Had a close call on a job in Austin last month that changed my safety routine

I was up on a ladder running coax through a drop ceiling in an office building near downtown Austin. The tile gave way a little and I nearly lost my balance reaching for a support wire. After that, I started using a harness for any job over 6 feet, even if it's just a quick run. I've been doing this for 12 years and thought I had good footing, but one slip can end your career. Do most of you guys wear fall protection on normal residential or light commercial jobs, or just on the big stuff?

3 comments

3 Comments

blakem3714d ago

You ever try those climbing harnesses that attach right to the ladder? I had a similar scare a few years back where a rung popped loose as I was reaching for a sky hook. I made the switch to a full-body harness with a short lanyard that clips onto the ladder top (kinda like the one-handed drill holster thing, but for your back). It doesn't slow me down much once you get used to it, and it catches you before you even have time to panic. Honestly, I think most guys skip it because it feels bulky at first, but after that one close call, I stopped caring about looking cool and started caring about walking normal tomorrow.

brian_rivera5914d ago

Nah man you're right, it's stupid how many guys skip the full harness just because it feels weird at first. I had a ladder shift on wet concrete once and that split second of free fall changed everything for me too. Nobody talks about how fast your brain rewires after a fall like that. I'd rather look like a dork for two minutes than spend six months on workers comp. You got a brand you swear by for the harness or just whatever Home Depot has?

averywilliams14d ago

Bruh @blakem37 is spitting straight facts, same thing happened to me on a wet roof last spring and I swear by the full harness now.