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Recommendations for Tower Climbing Harness

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BlueDevil

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What is your favorite tower climbing harness? Do you have any recommendations or suggestions on a brand or model?
 

n9mxq

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As long as it's an ANSI rated full safety harness, you should be good.. I tried on about 15 different harnesses before I found one I liked (Has a bit of a built in Bosuns seat for when your feet need a break)

I'd also recommend having more than one way to tie yourself to the tower. I use the rope tied higher than me for a more sitting position, and one of these: Guardian Fall Protection REBAR CHAIN ASSEMBLY SWIVEL 22" with STEEL SNAP HOOKS | eBay on windier days to keep my body closer to the tower.. Keep the wind at your back, it won't feel like you're being blow off the tower...
 

KK4JUG

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About 50 years ago, I worked at an AM radio station in Auburn/Opelika, AL while I was going to school at Auburn. I was on the air for the sign-on shift 6 days a week but every three months I changed the lights on the tower. It was 332' tall. My "harness" consisted of a heavy leather belt around my waist with large D-rings on either side. I had 2 chains with lobster claw clips on either end. I would remove and replace the chains as I moved up and down the tower. I doubt that OSHA would look kindly upon that now but it was an extra $50. That was pretty good money back then.
 

rescue161

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We have a wide assortment, but the Miller is the most comfortable for me. Most of the other guys like the Petzel, but I don't like it.
 

mmckenna

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I've got an Elk River "Eagle" that I'm pretty happy with, but I only climb occasionally.

You need a full body harness, none of the positioning belt stuff the rebar guys use. Those won't pass OSHA for tower climbing.

I'd also strongly suggest the harnesses with the seat straps. Basically gives you the option of going into a sitting position in the harness and taking some of the load off your feet. Makes it nice if you are tied off in one place working on something.

If you haven't been trained on how to climb, ComTrain does a good job and does courses all over the US. They'll teach you the right way to climb. 2 day course will get you the basics. 3 days for advanced and 4 days for "train the trainer".
 

12dbsinad

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DBI Sala ExoFit harnesses are what we use. The most comfortable I've used so far to date.

Elk River is a good brand as well...
 

rescue161

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As mmckenna points out, get trained. We have used several training companies to renew our qualifications. The last training we received was from Technical Rescue Service, or TRS. It was a three day course. Most are two to four days and cover what you need to know. We are required to be tower rescue qualified, so we can self-rescue and/or rescue each other. Once someone falls and is hanging in their harness, it is a life-threatening emergency and they may not have the time to wait for emergency services to get on scene, set up, climb up to them and bring them down before blood pooling can occur. Our harnesses all have emergency straps that can be deployed that you can stand up on to relieve pressure.

My personal harness has those straps and a "preacher's seat" that allows you to sit and relieve pressure while working at height. It is a DBI Sala Exofit. I like it, but I still like the Miller harness from work better.
 
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