Did you know that today is the anniversary of the 1st Olympics?   That would be the modern Olympics. Not the Greek Olympics from ions ago when dudes wrestled naked against… I digress.

With the Olympics, we were introduced to the scoring of gold, silver, and bronze medals. Which got me thinking about harnesses.

Harnesses basically come in three different classifications when it comes to quality, comfort, and features… Gold, silver, and bronze if you will. I thought I’d go over these categories and give you a couple examples of the good, better, best, when it comes to harnesses.

The Bronze Medal Harnesses
These harnesses are usually the bare bones when in comes to fall protection harnesses. It’s going to keep you compliant, but it isn’t going to be the most comfortable piece of equipment in the world. What do you get? A couple of straps and some buckles. Now don’t get me wrong, these harnesses are perfectly capable of completing the job, and are great when you’ve got a huge crew because they are less expensive and cheaper to replace. Some Bronze Medal Harnesses…

Miller Titan
Guardian Universal
DBI-Protecta

The Silver Medal Harness
A silver medal harness is obviously a step up from the bronze, but what does that mean? Well, for starters at the silver level you’re going to begin to see some additional padding and comfort. You also get the option of better buckles, such as quick connect buckles which work like a seat belt. These are work horse harnesses. They provide comfort, without all of the bells and whistles, so they remain economical. These harnesses also seem to have and increased set of options such as d-rings, belts, and other gizmos.

Miller DuraFlex
Guardian Seraph
DBI-SALA Delta II

The Gold Medal Harness
These are top of the line harnesses. Are they comfortable? Hell yes. Do they have options and accessories? More than you can shake a stick at. We’re talking cream of the crop here. The webbing is more durable, the padding is more comfortable, and the options are endless. These are Cadillacs.  If you’ve got a group of workers you want to make happy, invest in one of these bad boys. If your boss gave you a crappy harness that is penetrating your… you might want to pick one of these up.

Miller Revolution
Guardian Edge
DBI-SALA ExoFit NEX

1. Mating Buckle or Pass Thru Buckle – What’s the Difference?
2. Comfortable Harness
3. Lord of D-Rings in Fall Protection

Calling all those still looking for a top-notch harness, may we suggest… the DBI-SALA Exofit NEX Universal Harness. As far as harnesses go, this baby is flawless.

The Exofit NEX provides the highest level of safety available while remaining extremely comfortable. Seriously, it’s the Snuggie of Harnesses.

What makes this harness so comfortable? I’m glad you asked. First, it is one of the easiest harnesses to adjust, so you will find just the right fit specific to your body. Second, this harness boasts soft, durable padding that is strategically placed in all the right areas. Lastly, the Exofit NEX’s D-Rings are constructed of aluminum alloy which decreases the amount of weight you are carrying around, so you can wear it all day with ease.

Not only is this harness cozy, it is also owns bragging rights to safety and durability. The repel technology in the webbing makes this harness five times more abrasion resistant and water repellent when compared to other harnesses, so it can take a licking and keep on ticking.

Other features include: an integrated trauma strap, reflective material throughout the harness to increase worker visibility, built in carrying pockets to keep your cellphone or candy bar stash handy, impact indicator stitching that lets you know when the gear should be removed from service, and also lanyard keepers that keep your lanyards out of the way when you are not using them.

With all that being said, try out a Snuggie, I mean Exofit NEX Harness today!

One of the most popular anchors we carry is the door jamb anchor from French Creek. So I thought I’d give you a little overview of this handy anchor point and a couple of his cousins.

The door jamb anchor fits snugly inside a… um… door jamb?  Yes, yes it does.   Although it can be used elsewhere as well. For example, wall openings, elevator shafts, roof tops with door entrances, Honda Civics… Ok maybe not the last one.  If you’re looking for specifics, the openings can be anywhere from 24″ to 43″ wide.

In addition to width flexibility, the door jamb anchor also adjusts into place without the use of tools. So bare knuckled employees can get this thing into place.

If you’re looking for an alternative, you may want to take a look at the Guardian Gap Anchor (no relation to the pompous clothing store). The Gap anchor gives you a little more width (It adjusts from 24″ to 51″) Plus it can be used with a heavy duty retractable. Worth the extra coin? You be the judge. That width issue means a lot to some folks.

So, if you haven’t taken a look at these products before give them the once over. You’ll marvel at all of the ideas you’ll come up with.

Today we’ll be reviewing the DBI-SALA D-Ring Anchor Plate . It’s a fairly inexpensive anchor solution with very little flare, but does the bare bones presentation lead to a purchase.  Let’s find out.

DBI-SALA D-Ring Anchor Plate

Manufacturer: DBI/SALA
Price Range: $30 – $40
(Scores out of 5)

Features: What’s included? (3.5)
Well, this anchor is pretty basic. What you see is what you get. It’s small and convenient, but it is lacking fasteners. I don’t like that. In its defense, getting the fasteners with you anchor can be a 50-50 proposition, and none of the comparable anchors include fasteners either.

Usability: How easy is it to use? (4.0)
This anchor plate can be either bolted or welded to your structure. If you bolt your anchor, then installation should be a breeze. If you plan on welding it, you’ll run into a little more headaches, because the welding installation requires a certified welder. This might not be a problem for some, but it is for others.

Durability: How long will this last me? (4.5)
This thing is completely reusable, so you can use this anchor over and over again. It can also be used permanently, which is a nice feature. It’s doubly nice because of the low price point. At $30 a piece, it’s not going to break the bank if you leave an anchor like this in place.

Value: Is it appropriately priced? (4.0)
The pricing of this anchor is pretty fair. That being said, it’s hard to totally recommend when you can get essentially the same anchor from French Creek for half the price. But like all popular brands, DBI-SALA has a name you can trust.
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Overall: 4.1

Our Recommendation
Where do I clock in on this? Well, I find it hard to recommend this when I know there is a less expensive version available. But, I truly respect the DBI name, and in some instances that may be worth it to me. If I’ve got a boatload of DBI equipment or I’m bidding on a job that requires this part number, I wouldn’t be ashamed to add this to my collection.

Have you used this anchor? What did you think?

Today we’ll be reviewing the French Creek RKB Roofer’s Kit.  It’s not the prettiest kit in the world, but happens to be manufactured in the United States.  But is American pride enough to warrant a purchase?  Let’s find out.

French Creek RKB Roofer’s Kit

Manufacturer: French Creek Production
Price Range: $149 – $199
(Scores out of 5)

Features: What’s included? (4.5)
Well, being a fall protection roofing kit, this bucket features everything you need to set up a personal fall protection system. It features a nice lightweight harness, a vertical lifelines, and your choice of anchor points. The anchor options provide flexibility, and allow this kit to be customizable to any job you may have. Overall, it has everything you would expect from features in a roofing safety kit.

Usability: How easy is it to use? (5.0)
The French Creek Roofing Kit is extremely easy to use. Primarily due to the fact that it is a complete simple system. It’s easy to understand, therefore it’s easy to use. The kit includes instructions for every component, so you shouldn’t get confused. On the level of usability, let me put it this way, I wish all of our products were this easy to use.

Durability: How long will this last me? (4.5)
This kit is durable. What makes it durable? Well, how about a bucket to store your gear in when it’s not in use? This sure beats your equipment sliding around the back of your pickup. Most fall protection doesn’t come with a carrying case. The components should stay strong, but that certainly depends on use and abuse. Want to make your kit last even longer? Get a reusable anchor with it.

Value: Is it appropriately priced? (4.6)
This kit is right in the middle range of price. I can’t say it’s the cheapest, but it certainly isn’t the most expensive either. Part of the cost comes down to the manufacturing. This kit and its components are made entirely in the U.S. Unfortunately, that is not a claim most fall protection companies can stand by. I’d pay the extra for the quality.
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Overall: 4.6

Our Recommendation
This is of course my opinion alone, but I would recommend this kit above all others. Why? Well, in this case the anchor options are nice, the product is made entirely in the US, and it’s always available. The French Creek Bucket is always available, and even if the warehouse is empty it only takes 2-3 days build brand new kit for you. That goes a long way with me.

Have you used a French Creek Roofer’s Kit? What did you think?

Today we’ll be reviewing the Guardian Edge Series Harness. It’s perched high atop the harness food chain, but is it really worth it? It looks pretty. It feels pretty. But will this be the 1st harness I reach for when I get down to business?

Edge Series Harness

Manufacturer: Guardian Fall Protection
Price Range: $139 – $299
(Scores out of 5)

Features: What’s included? (4.5)
The Guardian Edge Series Harness comes with all of the features you would expect from a high-end harness. You can get Side D-Rings or a waist buckle if you’d like. Some of the more standout features? Well, how about slots for your crap. As in a place to hold your sunglasses, walkie-talkies, or cell phone. Another nice feature? A lot of the webbing is protected by weatherproof Hypolon (Strong Material). This keeps your webbing around longer. Another nice option available is the quick connect buckles, which make donning this harness a snap.

Usability: How easy is it to use? (4.7)
Outside of a vest harness, which is by far the easiest harness I’ve ever tried to use, the Edge Harness comes in a close second. The jacket style makes this thing easy to put on. Best of all, the jacket style keeps your webs from tangling. This harness makes sure you don’t look like a jackass on the job. There really isn’t a whole lot you can say about a harness that’s easy to use. It just works.

Durability: How long will this last me? (4.5)
In addition to the web protection we discussed earlier, I can definitely say that this harness is substantial. It looks and feels sturdy. The odds are pretty good that this harness will be with your crew for a while. Besides, this harness looks so nice, you’ll want to take care of it. That doesn’t happen too often.

Value: Is it appropriately priced? (4.5)
This harness is priced competitively in the high end market.  In fact, it’s priced better than lesser alternatives. With this harness you’re getting solid features on a solid harness. The tipping point? This is one of the most comfortable harnesses you will ever wear. It’s like wearing a new pair of shoes. Great product. Great price.
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Overall: 4.6

Our Recommendation
If you are in the market for a high end harness, this is the direction you want to go. You may find some harnesses that are cheaper, but they won’t be as comfortable. If you’re in the market for a low end harness, this is probably out of your league. Let me just put it this way. If you want a harness that is going to be comfortable for an eight hour work day, get the Guardian Edge Series Harness.

Have you used a Guardian Edge Harness? What did you think?

1. How To Put On A Safety Harness
2. Comfortable Harness

Two weeks ago we took a look at the Bucket of Safety from Guardian. This week we continue in the line of fall protection roofing kits when we take an in depth look at the Protecta Compliance in a Can. How will this bucket stack up to the competition? Will it stay in compliance or will it receive a citation for inadequacy?

Compliance In A Can

Manufacturer: DBI/SALA
Price Range: $190 – $240
(Scores out of 5)

Features: What’s included? (3.0)
The Compliance in a Can is another basic harness roofing kit. It includes an anchor, a vertical lifeline, and a basic harness all wrapped up in a single bucket. Yippee! That’s where the good news ends. I’m not really impressed with the anchor options available for this kit. So much so, that we only offer one in our store. As far as the anchor is concerned, nothing to write home about. As far as the lifeline is concerned, it’s nice that the kit includes a 50 ft. model, but I still enjoy the 25 ft. option provided by Guardian’s. Lastly, the harness. The harness in this kit is upgradeable to a 5 point harness. The kit includes a 3 point harness. I recommend the upgrade.

Usability: How easy is it to use? (4.5)
This kit, like any other roofing kit, is easy to understand and install. It is possibly the simplest system around. And if you still don’t know what the hell you’re doing, it comes with instructions. I wish I could elaborate more about this, but it’s just so damn simple.

Durability: How long will this last me? (4.0)
The Compliance in a Can bucket keeps all of your equipment safe when you’re not using it. The fact that it has a case only increases the durability. However, this kit is full of basic components. You’re not getting Cadillacs and Bling here, but you already knew that. A huge plus is that the anchor is reusable. So, as far as durability is concerned, it’s above average. But don’t expect it jump through hoops for you.

Value: Is it appropriately priced? (2.5)
The big let down for this product? The price. It’s hard to justify the price of this roofing kit, when there are better options available for about $60 less. If I know anything about roofers, they don’t want to buy fall protection, so a higher price is not going to work. It is what it is. You must have to pay for the name on the side of the bucket, because this kit seems overpriced.
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Overall: 3.5

Our Recommendation
If you have used the Compliance in a Can kit for years, don’t let me persuade you from using equipment that you’re comfortable with. If the rest of your equipment is from DBI/SALA and you’re worrying about compatibility issues, by all means, pick this kit up. My official recommendation? If you’re hell bent on using DBI, go for the Compliance In a Can Kit – Light. It includes a harness and a lanyard in a bucket. Then you can get the anchor point you really need. If you’re looking for an all in one solution, skip past this product and get the Guardian Bucket of Safety.

Have you used Compliance In a Can? What did you think of it?

1. Bucket of Safety Review

Our first review here at the FPP Blog, is one of our most popular items, the Guardian Bucket of Safety. And let me tell you, we put this blasted thing through the paces. So how did this fall protection kit fare? Is the Bucket of Safety a bucket of brilliance or a bucket of crap garbage?

Bucket of Safety

Manufacturer: Guardian Fall Protection
Price Range: $130 – $228

Features: What’s included? (5.0)
The Guardian Bucket of Safety is loaded with features by its simple nature. This is a kit with everything you need to create a single fall protection system for an individual (that would be one) worker. The kit includes a residential roof anchor of your choice, a universal harness, and your choice of a 25′ or 50′ vertical lifeline assembly. And it all comes in a 5 gallon bucket for easy storage and transportation. That’s a pretty nice set. So, what’s with the high score here? It has everything to do with the options. The option to choose between four of the most popular roof anchors (5 Snappy Anchors, 2 Reusable Anchors, 1 Temper Anchor, or 1 SP-Anchor) is nice. And the fact that you can select your lifeline length? Another plus. Most products tend to have a limited feature set, the Bucket of safety it tucked full of them.

Usability: How easy is it to use? (4.5)
This is a pretty simple setup to install and to understand. It truly follows the ABC’s of Fall Protection scale. The harness is a basic universal harness so that shouldn’t be a problem. The anchor installation is of course anchor dependent, but we’re talking about some pretty basic anchors here. The trickiest part about this setup is probably the lifeline assembly, but we’re confident you can handle it with a quick read of the instructions. This kit lost a couple points based on the fact that there are three separate components.

Durability: How long will this last me? (4.0)
We won’t lie, this kit can be a work horse, and that’s why it gets a four. The plastic bucket keeps your equipment protected when it’s not in use, which will keep your gear from accumulating unnecessary damage. However, there are two components working against us. First, the harness is a basic safety harness. Do I need to say more. It’ll certainly be around a while, but keep an eye on it. The second issue, depending on your anchor choice, you may need to buy more anchors sooner than later. We’d always recommend buying a reusable anchor if at all possible.

Value: Is it appropriately priced? (5.0)
This bucket is priced right for two reasons. One, is that the upgrade to the 50′ vertical lifeline model is free. That’s pretty damn nice. Especially, considering that some 50′ vertical lifeline assemblies cost more than this kit by themselves. The second part? If you bought all of these components separately, you’d be paying about $250 – $300. So at $130 this kit is the steal of a lifetime.

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Overall: 4.6

Our Recommendation
There aren’t too many bad things you can say about this kit. Does it have a few minor flaws? Sure, but most products do. If you’re a residential roofer looking to outfit your crew with the proper safety equipment quickly and cheaply you’d be hard pressed to find a better solution. We recommend this kit wholeheartedly. In fact we wish a couple of other kits we’ve reviewed had faired as well as this one did. Keep an eye out for those reviews in the coming weeks.

Have you used Guardian’s Bucket of Safety? What did you think of it?

1. Compliance in a Can Roofing Kit Review