I purchased this for scaffold erection. OSHA has fall protection rules for workers on scaffolding,but for the erectors, well, you knew it was a dangerous job, right? I was using a harness and a chain, until I saw a picture of what happens from the arresting force from such a catch. OUCH! Without being too graphic, let me just say it thusly: Ladies, this lanyard would be cheap insurance for you, but you can pretend that it's a "gift" for your husband. After an arresting fall without one of these shock absorbers, a blue pill ain't gonna fix nothin'. I think it would qualify for one of those special "non-fatal Darwin awards". (You know, where you're removed from the gene pool without having to be removed from the population). Back to the product review: * I got the big "rebar" hooks so I can anchor directly to something large (2.5" gate). The opening gate in the standard hook is only 3/4", per phone call to Guardian. The Rebar hook is solid, andstamped with the OSHA-limit of 5000 lbs. * The hook and the gate interlock with a barb when closed that keeps the hook from being peeled back from the gate under heavy load. This no doubt increases the working load. * I got the double lanyard so I can climb 100% tied in. A likely time for a fall to occur is while you are Reeaaaccchhhing in order to move your anchor! Being anchored at two strategic points also can minimize a swing fall. * A nice feature not mentioned in the specs is that it cannot easily be twisted out (where the hook comes off due to twisting of the hook, opening the gate) because it has a locking clasp on the backside that must be squeezed to open the gate. It's very natural to release with one hand, but prevents accidental release due to twisting. * There is a shock indicator on each cord- If it's been streched with an arresting force, the shock witness indicator "breaks" to indicate that it has experienced a fall. The Average arresting force is 900lbs with the shock absorbing lanyard (imagine without!). * Another bonus not mentioned in the ad, but this is from Guardian's website: Guardian will replace your system components for free if you experience a fall. I have not yet had to use this product. I mean, I have not used it in the falling sense. I plan to update the review if that happens (possibly in a higher pitched voice). The sample calculation sort-of indicates that you need to have your ultimate anchor 19 feet minimum off the deck. (6 feet anchor-to-D-ring + 6 feet worker height + 4 foot stretch, and 3 foot "margin"). I put my first hook at 15 foot-- Zero margin and most of the stretch is better than nothing, in my opinion. Finally, I bought from HarnessLand. They answered my questions before I purchased, shipped quickly and packaged well. This product is not US made, unfortunately, but the quality is there. If you don't have one of these, and your feet are more than 15' off the deck, this is a whole lot cheaper than a trip to the emergency room, or the morgue. The quality of this unit provides the confidence that you'd expect in a safety product.
