Bro-in-law and I will be EDPM’ing his back 2-story porch roof (before it gets cold). This porch roof is maybe 1 in 12. For some reason the previous owner put shingles on this porch roof. So off with the shingles and on with the EPDM. The edges do have a bit of a slope to them though, and there isn’t a gutter on it. So nothing to grab on to if you lean out too far.
I was just wondering if anyone had recomendations for safety harness? I could do a Yahoo search for it, but that isn’t going to tell me if it really works. Thanks.
Edited 9/24/2004 12:20 pm ET by JohnT8
Replies
a parachute.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
At about 20 feet, I wouldn't have enough time to process and make use of a parachute before the ground broke my fall.
The process:
Whoooaaaa, oh sh#t, oh wait a minute, don't I have a ..THUMP!jt8
I use a rocket pack, automatically activated by a rapid altitude change sensor. If the house ever betrays me and allows me to fall, the flame will punish the frame as I am whisked away to safety. I have the Stiletto Titanium version, which weighs not much more than an Estwing Framer. LOLLes Barrett Quality Construction
I have the Stiletto Titanium version.
Oh yeah. Well I have the Stilleto Titanium Turbo.
I invented roofing rocket packs.
Have you seen the new Improved Stiletto Titanium Turbo?
IanDG
If you are going the alternate route what about a big inflated jump bag like they use for stunts and rescue work.
reminds me of an episode on " Reno 911" a comedy central show, that is outright hilarious..the cops put a trampoline out for a fire jumper...launched him right over a truck...ya hadda be there..
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
I invented Reno 911.
LMAO...we still on for tues?
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
What is "yes"?
I invented Jeopardy.
I was thinking along the lines of something more sleek than a big rubber pillow, such as the new running shoes with springs in them, or perhaps that two-wheeled vehicle that seems to keep balance under all conditions. I forget what they call it.Les Barrett Quality Construction
it's a Segway...and if the batteries die, they will and do fall over..Lex KY police are returning thiers.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
I happened upon the aftermath of a collision between a cop on a segway and a bicycalist. It appeared the cycalist was getting a citation.
I invented the gyroscope.
Hi,
I use my rock-climbing gear because I: 1) already have it and 2) am very familiar with it. I also use an "ATC" device to keep the uphill rope as short as possible (take up the slack). This way if I go over there's less of a yank on me and the anchor.
You can get them at EMS or get a building harness at any large hardware store.
Have Fun!
Not trying to nitpick here, but for fall arrest on a jobsite, a full harness is required (if you want to follow OSHA guidelines).
I, too, use my climbing gear on occasion, but a butt harness used for fall arrest, even with a roofer's shock cord, has resulted in back injuries.
Now having said that, I prefer climbing gear, and if it's not a W/C covered jobsite, it's probably as safe as anything else, comfy to use, and certainly better than nothing.
Hi Notchman,
You bring up a good point - thanks for posting it here. This is the reason I use my ATC to keep the slack to a minimum (preferably zero). Sure, it's a pain constantly readjusting but worth it if I fall.
Nevertheless - I'll take your suggstion and get a roofers shock cord for those times I use a static line (as opposed to dynamic).
Regards.
Pardon my ignorance....
what's the difference between a static line and a dynamic line?
Static line doesn't stretch, a dynamic line will stretch 8-10% when loaded. Full body safety harnesses attach at the back, so when a person hits the end of the line, they fold over forwards to absorb the shock. Rock climbers use a dynamic line to lessen the shock on the harness and climber. These attach in front at the waist. In rock climbing, one tends to set anchor points along the length of the rope. In many cases, while a climbers fall may only be 20 ft, they may be tied into a line with the belay anchor over 100 ft away, so with a 10% stretch, their 20 ft fall will have an additional 10 ft of rope stretch to soften the stop. Now if you use a rock harness that attaches in front with a static line, the shock of stopping will make the person fold over backwards, the old snappo backo. Alpine climbers will often use a modified climbing harness. We take a nylon sling, fold it into a figure 8, and then put our arms though the two openings and connect them with a carabiner. The rope from the waist harness is then brought up through this carabiner. This way, if you fall into a crevasse with a heavy pack on, the upper body doesn't snap off from the pack weight.
Hey that's pretty interestings stuff... climbing like that sounds a blast and must be a nice adreneline rush, huh? Thanks for the help.
I was at a safety class where the instructor said that the reason waist belts were outlawed in construction was because the average life expectancy of a man who has fell in one is twenty minutes, given the odds of hanging himself, breaking his back, causing internal bleeding etc.
My impression was that this ex pert kind of thought that he wopuld rather fall two stories with no rope than to fall into a waist belt only.
So I hung up my belt and went out and bought a couple harnesses
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Probably to the good.
Last big job I was on, the curtain wall sub had a safety auditor come out every three weeks to check on them. He was always chiding them on lettig nthe attachment point slide down. Seems he wants/you want the attachement point about shoulder blade high to prevent inversion durign the fall. Which will only work if you keep the fall protection lead slung over your shoulder. Which increases the risk it gets snagged.
Oh well, such is life. Saw some hombres on red iron the other day. Brilliant, brand new harnesses--so new you could spot them from the road. Had the fall arrest on too, clipped right to the harness from the harness. Which was a little funny, as red iron work is generally exempted from fall arrest, due to the lack of points to safely tie off to.Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
I wouldn't recommend rock gear to people unless they are familiar with rock gear. Too big a chance of someone mixing a waist harness with a static line, and snappo goes the backo. But for those familiar with rock gear it works well, especially the "I already have it" part. I did my garage roof using 2 or 3 slings off a large tree branch and set my length to put me about 4 ft off the ground. The tree branch was a great dynamic component, and I didn't have to worry about getting tar on the ropes. A couple years ago when I was working on the second floor soffits I also put in some large eye bolts that I could clip into whenever I was up there on the ladder. I just wish either of my chimneys was taller than the ridge. Something about having ones anchor pulled up and over the top makes me reluctant to use them. ;-)
Just want to share with all about tieing off to a tree limb, I wouldn't trust anchoring to a tree limb. When I was a teenager I was playing Tarzan one day in a weeping willow tree. really fun taking a dive from one limb to another. I made aim for a limb about 8 or 9 inches in diameter, got a good grip on it and the limb parted at the trunk. Me and about 500 pounds of limb kept going down, down, down. I lay on the ground stunned for a while and got up unhurt. I should have been killed by the heavy limb. I haven't played Tarzen in a tree since. Moral of the story, a tree can have hidden defects withen it structure and may be standing or holding itself up at the verge of breaking or falling over.
Nothing like trusting and using an OSHA approved apparatus designed for the job.
Stay safe,
Virginbuild
You are right to be concerned on this one, no matter how high. I SAW the same guy slide off three different roofs nearly flat while installing EPDM. In each case, he stepped in the glue, which is pretty greasy when wet.
I don't know brand names. I just go to the yard and get what they have.
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
Qualcraft makes a good harness, OSHA approved. They sell the harness's as well as other Qualcraft products at HD, amoung other places.
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Antique & Victorian Home Restoration Services
http://www.renaissancerestorations.com
Something to google on might be "arborist gear"
Got a tour of the Samson rope plant on Monday. They build a lot of different ropes for the tree surgeons (arborists) and I got their arborist rope catalog plus another full of gear. Very interesting.
They do a lot more rigging work while sitting in harnesses than most climbers.
@@
What I wonder is why Oxy Leather doesn't do a set of bags mounted on a fall harness.
John:
I recently purchased two harness/fall arresters for a roof and siding project that I have going on. Bought them online:
http://www.bigrocksupply.com/cgi-bin/webc.cgi/st_main.html?p_catid=221
They sell you the entire kit for $130. I purchaed the roofready kit and used it for the first time this past weekend. I was surprised how easy it is to use, and how much easier it is to work when you know that you wont fall to your death. IMO - anyone who is workign on a roof or pumpjacks should get one. I cant think of any job that is worth falling for.
Frank