chain lanyards

L

Louie_Hampton

Location
Dallas no more, St. Louis MO
We just had a guy start with us that uses a length of chain as his lanyard. If he wants to pack the weight, cool, as long as I can ensure that all the "links" pass muster on safety. He is using a bronze snap to clip to his saddle, and adjust the length by which link he connects to. I know this won't fly for climber support as he is using it, both for reasons of weight rating, and non-locking.

Does anyone know of an acceptable snap or 'biner that will work in this situation. This guy likes his set-up and I don't want to force a change if we can find a safe, acceptable compromise. Any ideas?

Louie Hampton
 
You just have to find a locking carabiner small enough to fit in the links. Try Petzl Am'D. You can get red ones from frescoarborist.com

This seems quite silly. That must be a pain in the butt to adjust. Has he tried a rope lanyard (even wire core) and found the chain to be better?

love
nick

maybe someone can make him a rope lanyard?
 
My first reaction is to complain about such a half-ass set up. Then I tried to think of set ups I have seen here locally and it occurred to me how rare it is I see a climber with a lanyard at all. Things get kind of prehistoric down here.

Last week I passed a few guys climbing using a VT (and had lanyards). I stopped to say hello (I try to network with climbers locally.) Apparently they know Keith Babberney.

Way to share the knowledge Keith!!!

Surely this guy will change his methods with time.

Brass snaps?? From the hardware or feed store?? I have seen that all to often.

Stay safe
 
Ummmmmm we's got one that is fairly well tattoed, over 50, rides a Harley, has a Mowhawk haircut and a length of dog chain and similar snap for a lanyard.........

Wow, that's all i'm sayin'bout it!!.....
 
Can't speak to lanyards, but I used to use a lenght of chain to back up an outrigger (window washing platform). I found that biners get beat up pretty well, especially at the hinge area, enough to make me nervous, and screwlinks are hard to remove. I switched to a lenght of wire rope, but I might recccomend a locking clevis.

I'd hate to have that thing banging on my knees during setup.
 
Louie,

I know you, so I'm sure that you reasoned with this climber, BUUUuuT, why? Why the chain? What does he trust his life to when climbing? Does he use chain for his climbing system?

I hate extra weight-period! So, I don't even use wire-core. I don't even use 1/2". So I really don't understand this idea too much. I guess that the chain would be very difficult to cut through. However, wouldn't you think that the connection to the chain might be more of a threat than the cutting through thing?

The only thing I like about this is that he is thinking beyond the norm.
 
On Wednesday I was at the ANSI Z133 meeting. During the work on the hand tool section a proposal was to add verbiage to say that chopping tools shall not be used in the trees. This got eliminated because it was pointed out that palm skinners use cane knives and machetes to cut fronds. they also use chain lanyards. There wasn't any discussion about chain lanyards except that they would have to meet the 5k# breaking strength rating.

The climber could use a clevis to attach the snap or biner to the end of the chain. Compact and strong.

It's hard to imagine that climbing with a chain would be very much fun compared to rope lanyards. I know that Louie will be waiting for the teachable moments to show the new climber new technigues.

Tom
 
</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
The climber could use a clevis to attach the snap or biner to the end of the chain. Compact and strong.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think he was looking for a way to make it readily adjustable Tom.
 
This guy recently relocated here from California... Pruning Palms. He has worked with some of our guys, and they have good things to say about him. I like what I've seen so far. We are just getting our safety program rolling, and I know there will be battles to come. I don't feel the need to fight them all at once. If he feels good with chain, go man! I just want him to be safe. I think that after he gets a taste of the other side, he will want to change. If I can get these guys to "WANT" change, then we can really make some progress. For now, I'll settle for one step at a time.

Louie Hampton
 
</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
If I can get these guys to "WANT" change, then we can really make some progress. For now, I'll settle for one step at a time.

[/ QUOTE ]

You sound like a great person to work for.

I have trained a few horses, young and old. Dealing with employees or children is a lot like working with horses. You have to make your idea their idea.

Maybe wives belong in that group?
 
</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
Last week I passed a few guys climbing using a VT (and had lanyards). I stopped to say hello (I try to network with climbers locally.) Apparently they know Keith Babberney.


[/ QUOTE ]
Nathan,
Were these guys working for another company, or on their own? I taught a lot of guys the advanced climbing techniques I've learned over the years when I was working for Pat W. and most switched over right away.

There is still at least one Guy I know who would not switch from Arborplex to safety blue, though--he likes the stiffness and the ease of throwing loops with the Arbo.

Keith
 
Does this guy do romovals only or is he pruning as well? If he's pruning he can stay far, far away from my trees. A chain lanyard must do some nasty damage to young trees, or smooth barked trees, ie; beech, red oak canopy bark. The only tree I'd let him climb would be an ironwood.

I've also been hearing some bad things about the VT in drop tests. Anyone else heard anything?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

New threads New posts

Back
Top Bottom