Bigge sells Standfast’s TRAM

Standfast’s TRAM is a movable total restraint system preventing workers from falling from the top of telescopic and lattice boom cranes, overhead cranes, gantry and tower cranes.

The TRAM design consists of a waist-level handhold that moves along a foot-level rail at along the main boom, and a lanyard connecting the handlebar to the worker’s harness. The system has a fold-down handle that rotates 180°.

This system also has an air-powered assistance arm, controlled by a break in the handle, giving workers a boost during ascent and descent.

OSHA requires fall protection while working on cranes over 6ft high under the Cranes & Derricks in Construction Rule. Included in this rule, it requires fall protection on lattice boom cranes except during assembly/disassembly, in a case in which the threshold is 15ft with the crane’s boom horizontal.

“Crane owners really have to step up their game now,” said Bigge sales manager Brian Noga, tasked with leading the TRAM sales team. “Working practices must change, and so must the equipment. In due course we will see every crane have a TRAM installed, or something like it.”

“What we like about TRAM is that it is based on fall restraint, rather than just a fall arrest system that catches you after you’ve fallen,” Noga said.

“A fall arrest system may stop you hitting the ground but it doesn’t stop you falling. TRAM prevents falls from happening.”

Standfast said the system has been available for some time as an option on Terex’s larger all terrain cranes, and has been installed for numerous hire firms worldwide: such as AmQip, USA; Ainscough Crane Hire, UK; Royal Saan, Netherlands; New Zealand Crane Group; and Suzlon Energy, Boom Logistics and Hanchard Cranes of Australia.

Bigge will install the first TRAM fitted under the partnership on its sister company’s largest crane, a Terex Demag AC 500.