Roofing Tools, Drains and Resources

To keep roofing crews safe, all roofing job sites must have a fall protection railing in place. The Garlock Turbo-Rail fall protection railing provides comprehensive, OSHA-approved protection around the entire perimeter of a roof edge. It installs quickly and easily by clamping on to a parapet or slab floor. 

In this post, we’ll look at how to prepare the Garlock Turbo-Rail for transport and hoisting to your roof deck. If you need instructions on how to install the Turbo-Rail along a roof edge, check out these assembly instructions for the Garlock Turbo-Rail Fall Protection System.

Before You Begin

Before you prepare the Turbo-Rail for hoisting, be sure to have the building owner and a certified architect evaluate the roof to ensure it supports the combined weight of the Turbo-Rail (2,400 lbs.), plus all of your material, equipment and personnel.

Do not attempt to hoist the Turbo-Rail to the roof without ensuring that the roof can support the full weight of the Turbo-Rail, the crew, materials and your equipment.

Prepare the Turbo-Rail for Hoisting

Before hoisting the Turbo-Rail, make sure that all stanchions, rails and clamps are in their proper, secure positions within the Turbo-Rail carrier. 

The carrier is a solid-steel case comprised of an upper and lower section that separate from each other by removing four corner pins. Each pin is rated at 5,000 lb. lifting load, and positioned at each of the four corners of the carrier.

The lower section is designed to house the rails and stanchions, while the clamps are stored in the upper section (noted by the holes located along the side panels).

To check that your Turbo-Rail’s components are properly stored, follow these steps:

1. Remove the pin from each corner of the carrier and then, with one person on either end, use the hand-slots to lift the upper section off the lower section. Set the upper section to the side. 

2. In the lower section, the system’s rails should lay next to each other lengthwise in the same direction as the carrier and flat against the bottom of the carrier floor. 

3. Next, set the stanchions on top of the railings, making sure they lay flat in the same direction as the carrier and do not rest up on the section’s side panels.  

4. Once all the rails and stanchions are properly stored in the lower section, lift the upper section again and place it back on the lower section. Make sure when doing this that the extended lower edge of the upper section slides into the bracketed slot of the lower section (see right). 

5. Now, check that the system’s combo clamps are properly stored in the upper section of the carrier. Place the combo clamps lengthwise in the upper section of the carrier, alternating their direction as you go to fit all of them comfortably.

6. Reinsert the four corner pins to secure the upper and lower sections of the carrier together. Double check that the corner pins are locked securely in place before attempting to hoist the Turbo-Rail.

Once the Turbo-Rail is packed up and prepared, it is safe to hoist it to the roof deck. 

If you would like to purchase a Turbo-Rail fall protection railing system or have any questions, please contact Hy-Tech Products at 800-635-0384 or info@hy-techroof.com. 

The Garlock Cobra Cart is a roofing fall protection system for up to 3 contractors working at or near a roof edge. It is only intended for work performed on flat, level roofs with a maximum pitch of 0.5 in. over 12 in. (0.5:12).

The Cobra Cart has been tested and approved for:

• Fall arrest—Stopping a worker after he or she has fallen off a roof, or
• Fall restraint—Preventing a person from falling over the edge.

Specifically, the Cobra Cart is approved for use on the following substrates:

• Built-up roofing systems (BUR)
• PVC / TPO / EPDM fully adhered and loose-laid membranes
• 20 gauge and 22 gauge metal decks
• Adhered plywood and hardwood decking
• 4,000 PSI lightweight concrete (2-person fall arrest ONLY)

In this post, we’ll detail the steps to properly hoist, set up and safely attach to the Garlock Cobra Cart. While this information was taken from Garlock’s operating manual, Hy-Tech Products recommends that every contractor working with the Cobra Cart read through the manufacturer’s instructions carefully before using.

Hoisting the Cobra Cart to the Roof Deck

Before hoisting the Cobra Cart to a roof deck, make sure that the roof can support the cart’s weight (1,000 lbs.) in addition to all material, equipment and personnel. Weak roof decks under this type of stress can collapse.

To hoist the Cobra Cart, use an OSHA-approved 4-point sling with a minimum-rated capacity of 2,000 lbs. Hook all four sling connection points onto the four cart lift lugs (1 connection point to 1 lug lift) (see right).

When attached, the sling’s chains should be long enough not to press against the cart. If they are too short, you will need to purchase longer changes as the stress put on the chains by the cart’s weight may cause damage to the cart or cause the sling to fail. 

Cart Set Up and Positioning

On the roof deck, remove all debris, loose roof coverings, and any ice, snow, water, oils, dirt or dust from where the cart will be positioned, as these may prevent the cart from locking in place.

Next, perform a pre-use inspection using the Inspection Label on the side of the toolbox.

To set up the Cobra Cart:

• Make sure there is nothing obstructing the pull plate (square green plate that the green attachment rings are secured to) from extending forward, and that the claw can swing down directly into the roof deck should someone fall. 
• Align the cart so its side runs parallel to the roof edge and is a minimum 15 feet (no less) away. 
• Position it straight back from the work area (see right).
• Make sure the cart handle points straight forward, and the angle brake (perpendicular bar located near the end of the handle) engages the tires to keep them from rolling.

Attach Contractors to the Cobra Cart

When attaching contractors to the Cobra Cart, use only self-locking snap hooks and carabineers that are specifically designed for fall-protection devices.

The Cobra Cart includes two types of attachment rings.

• Yellow Rings (2 total): Use these rings when kneeling behind the roof edge. Adjust the length of the lifeline so the worker’s shoulders cannot extend over the roof edge. (Top Right)
• Green Rings (3 total): Use these rings when working at the roof edge. Attach only one lifeline to each ring, and the lifeline should be adjusted to be no more than 2 feet longer than the distance from the cart to the roof edge. (Bottom Right)

When attaching snap hooks and carabineers to either rings, make sure all closures are fully closed and locked in place.

While attached to the Cobra Cart, make sure the angles of lifelines to the cart are no more than 45°. Venturing past this “safe zone” could cause serious injury or death should the worker fall.

If you have any questions, or would like clarification on any of the items addressed in this post, please contact Hy-Tech Products 216-661-5000 or email info@hy-techroof.com.

WARNING: Serious injury may result if this product is misused. The manufacturer’s operating manual provides instructions for use and care of the Cobra Cart. It is important that all operators read this manual completely to ensure their safety and the ongoing performance of the cart.