Safety equipment: Does this exist?

Hi folksI am embarking on a project that will involve me spending a lot of time – weeks – at the top of a tall ladder, about two stories up. I am imagining a particular piece of safety equipment, and I am hoping one of you can tell me if it exists, and if so, what it is called. The idea is to have something that attaches to a rope, and let's it pass freely If one is moving at a controlled speed, up or down. But if you fall or suddenly jerk downward, it would catch and stop you until released.It struck me that such a thing, whether a gadget or just a specialized slip knot, if it exists, would be useful in mountaineering or rock climbing.This is why I am posting here

Hire someone qualified to do this work for you. Telling you more will only heighten your danger, as you'll have a false sense of security. 

It exists.  They'll tell you all about it during your IRATA/SPRAT training, or see OSHA course #3115.  In the US, employers are required to provide adequate training and equipment for any personnel to work at heights as per OSHA 1910.30(a).  OSHA defines working at heights to be at heights greater than 6ft.  This is brought up in the basic safety training which is OSHA 510 for construction or 511 for general industry.  Other industries such as maritime, and mining have specialized basic safety training.

Andrew Hoernerwrote:

Hi folksI am embarking on a project that will involve me spending a lot of time – weeks – at the top of a tall ladder, about two stories up. I am imagining a particular piece of safety equipment, and I am hoping one of you can tell me if it exists, and if so, what it is called. The idea is to have something that attaches to a rope, and let's it pass freely If one is moving at a controlled speed, up or down. But if you fall or suddenly jerk downward, it would catch and stop you until released.It struck me that such a thing, whether a gadget or just a specialized slip knot, if it exists, would be useful in mountaineering or rock climbing.This is why I am posting here

What do you think of the responses you have received?

https://www.petzl.com/US/en/Professional/Mobile-fall-arresters/ASAP

This is one device that looks like it would work for you. 

https://rescuedirect.com/taz-lov3-climbing-device/?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD-OpHhHcTikGtpDXwCv2IeIPqKCI&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7-6rhquVhwMVb5zCCB1IjQIpEAQYAiABEgLFafD_BwE 

There is a device called a lad saf that works on cable. Common on wind turbine ladders.

Are you doing this work for someone else, or yourself? Does the roof you're working on(?) have tie in points? 

I'd personally recommend a simple piece of cord, and use a friction hitch(ala valdotain tresse or prussik). Waaaay cheaper than a device, and not awful to use if you're only doing this work a little bit.

Zach Baerwrote:

Are you doing this work for someone else, or yourself? Does the roof you're working on(?) have tie in points? 

I'd personally recommend a simple piece of cord, and use a friction hitch(ala valdotain tresse or prussik). Waaaay cheaper than a device, and not awful to use if you're only doing this work a little bit.

Exhibit A on why asking rope access questions on a climbing forum is a bad idea.

OP should definitely hire someone qualified to do this work or take a rope access course. Lots of ways to die doing this, most of which will be unintutive to a layperson.

Dirtbag Darvowrote:

https://www.petzl.com/US/en/Professional/Mobile-fall-arresters/ASAP

This is one device that looks like it would work for you. 

In theory, yes an asap goes up and down a rope, but you likely wouldn’t have the clearance needed for the shock pack in that application and could likely result in a groundfall.

1 more reply for hire someone or get the right training.

YGD

Sam Schwinghammerwrote:

It exists.  They'll tell you all about it during your IRATA/SPRAT training, or see OSHA course #3115.  In the US, employers are required to provide adequate training and equipment for any personnel to work at heights as per OSHA 1910.30(a).  OSHA defines working at heights to be at heights greater than 6ft.  This is brought up in the basic safety training which is OSHA 510 for construction or 511 for general industry.  Other industries such as maritime, and mining have specialized basic safety training.

This seems like great advice. At least the part about “get the training.” How do I do that?

 I’m just a dude who has a house that needs some work done here and there. I see some online courses for 750ish, but not offered in my state. What’s the beta on getting the training?

That’s cool you’re open to it. Some of it may be beyond the scope of this project, but overall it would be much better to understand how the systems and gear work so you can come up with a system that fits your needs safely.

Just look for a SPRAT or IRATA level 1 provider 

Sep Mwrote:

 I’m just a dude who has a house that needs some work done here and there. I see some online courses for 750ish, but not offered in my state. What’s the beta on getting the training?

If you can't find a local provider online, a facility with a high ropes course or perhaps a local roofing/arborist company may be able to point you in the right direction.  These courses often have high face to face time and low student to instructor ratio requirements, and for very good reason.  Unfortunately, that tends to drive costs up significantly.

For a professional, the cost is absolutely worth it, but as a homeowner, your money may be better spent hiring someone else to do the job.  There's a good chance it will be significantly more economical after factoring in the cost of ropes, anchoring materials, rope grabs, shock absorbers(often a single use item btw), harness, etc.

Side note: ads for "fall arrest systems" for ridiculously low amounts, like $50 off Amazon, are now popping up in my browser.  So, please don't.  No home repair project is worth dying for, and trusting your life to questionable equipment is just asking for trouble.

Ah, such a timely thread.  OP could benefit from browsing this book:

Ropework manual

Sounds like you want a kong backup

Hello Andrew,

Not knowing your situation, but my experience is as such.  Existing and difficult, sketchy gable condition for staining clapboards.  My solution: extension ladder on south side of adjacent garage roof buttressed by front wheel of car.  Pick-up truck with hitch (or tree) on north side of garage structure. Attach old static rope with figure-8 or bowline knot to truck hitch.  Rope extends from hitch and up to ridge of garage and down south side of garage roof and adjacent to extension ladder.  Wearing crappy old harness, attach rope to grigri and locking carabiner and attach to belay loop on harness. Climb and/or walk-up ladder, while pulling rope through GRIGRI to maintain tight rope condition.  Periodically form knots in trailing rope behind.  With GRIGRI locked, lean on rope for comfort and to have two free hands and start staining.  With some research and on-ground practice, this method would be simple, cost effective and safely achievable.  Search the for-sale section of this forum for used equipment.  Hope this helps.

The type of device you’re thinking of is called a fall arrester, colloquially known in rope access as a back-up device. A simple one for rope access should be certified to this standard: EN 12841-A. Petzl ASAP and Kong Backup are two of many examples/options.

As others have said, this scenario falls into the area of rope access/fall arrest depending on the exact situation.

As others have said, to do it correctly, get proper training or hire a professional.

As others have suggested, you could DIY it without too much effort, but definitely YGD.