……orthostatic intolerance !
any one using a full body harness for fall protection ?
I was looking up some useless internet stuff, and in a moment of serendipity found this info,
http://www.osha.gov/dts/shib/shib032404.html
this safety and health bulletin explains the hazards a person who HAS fallen and is suspended will experience,
this gist of the SHIB ….the longer you are suspended, the sooner you might reach your expiration date.
glib?…. yes, but very very serious consequences if rescue takes too long, and even though I have worn them and their predecessors many times, this topic IIRC was not discussed during new hire jobsite orientations…
…I did watch a cool video that used crash test dummies and pavement once
Replies
Wait - you're gonna' post and use both "orthostatic" and "serendipity" in the first coupla' lines?
Man, our eyes are gonna' glaze over and not realize yer talkin' 'bout hangin' around.
Kind of interesting though - never really thought about what happened AFTER you fell and were snagged by your harness. I know earth burial, even just to your waist, can cause serious problems if it goes on for a bit.
Forrest - not planning to fall anymore
OK, OK, I'll t y p e s l o w e r.
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That's why you have to keep your lanyard tight and your attachment point away from edges. If you slip, you don't ever want to be dangling, the lanyard should stop you from going more than a few inches. If you allow any circumstance, in your attachment, to allow a person to actually dangle in the harness, the set up is incorrect and it can break your back, neck and hang you in a number of ways. It's never just about having the equipment, but understanding how to use it properly. Used in the wrong application and improperly set up, a harness could cause death, quick or slow. The anchor point or lanyard attachment should never be below the worker. Those guys in the pictures were not hooked up properly. Leading edge work can be difficult to use fall protection safety devices for. Hooking up to a beam at your feet or to a truss that is temporarily braced can lead to serious injury and are not the type of places to attach a harness.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
Edited 7/19/2006 12:26 pm ET by hammer1
couldn't agree more hammer >>>>>>>The anchor point or lanyard attachment should never be below the worker.<<<<<<<<<
...always been my argument when working from a basket...>>>>>> That's why you have to keep your lanyard tight <<<<<<
......or above 6" and standing on an 8' ladder.
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This became an issue with the build-out of the new HDTV system. Stations are putting up a lot of new towers in the 1000 - 2049 foot range, which means a long time in the harness just to get up and down.
When I did my roof, I carried an extra rope grab and strap so I could self-rescue if I had to. The key to avoiding this is to keep moving. It also pays to have a comfortable harness, and practice what to do if you fall. I started with the cheap Miller, and found it so uncomfortable that I gave it to a friend in the S&M business, and bought a nice Yates.
Being afraid of heights, I always worked with tension on the line. Because I was in control and moving around, I never had a problem with blood flow.
-- J.S.
I use one when trimming trees(and 125'radio towers),,,,DW has orders to call F/D If "I've fallen and can't get down"(the trees mostly, hard to get stuck on a tower)And keep rope belay real short.
Bud
A full body harness is rated for a 300# man. The amount of shock force produced is 5000# in a 6' fall. If a fall does happen the harness will tighten up and this can restrict the blood flow in the legs. A rule of thumb is it takes about 20 minutes for a person to pass out as a result of hanging in a harness. A secondary rescue system needs to be set up. So if a fall does happen the victim can be rescued in a limited amount of time.
A secondary rescue system can be easy. If, say you are working 40' above the gound with a safety rope and rope grab, Use 100' piece of safety rope. 40' of the rope up to the tie off point and 60' of the same rope just left loose. That way if a fall takes place and the individual is hanging in the air, the anchor can be undone and the 60' of loose rope can be used to lower the individual to the ground.
Miller does make a fold down foot strap that attaches to the harness. It is called a relief step safety device. If a fall happens you can unfold this strap that has a loop in it for your foot. Place your foot in the loop and you can take the weight off your thighs and simply stand there awaiting rescue. http://www.millerfallprotection.com/miller/relief_step/reliefstep.html
If you put that foot strap on its own rope grab, you can take the weight off the main grab and move it. Then you can move the grab for the foot strap, and inch your way up or down.
-- J.S.
so some of you own your harness ?for me, contractors have to supply them, and while there have been some PITA GC's who were rabid fans of some very restrictive work rules, I think only one mentioned anything about this, and I was at a refinery at the time..
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As an owner/builder, I had to buy my own harness. If I were an employee, I'd probaby want to own my own, too. Getting it adjusted right and comfortable would be worth it.
There's a joint IATSE/AMPTP/CSATF safety training program here that teaches how to do it. They even drop some volunteers to demonstrate very clearly the difference proper adjustment can make.
-- J.S.
.....a joint IATSE/AMPTP/CSATF safety training program.......... They even drop some volunteers to demonstrate very clearly the difference proper adjustment can make. ....... Well.......ok , but I would prefer take just take their word for it. every collective bargaining agreement in the IBEW that I have worked under required the contractor to provide almost all PPE
but prescription safety glasses and steel-toed boots can be exceptions.
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It's probably best if you do own your own harness as opposed to having one provided by an employer. Harnesses can be damaged by chemicals, sun light exposure (which mandates a life limit), dropped in dirt, etc. I'd rather know the history of the harness I'm using vs one supplied by an employer who may be too cheap to replace a harness when it should.
its a good idea, unless the job is working OT or shifts, then it is almost guaranteed that your very own personal harness will simply vanish......
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I sub to SeeYou, and he supplied us all with harness's at one time. I didn't like the fit and lack of attached bags and stuff, and it was a real PITA to keep untangled...
Then the internet and HERE supplied me with the info, and I splurged and got the Miller Revolution, with bags, and tool holders and all the goodies, from just over in Louisville..Orr saftey co. So, little over 400 bucks later, I am happy. Mostly cuz when I HAVE to wear it, it rocks. I don't always wear it, I have 3 differnt sets of tool belts in the truck, Copper roofing, Gutter and downspout, and carpentry/wood works/ general misc. days.
They all at one time or another share tools, but changing the weight and creature comforts for each job, helps keep me in a better mood, the bags for hanging crown moulding would dump on a 12/12 copper roof all the time, when I hang dounspout I have 3 drills or drivers to futz with..all hung offa my gutter belt, and the roofing is the Miller rig.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
" I am not an Activist, I am, a Catalyst. I lay around and do nothing, until another ingredient is added"
yours is another example of keeping your stuff with you at all times. for me it simply would not work, since most large jobs would have change trailers where a companies equipment gets hung on hooks to be used by anyone........that's just the way it isTom.
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I find this interesting on many levels. First a little history. I learned to rock climb at 14 with very good guides.Then went on to climb for about 12 years. I started doing search and rescue work when I was 20, so six or so years of rescue work. That said, I have done my time in a# of different harnesses.
I went on to work as a commercial roofer for 5 or 6 years. I found that the technical instruction for harness work was lacking in any areas. These would be fit of harness, type, use , limits, rescue, and most importantly... self rescue.
It is wholly irresponsible to equipt yourself or someone else with a tool and not instruct and PRACTICE proper safety and use. the law suit possibilities are almost endless. Remember, your life is in you hands most of the time. When it is not, do not make it difficult for others to save your bacon! Be safe, and if ya don't know how it works.... asksome one who does.
yeah, it is irresponsible, but perhaps some shops think that a hand has "been around the block" and doesn't require extensive training , in fact here in NW indiana an alliance of the larger industries, ...... the steel mills, utilities, and the BP refinery have consolidated their programs so if you attend one orientation meeting at any one, you don't have to attend another within a year
even if you change contarctors.
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