[TowerTalk] Climbing belts/harnesses demonstration

[GALE STEWARD]

We have several of these at work that we are required
to use (attached to a full body harness) when we work
on the roof antenna ranges which are located on the
flat roof of a three story building. I'll see if I can
find one and get the model number/ manufacturer info.

73, Stew K3ND



--- Pete Smith <n4zr at contesting.com> wrote:

> I am fascinated by the description of the
> fall-arrest device using a reel similar to those
> used on auto safety belts.  I have checked the
> Pinkerton Sales and Ultra-Safe web sites, but have
> not seen anything like this.  Did anyone get a part
> number or other identifying info?
> 
> 73, Pete N4ZR
> 
> At 10:48 AM 6/14/2006, Terry Gerdes wrote:
> >I was at the same demonstration, very impressive. 
> I did pick up a business 
> >card and their web site is:
> >http://www.pinkertonsales.com/
> >
> >73 Terry - AB5K
> >
> >
> >----- Original Message ----- 
> >From: "Mike Bragassa" <bragassa at consolidated.net>
> >To: <towertalk at contesting.com>
> >Sent: Wednesday, June 14, 2006 9:35 AM
> >Subject: [TowerTalk] Climbing belts/harnesses
> demonstration
> >
> >
> >> This past weekend at HamCom in Plano Texas; a
> representative of Pinkerton
> >> Sales; a manufacturing rep company for
> "Ultra-Safe", a climbing belt
> >> ("fall-arrest")  company, gave an excellent demo
> outside of the convention
> >> hall on their demo-trailer. He would winch up a
> 220# weight and demo
> >> different situations. The message was that
> different lanyards (  position 
> >> or
> >> fall-arrest, whichever) exert dramatic
> differences in force to the user 
> >> when
> >> a fall occurs.
> >> As I recall (+/-)and briefly:
> >> 1. Six foot conventional lanyard: 2500# (ouch!)
> >> 2. Six foot lanyard w/ sewn fold-out layers
> (shock absorbing): 700# (still
> >> "ouch")
> >> 3. Six foot lanyard, now get this,  WITH A KNOT
> IN IT: "0" force; it broke
> >> instantly! (Big ouch!)
> >> At least on two of the ouch's, the user survived.
> >>
> >> He demonstrated, basically, two types of climbing
> harnesses:
> >> 1. Conventional, as we know, nylon straps.
> >> 2. A nylon harness, but the straps have some very
> slight stretch to them. 
> >> I
> >> liked that harness.
> >>
> >> He added that any and all harnesses must be
> tightened "firmly"; not loose
> >> and, of course, not uncomfortably too-tight. Any
> extreme slack or 
> >> sloppiness
> >> can be harmful to ones health in the event of a
> fall.
> >>
> >> He also mentioned that always someone should be
> present while the climber 
> >> is
> >> working in the tower and have a plan in the event
> of a fall. He cautioned
> >> that even with the best fall-arrest full body
> harness, it is very 
> >> dangerous
> >> to let the climber hang very long in the harness
> as the force of the leg
> >> straps in the groin area can shut-off blood
> circulation. It has been 
> >> fatal.
> >>
> >> He demo'd one little gadget, like a reeled-up
> harness, that you hook ahead
> >> of your climb that catch's you immediately; with
> no drop at all; much, I
> >> think, as a vehicle safety belt does. Gradual 
> movement around the tower 
> >> or
> >> climbing does not set it off; but a "instant
> thrust" (my words) does; 
> >> again,
> >> much like a vehicle safety belt.
> >>
> >> He said that  OSHA does not approve climbing
> gear; but does dis-approve
> >> climbing gear.
> >>
> >> As a climber of my own and others towers; it sure
> got me to thinking. If 
> >> you
> >> ever have the opportunity to view one of these
> demonstrations; I highly
> >> recommend it. Especially for those of us that
> need to be re-educated from
> >> using the old conventional belt-only climbing
> belt. Sure it worked and
> >> worked good; but it is full of weaknesses.
> >>
> >> Mike, K5UO
> >>
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