Timber Framers Guild Forums Tools Tool Forum Safety Rigging

Hopefully we are all getting better using safety rigging to work at heights, if you are not please do so. Cinching a ridge static line is pretty easy to raise and tune frame. I'm looking for advice on how to keep or adjust that ridge static line thru the decking and SIP install. I envision some kind of plate with loop to hook to, but what is plate solid to? We need to return to Gargoyles on the points that serve as line anchors - they actually stay there throughout construction. Any ideas?

I have used disposable roof anchors with wire rope loops attached similar to this,

http://www.guardianfall.com/anchor_snappy.cfm

The anchor is nailed or screwed to framing either ridge or rafters and remains through the construction and becomes part of the building. Decking and panels can be applied over the brackets, the wire rope loop must be long enough to come through the surface of the panels. Use a carbiner to attach lifeline to bracket or loop.

This type anchor bracket is for a single a lifeline and worker but it is inexpensive, $4 to $5 each, and multiple hitch points can be placed along the roof.

Products such as this,
http://www.guardianfall.com/anchor_skyhook.cfm
are better adapted for existing buildings but are closer to your described need. Requires a minimum .75" plywood deck to secure and must be fabricated to the roof slope.

Thanks Roger, those look good - I'll try 'em.

Another safety thing has come up. Lots of harnesses don't have an attachment point in front at waist or chest. To use work positioning setup I end up using a short strap or specially tied rope to set hook in front. It's ugly and not premium for sure. Any problem with that?

Anyone curious about work positioning and safety rigging should call Karst Sports in WV and get a copy of the latest Petzl catalog - great stuff. (Avail elsewhere I'm sure.)

Perhaps the safety forum will draw in a maven.

My harness and lanyard gear is made by Sala and purchased through Fastenal. The Sala website has a dizzying array of industrial safety gear, I am certain that you could find something for any builders need.
http://www.dbisala.com/us/products/catalog_list.asp?catalog_id=1
Gear can be seperated into two basic categories, fall arrest and fall restraint, with work positioning as an option to either group.. Belts and saddles are fall restraint gear meant to keep the worker on a short tether and on the building. Typically, with fall restraint while working on a roof deck, one would slide until the slack comes out before going over the edge. A Fall arrest system will catch a person in free fall, absorb the shock and keep the worker upright while suspended. Fall arrest requires a full body harness, to prevent back and organ damage that a belt could cause.

A full harness with positioning has a waist belt with side loops. the posiitioning lanyard typicaly attaches at two points to the belt, it is in the form of a Y. Obviously, the upper front or upper back ring on the harness is for fall arrest and must be used for the harness to be safe for fall arrest function.

Got to go, take care.