DiyLightAnimation

Fun => The Porch => Topic started by: bwhite505 on March 26, 2012,

Title: Fatal accident while taking lights down
Post by: bwhite505 on March 26, 2012,
http://www.statecollege.com/news/local-news/accuweather-vp-dies-after-fall-from-roof-in-college-township-1032822/

So tragic.
Title: Re: Fatal accident while taking lights down
Post by: angus40 on March 26, 2012,
Tragic to say the least , a lesson to be learnd by all of us who are not roofers or trades that are acustom to working on roofs . A saftey harness and an anchor line should be used by all when up on a roof . In this day and age takin safety for granted is a shame.

Just my .02
Title: Re: Fatal accident while taking lights down
Post by: chrisatpsu on March 26, 2012,
that's 2 hours from me.
Title: Re: Fatal accident while taking lights down
Post by: Rod R on March 26, 2012,
Wow sorry to hear so a tragic accident that surrounds a joy full season.  Lets all try remember to be safe, I know sometimes its not easy as I catch myself doing things that I should not have done and say "What was I thinking". 
Title: Re: Fatal accident while taking lights down
Post by: tbone321 on March 26, 2012,
That's the primary reason why I don't put lights on my roof. 
Title: Re: Fatal accident while taking lights down
Post by: bassmants on March 26, 2012,
Very, very sad. :(
Title: What is the proper way to do it, if you DO go on the roof?
Post by: Zeph on March 26, 2012,
Yes, very tragic.

And sobering.

Angus (or whomever), could you say more about harness and anchor line?  I've considered wearing something like a climbing harness with a rope going over the peak of the roof, to a spouse or friend who is essentially belaying me, but it seems like a lot of work (and I haven't had climbing gear since my 20's so it involves diverting budget from blinky).  Is that the kind of thing you are talking about?

Maybe this is a wake-up call about "doing it right", so I'd like to learn more.  What's the right gear and procedure?

I am increasingly aware that I don't bounce as well as I once (at least believed I) did.
Title: Re: Fatal accident while taking lights down
Post by: dr. jones on March 26, 2012,
http://www.petzl.com/us/pro/mobile-fall-arrest-device-rope-0/asap

watch the video
Title: Re: Fatal accident while taking lights down
Post by: smeighan on March 26, 2012,
this is the one i am thinking of getting this summer (before i install anything on the roof)

http://www.amazon.com/FallTech-7595RA-Contractor-Harness-Universal/dp/B0028SW61I/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1332826166&sr=8-2
Title: Re: Fatal accident while taking lights down
Post by: chrisatpsu on March 26, 2012,
so, with these...  if you're by yourself, you end up dangling from the side of the house?
Title: Re: Fatal accident while taking lights down
Post by: smeighan on March 26, 2012,
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so, with these...  if you're by yourself, you end up dangling from the side of the house?

This is what roofers use. My brother is a contractor. I helped him do a few roofs. I dont like heights. His roofers made fun of me wearing one until one of them backed  off the  second story. Luckily, he only broke a leg.

I will feel safer having a harness on.
Title: Re: Fatal accident while taking lights down
Post by: chrisatpsu on March 27, 2012,
oh yeah, i agree it keeps you safe.  I just meant once you go over and this thing saves you, do you need to be rescued? or is there a safe way to get out of it?
Title: Re: Fatal accident while taking lights down
Post by: sebjsan on March 27, 2012,
We use these http://www.amazon.com/DBI-SALA-Rebel-Self-Retracting-Lifeline/dp/B001VY0L6M/ref=sr_1_5?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1332857530&sr=1-5. They retract with you so you dont need to worry about tripping over the rope. Another great thing about them is they will lock up if they feel a quick pull/ fall. So if you slip on your roof it will stop you on the roof as well.
Title: Re: Fatal accident while taking lights down
Post by: tbone321 on March 27, 2012,
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oh yeah, i agree it keeps you safe.  I just meant once you go over and this thing saves you, do you need to be rescued? or is there a safe way to get out of it?

The rescue method is called a cell phone.
Title: Re: Fatal accident while taking lights down
Post by: dr. jones on March 27, 2012,
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oh yeah, i agree it keeps you safe.  I just meant once you go over and this thing saves you, do you need to be rescued? or is there a safe way to get out of it?

Thats why i prefer the rope grab with a full climbing harness, it allows the user to self rescue if they are not severly injured
Title: Re: Fatal accident while taking lights down
Post by: sjb on March 27, 2012,
Could you also not shorten the rope so that you can not go over the edge?
Title: Re: Fatal accident while taking lights down
Post by: tbone321 on March 27, 2012,
In most cases that would not be possible
Title: Re: Fatal accident while taking lights down
Post by: chrisatpsu on March 27, 2012,
i think i'll just stick to the edge of the roof this year
Title: Re: Fatal accident while taking lights down
Post by: zwiller on March 27, 2012,
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so, with these...  if you're by yourself, you end up dangling from the side of the house?

This is what roofers use. My brother is a contractor. I helped him do a few roofs. I dont like heights. His roofers made fun of me wearing one until one of them backed  off the  second story. Luckily, he only broke a leg.

I will feel safer having a harness on.

My Dad and Father in law have rolled off many a roof and they were lucky.  I am, however, not that lucky. 

I have absolutely no experience with climbing roofs so I won't even go there.  Further, I like some of the lit roof lines I've seen here and other blinky sites but I've never seen one that is so cool it makes me want to light mine.  Not to mention tearing shingles fooling around up there.  Plenty of other places to put lights that offer much less a risk.  Be safe.



Title: Re: Fatal accident while taking lights down
Post by: dr. jones on March 27, 2012,
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Could you also not shorten the rope so that you can not go over the edge?

yes - you put a stop knot into the rope.