Those reels are very nice and give the worker plenty of mobility. However,
I understand they are more costly than a simple sewn fall arrest lanyard,
and I don't see the need for one in my tower work.
73, Keith NM5G
-----Original Message-----
From: towertalk-bounces@contesting.com
[mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Pete Smith
Sent: Wednesday, June 14, 2006 11:41 AM
To: Terry Gerdes; Mike Bragassa; towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Climbing belts/harnesses demonstration
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@consolidated.net>
>To: <towertalk@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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>>
>
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