Wooden attic joists pose a safety threat for anyone working in the overhead space. In response, William Frick—a leading producer of custom identification products like tags, signs and utility markers—expanded its line of safety offerings to include the JoistMate™ attic safety platform.
The JoistMate secures between 16-inch oc (on center) or 24-inch oc joist spacings to form a solid platform for workers to traverse attic joists safely.
“Frick developed the JoistMate for a national broadband company that sends workers into the attic every day,” said Evie Bennett, William Frick vice president of sales and marketing. “The company told us their technicians love it as it provides a stable, nonslip platform. Plus, after hearing about technicians falling through the attic into the kitchen or baby nursery below, having something that significantly reduces that risk is definitely appreciated.”
Made of non-conductive, extruded high-density polyethylene (HDPE), the impact-resistant JoistMate withstands the temperature extremes of winter and summer. It measures 21 x 26 inches and supports up to 700 pounds, yet weighs just 10 pounds. High-visibility and high-friction striping ensures the technician can readily see the boundaries of the platform even in low-light conditions. A shoulder strap is included. The JoistMate is sold in sets of two.
NIOSH Notes On-the-job Falls are a Serious Hazard
According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), occupational fatalities caused by falls from elevated levels are a serious work hazard. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries data indicate “falls are one of the leading causes of traumatic injury or death in the workplace, accounting for 13.7% of such deaths (808 of 5,900) in 2001. During that year, 23 workers died in falls through skylights, 11 died in falls through existing roof openings, and 24 died in falls through existing floor openings.”
Bennett noted, “Falls are a bigger problem than the public realizes. With worker safety a top priority, Frick developed the JoistMate to prevent falls.”
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