[RE-wrenches] Fall Protection Equipment

[Ray Walters]

I prefer climbing gear as its much lighter weight and doesn't drag you 
around.  I actually think in some cases that traditional fall protection 
gear can be more of a tripping hazard than the safety it provides.   
However, I was previously under the impression that if OSHA (or in the 
islands: HIOSH) came around, we had to ditch the climbing gear and get 
into the 3 times as heavy regular harnesses.
I just looked at the OSHA website though, and it doesn't seem to specify 
certification, just that the equipment meet the fall criteria as Dan 
mentioned.
https://www.osha.gov/Region7/fallprotection/fall_protection_info.html
This doesn't mention test procedures or certification of equipment.  
Here's more from the actual OSHA 1926 book:

*1926.502(e)(3)*

    Connectors shall be drop forged, pressed or formed steel, or made of
    equivalent materials.

*1926.502(e)(4)*

    Connectors shall have a corrosion-resistant finish, and all surfaces
    and edges shall be smooth to prevent damage to interfacing parts of
    this system.

*1926.502(e)(5)*

    Connecting assemblies shall have a minimum tensile strength of 5,000
    pounds (22.2 kN)

*1926.502(e)(6)*

    Dee-rings and snaphooks shall be proof-tested to a minimum tensile
    load of 3,600 pounds (16 kN) without cracking, breaking, or taking
    permanent deformation.

"Equivalent materials" ?  Seems that an aluminum caribiner that meets 
the other criteria would be equivalent.

Here, Petzl also makes a full line of worker safety equipment: 
http://www.petzl.com/en/Professional/Verticality?l=US#.VLqw4nuLXfc

This is really interesting, and I would like to have a more definitive 
answer from OSHA.  It would be great if we could use lighter weight 
climbing gear; just compare a caribiner to the heavy steel monsters you 
get at Grainger's.  As long as it is strong enough:
Lighter weight = less fatigue= safer,  IMHO.
As with so many discussions on this list, it will ultimately depend on 
your local authorities.

R.Ray Walters
CTO, Solarray, Inc
Nabcep Certified PV Installer,
Licensed Master Electrician
Solar Design Engineer
303 505-8760

On 1/16/2015 11:20 PM, Benn Kilburn wrote:
> James,
> This looks like a pretty nice lanyard w/ shock-absorber, rope-grab and rope.
>
> What type/style harness did he bring along?
>
> Re: OSHA approved...great question. Prior to looking into it further I'd suspect it falls in a "grey area".
>
> Benn Kilburn
> SkyFire Energy Inc.
> 780-906-7807
>
>
>> On Jan 16, 2015, at 9:29 AM, James Rudolph <jamesrudolph99 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> Aloha my Wrench Brothers!
>> We have a recent defector from a very large National Solar company here that brought in this great Fall gear (see attachment). To be honest it blew my mind how simple and light it was....Is anybody else using this rock climbing equipment as fall protection gear? Is this approved by OSHA.
>>
>> You would figure if humans just free climbed El Capitain with gear like this it would do just fine keeping me safe and compliant at 6 feet and above.
>>
>> The rope grab is made by KONG.
>>
>>
>> Mahalo in advance!
>>
>> James Rudolph
>> Haleakala Solar
>>
>> <20150114_074111.jpeg>
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