Standing Seam Roof Anchors for Fall Protection

Standing seam roof panels are becoming more popular every year, with there appeal to the consumer for aesthetic purposes and security of a metal building.  In the early years of standing seam metal buildings it was impossible to figure out a way to tie off safely in order to protect workers from a fall.  Since then fall protection manufacturers have developed different styles of roof anchors to make life easier on hard working builders.  Guardian came out with one of the most lightweight & innovative designs on the market.  With different profiles for standing seam panels making things even more complicated for contractors to have the right standing seam roof anchor for their job.  The Guardian 2-Way Standing Seam Roof Clamp has a unique design that is reversible and will fit the vast majority of standing seam panels, making this anchor one of the most popular on the market.  Many anchors use the popular S-5 clamps for attachment to the panel which is another great option.  When using a self retracting lifeline over 30 foot, we recommend Guardians 00250 Standing seam roof anchor or something equivalent.  Most manufacturers have a similar anchor that attaches just like the 00250 anchor or they use the S-5 clamps.  Any application you run into on your job, we have an anchor that will get'r done!  Browse around for the right anchor point on our site and remember to look out for new roof anchors.  Fall Protection manufacturers are always bring new innovative anchors out on the market and when it comes to standing seam roof panels, there will be newer designs coming soon to make sure we are keeping all our workers safe on the job.

HitchClip Fall Protection Roof Anchor makes roof work Safer & Easier

The HitchClip roof anchor system is one of the most revolutionary anchors ever made for several reasons.  These anchors can be used as a single point anchor rated at 5,000 lbs., but even more than that is the multiple uses already available and more to come.  It's fabricated from lightweight, durable, powder coated aluminum and already comes painted in different colors to match your roof.  This design allows you to use as a permanent anchor point or reuse it, as a permanent anchor it is barely noticeable.  Also, if one of their colors doesn't match your roof, these are one of the few anchors that you can actually paint yourself to match the roof.

The patented key hole design is what really sets this anchor apart from any other on the market.  This allows you to use it as more than just a fall protection anchor.  We are talking easily setting up guardrail systems, staging areas, & work platforms.  There is more accessories coming soon, that we will reveal later, but the possibilities are endless with the key hole design.  Anchors easily install with (6) 16d framing nails or (6) #10 x 2-1/2" exterior screws.  If you have been thinking about getting hitched, now is the time.  Hitchclips are rated up to 420 lbs., if using harness and lanyard rated 420 lbs., these anchors are available in 3 packs and 25 contractor packs.

Web Retractable Lanyards and OSHA Regulations

It is no secret that many jobs require workers to perform in hazardous conditions. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics), 4,628 workers died in 2012 while at work, which is the equivalent of 12 deaths every day, and the number of injuries is even more staggering. Among work-related fatalities in construction, the leading cause is falls, and this statistic extends into several other industries where workers perform duties above the ground or floor or a building.

If it sounds like we’re feeding you doomsday information, don’t worry – there’s good news! Following the right safety procedures, particularly via use of equipment like retractable web lanyards, will keep you and others safe as you maneuver around your work site. Here’s a brief review of the web retractable lanyard, one of our most popular pieces of fall safety equipment.

Safety Equipment Regulations for Falls

First, some background: several different fall protection systems are available that allow companies and contractors to comply with federal and state OSHA safety regulations, and each system is categorized into a separate class or group. Fall arrest systems are the most popular because they allow workers to experience the greatest freedom of movement. These systems keep workers from hitting the ground should they fall from distances of 6 feet or higher and usually consist of a body harness that is attached to an anchor by a lanyard.

However, injuries can occur when people fall from distances of less than 6 feet, and specialized safety equipment has been designed to protect people from such occurrences. One of the most popular systems for short-distance fall protection is the retractable web lanyard. A fall of less than six feet might not feel like a big deal; but trust us, it won’t be fun if you hit the ground!

Although retractable web lanyards are designed for short falls, some versions, known as self-retracting lifelines (SRLs) are made to protect people from falls at greater heights. These devices consist of a lightweight cartridge that is securely attached to a body harness or belt, a spring-loaded coil, a durable web strap wrapped around the coil, and a hook or carabiner at the end of the strap.

The SRL is securely attached to a person’s body, and he or she attaches the hook to an anchor. As the person walks away from the anchor, the web strap is drawn out of the cartridge, and it retracts back into the cartridge as the wearer nears the anchor. If the person should fall, the rotation of the coil activates the lifeline to bring the person to a halt before hitting the ground or other obstructions.

Retractable Web Lanyards from HarnessLand.com 

Retractable web lanyards and SRLs are manufactured by a variety of companies, but they must meet specific guidelines before they comply with OSHA standards and those set by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). In addition, employers, contractors and anyone else who works from heights will want to ensure that the lanyards meet the following conditions:

• They do not interfere with the tasks that are to be performed.

• They prevent people from falling or hitting the ground in the event of a fall. 

• The retractable web lanyards and SRLs are affordably priced. 

When you look to HarnessLand for your safety equipment, you can rest easy knowing that our lanyards comply with all of the specified fall safety regulations as well as the needs of individual contractors. The SRLs offered by HarnessLand range from a 6-foot retractable lanyard for small jobs to a 50-foot web retractable lifeline with abrasion-resistant webbing. We’ve been named an authorized dealer by every brand we carry, and customer service is a top priority for us. So next time you need to scale a building or perform a dangerous task, unleash your inner Spiderman with a web retractable lanyard from HarnessLand!

Protecting The Public During An Open Construction Project

The safety and risk management procedures to protect construction workers are regulatory requirements, and project managers are usually well-versed in the specific federal or state OSHA mandates. The safety of the general public, on the other hand, is not regulated in the same way. There is no doubt that public safety is an important issue, and many OSHA regulations designed to protect employees also protect the public as an ancillary benefit, but the lack of clear regulations opens construction projects to varied interpretations of phrases such as “reasonable expectations,” “necessary precautions” and “customary measures” when accidents and litigations occur.

If unrestricted, pedestrians and casual passers-by will almost always encroach upon a project’s boundaries. Unlike workers, they will not be wearing hard hats and steel-toed boots. And of course, the vast majority of bystanders have limited or no understanding of basic construction safety precautions. They don’t understand the radius of a crane’s boom or the momentum associated with a suspended girder or generator. They have no experience with falling objects and cannot be expected to know how far a dropped tool can travel on an unfortunate bounce.

Project managers and foremen are not, however, left to devise safety measures on their own. The American National Standard Institute, together with the American Society of Safety Engineers, publishes a comprehensive consensus standard of safety guidelines that contractors and building owners can follow. This standard, titled “ANSI/ASSE A10.34-2001 (R2005), Protection of the Public on or Adjacent to Construction,” is designed to protect the general public from hazards associated with construction activities.

Although project managers are not required to follow the guidelines in this standard, it is always wise to do so. ANSI/ASSE standards are widely recognized by industry, and they are often easier to understand than the regulatory language in OSHA documents. Voluntary adherence to ANSI/ASSE A10.34 demonstrates a concern for public safety, and it serves as evidence that the project utilized the industry’s best practices to manage risks associated with the construction. This is an important point to be able to make when “reasonable expectations,” “necessary precautions” and “customary measures” are discussed at a trial.

The ANSI/ASSE standard for public safety during construction specifically addresses 14 safety hazards that are encountered during construction operations. Warning signs, lighting, netting, flaggers, barricades and the proper method for storing hazardous materials on a job site are all covered. These are issues that require specific safety devices, all of which can be obtained at online safety equipment sites like harnessland.com, but they are also issues that require careful thought and planning before any trenching ever takes place.

Don’t take risks when it comes to public safety. We have all the construction safety equipment you’ll need to keep the public safe during an open construction project!

Product Review: The Hold Me Lifeline Anchor Device

The important part of falling down is getting up again. Better yet, make sure you don't fall in the first place.

Those who work or play at any distance above the ground need to be certain that one false step won't be their last. It's why safety harnesses and special climbing equipment exist. In fact, a person is often only as safe as the strength of the lifeline that supports him.

ANSi is Antsy Over Knots

Although not everyone is aware of it, knots have no place in anyone's lifeline. According to the National Cordage Institute, the use of a knot to secure a safety rope can weaken its strength by as much as 50 percent. In fact, ANSi Z-359.1 strictly inveighs against it. So, how else can you secure your lifeline? The answer is simple: The Hold Me Anchor Lifeline Device can provide a safe connection point with no knots required. Its 5,000-pound capacity puts it well above the general recommendation.

What Is an Anchor Lifeline? 

An anchor lifeline device serves as a knot-free means of integrating a vertical lifeline system with an anchorage connector. Its use will permit supporting heavy loads in the air with no danger of disentanglement.

The Hold Me Anchor Lifeline device contains five closely-spaced holes topped by a sixth. Its use entails threading the rope or lanyard tightly through the first four in running-stitch fashion, then pulling it securely through a loop left over after passing it through the fifth. The sixth hole will receive either a carabiner or the free end of the lanyard following its attachment to an anchor point.

How Not to Use the Hold Me Rope Anchor 

Improper use will negate the safety properties of any anchor device. Never, under any circumstances, attach your lifeline to:

- A metal chimney
- A roof hatch or vent
- A television antenna
- A balcony or staircase railing
- A small duct or pipe
- A stationary ladder

No Bottom-Out; No Swing

Always measure carefully to ensure that the rope will reach its greatest length before a falling person or object hits an obstruction. In addition, it's vital to maintain a perpendicular direction between the edge of the lifeline and its anchor to prevent a deadly pendulum effect.
Where distance from the ground is concerned, there can be no skimping on safety. A simple device like the Hold Me Rope Anchor lifeline device is an easy way to meet with ANSi standards while preserving lives in the process.

Prevent Construction Deaths by Following OSHA’s Fall Safety Standards

Do you know what the number one cause of deaths in the construction industry is? It probably won’t come as a surprise that it’s falling. According to OSHA, in 2012 – the time of the last census taken – there were 806 on-the-job deaths in construction, 35% of which were the result of falls. Most falls directly violated OSHA’s fall protection standards. The good news is, prevention is often as simple as learning these standards and adhering to them diligently, using the proper equipment and best practices. Here are just a few to get you started:

1. Duty to Have Fall Protection – This rule stipulates that anyone working on an unprotected edge needs to take the proper precautions by using a fall protection system like safety nets or a personal fall arrest system. Guardrails can also be used.


2. Use the Proper Fall Equipment for Its Stipulated Height – If a worker is at six feet or higher, they must have a fall arrest system. It may not sound like much, but workers who are six feet or more above lower levels are at risk for serious injury or death should they fall. Having the proper equipment doesn’t just mean fall arrest systems; it also includes the right kinds of ladders, scaffolds, and safety gear for various heights.


3. Fall Protection Systems Must Comply With OSHA Standards – OSHA has a specific set of standards related to the efficacy of fall protection systems. These standards range from guardrail height to the amount of weight that screen or mesh should be able to sustain. There’s also a rigorous set of standards related to dee-rings and snaphooks, wires and cables, and horizontal lifelines. All of HarnessLands’s fall arrest systems and fall protection kits comply with OSHA standards.


4. Every Employee Must Undergo a Safety Training Program – Safety training programs are a must for getting employees up to speed on safety hazards, precautions to take, and the proper use of equipment. Any change in a fall protection system will require a new training to update employees on how to use the new equipment. A good training will also include the proper use of rescue systems and first aid kits.


5. Prior to Beginning Work, Test Fall Protection Systems and Retractable Lifelines – Before doing anything, it is important to test the gear that you’ll be working with. Testing methods generally involve using weights of the same size and girth of a person, but many people also choose to test much heavier loads. Everything from hooks to self-retracting lifelines must be tested. It may all seem a bit daunting, but complying with OSHA safety standards is an absolute must for anyone in the construction industry. And Harnessland can make it even easier by supplying you with all the right equipment, which complies 100% with OSHA. Don’t take safety for granted!

A Review of the Guardian Cyclone Construction Harness

When a construction worker tackles a job around large wind turbines, the level of fall safety needs to be taken up a notch. As they climb the precarious heights to maintain and repair these turbines, construction crews can stay safe and get the protection they need by wearing the Guardian Cyclone construction harness while they work.

The Cyclone features an innovative design that is conducive to the work these specialists carry out each day. Its shoulder adjustment capabilities let workers wear it comfortably without experiencing physical distress, and it features a rope access application failsafe should a rescue be needed.

Keeping the harness untangled also proves to be important while these workers get the job done. With its tangle-free design, the Guardian Cyclone allows workers to ascend ladders in the turbine and focus on their work without fearing that their harness components will get tangled together. Its unique X-back offers perfectly allocated pressure across the shoulders to prevent strain and drive home that tangle-free design.

The Guardian Cyclone provides quick fall-arresting capabilities with its adjustable textile chest attachment loops and dorsal D-ring. In fact, the harness also includes two lateral D-rings, adjustable straps in the chest, leg, and shoulder areas. Workers can keep their tools handy with the tool loops on the back. They can also sit while they work with the harness’ sit-strap extender.

Workers obviously don’t come in one size. The harness is available in sizes small through large to cater to anyone in your crew. Working a job in low visibility? The Cyclone’s bright yellow color will keep you and your crew spotted throughout the job.

Grab the Guardian Cyclone construction harness for you and the rest of your crew at Harness Land. Our competitive sales pricing and free shipping make this one a steal for any construction team.