H Series™ Roofer Kits - Feature Friday

Welcome back to Feature Friday, the video and blog series where we discuss the season's relevant safety products, answer frequently asked questions, and discuss industry safety.

This week, we’re talking about the H SERIES™ Roofer's Kits and discussing a few good practices to keep in mind with your fall protection equipment.

Statistics have shown over the years that approximately 1/3 of fatalities in the construction industry can be linked to fall-related incidents. As the busy construction season approaches, safety should remain a top priority especially when working at heights.

Typically, the best way to prevent injuries due to falls is to engineer the risk out of the environment. Some examples of engineered solutions include guardrail systems, walkways, access platforms, and more. However, when it isn’t viable to engineer a hazard out of the work environment, it’s essential to have proper fall protection equipment that keeps you anchored and safe.

The H SERIES™ Roofer's Kit contains all the essentials including a vertical lifeline, rope grab with an energy-absorbing lanyard, roof anchor, and a safety harness, all available in one convenient package.

BBH Roofer Kit - What is in the kit. (view enlarged image)

50’ Vertical Lifeline

The vertical lifeline included in this kit is made of 5/8” 3-strand polyester and polypropylene fibre blend rope. This blend of fibres is ideal as it helps protect the rope from hazards such as rot/mildew and chemical exposures. The locking snap hook on the one end is made of high endurance steel which can take up to 3,600 pounds of force before breaking.

When using a vertical lifeline, it is important to not release too much slack to minimize the distance the lifeline will let you fall should an incident occur. The more rope you let out, the further it will allow you to fall while increasing the amount of force your body will experience at the point when the slack runs out.

A good rule of thumb is to give yourself enough rope to access the area of the roof you are currently working on with about a foot or two extra. If you are working on the very edge of a roof, you will want to err on the side of caution with regards to how much extra slack you release from your lifeline.

Inpsecting a Vertical Lifeline

1. The tag should be legible, displaying CSA markings, and inspection dates
2. Check the hardware for damage (e.g. corrosion, knicks, signs of overuse, etc.)
3. Inspect the rope for excessive wear including fraying, cuts, burns, bird-caging, or any indication of improper use

Rope Grab with 30” Energy Absorbing Lanyard

The rope grab is made of welded and riveted high-resistance steel. The locking mechanism tightly grasps the lifeline with steal teeth preventing the rope from shifting until released by the user. This gives the user full control and peace of mind when ascending and descending rooftops.

The H SERIES™ Rope Grab also features a 30” polyester energy absorbing lanyard which has become the industry standard in the last few years. In the event of a significant fall, the stitching in the lanyard will rip, distributing the force of the fall through the shock pack. Once enough force is experienced in the shock pack, the stitching and plastic casing will tear, releasing the 30” energy absorbing lanyard to minimize the amount of force experienced by the user.

Inspecting a Rope Grab

1. The tag should be legible, displaying CSA markings, and inspection dates
2. Examine the snap-hook and positioning device for damage including corrosion, knicks, or any signs of overuse or improper use. Test the locking mechanism to ensure the hardware is working properly
3. Inspect the webbing for cuts, burns, tears, abrasion, and any sign of misuse
4. Ensure the shock pack has not been activated; this is indicated by even the smallest tear in the plastic casing

Reusable Roof Anchor

The roof anchor is made of welded high-resistance steel with the capacity to support up to 310 lbs of weight. This anchor works with pitched or flat roofs and comes equipped with 12 screws ready for installation. The anchor itself is designed with multiple screw configurations in mind to ensure any truss or anchor point can be used.

Inspecting a Roof Anchor

1. Look for signs of misuse/overuse including deformities, cracks, and corrosion
2. Ensure the hinge can move properly with no signs of excessive wear
3. Double check the screws you’re using for the installation - stripped, bent or rusted screws should be replaced

Safety Harness

The safety harness included in this kit has 5 points of adjustability (2x Shoulders, 1x Chest, and 2x Thighs) which helps to provide a more comfortable fit. It is made of 100% polyester and can support up to 350 lbs. The lanyard parking attachments allow for better management of trailing lanyards, which removes this potential tripping hazard. The harness is available in both Tongue Buckle and Pass Thru variants to give users the option to choose their preferred leg fastening method.

Inspecting a Safety Harness

1. The tag should be legible, displaying CSA markings and inspection dates
2. Inspect the stitching and webbing, looking for pulled or cut threads, as well as discoloration, burns, and abrasion on the webbing
3. Check for distortions, cracks, corrosion, or other signs of damage on the D-ring(s), buckles, and clips

How often do I need to inspect my fall protection equipment?

MacMor Industries Fall Protection Soft Goods Inspection Service takes the guesswork out of your inspection. Our trained staff utilize their knowledge and experience to closely inspect each component to ensure its compliance with current safety standards and inspection criteria.

MacMor Industries has trained staff that qualify as 3rd party soft goods competent persons

Our team will perform visual inspections of your equipment to ensure that all hardware, webbing, stitching and tags are in proper condition and compliant with safety standards. Soft goods inspection is available at our shop or at your location

Products that can be inspected:

• Harnesses and Lanyards
• Hooks and Carabiners
• Vertical and Horizontal Lifelines
• Ropes and Rope Grabs
• Anchorage Connectors
• Roof Anchors

MacMor Industries is your one-stop shop for all things fall protection. If you or your crew are in need of safety equipment or have any questions about working at heights, do not hesitate to contact us - one of our many safety experts would be more than happy to assist you.