In light of the recent horror stories of good guys falling from roofs, having 2 little ones a wife etc and a scare today I decided to invest in a fall arrest system while on roofs. Is there any recommendations?
Thanks
Don’t skimp. If they guy is trying to sell you it, buy it.* It’s either buy the system or not clean gutters at all (extreme, I know). Three pieces: Rope with dual locking clamp, 3-point harness with easy-release clips, and that safety rope/clip that connects the two.
I had a repeat customer today. I don’t know what I was thinking before when I didn’t have it last time!
*varies by location.
on residential you mean? there is nothing secure to tie off to realistically
Would You use the chimney? I have no real idea, but there has to be a safer way…
I remember Dange talking about a roof anchor that was essentially a long spike with a big loop on the end of it you would attach your safety line to. The other end went into the stink pipe coming out of the roof. If I was a tech-savy individual I’d pull up the thread and put up a link or something, but I’m just a window cleaner. Maybe he’ll comment on this.
I use 200 lbs of counter weights on the ground of one side of the house. Throw two ropes over the roof & tie it to the weights. One rope for your rack & the other for your safety grab. For big guys, use another 100 lbs.
There is really nothing on a residential roof safe to tie off to. Especially pvc stink pipes!!! Anchor points must be installed or on the ground. Another [problem is that it usually takes 5-8 feet for everything to tighten up. No problem in a Bosen Chair on a hi rise job, but can be lethal on a roof if your on the first story near the edge. One thing that can help are studded roof shoes. Got to go to work, will post more later. Check this out http://www.osha.gov/doc/guidance.pdf
tell us about the scare? gutters, windows, other? Ladder, getting back on ladder, slip on roof?
AC has Somthing he uses. I think he sales it on his website.
That system is the scariest thing ever. I wouldn’t use that if he sent me 50 of them for free.
I couldn’t agree with this more.
Chimney is about it
those nail down roof peak ones aren’t going to help on concrete roof tiles either
Brian, I have looked into this extensively and there are no clear answers out there for quick up and downs for a couple windows. If gutters, that’s another story.
I like the counter anchor set up, but that is a real problem with 5-8 feet tighten up thing.
I gotta say Bruce… that scares me to…
And Ill say Im not a complete safety nut. I live a pretty lose free wheeling lifestyle. But screwing around up on roofs just isnt worth it.
What made me most leery in the infamous ‘stink pipe video’ was the fact the rope was run over the rooftop and downwards to the pipe.
Meaning, the rope was angled up and away/outward from the pipe itself.
I’m no prude, and I’ve definitely done things in the past that would be on some of today’s “do NOT do” lists.
(never stupid sh*t like tying off to bricks, etc…but still sketchy none the less)
- in my experience, [B]your worst enemy is a false sense of security.[/B]
I had my 24 foot ladder fully extended as I stepped off onto a flat part of the roof it started sliding to the side, so got off and thought well not going down that thing. It was a shingle rwat not tile which made it a little easier as anyone who knows tile roofs are slick. Once I was up there it a truth that always seems to happen “wow this roof is steeper than I thought” . So it just made think their has to be an easier way and a
saferway
We use this for rescue scenes…I’m sure a smaller scale would work… There is also tools to remove the stakes too.
Sent from the truck, lake, game, movie or job site
I can’t seem to find it but someone posted a vid with this german dude (I think) that pulled up one of the vents and tied off to the attic rafters. It wouldn’t always work I’m sure but it was secure. He pryed up the nails, pulled off the vent, and looped his rope through the rafter. When he was done he just tapped the nails back in. Anyone remember that vid?
LMAO!!! Really?
Ok here is what I just brain stormed…
Take one 50 - 60 gal water tank
Take one real cargo net (not a truck cargo net made of string)
Place cargo net on ground
Place tank onto the net
Fill tank with 400 plus lbs of water
Tie your rope off to the cargo net that is wrapping the water tank.
Or a tree??
