Experience with... Werner Complete Roofing Safety Kit

[WI/MI Border]

Wondering if anyone has experience with this fall protection kit. It looks complete for the DIYer. I'm going to be building a garage, solo, and I want a harness that is comfortable because unlike some, I will be wearing it along with using the anchor and lanyard.

One source at a reasonable price...

 

[mike93lx]

Make sure you set anchors at enough positions that you don't have to run a super long anchor line.

Also look up suspension trauma. The harness may stop you from hitting the ground, but if you can't get down, it can kill you

 

[WI/MI Border]

Thanks. I have a little experience from work having been trained in elevated work basics. Though not enough experience to actually have done much in practice. For instance that was mostly scaffold training. I understand the risks of falls and want to do this garage build as safely as I can. The lanyard is the critical part that should decelerate a fall. A well made harness is designed to give you time for rescue. That time is not long depending on the circumstances.

If the harness isn't comfortable I probably won't use it as much. Comfort is relative though. I just mean is, is it easy to put on properly and doesn't get in my way "too much". Looking also at a Guardian harness with some shoulder padding. That might be better in terms of wearing it for hours while bending/reaching and such. If I chose the Guardian I will then source a good lanyard.

 

[WI/MI Border]

I ended up getting a new Guardian harness for about $30 and a Guardian lifeline (50') with a decelerator device on the included lanyard for about $35. I already have the anchor point from the Habitat ReStore for three bucks.

Any other safety gear that might be smart to have around?

 

[mike93lx]

I ended up getting a new Guardian harness for about $30 and a Guardian lifeline (50') with a decelerator device on the included lanyard for about $35. I already have the anchor point from the Habitat ReStore for three bucks.

Any other safety gear that might be smart to have around?

After hitting my head a few times on trusses and bracing, I started wearing a bump cap. (skullerz, with a micro brim). It's comfortable and light. Well worth it, especially when going up and down ladders in areas that have obstructions overhead

For gloves, I really like Milwaukee cut kevel 1, both regular and cold weather versions. Ear plugs are 3m skull screws (the have a plastic piece to allow inserting without touching the foam, plus a cord) and my favorite safety glasses are from bolle.

 

[WI/MI Border]

After hitting my head a few times on trusses and bracing, I started wearing a bump cap. (skullerz, with a micro brim). It's comfortable and light. Well worth it, especially when going up and down ladders in areas that have obstructions overhead

For gloves, I really like Milwaukee cut kevel 1, both regular and cold weather versions. Ear plugs are 3m skull screws (the have a plastic piece to allow inserting without touching the foam, plus a cord) and my favorite safety glasses are from bolle.

Hmmm. That Skullerz really hit home. I don't have much left to cushion those inevitable skull crashes. Thanks. I wonder if I could make a Skullerz? Maybe an old milk carton or two sandwiching some thin foam. Ha ha! Just kidding...

 

[mike93lx]

Hmmm. That Skullerz really hit home. I don't have much left to cushion those inevitable skull crashes. Thanks. I wonder if I could make a Skullerz? Maybe an old milk carton or two sandwiching some thin foam. Ha ha! Just kidding...

Lol. I'd do a folgers plastic coffee can, at least. Hdpe is the ticket..

Might keep the neighbors from checking in, too

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

#1; don't fall!
#2; don't step on air lines!
#3; keep the rope short enough that you can't fall off the edge.

If you can find a retractable style lanyard that works really well to allow you to reach more area without always adjusting the line. Look for used and sell after you're done.
I'll see if I can find an example and come back and post a link...

SRDs | Safety Direct

www.safetydirect.ca

 

[WI/MI Border]

#1; don't fall!
#2; don't step on air lines!
#3; keep the rope short enough that you can't fall off the edge.

If you can find a retractable style lanyard that works really well to allow you to reach more area without always adjusting the line. Look for used and sell after you're done.
I'll see if I can find an example and come back and post a link...

SRDs | Safety Direct

www.safetydirect.ca

I looked at that option but I'm going to stick with the lanyard with the fall deceleration in a folded, stitched design. That is proven to work well. Also, I don't want any excess weight or a reel bouncing around either on my back or on the roof, however they are used. I'll be on a 6/12 roof and the lanyard will easily freewheel along the lifeline. I can see if I was doing this where speed of production was important. For me I will just be putzing along. No deadlines, no foreman (besides my wife), no rushing.

 

[mike93lx]

Grippy shoes and keep them clean. This is a place where sneakers can be better than workboots

Blow any sawdust off the roof

 

[WI/MI Border]

Very good points.

Although, my feet can't stand everyday sneakers due to bad arches, or I should say high arches. Maybe some orthopedic arch supports would work. First, I might try to find a grippy pair of work boots.

I agree. Keeping the roof, scaffold, even the slab clean and clutter free is key to safe work.

 

[Joemctag]

I looked at that option but I'm going to stick with the lanyard with the fall deceleration in a folded, stitched design. That is proven to work well. Also, I don't want any excess weight or a reel bouncing around either on my back or on the roof, however they are used. I'll be on a 6/12 roof and the lanyard will easily freewheel along the lifeline. I can see if I was doing this where speed of production was important. For me I will just be putzing along. No deadlines, no foreman (besides my wife), no rushing.

If you’re not wanting to buy a retractable reel, then consider something called w rope grab. You can slide them up and doen your nylon safety rope. They’re nit expensive. They’re made for use with a vertical safety line, like hanging from above, but should work for you. You could rig up a pad, I guess, so it’s not rubbing your roof. Retractable reel at roof peak would be better. Not a roofer, but used these in construction/welding on buildings.
Good luck.

 

[Stelzer]

Best shoes on the planet for roofs are Cougar Paws. Been using them for 20 years, and there's never been a better mousetrap built since.
I'm assuming the "decelerator" device you're referring to is a rope grab. Always double check the orientation, as those are directional, and installing them backwards would render it useless. Arrow on the grab points up to the peak of the roof.

 

[Roert42]

About the bump cap.
You can get bump cap inserts that go inside a baseball cap. Skullerz sells them too. I got a bunch off Amazon for a few bucks a piece and gave them out to my employees.

Had to trim a bit to fit, but they are very light weight and you really don't notice them inside the baseball cap.

 

[WI/MI Border]

...
I'm assuming the "decelerator" device you're referring to is a rope grab. Always double check the orientation, as those are directional, and installing them backwards would render it useless. Arrow on the grab points up to the peak of the roof.

Nope. The decelerator is a sewn fold in the lanyard that is engineered to slow a fall by controlled ripping of the threads. But I'm sure you know that.

The lifeline I have has the "grab". It is properly installed directionally and is connected to the lanyard which is obviously connected to the harness.

 

[WI/MI Border]

About the bump cap.
You can get bump cap inserts that go inside a baseball cap. Skullerz sells them too. I got a bunch off Amazon for a few bucks a piece and gave them out to my employees.

Had to trim a bit to fit, but they are very light weight and you really don't notice them inside the baseball cap.

Thanks. I'll look into that.