On Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:32:49 +0100, Stig Arne Bye
wrote:

jps wrote:

Why would it suddenly engage several feet from the ground?

Is it something he did at the last moment?


Without neither knowing the exact equipment in use nor how the equipment
were setup and/or used, it's difficult to tell exactly, but there are
several possibilities:
- Incorrect selection of equipment for the actual work situation.
- Incorrect setup and/or use of equipment.
- Damaged or worn out equipment (e.g. rope).
- Equipment failure.

Basically, a properly selected and used fall arrestor shall engage
almost instantly without any user intervention and stop the fall
instantly or within maximum a few metres (regulations in several
countries), so in this case there were definitely something wrong...



Stig Arne Bye

Do you find it surprising that after 7.9 stories something did engage?

I'm a believer in natural law. That's as close to God as I can
muster. When stuff like this happens, it makes me question what I
haven't accounted for...

I'm thinking spirit helpers at this point. How the hell does someone
fall that many feet only to be snapped taught in the last few inches
before splat? The odds seem pretty slim after 100+ ft.

On Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:59:56 -0800, jps wrote:



I'm thinking spirit helpers at this point. How the hell does someone
fall that many feet only to be snapped taught in the last few inches
before splat? The odds seem pretty slim after 100+ ft.

Safety ropes aren't long. Sounds like he didn't even have it latched.
Then it snagged something on the second story.
Maybe a ledge, a flagpole, a bracket, etc.
Who knows.
But, "Somebody Up There Likes Me."

--Vic

"Vic Smith" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:59:56 -0800, jps wrote:



I'm thinking spirit helpers at this point. How the hell does someone
fall that many feet only to be snapped taught in the last few inches
before splat? The odds seem pretty slim after 100+ ft.

Safety ropes aren't long. Sounds like he didn't even have it latched.
Then it snagged something on the second story.
Maybe a ledge, a flagpole, a bracket, etc.
Who knows.
But, "Somebody Up There Likes Me."

--Vic




Funny he didn't break his back, can you imagine the foot pounds of force at
work.
When I get up over a 2nd story window I wear my safety harness and tie the
rope off so I shouldn't fall more than 6-8 feet.

Maybe I'll breakdown and buy a proper safety lanyard with the webbing sewed
in a 'flaking' type arrangement so the threads give way gradually as you
fall.

On Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:41:34 -0400, "Don White"
wrote:


"Vic Smith" wrote in message
.. .
On Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:59:56 -0800, jps wrote:



I'm thinking spirit helpers at this point. How the hell does someone
fall that many feet only to be snapped taught in the last few inches
before splat? The odds seem pretty slim after 100+ ft.

Safety ropes aren't long. Sounds like he didn't even have it latched.
Then it snagged something on the second story.
Maybe a ledge, a flagpole, a bracket, etc.
Who knows.
But, "Somebody Up There Likes Me."

--Vic




Funny he didn't break his back, can you imagine the foot pounds of force at
work.
When I get up over a 2nd story window I wear my safety harness and tie the
rope off so I shouldn't fall more than 6-8 feet.

Maybe I'll breakdown and buy a proper safety lanyard with the webbing sewed
in a 'flaking' type arrangement so the threads give way gradually as you
fall.

I had a belt/lanyard when I did a lot of ladder work. Lanyard was
about 3' long. Good for moving 2 rungs before reattaching.
Think it cost about 30 bucks, but that was a long time ago.
No sense dropping more than a couple feet.
I bet most ladder accidents come from using cheap ladders and not
footing them correctly.
Used to be atop 40 footers leaning outside the rails painting.
Foolish maybe.
Then one day when I was about 40 years old I went up about 25 feet to
do some work on my windows and my knees were shaking so bad the ladder
was rattling.
That was it. Hired it done after that.

--Vic

Don White wrote:
"Vic wrote in message
...
On Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:59:56 -0800, wrote:



I'm thinking spirit helpers at this point. How the hell does someone
fall that many feet only to be snapped taught in the last few inches
before splat? The odds seem pretty slim after 100+ ft.

Safety ropes aren't long. Sounds like he didn't even have it latched.
Then it snagged something on the second story.
Maybe a ledge, a flagpole, a bracket, etc.
Who knows.
But, "Somebody Up There Likes Me."

--Vic




Funny he didn't break his back, can you imagine the foot pounds of force at
work.
When I get up over a 2nd story window I wear my safety harness and tie the
rope off so I shouldn't fall more than 6-8 feet.

Maybe I'll breakdown and buy a proper safety lanyard with the webbing sewed
in a 'flaking' type arrangement so the threads give way gradually as you
fall.



The neighbors will love that! Do you wear a football helmet, too?!?
Tell us when you and your "harness" are on U-Tube!

Rob