold while walking up. This is the biggest difference… On other scaffolding you have to CLIMB UP, but on the X-Deck you only need to WALK UP!!

Remember, everyone makes mistakes. When you add the human element you add the chance for error. Even the best worker can forget a bolt or an outrigger when they are setting up other types of scaffolding. With the X-Deck though you can eliminate all these worries.

The X-Deck is virtually idiot proof.

Top 10 Reasons the X-Deck is the Best Low Level Scaffolding. Period.

Tuesday, February 17th, 2009

Top 10 Reasons the X-Deck is the Best Low Level Scaffolding. Period.

The X-Deck by SafeTec

“Simplifying Safety”

  1. The X-Deck is lighter than traditional scaffolding. This allows for cheaper transportation costs and less worker fatigue.
  2. The X-Deck is ONE PIECE. There is no complicated setup like traditional scaffolding. You do not have to have a certified inspector to check to see if the X-Deck is properly setup because after use the X-Deck stays in one piece and does not have to be taken apart. This also keeps you from losing necessary pieces.
  3. The X-Deck is height adjustable. Although traditional scaffolding has some degree of adjust ability when it comes to different height settings the X-Deck adjusts up from its lowest setting in 7″ increments. This allows the worker to work at the PERFECT height for their application.
  4. The X-Deck is FIRST AND FOREMOST A SAFETY PRODUCT. The X-Deck has been recognized for its contributions in safety from safety organizations, nuclear power plants, State run organizations, and other trade related fields. Unlike traditional scaffolding that forces you to climb up stairs on the outside and climb over a rail, the X-Deck allows you to walk up comfortably and without any strain. The X-Deck comes standard with a handrail which most traditional scaffolding lacks. The X-Deck has a built in ANTI-SLIP, ANTI-TIP design that allows workers to work the full length and get their work done without fear of losing their tread or the product wanting to tip over.
  5. The X-Deck is extremely portable. The X-Deck can fold flat and pop open in seconds. It is simple and easy to setup. The X-Deck will allow you to get to your job site either carrying or rolling your X-Deck and then in a matter of seconds completely setup up the one unit or maybe even a second unit and a connecting board and get to the job at hand. This will allow you to easily move the X-Deck from job site to job site and be more productive.
  6. YOU CAN SET-UP 20FT OF WALKWAY IN LESS THAN 1 MINUTE. One of the great things about the X-Deck is that with 2 units and a connecting board (Either 8′ or 10′), one man can set up the 2 units and join them together with this walkway to have 20FT of walkway in less than 1 minute. Once you setup this walkway you can bridge over top of things you normally could not get to and where the only previous option was to spend hours setting up traditional scaffolding. You can setup the 2 units and the plank in a straight line, or curve the line, or even turn the 2 X-Deck parallel and connect them with a plank making a “C” shaped walkway. Any configuration you can think of you can do with the X-Decks. Plus you do not have to stop at 20ft! You can keep connecting additional planks and X-Decks together and build a walkway that can encircle a house!
  7. The X-Deck is stronger – MUCH STRONGER. While most scaffolding has a 500lbs capacity the X-Deck is certified to hold up to 2,000 lbs! This means you can feel comfortable getting more than one worker on an X-Deck or bring equipment up on the X-Deck with you. The X-Deck is stronger because it is hand made with only solid welds and not cheaply made by merely spot welding. The X-Deck is a stronger more quality product than any traditional scaffolding.
  8. The X-Deck is built to last. Yes traditional scaffolding is a little cheaper, but you get what you pay for. The X-Deck has been tested and proven to last 5 to 10 times the life of traditional scaffolding.  Depending on the usage of some traditional scaffolding they can be unsuitable for use as little as 6 months after purchase. The X-Deck WILL LAST 20 to 30 years of everyday industrial usage.
  9. The X-Deck can be customizable to fit your specific application perfectly. With different options including deck width, step width, wheel kits, work trays, connecting boards, many handrail options, and our ability to do custom work for you makes the X-Deck the perfect tool for your job.
  10. The X-Deck is SEXY. Not only is it sleek, chrome, simple to use, and a head turner, but it says something about who you are. You are someone that values strength, stability, and safety. You invest in safety and in making your company the best it can be. When you get to a job, pop open your X-Deck, and don’t even break a sweat or a smile you are going to look like the professional that you already are. Not only do you get a “step up” on your competition you will be the most memorable because you will be the safest, fastest, and best company around.

Read more about how the X-Deck is better than baker’s scaffolds.

Invest in Safety ~ Invest in SafeTec

Baker Scaffold Vs. X-Deck

Tuesday, January 6th, 2009
Why buy Safetec’s X-Deck over cheaper products?
The SafeTec X-Decks are often used to replacement Baker Scaffolding. On occasions, Baker Scaffold can be used successfully and safely and sometimes it cost less. However, when considering scaffolding, you always need to first address the safety issues to insure you are safe and compliant with OSHA and all local standards. In the U.S. we can buy Baker Scaffold as low as $149.00, but don’t be fooled by a cheap price. Many job sights do not allow the use of this scaffold because of the safety issues. In addition, in many situations it is hard to move during new construction because the floors often have materials on them and it is difficult to pick up to lift it over items. It is also difficult to carry up stairs. There are tipping and stability problems that need to be addressed with Baker Scaffold. It is often difficult and dangerous to climb and mount. The lack of handrails also eliminates it from many job sites or workers need to tie-off when working. The wheels do not lock automatically and this also can lead to injuries. As you know one fall can cause substantial damage both to the person and to the companie’s bottom line. Finally, some Baker Scaffold has a life of one year or less if used regularly.
Some better made Baker Scaffold cost $600.00 to $1500.00 in the US. It may last longer than the cheaper models but it has the same safety issues.
SafeTecs’ X-Deck normally attracts the attention of end users that realize that a safe product will in the long run save you money and lower or eliminate injuries. The modular full metal cage handrails add safety and eliminate the need to tie-off. The X-Deck is lightweight and easy to use and operate. It’s has great mobility will improve efficiency. Lastly, our product normally will outlast a Baker Scaffold many times over and so the cost per use is usually less. With safety, efficiency and longevity of the X-Deck it is your best buy.
Thanks,
Chris Seaman
President, SafeTec Industries, Inc.



Copyright ©2008 SafeTec Platforms - X-Deck Pro Portable Work Platform | Lightweight ladder platform scaffold |
Safety Scaffolding Platform. All rights reserved.
HOME / SITEMAP / DISTRIBUTORS