At the 53 second mark you can see at least 5 people not tied off. Plus you can see the ladder in the background with no fall system for people coming up onto the roof

An excellent argument for the rope...I have a tendency to agree with you, thank you for the enlightenment.

Thanks for sharing your suggestions.

Just showed this to my OSHA class! Thanks!

Great video.! One of the best honest video.!

Great advise! Thank you very much

I’m glad I watched your video, I have a big paint job coming up and was definitely thinking I should buy the retractables for areas where we need to be on the roof but after watching this video I’m sticking with the ropes. Thanks again.

👏🏼🙌🏼Great tips! Super useful for the community! 🧠💪🏼

Thank you very much! Very helpful!

Thank you so much for sharing... I really appreciate this...

This really helped me make a decision. Going with ropes. I've always used ropes but I was considering switching to retractable.

Thank you, this was helpful

Excellent content and info

Great info!

great advice

You da freaking man! VERY good point!

Video summary: "Comfort and cost are the deciding factors on harnesses." Would be helpful to weigh safety level in there somewhere, with solid backing numbers other than personal feeling.

EXCELLENT ADVICE👍👍 STAY ➡SAFE

I agree I built barns for 30 years and there's no feeling like having a snug rope on you, and adjust as you go down grade. I tried them seat belt type self retractable and it's like not having any support unless you jerk on it and just lean on it that I don't like!!!!! And also prusik knots are your best bet if you Don't have a rope grabber.

Great video If it ain't broke don't fix it. I feel the same way on a roof. I like the tug and the pressure it puts on my body to transfer to my feet. I feel secure and can concentrate on the job at hand.

I think it can be well argued that the SRLs are safer... the tendency to use the rope lanyards unsafely (ie. extending it too far) is significantly higher. But you do make good points here.. I get it.

is nice when we get to an age when we choose practicality over flash. i know i bought several things over the years because i had seen larger companies doing so, or the thought id look more professional. what makes you look professional is doing the work in a professional manner. no one ever said, "those roofers were great, should have seen all the sweet yo-yos they had, man were they pros". the only time I'd take a yo-yo over rope is when im on scaffolding. there's already enough crap up there, the ropes just cause more confusion. the yo-yo when put up high lines back and isnt in the way. other wise i use rope everytime. do you prefer those nylon though? i just hate the feel of a plasticy rope. i know they're cheaper but i hate gloves and grab my rope alot

Your deciding factor was based on money and productivity not safety. I have experience with both and our guys have stumbled on the loose and tangled ropes. The only down side to the retractable is its heavier but like anything else you adapt. Falls are less likely to happen with retractable because there's less room for errors. And an FYI if your worried about not being able to see what's inside extend your retractable all thd way out and inspect it before it reels back in before use.

great video I understand your points, couple things i want to point out vertical lifelines are not rated for leading edge work, in your situation the employees should be in restraint. i would have your fall protection competent person measure out the rope when setting up so the employee can get to the areas without being able to fall and coil the remaining up and use a gear tie on the coil this would prevent them from getting a fall, (make sure they don't tie a knot in the rope). Although i have not seen the user manual for the standing seam roof anchor @ 1:59 the way it is connected on the opposite side of the roof than the user I would bet is not allowed. Not hating on video just wanted to share some knowledge about fall protection.

I like cable for tile jobs and shingles. Rope for step roofs only

Thank you very much appreciate! "First time roofer 😅"

Correct me if I am wrong but I believe professional rescuers and climbers are still using the rope style systems to safely get the job done and save lives. I have yet to see any retractable type gear in the emergency services and such.

I have a rope grab that works by squeezing the bar to release it. It works when under load but should it be able to allow the rope to be pulled through when the rope is straight and not bent under load when the bar is released? The rig has never been used btw, so no wear.

Makes sense.

What’s the name of the anchor you use? I mean the part that’s directly touching the roof. Can’t seem to find any roof anchors that will fit on metal roofs without doing damage (like asphalt shingle roof anchors) :/

👍👍👍👍

Nowadays tho general contractors require SLRs but yeah if your on smaller jobs yes a rope is good.

What’s the name of the holding device on the seam??

ok this shows something ive been looking for, i continue to be bothered by the rope attaching to my back, like over my head, it feels like hard to shingle. How are your guys connected, in the front

Many of your guys in this video are not tied off at all. Or using the system improperly (it looks like the guy on the left at 2min 41sec has the end of the rope itself attached to his dorsal d-ring). Rope Vs SRL, comes back to personal preference and/or location... as long as the workers tie off properly and come back home safe and sound at the end of the day, that's what really matter. Thank you for sharing your opinion and encouraging safety!

What do you call the adjustable metal clip which attaches to the rope and let's you move up and down the rope? Is it a lanyard? We just call it a rope grab but what is the correct name?

- Didnt watch video, I just wanted to... Read. ~> I have a chimney, do you feel if working on the other side of the roof than it, it would be a - good- idea to tie off to it? Im very jumpy, the 1st time on metal & nobody was around to tell me- hey- rubber soles. I went barefoot thinking there was enough moisture in my feet for traction. Wrong, now Im kind of in 24/7 painful traction, a brick into the spine when I landed. Thanks, Ms. August

"home depot in a bucket" I'm assuming you mean the safety line there?

I do have a question: would you use a "Prusik Knot" while roofing? I see climbers and hunters but how safe is that knot really ?

Except when rope meets a sharp edge and the 200 lb + / - Comes to a sudden stop after falling however many feet.

What do you do when the metal roof doesn’t have standing seams to attach an anchor to for the safety harness? Most metal roofs in my area don’t have standing seams, what is the suggestion you have to anchor to something like this? Thank You 👍🏻👍🏻

Ropes 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👍🏿🇨🇦

Why so many guys on one roof?

What's up Your doing a video on safety 3 of your guys on the metal roof with harnesses but no safety rope hooked up to them What a freaking fail

For roofing yes but not for siding

Awesome video, thanks for posting it. by the way, one your one guys at 1:17 (black trucker hat) is smoking a cigarette on your customer's property/contruction site must have been missed during edit

Rope gang

Spend the money on the retractable bro. It's the safest way to keep your guys going home every night. You mentioned cost several times now. Respectfully

This is typical management trying to save a buck. They become a trip hazard because of all the excess rope. Most of the time the user will not adjust and leave the rope long. You aren't supposed to use fall protection to lean on because after doing all the time you compromise the rope. Rope wears down and it is usually continued to be used. Most of the time crews aren't even taught how inspect these ropes properly and if they are inspected properly, they have about 6 job uses on them at most.

You're thinking too much about cost of equipment and speed. Pros and cons on both. I've got a job coming up that won't allow rope. Cable is safer.

I have a feeling this guy doesn't actually work on roofs Retractables are much better ropes are a tripping hazard they get crossed tangled they're pain to pack and unpack and their three times heavier So you went with cost over/safety practicality / and labour intensity /

As an HSE Professional, with a bachelors in OHS and over 10k hrs performing training, audits and management (for various construction trades including roofing), this is simply an outdated and ignorant video. Misleading and wrong.