So, you work with concrete and some random stranger with an OSHA nametag told you that you should be using fall protection before you get fined out the ass. Now, that is what they call being caught between a rock and an unbending government agency.
(Note:) Keep in mind that this article isn’t intended for those guys on the jobsite that think they’re invincible to falling because they’re men and they’ve been doing it for years. These are the same people that tend to think that after falling from a ten-story building they’ll merely get up and walk away, because unlike the rest of us humans, they’ve been constructed of solid steel. No this article is for people that would like to live to see another day.
Now, back to your dilemma, you work with concrete and you need fall protection. OK let’s get down to business and start with some anchors. Ironically, this journey doesn’t begin with an anchor at all. No, I’ll start with the C-Slab Grabber. This guardrail post clamps onto a slab of concrete and can provide a railing around the edge of your elevated platform. The railing is completed by stringing 2x4’s through the posts. A simple system for working on concrete decking, but you’re not always working on decking. So, lets get into the full-blown fall arrest anchors.
Let’s start with a simple claw anchor. This anchor has become extremely popular and was developed for the rock climbing industry. Almost every company manufacturers one of these meat hooks, and they’re all the same. There, I said it; they’re all the same. The only difference… price. Two manufacturers I like, SafeWaze and Guardian. What does it do? It installs into a ¾ in. hole at least 3 ft. deep into cured concrete capable of withstanding 5,000 psi. Another plus, it’s completely reusable. Also, if you need a stronger capacity, Guardian offers a 10K psi model.
Then you got your good ole’ concrete anchor strap. This little thing-a-ma-jig is installed before the concrete is poured and is usually wrapped around the rebar of what will soon be a concrete post. This leaves a little ring hanging out of the cured concrete. A simple solution, but unfortunately this anchor is disposable. After you’re done, you simply cut the D-Ring off and move on your way. This is a nice solution if your employees don’t take care of anything and lose tools, or if you don’t do that much concrete work to require a reusable anchor. A concrete anchor strap is a very inexpensive solution.
Hey, what about those CB anchors? Well you’re probably talking about the CB-12 & CB-18 anchors from Guardian. A completely unique concrete anchor that installs on a concrete roof, and can transform into a full horizontal lifelines system, allowing several members of your crew to tie off in a fall restraint situation. This is a great way to install a permanent system on a roof and provide a lifetime of safety for future construction work and maintenance. Or you can take it with you to your next job as well, which is a feature I like… user’s choice.
Let’s see what else there is. Oh, Guardian also creates what they call a Double D Anchor. (I won’t even mention the plethora of possible jokes this product name creates.) This concrete anchor installs into a piece of PVC pipe that has been cured into a poured concrete post, leaving a d-ring exposed from each side of said post. This anchor is truly unique in that two people can tie off at the same time, one from each side. While the PVC pipe can’t be reused, the anchor can be, making this anchor pretty darn economical.
Another recent development in concrete fall protection came when Guardian introduced a concrete anchor for precast hollow core concrete. Which is a refreshing innovation due to the fact that a large part of concrete construction is switching to this material. Completely reusable, you simply drill your hole, and push the rod in while squeezing the tip and releasing once inserted, and voila it’s locked in. (That sounds disgusting.) It’s probably a one on the old difficulty level, making it a breeze to use. Moderately priced this anchor could be just what the doctor ordered.
Finally, a concrete anchor I fell in love with when I first saw it. For those of you wondering, yes we did set a date, March 9th, and Fr. O’Malley will be officiating the ceremony. The French Creek Concrete Anchor combines everything you could want in a concrete anchor. First of all it can be used almost anywhere. This makes it a bit more versatile than the Double-D anchor which can pretty much only be installed into concrete post. It also needs to be planned for in advanced, where French Creek’s Anchor can be installed during any part of construction process. You simply drill a hole in cured concrete and put in the anchor. Not to shabby eh? Another plus for this guy is that it’s completely reusable, which feels nice on the wallet. You simple need to buy more bolts, but even with an additional 10 pack of bolts the price still comes in under almost all of your other options. Which I think is pretty damn good.
Next in the process, let’s review lanyards for concrete work. Lanyards are lanyards. That’s all I can say. You want to find a strong lanyard that will resist abrasion. A heavy-duty lanyard will save you money in the long run. More important on this front is retractable lifelines. If you’re going to be working with concrete you’ll want a web retractable. Why? Because when clumsy Stan spills wet concrete on your outstretched web retractable, all you have to do is wait for it to dry, bend the webbing and the concrete will crack right off. A cable retractable is less forgiving and odds are pretty good that your going to be sending rock fragments back up into the mechanism of your retractable. Not a good thing. I would hate to have a retractable that doesn’t retract, but simply reels you out to your death.
As far as harnesses are concerned there is one suggestion I would make. SafeWaze makes an abrasion harness that I think is ideal for concrete situations. The heavy-duty webbing will stand up to the rigors of concrete work and the inevitable rock scraping that’s bound to come with it. It’s reasonably priced, and of course more comfortable than your average jock strap harness.
Well, hopefully I’ve inspired you with some new ideas to the age-old problem, how do I keep from falling off stuff? Feel free to follow the links in the text to look at some of the products mentioned. Again, thanks for your time. Go forth and be Semi-Safe.
