Saddle Strength

[NickfromWI]

I've been wondering about something lately, then a post in one of the other threads reminded me to ask about here. How strong are the saddles we use?

I was concerned a while back when reading something (maybe here: Buckingham Catalog ) about saddles being work positioning saddles and NOT fall arrest saddles.

By this, does it mean that you shouldn't "fall" on a saddle? What's the difference. Is there a difference? Is a rock climbing harness stronger (though not better)?

Why is 16kN strong enough when everything else must be to 5000lbs?

love
nick

 

[Rupe]

The reason you shouldn't fall on a WP harness is because we don't use any shock absorbing equipment. Thats why we mustn't climb above our TIPs or have slack rope.

Rock climbers use high stretch ropes.

However this is contradicted slightly by fall arrest harnesses which tend to be much more sturdy, plus they are usually full body harnesses and you certainly won't catch a rock climber wearing one of those.

I think that comparing what we do, to rock climbing is never going to make much sense. Rock climbing is a lesuire activity. They can climb without any safety gear if they want. Our HSE or your OSHA have no authority over such activities so their harness are going to be as skimpy as possible.

While I'm here, this link has been usefull many times to translate your antiquated measuring systems!

http://www.worldwidemetric.com/metcal.htm

When I say "your", thats a general term, not directed at Nick personly.

 

[NickfromWI]

Don't be rippin' on inches and feet! Click Here to Read a Good Argument FOR our "Antiquated Measuring System."

So they call it WP not because of the saddle, but because of the system?

love
nick

 

[Rupe]

[ QUOTE ]
So they call it WP not because of the saddle, but because of the system?


[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, but the HARNESS is designed for that system and is therefore a WP HARNESS. Although, I'm sure, a butterfly, for example, used with a dynamic rope would work ok for rock climbing but you couldn't add a shock absorber and then use it for fall arrest in a work related situation because that goes against its design type.

Feet and Inches are ok, its the pounds I can't get the hang of. /forum/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Leif]

Seems like fall arrest harnesses offer spinal protection in the event of a fall. The D-ring that supports you is in the upper back. I imagine a slack line fall in a regular saddle could be very hard on your back/neck. /forum/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[Tom Dunlap]

This might be over-simplified but I'll make a stab.

Work positioning saddles are meant to be used with some sort of overhead anchor ALL of the time. If the climber falls they will have a rope above them to catch the fall. Not meant for falling and getting the head below the waist.

Fall arrest saddles with a shock absorbing lanyard will allow the climber to be above the TIP. If they fall the system will stop the climber in a more or less upright position.