Custom Safe Access & Fall Protection for Railcar Applications

Sheffield Village, OH – February 2020 — Benko Products, Inc. – a manufacturer and innovator in truck and railcar loading safety equipment - custom-designed a foundationless railcar platform to fill a customer’s specifications.

A recent client reached out to Benko Products requesting help with a railcar loading process. The current application had operators climbing the side of liquid railcars while carrying tools needed to open the manways. These liquid railcars remained coupled together, make spotting the railcar difficult for the local railroad. A typical safety cage solution was not ideal for this application due to different sizes and configuration of the crashboxes on top of the railcars. Plus, the spacing between railcars made alignment difficult.

Benko Products’ solution grants operators safe access to the top of a fixed platform. The platform consists of a single pedestal design with a tracking safety bridge. The single pedestal design reduced installation costs for foundations. The tracking safety bridge enables the operator to slide a spring-operated fold-down ramp along the outside edge of a 13’ long platform. This design allowd the operators to position the access equipment in the ideal position to safely access the top of the railcar. Now, the operator can safely carrier the tools needed to open the manway without having to climb the ladder on the side of the railcar. A typical safety cage was not the best option for this application because of the various sizes of the railcars’ crashbox.

Benko Products incorporated a fall restraint system into the supported pedestal platform with an overhead trolley beam. The trolley beam system provides the operator with freedom of movement while on top of the railcar. The trolley beam system is precisely engineered to meet OSHA regulations including the live load requirement of 5000 pounds for tie-off and safety harness attachment points. 

This scenario plays out in many facilities. A Tie-Off System is a better option for some applications. Before you install a fall arrest or fall restraint solution, several factors must be taken into careful consideration. 

  • Fall Clearance – you need some who is trained and qualified to help you. Each system has pros and cons that should be addressed.
  • Secure Tie-Off Points – too many times, we see operators using tie-off points that are not rated for the loads required (5000 lbs.).
  • Chemical being transferred – you do not want to use a fall arrest or fall restraint solution if exposure is hazardous to the operator.

The GREEN Access & Fall Protection product line offers gangways, loading racks, stationary and portable platforms, large tank truck and railcar loading systems, and much more. For more information, contact Benko Products, Inc. at (440) 934-2180 or go to

www.benkoproducts.com.

About GREEN Access & Fall Protection

For over 40 years, GREEN Access & Fall Protection has been the trusted leader in safety equipment, designing and building the most reliable, durable, and affordable access and fall protection equipment for tank trucks and rail cars. The GREEN Access & Fall Protection line includes gangways, loading racks, stationary and portable platforms, large tank truck and rail car loading systems, horizontal lifeline systems and caged ladders. The G-RAFF elevating tank truck platform is also part of the GREEN Access & Fall Protection family of safety solutions. GREEN Access & Fall Protection is manufactured by Benko Products, Inc. in its state-of-the-art facility in Sheffield Village, OH.

Media Contact:
Holly Monchein, Mktg. Dir.
(440) 934-2180 hmonchein@benkoproducts.com

Sales Leads Contact:
Doug Ingram, Sales
(440) 934-2180 or sales@green-mfg.com

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