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COATESVILLE, Pa. & PITTSBURGH–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Ballymore Company, a designer and manufacturer of safety-centric equipment for use by retailers, OEMs, and distribution customers, today announced that it has acquired Tri-Arc Manufacturing Company, a manufacturer of rolling safety ladders and work platforms.

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At Tri-Arc, we utilize both steel and aluminum to construct our USA-made ladders. To suit your solution will depend on your specific needs. This includes jobsite set-up, the overall work environment, budget and more. We will gladly assist and determine what option will work best.

Both aluminum and steel metals have advantages and disadvantages over the other. The right choice for you will depend on what you are looking to achieve.

Steel Strong

The common go-to option when building safety platforms and systems used across various industries is steel. This is due to its extreme toughness. It is difficult to bend and ideal for heavy-duty operations that require products to withstand repeated use and consistent wear/tear.

Over time, galvanized steel holds up better than other materials which makes it a commonly used material among Tri-Arc products. Although aluminum has similar durability in let’s say a walking environment (i.e. rolling ladders), steel is what is needed to accommodate heavy product weight (i.e. piping systems, gangways).

Some pros & cons of steel are as follows:

Pros:
● Strength
● Durability
● Heavy duty; weights more than twice as aluminum

Cons:
● Weight of steel makes it difficult to move around
● If painted, requires additional maintenance
● More prone to rust & corrosion over time

Low Cost, Less Heavy Alternative

Aluminum-made products are easy to install and re-position for various uses around your work site. Additionally, it allows for easier shipping to you – deducing less transit time and costs.

Aluminum is far more flexible than steel; meaning Tri-Arc can design more intricate and complex features to suit your needs and specifications. With these modifications, aluminum still has a similar strength to steel. It is unable to hold as much weight, but for most let’s say platform type of environments, it works very well.

Some pros & cons of aluminum are as follows:

Pros:
● Lightweight; no additional maintenance required
● Strength is comparable to steel
● Corrosion-resistant; will not rust overtime & can withstand all types of weather

Cons:
● Not compatible with all chemicals; if exposed, there is a greater potential of corrosion
● Unable to hold as much weight as steel

Tri-Arc recommends aluminum specifically for our work platforms.

Just say NO

We warned you.

Two materials that you may encounter are wood and fiberglass. For industrial, safe access products, these two materials are far from safe.

Once upon a time, the only benefit of wood was its low cost. Obviously, that has changed some in the past year and a half. But….. it is far less durable than aluminum or steel. It also requires constant maintenance and most importantly, does NOT meet OSHA compliance.

Similarly, though fiberglass is resistant to chemicals and can be used in harsh weather-related conditions, it is less sturdy compared to aluminum and steel. Fiberglass product selection is also limited, as very few fabrications shops are qualified to offer. This means costs can quickly surge.

In closing, both aluminum and steel have superior qualities, including strength, weight capacity and many years of guaranteed satisfaction and service. Tri-Arc uses the highest-grade steel and aluminum available when manufacturing every one of our USA-made products. This allows you, our valued customer, to walk away satisfied and with a product that saves significant time and resources.

#laddersafety #usamade #proudtobeusamade

1. We recommend that your safety incentive program should be behavior-based vs. injury-rate-based. This means you, as the employer, should consider providing incentives to workers practicing safe operating procedures and practices. Typically, this is based solely on number of accidents.
2. Reporting hazardous behavior and situations upfront should be a point of focus. This will prevent any future accidents and injuries.
3. Ensure you praise and recognize employees in a timely manner, and in front of others to acknowledge their safe behavior. This encourages others to act in the same manner.
4. Reward employees for safety-related activities. This includes providing safety suggestions to daily operating procedures, guiding a co-worker or new hire to perform a task safely or identifying a safety hazard.
5. Ensure your safety program is clear – outlining how you want your employees to conduct themselves and perform the key elements of their job positions.
6. It is vital to incentivize all employees equally. On the flip side, if you observe someone not following a company safety procedure, discipline would be warranted. Management/supervisors should be engaged and always actively observing.
7. Allow your employees to set safety goals for themselves. Or highly encourage it. This will motivate them to ensure their own commitment to safety while working towards achieving the goals.

Safety is and remains top priority for Tri-Arc employees. Adopting a safety incentive program within your company will encourage safe practices, help minimize incidents and at the same time, prevent OSHA violations. #safetyfirst #laddersafety #usamade #proudtobeusamadex

If there is one essential tool that workers performing atop a roof (let’s say) shouldn’t do without, it is a Fixed Ladder. Designed to access places that are otherwise impractical or dangerous to climb, Tri-Arc Fixed Ladders provide ease of access and most importantly, safety.

What exactly is a Tri-Arc Fixed Ladder?

It is a permanent structure. Most commercial buildings have them and many building codes require them. Despite these facts, Tri-Arc Fixed Ladders are often built as an afterthought, presumably because builders assume they are not much use once the building is completed. Nonetheless, as mentioned earlier, Tri-Arc Fixed Ladders are essential to rooftop safety. Reference OSHA regulations (1926.1053).

A Tri-Arc Fixed Ladder may also include a cage or well. A cage is a series of bars that encircle the ladder, while a well is a walled circular structure surrounding the ladder. Both serve as extra protection for the climber while the ladder is in use.  #laddersafety #usamade #proudtobeusamade

Employee safety should be a top priority in any organization, as it is at Tri-Arc. It is imperative that you, as the employer, effectively communicate safety standards to every employee. 

Consider the following tips that we, at Tri-Arc, emphasize within the company workplace: 

1. Send an E-mail or Newsletter – If either of these are not an option for your employees,  consider including safety-related information in with a pay stub. 
2. Post Signage Throughout the Workplace – This includes breakrooms, where employees punch in/out for the day, as well as high traffic areas. Be creative with your messaging in doing so. This will grab their attention.
3. Post Photos of Safe vs. Unsafe Actions – Make this clear in demonstrating safe vs. unsafe actions at working stations and throughout the workplace.
4. Host Regular Meetings – This ensures that everyone is on the same page; mandatory for all employees.
5. Appropriate Training – During new hire training or training on a new item or job responsibility, it is important to re-emphasize safety protocols. 
6. Routine Safety Checks – Supervisors should be walking around the premises on a regular basis to do random safety checks. This will make it more likely to spot unprotected safety hazards that need to be corrected.
7. Share Incident Reports – It is important that employees understand that 1.) accidents CAN happen to you and 2.) how important it is to keep safety top of mind among yourself and your fellow co-workers. 

These tips are easy to follow and while it may take some time for everyone to learn and adapt to the safety rules/regulations, putting some of these ideas into practice, like Tri-Arc did, will help to create a safer work environment for all.

Is your company doing enough to avoid the most common OSHA citations?

1. Are you and your employees following all labels and markings on the ladders being used in the workplace?

2. Are you and your employees inspecting each ladder before use?

3. Can your current ladders support the necessary weight while being used?

4. Are your ladders free of dampness and completely dry while in use?

5. Are your ladders completely secured before use?

6. Are all workers properly trained on ladder safety rules and regulations?

For further information on ALL OSHA rules and regulations, reference:  https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/osha3124.pdf

There are many benefits of a Tri-Arc work platform, with safety being top of mind.

Tri-Arc work platforms are a perfect solution for those that need to regularly access a location above ground. For example, a typical likely response would be to grab a nearby chair or table for convenience. In doing so, you run the risk of these items tipping or causing a very serious injury. If a dedicated Tri-Arc work platform is in place, it is unlikely that this will result in an injury; rather a stable, convenient safe access solution.

Tri-Arc work platforms are manufactured to OSHA industry standards; meaning they are easy to use and include required, built-in safety features. Depending on the model you choose, Tri-Arc platforms an accommodate any work condition safely and productively. #laddersafety #usamade #proudtobeusamade

Tread lightly….to ensure you are making the right decision for your climbing & access needs.

Perforated

• Hole pattern & solid step
• Upward facing holes for traction & downward facing slots for drainage
• Provides excellent slip-resistance, self-cleaning & durability
• Suitable for most routine environments

Grip Strut 

• Most aggressive slip-resistance & self-cleaning properties
• Suitable for environments where slippery conditions exist due to being wet, greasy, oily, muddy or icy

Ribbed

• Ribbed grooves providing a high level of slip-resistance
• Solid aluminum treads with raised horizontal ribs for some traction
• Only to be considered where there are no chances of slippery or hazardous conditions

Tri-Arc‘s #MadeinAmerica product lines, devoted to enhancing #workplacesafety at height, reflect our #sustainability values — and that kind of thinking makes us more resilient in the long run. Protecting workers is crucial to good long-term business management. For Tri-Arc, the sustainability movement offers an opportunity to connect safety and health to other areas of our company, aligning all-important safety goals with the broader business.” #safety #safetyculture #laddersafety #usamade #proudtobeusamade

Tri-Arc, LLC is announcing a temporary material substitution to its Versa-Step aluminum work platform. Click Versa-Step Tread Announcement Press Release to read further.