Well, we're ready to whip it out. Finally it's erector month for all of you steel workers out there. And to celebrate, we here at the Snug Harness are offering some sweet savings on fall protection for iron, steel, and aluminum foil workers. This event is going to last all month long and stay rock hard. Warning: if your excitement for steel related fall protection lasts more than four hours, consult a physician. You can find some of our great deals by CLICKING HERE. So enjoy it while you can.
As a service to you, we here at the Snug Harness
break down some of the useful terminology and make fun of some of the stupid
names that sales guys use for their fall protection. So, in honor of Snug Harness’ Concrete
Celebration, let’s pull out another word from the Word Sack:
Concrete Anchor Strap:
Definition: A Concrete Anchor Strap is a disposable concrete anchor that is installed before concrete is poured and is designed for a single use.
Word Origin: Sounds like mister creative came up with this name... This could be the most unoriginal name I’ve ever heard in the fall protection industry. Sure, I’ll make fun of names that are a bit over the top, but this one is just blah.
Seriously, some guy with no personality, thick black glasses, and a short sleeved collared white shirt with a pocket protector, and armpit stains must have come up with this riveting classification. It is what it is.
Analysis: The Concrete Anchor Strap is quite
generic, but at the same time it’s not supposed to be an elaborate display of
fall protection technology. It does
what it’s supposed to do, and the bells and whistles are pretty limited. Let’s put it this way, if you’re looking for
an anchor with WiFi and a coffee grinder, you’re looking at the wrong thing.
Designed to be disposable, this anchor’s feature set includes a very attractive and economical price point. On my personal level of price attractiveness I’d give it a 9. (A 10 is free.) At around ten dollars or less, these anchors can really get the job done, and for a guy like myself who’s sewn two old eye patches together to make a sleeping mask for my mother's birthday... Trust me, I know a good deal when I see one.
The anchor installs easily before concrete is poured and is often laced around a piece of rebar. Most commonly used in posts this strap can be used on anything that will support, you guessed it, 5000 lbs. When they job is complete simply cut the D-ring from the wall and your done. You can patch the hole if you need to, but I like to leave it as a little birthmark.
As far as the meager options… Abrasion resistant padding or bare ass? D-rings or loops? Yep that pretty much covers it. It’s just like going to a Barry Manilow concert, what do you want? Crap or crap?
Disclaimer: This post in no way implies that Barry Manilow is a poor musician. We here at the Snug Harness have the utmost respect for Mr. Manilow and his new hip. We’d just like our audience to know that he’s no Herb Alpert… or Neil Diamond for that matter… “She got the way to move me cherry!”
Similar Terms:
Anchor Strap
Asphalt Girdle
The Petrified D-Ring
The Cement Thong (only kidding!)
Word Associations:
Concrete Anchor Strap: You mean a bra strap?
Concrete Anchor Strap: You’ve made an anchor out of concrete? Won’t it break?
So, there you have it. I hope you appreciated our dissection of the Concrete Anchor Strap, and we’ll be back again next week with another word. Thanks for stopping by the Snug Harness, where it’s always hot and sweaty. You never know what you might find in the Snug Harness’ world of construction and fall protection.
After minutes of deliberation, Snug Harness has unveiled it's first Top 10 list, and keeping with the festivities of "Concrete Month: Solid As A Rock" we've chosen to rank the top ten concrete products in the world of fall protection.
How was the list determined? Well with a lot of head scratching and finger nail biting. As you can see illustrated in the picture above this was awkward and uncomfortable process, especially when Doug took of his shirt. Most people cleared out of the conference room when he pulled out the canola oil. When he was confronted with the picture he held his head in shame and assured us he would be starting a diet soon. He hinted at Trim Spa.
Anyway you can see the fruits of our labor by CLICKING HERE.
As a service to you, we here at the Snug Harness
break down some of the useful terminology and make fun of some of the stupid
names that sales guys use for their fall protection. So, in honor of Snug Harness’ Concrete
Celebration, let’s pull out another word from the Word Sack:
Double-D Concrete Anchor:
Definition: A Double-D Concrete Anchor is a reusable concrete anchor that can be installed into a concrete form providing one or two person tie off point.
Word Origin: It would sound to me like this name originated from a very lonely man, or a very large chested man. Or a man who wanted a very large… Well you get the point. Now, I don’t what to go into all the details exactly why this name is funny to individuals like myself, but let’s just say it has something to do with body parts I hope to see some day…fingers crossed.
I can honestly say that I don’t think that this is the breast name for a fall protection anchor, but I wouldn’t want to sit here and udder on and on like a boob trying to come up with or remember a more serviceable name. Besides, I have a bad mammary. Ok, enough with the puns…eh.
Analysis: The Double-D Concrete Anchor is
actually very unique in the fact that two workers can be allowed to tie off
simultaneously to this anchor. This is
almost unheard of, but you’re hearing it now because I’m telling it to you. Oh,
and it’s easy to install.
You simply insert a piece of 1 in. PVC pipe into a concrete form and when it dries…it’s ready. You then slide the anchor through the pipe, screw the ends and it’s done. Seriously, it’s that simple. I barely used the instructions…but that’s not really saying much.
Hey, this anchor can also be used as an anchor point for a horizontal lifeline system. Yep, Henry will be drying his underwear on the job site because you decided to put up a horizontal lifeline. Hell, you can even use a retractable on this anchor…beautiful. Ironically that’s the first thing I think when I see the Double-D.
Oh, and for those of you cheapskates out there, this anchor is completely reusable. Except, of course, for the PVC pipe. Although that shouldn’t be a problem, it’s not like PVC pipe is like gasoline or solid gold for that matter. But, if it was… never mind.
Disclaimer: This post in no way implies that you should haphazardly rush through instruction manuals. The greatest care should be taken when assembling fall protection equipment. Trust me, no one wants to end up with Peanut Butter in their VCR because they didn’t read the directions.
Similar Terms:
Dual O-Ring Anchor
Cleavage Claw
The Droopy D
Triple-TeeTee Tie Off (only kidding!)
Word Associations:
Double-D Concrete Anchor: Jeez, they’re not that hard.
Double-D Concrete Anchor: Is that the bra they use when implants go bad?
Double-D Concrete Anchor: Does it come with a push-up portion?
So, there you have it. I hope you appreciated our dissection of the Double-D Concrete Anchor, and we’ll be back again next week with another word. Thanks for stopping by the Snug Harness, where it’s always hot and sweaty. You never know what you might find in the Snug Harness’ world of construction and fall protection.
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.
All this month, the Snug Harness is celebrating “Concrete Month,” or what some people call January. And trust me, we are going to hit it hard all month long. As some of you may know, this is the month of the fabled and often talked about Concrete Expo in Las Vegas.
Unfortunately, it’s been a year or two since I’ve gone. It might have something to do with all of the Bunny Ranch receipts I turned in for reimbursement. Reimbursement denied.
So in order to celebrate hard rock, we’re throwing a month long bash that includes special discounts, sweet information, and hilarious rants for those of you who love turning dust into rock.
As a service to you, we here at the Snug Harness
break down some of the useful terminology and make fun of some of the stupid
names that sales guys use for their fall protection. So, in honor of Snug Harness’ Concrete
Celebration, let’s pull out another word from the Word Sack:
C-Slab Grabber:
Definition: A C-Slab Grabber is a guardrail post that can be conveniently attached to concrete decking to create a passive form of fall protection.
Word Origin: I don’t know what it is about this product name, but it sounds like a tool that’s used in a liposuction procedure. “Nurse could you hand me the C-Slab Grabber, so I can move this fat out of the way!”
I was later informed that the “C” in C-Slab Grabber stands for concrete. I was under the impression it stood for Chubby. Either way, it’s an uncomfortable name for a fall protection product. I casually mentioned the C-Slab Grabber in a conversation with my mother and she gave me a swift jab to the face.
Analysis: The C-Slab Grabber is a breath of
fresh air in the fall protection industry, which is normally monopolized by the
faint smell of buttocks and diluted coffee. The fact of the matter is simple, concrete is becoming an even bigger
part of commercial construction, and a couple of toothpicks attached to
concrete decking with some half assed epoxy doesn’t cut it anymore.
The beauty of the “Slabber” is that is tightened directly to the concrete slab in what can only be described as a giant clamp. Finally, a solution that doesn’t involve screwing! (There’s a first for everything.) Time after time I have seen guys try to screw things that shouldn’t be screwed, and it ruins as many lives as it saves. This product can eliminate this hassle with awesome results.
Not only is this fall protection simple to use, it is powder coated and it appears to be of a superior quality. I have a feeling the Slabber will hold up to the use and abuse of any rough jobsite. Thus making this an economical purchase, unlike your wife’s last pair of shoes.
Disclaimer: This post wishes to apologize to those individuals that smell like buttocks. If you are one of these individuals, you probably think I’m talking about someone else.
Similar Terms:
C-Lump Snatcher
Grout Gripper
The Chunk Hooker
The Concrete A-Holder (only kidding!)
Word Associations:
C-Slab Grabber: Who’s Slab?
C-Slab Grabber: You mean a dirty old man?
C-Slab Grabber: Are you referring to my hand?
So, there you have it. I hope you appreciated our dissection of the C-Slab Grabber , and we’ll be back again next week with another word. Thanks for stopping by the Snug Harness, where it’s always hot and sweaty. You never know what you might find in the Snug Harness’ world of construction and fall protection.
You could win this work boot. Actually you could win this boot and its brother. It would be pretty foolish to have a contest and only give away a single boot. We know because we did it. It was awkward.
Here’s the deal, all you have to do is create an account at our new online store in the month of November. Oh, and creating an account is free. You don’t even have to buy anything. (Frank wanted us to make you buy a single boot in hopes that you would be entered to win the matching boot.) But after a company-wide vote, Frank lost. The final tally was seven votes to one.
Oh, and if you don’t like the boot in the picture, neither do we. If you win pick from any style you like on our site. One randomly chosen winner will be announced December 6, 2006. So head on over to the Snug Harness and create an account.
