Thoughts/Tips on Fall Arrest Systems?

[Kristofor]

Do any of you have fall arrest anchors on your house, or have you used temporary ones for roof work? Any thoughts, tips, gotchas, etc?

I'm going to need to re-roof this summer, and I am considering the DIY approach. I've been a grunt laborer on such an effort ~5-6 times for various friends/relatives, so I'm not too worried about the actual tear-off and installation process. Based on quotes I've received it looks like I can save $3500-5000 if I DIY which seems like a fair trade for a few long days of hard work.

However, those jobs were single story houses, with only moderate slope (which I realize could still be a serious fall, but they don't "feel" intimidating). Excuding a secondary strip of roof over the garage, the "low" portion of my roof is ~22' above the ground, and at the highest point it's north of 35'. The slope is 8/12. This has the wife downright insistent that some sort of safety gear be employed. While I may have scoffed at the idea in my 20's, these days with a couple kids I'm pretty much on the same page.

It looks like a non-pro fall arrest system can be had for $200-300. Does anyone have any experience with such a system? Things to look for or avoid?

[cabinetman]

I re-roofed one of my homes, but the slope wasn't near yours. I would definitely gear up. Your slope is over 30 degrees and that's pretty steep. I've walked on the Daytona 31 degree banking and it's hard to walk, no less do any work.

.

[JSUPreston]

Just remember, it's not the fall that will hurt you. It's that sudden stop at the bottom that gets you every time.

[tommyt654]

Best you check you local building codes as well, Here in Ga OSHA has been citing everyone they can find not using them and literally shutting down large company operations as such. My neighbor told me about an operation just north of us where they came in and folded over 15 aluminum ladders that guys were using leaned up against the wall instead of the A structure and chucked them in a dumpster(he had 7 in his truck out of the dumpster for recycling). Those ladders weren't cheap and then fined the company for not tubing all the electrical drop cords which is now required on commercial jobs, better be sure about what and how your setting it up as I have been advised from here on out roofing and anytype of work over 6 ft will require it and those cost will be passed on to the consumer big time. http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owad...able=STANDARDS

[Daryl]

I think you would be better off using roof jacks. I think working in a harness, trying to maintain a sense of balance and nailing shingles would be quite a chore. Also, in the summer when the shingles are hot, it is pretty easy to tear them up with your feet. If you are still a little nervous, by all means wear a body harness, but you can leave it slack enough to get the work done.

[greenacres2]

I've got this belt, and we have several in tech rescue kit at my fire department:
http://www.thefirestore.com/store/pr...harness_nylon/

My current one is the second one i've owned, the first one is retired--had to be since it was "tested" in real life, but it did its job. Worked very well when i slipped off an icy ladder going up the side of a corn dryer (picture an 80' silo, aging man dangling half-way up at 2 am, whining like a school girl!!). Good belt, tough to beat for the money, and (in my opinion) the NFPA cert is a little tougher than OSHA. Not as tough as CAL-OSHA, but according to them nothing is!!

Good luck with the roof--ladder jacks sound like a necessity just to work, add the harness for safety. Make sure to keep your rope from chafing--short section of fire hose split open is perfect for where the rope goes over the peak or around the chimney. If your FD can't provide, let me know and i'll send you a section. Also, when you get it, work with it a little on a lower structure. Know how it works and it'll help if you need it.

earl

[iceman61]

I do all types of remodeling, including roofing. I can't recommend one company's fall protection over another one because they all appear to be good. Any pitch over 7/12 needs roof jacks. You can put your materials on them as well as use them to keep a good footing. My guys swear by cheap WalMart tennis shoes ( the ones with a flat bottom) for good foot traction. Another thing that is very useful for traction on a roof is the find a couch on the side of the road being thrown away & get the cusions out of them, minus the cover. They also help keep you from scarring the shingles while working on the roof. Also IMHO, on any pitch over a 7/12, use cap staples or cap nails to attach the felt. In untrained hands, normal slap tackers are notorious for not sinking staples in roofing felt making for a fast ride to the ground if that felt breaks loose under your feet. Use every bit of fall protection you can because there are way too may ways to accidentally come off a roof, loose shingle grit, felt breaking loose hoses or tools to trip over. Be safe & stock up on Ibuprofen & Ben Gay, you're gonna need it!

[All Thumbs]

Be safe & stock up on Ibuprofen & Ben Gay, you're gonna need it!

My take on the idea is that the wear and tear on your body, and the risk of injury (you don't have to fall to injure yourself, you could hurt your back or whatever), is that the savings might not be worth it.

Roofers I've known have not been in the best shape. It is very tough work.

[tommyt654]

"Be safe & stock up on Ibuprofen & Ben Gay"
28 ft. fall =









"It is the lesser man that refuse's to listen to the voice of experience"

[chopnhack]

"Be safe & stock up on Ibuprofen & Ben Gay"
28 ft. fall =

I think the woman's expression on the tv explains it all

[tommyt654]

Always liked that photo simply because of that, but on a more serious note,please take care when workin from heights, even tho this was a result of someones else's negligence I would be walking normally had I had on a fall/ arrest system at the time , but I like to post this to remind folks of the dangers of working on ladders or at any height that would allow you to make a substantial fall, believe me 13 months of wearing that device and 4 surgerys to save my ankle convinced me that anytime I see folks on ladders or rooftops to make sure they are doing it properly and safely. Just be careful up there and make sure you have a backup support ,just in case

[JSUPreston]

Always liked that photo simply because of that, but on a more serious note,please take care when workin from heights, even tho this was a result of someones else's negligence I would be walking normally had I had on a fall/ arrest system at the time , but I like to post this to remind folks of the dangers of working on ladders or at any height that would allow you to make a substantial fall, believe me 13 months of wearing that device and 4 surgerys to save my ankle convinced me that anytime I see folks on ladders or rooftops to make sure they are doing it properly and safely. Just be careful up there and make sure you have a backup support ,just in case

Tommy, even though what I commented earlier was in jest, you're pic is a perfect example of the seriousness of this. My wife's grandfather (the one that built the house and shop we are in) died in his 80's after falling off the roof of the shop. It couldn't have been more than 8 to 9 feet, but at his age, it was enough. To the OP, any safety precautions you can take are a good idea...and I would make sure to have my cell phone on me at all times, as well as a buddy or SWMBO with me in case something did happen.

[tommyt654]

Agreed, Please at all cost everyone be safe when working from heights even a 6 ft fall can kill you if you land the wrong way

[woodturner]

Agreed, Please at all cost everyone be safe when working from heights even a 6 ft fall can kill you if you land the wrong way

One of my students is a parapalegic as a result of a 2 foot (yes, two foot) fall off a ladder.

[moc]

I've been watching old episodes of Home Again with Bob Vila on Hulu. There's a show from the first season (1990 I think) where workers are framing a roof.

A guy is a full three stories up, standing/walking on a 2x4 top plate, and bending over at the waist swinging wildly to hammer in rafters while holding on to nothing. He is wearing zero safety gear. It's a straight three story drop and there's nothing around to even grab if he starts to lose balance.

I can't explain how nerve-wracking it was to watch even though I knew they wouldn't be airing it if the guy plunged to his death.

Having come of age in the era of safety equipment, I would not have guessed they would be so blase about safety just 20 years ago.

"Before climbing on top of a three story house frame, be sure to read, understand, and follow the laws of gravity..."