Safe Practices for Service Pits
July 2021
Facility operators of repair, maintenance, and tune-up centers may believe that service pit hazards are simply part of the job. Why should there be safety upgrades if nothing has gone wrong in recent memory? This type of mindset can lead to potential disaster if not addressed.
Even with continual safety awareness and training, DIY safety measures and outdated devices are often ineffective or non-compliant pit fall protection. These situations can elicit fines from OSHA or cause serious injury to personnel.
Loose board covers, bent and missing metal covers, nets with large holes, yellow tape, cones, and caution signs are not enough to prevent serious accidents. Facility operators must be proactive in preventing costly service pit accidents.
Addressing Service Pit Safety Hazards
Some facilities install metal or fiberglass grates to create a surface suitable for walking and keep cars from accidentally entering the pit. Traditional metal grate systems are expensive, sectioned into heavy pieces, and require precise installation and alignment. Bulky metal grates can also pose hazards to personnel when being moved or installed. Even after proper installation, metal grates can quickly become slippery and dangerous.
Web net systems come with their own set of complexities. Webbing is neither a safe walk-on system (due to its propensity as a tripping hazard) nor a safe fall protection system (due to its limited deflection). Webbed nets also tend to use a track system. With various moving parts like wheels and slots, a tracked system can easily jam, requiring continual maintenance and downtime for mechanics.
Be cautious, too, of off-the-shelf or inexpensive nets. Nylon netting may have too much stretch and can potentially hit bottom before fully absorbing an impact. A net without a sewn border will not last in a busy service environment. These options often end up a tangled mess and a hazard, themselves, rather than an effective and safe barrier.
Finding a Simple, More Effective Safety Solution
The simplest, most effective, and most economical solution is a safety net system using industrial hardware that slides easily along cables installed on opposite sides of the pit. This kind of framework gives the system strength. The installed safety net must also endure consistent wear and tear and be capable of withstanding an impact with minimal deflection.
In addition to correct netting choice, hardware must be rated to at least twice the working load of the system to be effective. Proper netting combined with industrial-grade cable and anchoring hardware is essential for distributing weight evenly in the event of a fall.
BayNets™ – The Service Pit Safety Solution
The BayNets Safety System from InCord is a tested and proven solution that adds an enhanced level of security to any vehicle service facility.
This load-bearing system employs knotless high tenacity polypropylene netting, which has appropriate deflection and provides safe impact absorption.
High strength hardware easily slides on two parallel, aircraft-grade guide cables to open and close from either end. This feature allows for quick, reliable access to the maintenance pit and underside of the vehicle without a struggle.
In addition to automotive and truck maintenance pit systems, BayNets for bus and rail service centers are custom-designed for extra width and length. These specially crafted systems can accommodate partitions, crossover areas, and multiple bay access points.
BayNets Systems also meet requirements to protect employees from falls within walking and work service areas according to OSHA 1910.22(c) and General Duty Clause Section 5(a)(1) for an employee safe working environment.
The Benefits of BayNets:
- Installed BayNets Safety Systems have a tensile strength of over 3 tons.
- Detailed instructions and simple components allow for easy set-up in about an hour.
- No-snag retractable netting easily glides open and closed from either end of the bay.
- Unlike cumbersome metal grating, InCord netting provides more airflow and leaves views into the pit unobstructed.
- Netting is quickly repaired or replaced, which means less downtime for your service center.
- BayNets are OSHA Compliant and designed to meet or exceed industry standards.
For over 25 years, BayNets has been a trusted safety system. Well-known industry leaders like Jiffy Lube, Penske Truck, NY City Transit, and Amtrak have consistently chosen InCord BayNets to protect their facilities from costly fines and their personnel from serious injury. American-made products with fast turnaround make BayNets the ultimate choice for service pit fall protection.
If you are interested in learning about how BayNets can benefit your service center, visit incord.com/baynets or call Joe Menhart directly at 860-531-1046.
BayNets is an InCord Safety Netting Solution
860.537.1414 or email baynets@incord.com
A leader today and tomorrow.
In 2020, InCord was recognized by its employees and was awarded the Top Workplace by the Hartford Courant for the 10th consecutive year.
InCord provides custom netting solutions for Material Handling, Construction, Amusement, Sports, Theatre, Service Pits (BayNets™), Specialty, and Environmental/Ecological Restoration markets. InCord’s custom solutions meet or exceed applicable safety standards due to consistent research, testing and direct involvement with renowned safety organizations, such as ANSI, OSHA, and ASTM. InCord also offers in-house design, installation and extraordinary customer service for a complete, turn-key experience. Green Bureau Certified Platinum
