Presignify

Personal fall protection in the construction industry. A brief history.
First we called them sissy belts. Each tool trailer had a couple of safety belts but we used them more often as tools rather than safety devices. Our cowboy attitude discouraged us from ever becoming dependant on them. Any display of fear or hesitation aloft would certainly bring criticism, mistrust, harassment and possibly even termination. After all how could you get anything done?
Prior to the debut of OSHA the cost of construction projects were estimated in terms of dollars and lives. The general rule of thumb was a life for each million dollars. Falls were by far the most common cause of fatal accidents.
During the early seventies the advent of OSHA and the rising cost of litigation caused construction companies to begin changing their attitude about personal fall protection. In the early days of OSHA we were required to wear safety belts but most of us were negligent about properly securing them to avoid falls. Some of us were downright stubborn. A far too familiar sight was a worker lying broken on the ground with the lanyard of his safety belt tied into a knot neatly out of his way. After all how could we get anything done?
While making surprise inspections OSHA began to levy heavy fines on the contractor and employee as well. Agents commonly gathered evidence from offsite positions with the use of telescopic photo lenses. Insurance companies put heavy pressure on their client construction companies. By the end of the seventies most of us were accustomed to using safety belts and were encouraged to use them properly.
The eighties brought about the concept of 100 % tie off. A worker was than required to have two lanyards attached to his safety belt. If used properly the worker would be secured by at least one lanyard 100% of the time. No longer could he walk a beam or even move around freely. Moving from one place to another turned into a monotonous chore of fastening and unfastening the safety lanyards. How could we ever get anything done?
By the nineties the risk management bean counters began to take a closer look at injuries caused by safety belts. The safety belt could most certainly save a life but at the same time could cause serious back injuries. While safety experts instructed us to wear the lanyard in the back to avoid back injury the state of the art belt had “D” rings on each side slightly in front. This design made the belt handy to sit in like a work belt though in most cases it was not approved for that purpose.
The next evolution in personal fall protection was the full body safety harness with a shock resistant lanyard attachment. By the end of the nineties the full body safety harness was in use almost universally around the construction industry. Today if a worker is injured from a fall it can almost certainly be proven that he violated a safety rule.
The harness is a most restrictive and uncomfortable device. About 12 to 15 lbs of weight is added to the already heavy load of equipment and tools. It effectively covers all the pockets. It does not easily fit over or under cold weather gear. In a tight spot it snags on every thing like Velcro. It does not easily accommodate the wearing of a tool belt or a bolt bag. Walking in it creates the look of a duck waddle. To this date no one has ever invented a safe lanyard clasp that can be easily manipulated with one gloved hand.
Uncomfortable and restrictive though it may be we are still getting things done. Only now we are getting things done much safer. Without criticism we can now protect ourselves for a long career and our corporate benefactors are reaping a better bottom line.
Howard Watkins

About the Author

Howard Watkins is a retired Master Electrician and presently the Webmaster and editor of http://brassmein.com A construction industry information Website.

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Everyone seems to love a secret — and when the secret is a nook in your outdoor space, all the better. A nook is defined as a private or secluded quiet inner place. Any outside space, from a balcony to an acre estate can benefit from including a nook. Here are points to consider:

Purpose

It doesn’t make any sense to set up a secluded garden reading bench if you never have the time to pick up a book. But maybe you’d like to spend 15 minutes in the morning over coffee with your partner, or want to have a quiet spot for conversing with a special friend. Or maybe your nook will be an intimate dining space for four. Consider what you really want to do with your outside space and then make your nook available for that. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a space that’s lovely to look at but seldom used.

Mystery

Much of the charm of a nook is the secrecy of the space. To achieve this, hide the furnishings at least partially from view. In a garden you might do this with a fence, the wall of an outbuilding or a hedge. On a porch or balcony, consider using fabric panels or drapes, pots and planters or a decorative screen. Lattice screening is especially appropriate to create a nook area on a deck. If your space is small, consider keeping the height of any dividers under 4 ft. That will allow for a feeling of privacy in the nook, yet not completely cut off the visual flow of the space.

Boundaries

Hiding the furnishings from view may also help with another design principle that should be applied in your nook — defining the boundaries of that space. A nook is often closed in on three sides by walls, plantings, trees, arbors, fences and so on.

You can also define the nook’s space by changing the flooring in that area. This might mean a few flagstones in the grass; a different color of stain (or a painted faux rug) on the deck; or a scatter mat on a protected balcony or porch. Consider, too, the ceiling. A leafy bough overhead, a pergola or a ring of mosquito netting can all serve as a roof for the area.

It’s not necessary to have three walls, and a delineated floor and a roof, but at least some of these elements will help define the nook and create the cozy feel of a hideaway. A well-defined point of entry also adds to the welcoming effect.

Comfort

What furnishings your nook will hold depends on your use for it. But whether it’s a reading chair, a conversation bench or a small dining table, be sure the furniture is comfortable to use. Seating should support you properly and tables should be the proper height for relaxing dining. Side tables for coffee or books should be easily accessible. If you’ll be reading in the evening, you’ll want to consider lighting that is restful to your eyes. And have always have lots of cushions and pillows so you can sink into them!

Finishing Touches

Try to include some greenery in your nook if it isn’t there naturally. It will add color, texture and luxury to the space. If you can, include a favorite piece of whimsy that personalizes your nook. Remember that, although the view looking into your nook is half the fun, the view looking out can add immeasurably to the pleasure of the time you spend there. Keep it in mind when you’re situating your space.

Use these principles and create a secret nook that will give unexpected delight to you and your guests alike.

Debbie Rodgers, the haven maven, owns and operates Paradise Porch, and is dedicated to helping people create outdoor living spaces that nurture and enrich them. Her latest how-to guide “Attracting Butterflies to Your Home and Garden” is now available on her web site. Visit her at www.paradiseporch.com and get a free report on “Eight easy ways to create privacy in your outdoor space”. Mail to debbie@paradiseporch.com

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