Hytopz is Closing after 35 Years!

 

After 35 Years

Hytopz is Closing Their Doors

 

We would like to thank all of our customers for their support through the years!

 

As of August 20th, we are no longer renting our equipment, and are now in the process of selling our showroom & warehouse inventory of ladders, safety equipment, scaffold, rope etc. at reduced prices through September 24th.

Final Auction

Thursday October 17, 2013
10:00am

Where

Hytopz
7207 E Broadway Avenue
Spokane Valley, WA 99212

 

Preview Equipment 8-4 Wednesday, October 16th

For More Information Go To Hytopz.com

Donning a Full Body Harness

As long as I have been teaching Aerial Work Platform training I almost always have to spend time with some of my students to help them properly fit or "Don" a full body harness.

There are lots of manufactures that have lots of different types of harnesses on the market and I always suggest that you contact the company that made the harness you are using and follow their instructions.

With that said, I will explain the basic steps with "Donning" any full body harness.

Donning the Harness

Before you begin, your first priority is to inspect the harness.

1. Lift the harness with the dorsal (back) D-ring where you will attach your lanyard.  Give the harness a shake to ensure the straps fall into place without tangling.
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2. Unfasten all the buckles.
   (If you are unfamiliar with a type of buckle contact the manufacturer)
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3. Slip the harness over your arms and onto your shoulders.  Make certain the straps are not tangled and hang freely and the dorsal D-ring is between your shoulder blades on your back.
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4. Reach between your legs and grab either the left or right leg strap and connect it to the corresponding buckle then repeat the procedure with the other leg.  Make sure you do not twist the webbing.  Tension the leg straps so they fit snug but will not constrict your range of motion.
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5. Attach the chest strap buckle and adjust it so that it is approximately 6-inches below the top of your shoulders and snug.
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6. Now take a few steps and make any adjustments to the harness so that it is still snug but not constricting your range of motion.Tuck away any excess strapping by passing it through the loop keepers on each strap.

Removing the Harness

1. You want to unbuckle the leg straps first while leaving the chest strap for last.  After you unbuckle the chest strap, slide the harness off your shoulders.
2. Re-buckle all the buckles to keep them from tangling the harness when you store it.

Store the harness in a cool, dry and clean place out of direct sunlight.  Avoid areas where heat, moisture, light, oil and chemicals or their vapors my be present.

 Hytopz carries a full line of safety equipment.

Scaffolding

Scaffolding seems to be one of the most versatile and inexpensive ways to access job locations that are difficult to get to because of obstructions.  Most of the time it is simple to design and erect but when you have odd or unusual circumstances you can always use the experience and expertise of your local scaffold supplier.  (Spokane, WA - Hytopz)

With the infinite number of situations where scaffolding can be used it can be intimidating to understand the easiest and most productive type of scaffolding to use.  Here is a list of some of the most common types of scaffolding available for sale or rent.

• Steel Frame Scaffold
• Aluminum Frame Scaffold
• System Scaffold
• Pump Jack Scaffold (Aluminum or Wood)
• Tube & Clamp Scaffold
• Shoring Frames
• Multipurpose & Mobile Work Platforms
• Swing Stage Scaffold
• Bridge Scaffold
• Wall Scaffold
• Ladder Jack Scaffold
• Planks; Stages

Just about every sub-contractor has or will use scaffolding in their career.  It is very safe to use as long as you have a qualified and competent person involved with the erection and day to day safety checks. 

Always check the "Code of Safe Practices" for whatever type of scaffolding you may be using.

Training Aerial Work Platform (AWP) Operators

I think everyone would agree that aerial work platforms are the safest way to get personnel up to a work area above 10 feet.  That statement also assumes that the person operating the AWP is properly trained.

The interesting thing about Boom Lifts, Scissor Lifts and other AWP from all other equipment you might encounter on a construction site is that the operators of this equipment are there to perform some other job.  They are electrical workers, welders, painters, plumbers, carpenters, insulators and almost any job that it takes to construct or remodel a building.  They use AWP to access an area where they can do their jobs.  Running or operating the equipment to get them there is secondary.

Other equipment like a crane, telehandler, backhoe or excavator usually have an operator that is assigned the job to run that equipment.  They are using the equipment to perform their job.  To accomplish a specific task.

AWP operators are only using it to access the area so they can perform the specific task they were assigned.  They might only use this equipment infrequently and therefore not spend a lot of time operating it.  The less time spent operating the equipment the longer it takes to be proficient running it.

Taking the time to go through a AWP training class not only speeds up the time to get proficient it also exposes the operator to the standards and regulations they are required to know.

One interesting statistic about AWP is that only 1 percent of all the accidents involve aerial work platforms but they account for up to 8 percent of the claims.