RescueTripods Instead of Ladders
Arescue tripod is a great tool for helping perform successful confinedspace rescues. They allow for easy and controlled extraction of avictim from a confined space area, in a package that's lightweight,portable, an extremely easy to use. But rescue tripods have amultitude of other uses as well. For example, they are very usefulfor municipal and industrial company workers frequently working insewers and manholes.
Inmost modern cities manholes and sewers are built with ladder systemsthat allow workers to climb down into the space underneath. Yet thesespaces just under the street tend to be very damp, which meanscondensation can form on the ladders and make them inherently unsafe.Rather than use the ladders many companies are turning to rescuetripods to lower and raise workers' without the use of the laddersystem.
ControlledDescent and Ascent
Witha rescue tripod a sewer worker can control his descent into the spacebelow without risking injury. This can be accomplished with the helpof another worker who stays above, or with a remote control unit thatoperates the winch. For safety purposes it's always useful to have apartner on the job site at all times. But it's not completelynecessary. As long as the tripod is properly set up and a balanced,it is a fairly safe way to enter and leave confined spaces.
Andas an added bonus using rescue tripods instead of ladders greatlyreduces the chance of on-site accidents resulting in injuries. Thisreduces the number of medical insurance claims, temporary orpermanent disabilities, and lost work and wages. When workers arekept safer, everyone wins.
Workershave also found that using rescue tripods to lower and raiseequipment is much safer than trying to carry it up and down ladders.Using a tripod reduces the risk of falls, back injuries, and damageresulting from dropped tools. By simply placing tools in a bucketworkers can lower them into the space safely and bring them back outagain. Just in tool protection alone a tripod can pay for itself.
Portabilityis a Bonus
Forindustrial uses such as a sewer work, the portability of the tripodis indispensable. Where most rescue davits require a foot plate and apost to be used effectively, the tripod is a single, self-containedunit. It is made of lightweight but strong aluminium which canwithstand thousands of pounds of pull force. When workers need toutilize the tripod, it easily comes off the truck and sets up veryquickly. At the end of the job it is again collapsed and stored inthe truck without taking up much space.
Arescue davits system certainly has its place in a permanent location,or a remote location where using a tripod is not appropriate. Butwhere workers can effectively utilize the rescue tripod, it has a lotof benefits that make it favourable. It's safer than using ladders,it's easier for moving tools, and it's portable and lightweight.