Ropes and Safety Equipment

[Christopher]

Hello Everyone, I searched the board for the answers to my questions but did not find the answers. I had some questions for those who do roofs with ropes and harnesses. I plan on doing more roof cleaning but want to do them as safe as possible. I do have a harness and lanyard but need to purchase a rope.

1. Is there a specific rating for ropes to look for or quality issues?
2. When you buy a new rope (as I plan to do) do you just tie a knot around a Carabiner or is there a special hook or device to use to attach to the anchor points?
3. What kind of knot is good to use and do you have a picture or drawing on how to tie it?

Thanks for any help.

[racechaser]

Rope is "special rope" usually polydak and usually 5/8". They come in spools or can be ordered with a hook on one end. The rope must be able to withstand 5000#'s of force to withstand the eneregy of a fall.

I really think that if there is anything I've said that you haven't heard before you need to be trained in basic fall protection.I assume the harness is from work and you are used to wearing one.I'm not sure what kind of production tech you are. Care to share???

I know I work in a chemical plant, and have worn one just about everyday I've worked, since 1991.

Scott

[RyanH]

You don't want "dry rope" as you will be working in wet conditions. If you get a hands free rapelling device, you can just let the rope hang free. I got one from REI for about $80. I tie the rope off on a tree, truck, or deck *support post* (not the deck railing or bench). An old towel or shirt will keep abrasion to a minimal on the apex of the roof.

[Christopher]

I work full time at a Refinery and use a Harness and Lanyard quite often when up above 6' in the air on walkways, scaffolds or on Manlifts. I actually purchased the Harness and Lanyard at a local Pawn shop and who sold it to them or pawned it...who knows. I saw some ropes in the Window Cleaner catalogs that are rated from 7000 to 9000 pounds in the 1/2" size. I was thinking to get one of these for using on the roof and then attaching my lanyard to it for the roof cleaning. I just do not know that much about knots and do not want something to come loose. I guess I could buy a book on knots or do a search on knots. I could then secure a heavy duty climbers carabiner to each end of the rope to secure it. Then just attach my lanyard to the rope and I think I would be set. I just have to learn which knots are for what.

[racechaser]

NO KNOTS DUDE!!!!! Buy a rope with a hook on the end. Hook latches to cross back strap which is attached to tree like Ryan said. The other end hangs free to ground after passing over roof.

Make sure what you are buying is OSHA compliant. The gear Ryan is speaking of is top notch for recreational climbing but not recognized by OSHA. If you're going to pay for equipment buy something industrial just in case you are ever audited by OSHA.

Petzl (one of Ryan's suggestions) makes a device which Ryan speaks of, but it is not certified by OSHA yet.

Ryan was using lifeline long before I was, so I am not disrespecting his suggestions one bit.

And also go with 5/8" rope. It is the most widely used. It is usually a Polyester/ dacron combo.Just rinse it afterwards when it gets exposed to chems and replace as needed every year or two (depending on how it holds up).

Scott

[WEW]

I knew of a man way back who was doing some work on the back side of his roof and was tied off to the bumper of her car. Well her decided it was a good time to go to the store. The rest is easy to figure out.
ISYHTRAH

[Christopher]

O.K. so if I secure to only one spot like in the back of the house and let the loose end hang off the front of the house and work in the back of the house first and start to fall then what is helping me? I was thinking of securing both ends of the rope like in the front and back of the house so I will be secure on either end. Am I thinking correct here or missing something? I am new to the using ropes thing. I am used to tying off with the lanyard on something like a structure, scaffold, or Manlift cage something within the 6' reach of the lanyard. Do you only secure one end of the rope? What happens if you start to fall close to the secured end? Not trying to be a smartass but want to get this right. Thanks for the help.

[racechaser]

You tie off to an object in the back yard and throw the rope over the roof and the loose end hangs off the front. You then wash the front of the house.

Unhook the rope and attach to an object in the front yard. Throw rope over so loose end now hangs in back. Clean the back of the house.

If you attached the rope to an object in the front and back at the same time your line would the be stationary and you couldn't move around side to side.

The lifeline is pretty tricky to set up until you've got it figured out in your head.

Scott

[racechaser]

BTW, I spent every summer in Baffin Bay fishing when I was a kid. My cousin used to live in Corpus at first, then they moved to Flour Bluff. Had a house right on a canal.

My uncle in law, if there is such a thing, is a boat dealer in Aransas Pass.

My cousin has a camp on Matagorda Bay in Sargent now. Fishing is equally good there to me. We catch 100+ fish each night off the dock. That beach is awesome!! I hope they keep it open to cars and camping.

Scott