Care and Use of Climbing Equipment and Harnesses

Belts Belts can come in 4 D ring or 2 Nylon or leather Belts are designed for max of 350lbs to include lineworker and tools anything more must be custom made No unapproved attachments remind all to use a break away handline holder Talk a little about the impotence of proper fit such as wearing to loose, to high or low

Inspection Criteria Electrical burns, cracks, or deformation of the “D-rings” or buckles. Loose rivets or broken stitching on the hardware attachment points, and other primary strength members. Degraded or torn nylon strength members, as well as other physical, chemical, heat or age related damage. Broken or loose tool loops, snaps or a worn holster attachment point. Dry rotted leather. Elongated or extra holes in the tongue If fail any of these or if drop loaded belt must be replaced Bashlin recommends the average useful life is 5-8 yrs under normal usage Buckingham does not give a time recommendation for replacement. They state to replace if fail inspection criteria

Cleaning Nylon Clean with mild soap and water Leather Wash with saddle soap and treat with any high quality waterproofing for leather Remind all the importance of maintaining their belts Every 90 days under normal usage

Proper Use Which D-Ring Never mismatch D-Rings Inline Primary in forward Rings recommended Stacked users choice Never mismatch D-Rings All keepers and gates face outward

Primary Straps and Secondary We also want to make sure we use our fall arrest properly and inspect it also The most common things we see while climbing is improper adjustment ( people cheating the strap)

Adjustment Buckingham Improper Adjustment Hazardous Buckingham recommends starting out in the 3 and 9 position Never allow the locators to fall within the 4 and 8 position Dangerous

Icy or Slippery Wood Pole Adjustment Cynch-Lok Normal Conditions Icy or Slippery Wood Pole Rear Cleat Contacting Forward of the Center Line While climbing Center Cleat Contacting When Climbing Center Line of Pole Slippery pole includes but is not limited to: grease or oil covered poles, pitch covered poles, moss covered poles and foliage covered poles. Also, the age, moisture content, and condition of a pole can affect its interaction with wood pole fall restriction devices. If the condition of a pole is in question the icy or slippery pole cleat adjustment must be used. Important Never place your hand inside the carabiner. Holding the carabiner during a fall is extremely dangerous because it prevents the stopping cleats from contacting the pole. Always keep both hands on the exterior Cynch-Lok strap when climbing Rear Cleat Contacting for work positioning

Adjustment Jelco Patriot 3-9 Position Metal roller must stay in contact Greater than 8-4 is danger zone Handle spikes are at the 8-4 position Patriot is the only device that allows 8 and 4

Primary Straps and Secondary Inspections Hardware Stress Cracks Indications of electrical contact Extreme wear Straps Wear indicator Stitching Cuts or tears All makes have the same inspection criteria

Climbers

Rule of thumb for a proper fitted climber is ½” below or 2 fingers the knee joint • Make sure loop on climber sleeve is secure • Make sure footstrap ring or loop is secured to climber stirrup • Inspect climber straps for cuts and excessive wear • Make sure the pad loops are secure and free of cuts and are not worn thin • Inspect climber stirrup to be sure it's not worn too thin

Velcro Straps

Climbing skills require care and inspection of climbing gear Length Thickness Width Contour/shape The best way to determine that your gaffs are properly shaped is to use a gaff gauge. Min length of a gaff is 1 ¼ “

Gaff Gauges Klein Bashlin Gaff Width Gaff Thickness Gaff Profile Slot

Buckingham Gaff Gauge Stirrup Width Notch Gaff Thickness Check Windows Gaff Width Check Windows Gaff Cutting Edge Angle, “Touch”/”V” Notch Stirrup Thickness Slot Gaff Profile Slot

Common mistakes made when sharpening gaffs Round of tip Needle point Too much of a chisel point File on edges/ridge Round of tip Needle point Too much of a chisel point File on edges/ridge Round of tip

File with upwards

improper

Never file the back side

The plane test may be used to determine that the climber gaff is properly sharpened to cut into the pole like a chisel The plane test may be used to determine that the climber gaff is properly sharpened

Harness Round of tip Let’s talk a little about harnesses. First of all make sure you are wearing it properly wearing it to loose may cause serious injuries

Harness Fitting Harness must be sized for the worker Chest strap tightened at mid chest “D” ring between shoulder blades Proper snugness shoulder to hips Leg straps snug but not binding Butt strap supports the load Harness must be sized for the worker

Daily Inspections Harness Lanyards Webbing Metal components Stitching Labels of tip Snap Hooks Shock absorbers Load Indicators Labels

Common Defects ABRADED WEBBING Round of tip CUT IN WEBBING HOLES IN BURN IN WEBBING Needle point Too much of a chisel point File on edges/ridge Round of tip

Common Defects HOLES IN LOOSE CHEMICAL AGENT WEBBING LOOSE and BROKEN STITCHING IN WEBBING Wear Markers

Cleaning and Storage Clean with mild soap and water Store out of sunlight When not in use DO NOT STORE IN BUCKETof tip

Safety Manual Review Fall Protection 1.39-1.50 (pg7) 9.42 Only approved lineman’s belts, gaffs, body belts, harnesses, and fall protection devices shall be used. 9.47 Fall Restriction Devices, climbers, and body belts shall be inspected before each use and shall not be worn if found to be unsafe. 15.63 Approved fall protection shall be used by all personnel while working in an elevated platform. Read Fall Protection

Summary Inspect daily Shock Load replace All Fall Arrest is Rated for 350 pounds