Installing a Roof Safety Line.

by Mjtrinihobby

4.1K1615

Intro: Installing a Roof Safety Line.

Due to the fact that I have solar panels and a wind turbine generator on my Roof, I wanted a means of securing myself via a body harness. Safety first and always! Read on for how I did this task.

STEP 1: Installing an Eye Bolt.

On one side of the roof I put an eye bolt into a roof support beam.

STEP 2: Clamping the Steel Cable.

I used double u clamps to ensure a slip free hold on the cable.

STEP 3: Securing the Other End.

I used the wind turbine pole to secure the end of the steel cable. Again double clamps for proper installation.

STEP 4: Using the Safety Line!

Wearing my fall protection harness, I can safely work on my Roof now!

15 Comments

ReeVolt 8 years ago

I wouldn't trust those eye bolts, because when youre falling your weight doubles and even triples after a few meters.

bbrookins 8 years ago

You might want to turn those U-bolts around. The saying "Never saddle a dead horse" comes into play, especially with the plastic coated wire ropes as they tend to slip when loaded suddenly. In the fifth picture, it appears that the saddle is towards the loose end of the rope instead of the bolt itself. I've made this mistake myself and thankfully it didn't completely fail on me, but it came close. Now I always make sure to watch for it while on a job site.

Mjtrinihobby 8 years ago

good advice! I will look to make that improvement. I have an electrical and electronic mind. Rigging and lifting I'm simply not that versed in.

gumby_kevbo 8 years ago

I'd worry about the Eye-bolt strength. and pullout. When you load the middle of the cable, the tension in the cable will be ( weight + inertial load) X (1/sine(angle)) where angle is how much the cable is deflected from straight between the eyes. If there is zero deflection the cable tension is infinite.

ECaulk 8 years ago

OSHA regulations state minimum safely factor of 2 designed by a qualified person for horizontal lifelines. I'm with you on thinking the eye bolt giving out before or even the line breaking in the event of a fall

Mjtrinihobby 8 years ago

luckily for my home, OSHA doesn't apply in my personal hobbies. Any failure of that line is my liability to stand. As a professional on a job site, of course I demand full OSHA certifified equipment.

Kinkhoss 8 years ago

I'll keep this in mind if I ever have to work on a steep pitched roof

Mjtrinihobby 8 years ago

I seem accident prone in my middle age, so having this safety line is a really good device for me. Thanks for your appreciation!

gumby_kevbo 8 years ago

Falling from roofs IS a leading cause of death and injury among middle aged males.

Tip: Good safety harnesses are available at outdoor stores that cater to deer hunters. They are intended to be used with elevated hunting stands. The prices are much lower than industrial suppliers.

Mjtrinihobby 8 years ago

True. The one I purchased off Amazon is only 40USD, the lanyard is 30USD, definitely not industrial approved but for my home use it is a life saver!