Qualcraft Armadillo User Manual

Product Name: Armadillo

Part #: 00245

Instruction Manual

Do not throw away these instructions!

Read and understand these instructions before using equipment!

Table of Contents

Introduction

Applicable Safety Standards

Worker Classifications

Safety Information

Maintenance, Cleaning, and Storage

Inspection

Product Specific Applications

Limitations

Components and Specifications

Installation and Use

Labels

Inspection Log

Notes

1-2

2

2

3-4

5

5

6

7-9

10

11-12

12

13

13

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing a Guardian Fall Protection Armadillo. This manual must be read and
understood in its entirety, and used as part of an employee training program as required by
OSHA or any applicable state agency.

This and any other included instructions must be made available to the user of the equipment.
The user must understand how to safely and effectively use the Armadillo, and all fall safety
equipment used in combination with the Armadillo.

Guardian Fall Protection 6305 S. 231st St., Kent, WA 98032 phone: [phone] fax: [phone] www.guardianfall.com

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User Information

Date of First Use:

Serial #:

Trainer:

User:

Applicable Safety Standards

When used according to instruction specifications, this product meets or exceeds all applicable
OSHA 1926 Subpart M, OSHA 1910, ANSI Z359.1-2007, and ANSI A10.32-2012 standards for fall
protection. Applicable standards and regulations depend on the type of work being done, and
also might include state-specific regulations. Consult regulatory agencies for more information
on personal fall arrest systems and associated components.

Worker Classifications

CAUTION

!

Qualified Person: A person with an accredited degree or certification, and with extensive
experience or sufficient professional standing, who is considered proficient in planning and
reviewing the conformity of fall protection and rescue systems.

Competent Person: A highly trained and experienced person who is ASSIGNED BY THE EMPLOYER
to be responsible for all elements of a fall safety program, including, but not limited to, its
regulation, management, and application. A person who is proficient in identifying existing and
predictable fall hazards, and who has the authority to stop work in order to eliminate hazards.

Authorized Person: A person who is assigned by their employer to work around or be subject to
potential or existing fall hazards.

It is the responsibility of a Qualified or Competent person to supervise the job site and
ensure all applicable safety regulations are complied with.

Understand the following definitions of those who
work near or who may be exposed to fall hazards.

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Guardian Fall Protection 6305 S. 231st St., Kent, WA 98032 phone: [phone] fax: [phone] www.guardianfall.com

Safety Information

Failure to understand and comply with safety regulations may result in

WARNING

!

Do not alter equipment.

Do not misuse equipment.

Workplace conditions, including, but not limited to, flame, corrosive chemicals, electrical shock,
sharp objects, machinery, abrasive substances, weather conditions, and uneven surfaces, must
be assessed by a Competent Person before fall protection equipment is selected.

The analysis of the workplace must anticipate where workers will be performing their duties,
the routes they will take to reach their work, and the potential and existing fall hazards they
may be exposed to.

Fall protection equipment must be chosen by a Competent Person. Selections must account for
all potential hazardous workplace conditions.

All fall protection equipment should be purchased new and in an unused condition.

Fall protection systems must be selected and installed under the supervision of a Competent
Person, and used in a compliant manner.

Fall protection systems must be designed in a manner compliant with all federal, state, and
safety regulations.

serious injury or death. Regulations included herein are not all-inclusive,

are for reference only, and are not intended to replace a Competent

Person’s judgment or knowledge of federal or state standards.

Unless explicitly stated otherwise, the maximum allowable free fall distance for lanyards must
not exceed 6’. No free fall allowed for non-LE SRLs. Class A SRLs must arrest falls within 24”;
Class B SRLs must arrest falls within 54”.

Forces applied to anchors must be calculated by a Competent Person.

Harnesses and connectors selected must be compliant with manufacturer’s instructions, and
must be of compatible size and configuration.

A pre-planned rescue procedure in the case of a fall is required. The rescue plan must be project­specific. The rescue plan must allow for employees to rescue themselves, or provide an
alternative means for their prompt rescue.

Store rescue equipment in an easily accessible and clearly marked area.

Training of Authorized Persons to correctly erect, disassemble, inspect, maintain, store, and use
equipment must be provided by a Competent Person.

Guardian Fall Protection 6305 S. 231st St., Kent, WA 98032 phone: [phone] fax: [phone] www.guardianfall.com

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Training must include the ability to recognize fall hazards, minimize the likelihood of fall hazards,
and the correct use of personal fall arrest systems.

NEVER use fall protection equipment of any kind to hang, lift, support, or hoist tools or
equipment, unless explicitly certified for such use.

Maintenance of equipment must be done according to manufacturer’s instructions. Equipment
instructions must be retained for reference.

Prior to EACH use, all equipment in a fall protection system must be inspected for any potential
or existing deficiencies that may result in its failure or reduced functionality. IMMEDIATELY
remove equipment from service if any deficiencies are found.

Equipment must be inspected by a Competent Person at least every six months. These
inspections must be documented in equipment instruction manual and on equipment inspection
grid label.

Equipment must be inspected for defects, including, but not limited to, the absence of required
labels or markings, improper form/fit/function, evidence of cracks, sharp edges, deformation,
corrosion, excessive heating, alteration, excessive wear, fraying, knotting, abrasion, and absence
of parts.

Equipment that fails inspection in any way must immediately be removed from use, or repaired
by an entity approved by the manufacturer.

No on-site repair of equipment unless explicitly permitted by Guardian Fall Protection.

Equipment subjected to forces of fall arrest must immediately be removed from use.

Snap hooks, carabiners, and other connectors must be selected and applied in a compatible
fashion. All risk of disengagement must be eliminated. All snap hooks and carabiners must be
self-locking and self-closing, and must never be connected to each other.

Age, fitness, and health conditions can seriously affect the worker should a fall occur. Consult a
doctor if there is any reason to doubt a user’s ability to withstand and safely absorb fall arrest
forces or perform set-up of equipment.

Pregnant women and minors must not use this equipment.

Physical harm may still occur even if fall safety equipment functions correctly. Sustained post-fall
suspension may result in serious injury or death. Use trauma relief straps to reduce the effects of
suspension trauma.

Allowable individual worker weight limit (including all equipment), unless explicitly stated
otherwise, is 130-310 lbs.

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Guardian Fall Protection 6305 S. 231st St., Kent, WA 98032 phone: [phone] fax: [phone] www.guardianfall.com

Maintenance, Cleaning, and Storage

Repairs to Armadillo can only be made by a Guardian Fall Protection representative or an
entity authorized by Guardian. Contact Guardian for all maintenance and repair needs at:
1-800-466-6385. If Armadillo fails inspection in any way, immediately remove it from
service, and contact Guardian to inquire about its return or repair.

Cleaning after use is important for maintaining the safety and longevity of Armadillo.
Remove all dirt, corrosives, and contaminants from Armadillo before and after each use. If
Armadillo cannot be cleaned with plain water, use mild soap and water, then rinse and wipe
dry. NEVER clean Armadillo with corrosive substances.

When not in use, store equipment where it will not be affected by heat, light, excessive
moisture, chemicals, or other degrading elements.

Inspection

KEEP INSTRUCTIONS AVAILABLE FOR REFERENCE. Record Date of First Use.

Prior to EACH use, inspect Armadillo for deficiencies, including, but not limited to, corrosion,
deformation, pits, burrs, rough surfaces, sharp edges, cracking, rust, paint buildup, excessive
heating, alteration, missing or illegible labels. IMMEDIATELY remove Armadillo from service if
defects or damage are found, or if exposed to forces of fall arrest.

Ensure that applicable work area is free of all damage, including, but not limited to, debris, rot,
rust, decay, cracking, and hazardous materials. Ensure that selected work area will support the
application-specific minimum loads set forth in this instruction manual. Work area MUST be
stable.

At least every 6 months, a Competent Person other than the user must inspect Armadillo.

Competent Person inspections MUST be recorded in inspection log in instruction manual
and on equipment inspection grid label. The Competent Person must sign their initials in
the box corresponding to the month and year the inspection took place.

During inspection, consider all applications and hazards Armadillo has been subjected to.

Guardian Fall Protection 6305 S. 231st St., Kent, WA 98032 phone: [phone] fax: [phone] www.guardianfall.com

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Product Specific Applications

WARNING

!

Personal Fall Arrest: Armadillo may be used to support a MAXIMUM 1 Personal
Fall Arrest System (PFAS) for use in Fall Arrest applications. Structure must
withstand loads applied in the directions permitted by the system of at least
5,000 lbs. Maximum free fall is 6‘. Applicable D-ring: Dorsal.

Restraint: Armadillo may be used in Restraint applications. Restraint systems
prevent workers from reaching the leading edge of a fall hazard. Always account
for fully deployed length of lanyard/SRL. Structure must withstand loads applied
in the directions permitted by the system of at least 1,000 lbs. No free fall is
permitted. Restraint systems may only be used on surfaces with slopes up to 4/12
(vertical/horizontal). Applicable D-rings: Dorsal, Chest, Side, Shoulder.

Use of equipment in unintended applications may result in serious

injury or death. Maximum 1 attachment per connection point.

For all applications: worker weight capacity range

(including all clothing, tools, and equipment) is 130-310 lbs.,

or up to 420 lbs. if used in combination with

equipment explicitly certified for such use.

6

Guardian Fall Protection 6305 S. 231st St., Kent, WA 98032 phone: [phone] fax: [phone] www.guardianfall.com

Limitations

Fall Clearance: There must be sufficient clearance below the anchorage connector to arrest a fall

before the user strikes the ground or an obstruction. When calculating fall clearance, account for
a MINIMUM 3’ safety factor, deceleration distance, user height, length of lanyard/SRL, and all
other applicable factors. Diagram shown is an EXAMPLE fall clearance calculation ONLY.

FALL CLEARANCE CALCULATION

Lanyard length

(6’ total)

Required
distance

from

anchorage

(19’ total)

Deceleration

distance (4’ total)

Height of harness

dorsal D-ring from

worker’s feet

(6’ total)

Safety factor

(3’ total)

Swing Falls: Prior to installation or use, make considerations for eliminating or minimizing all
swing fall hazards. Swing falls occur when the anchor is not directly above the location where a
fall occurs. Always work as close to in line with the anchor point as possible. Swing falls
significantly increase the likelihood of serious injury or death in the event of a fall.

Guardian Fall Protection 6305 S. 231st St., Kent, WA 98032 phone: [phone] fax: [phone] www.guardianfall.com

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Compatibility: When making connections with Armadillo, eliminate all possibility of roll-out.
Roll-out occurs when interference between a hook and the attachment point causes the hook
gate to unintentionally open and release. All connections must be selected and deemed
compatible with Armadillo by a Competent Person. All connector gates must be self-closing and
self-locking, and withstand minimum loads of 3,600 lbs. See the following for examples of
compatible/incompatible connections:

Connector
closed and
locked to
D-ring. OK.

Two or more
snap hooks or
carabiners
connected to
each other. NO.

Two connectors
to same
D-ring. NO.

Incompatible
or irregular
application,
which may
increase risk
of roll-out. NO.

Connector
to integral
lanyard.

NO.

Connector
directly to
webbing.

NO.

Application
that places
load on gate.

NO.

Connector
directly to
horizontal
lifeline. NO.

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Guardian Fall Protection 6305 S. 231st St., Kent, WA 98032 phone: [phone] fax: [phone] www.guardianfall.com

Correct Anchorage Positioning:

This chart details allowable working zones required

to reduce risk of swing falls and improper side loading.

ALWAYS adhere to information specified by chart.

Anchor Distance

From

Leading Edge (Y)

6’
10’
15’
20’
25’
30’
35’
40’
45’
50’
55’
60’

Working Distance

Along Roof Edge

(Either Direction) (X)

8’

9’ - 9”

11’ - 7”
13’ - 3”
14’ - 6”

16’
17’ - 2”
18’ - 3”
19’ - 4”

19’ - 10”

21’ - 4”
22’ - 3”

Working Angle

From

Perpendicular (Ø)

53°
45°
38°
33°
30°
28°
26°
24°
23°
21°
21°
21°

For example, if the anchorage connector is 6’ from the leading

edge (Y), the working distance (X) is 8’ in each direction from

the perpendicular, which translates to a 53° working angle.

Ø: Total Working Angle
X: Working Distance

Along Leading Edge
Y: Distance From
Leading Edge

Y

ø

X

Leading Edge

Guardian Fall Protection 6305 S. 231st St., Kent, WA 98032 phone: [phone] fax: [phone] www.guardianfall.com

X

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Components and Specifications

Materials: aluminum, stainless steel, zinc-plated steel, and rubber.

Triple-Locking
Carabiner

Large

Locking Bar

Small

Casters (4)

SRL Carriage

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Guardian Fall Protection 6305 S. 231st St., Kent, WA 98032 phone: [phone] fax: [phone] www.guardianfall.com

Installation and Use

Prior to installation, plan your system:

1. All PFAS equipment must be selected and deemed compatible with Armadillo by a Competent
Person.

2. Eliminate or minimize all risk of swing fall hazards.

3. Ensure installation location and work surface are free of all damage, including, but not limited
to, corrosion, rot, rust ,debris, and sharp or abrasive edges and surfaces.

4. All 4 Casters must remain in contact with roof surface at all times.

Installation:

1. Remove Locking Bar and Hitch Pin assemblies.

2. Insert SRL into Armadillo Body. SRL attachment point must face in same direction as
Triple-Locking Carabiner.

3. Insert Large Locking Bar though Armadillo Body installation location and SRL attachment
point, and secure with corresponding Hitch Pin.

4. Insert Small Locking Bar through Armadillo Body installation location and over SRL body, and
secure with corresponding Hitch Pin.

5. Ensure SRL is fully secured into Armadillo Body, and that no possibility exists for accidental
detachment.

Hitch Pins

secured through

Locking Bars

Large Locking

Bar secured

over SRL body

Small Locking Bar

Locking Bars secured

to Armadillo SRL Carriage

with wire and rivet assemblies

Guardian Fall Protection 6305 S. 231st St., Kent, WA 98032 phone: [phone] fax: [phone] www.guardianfall.com

secured through SRL

attachment point

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6. Attach Triple-Locking Carabiner to selected anchorage connector. Ensure all (4) Casters will
remain in contact with roof surface at all times.

Triple-Locking

carabiner attached to

anchorage connector

(4) Casters in

contact with

roof surface

Labels

Date of Manufacture:

Prior to use, read and understand all manufacturer’s
instructions provided with equipment at time of
shipment from manufacturer.

Capacity range (including all equipment): 130-310 lbs.,
or up to 420 lbs. if used with equipment explicitly
certified for such use.

All connections must be selected and deemed compatible
with the Armadillo by a Competent Person.

Materials: Aluminum, stainless steel, zinc-plated steel,
& rubber.

For reference only. Background to be white.
Date of manufacture to be: month/year.

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Armadillo

Installation and Use:

1. Install compatible SRL. Remove Locking Bars and Hitch Pins;
Insert SRL into carriage with SRL attachment point facing in
same direction as Triple-Locking Carabiner; Insert Large Locking
Bar through SRL attachment point; Insert Small Locking Bar
over SRL body; Secure both Locking Bars with Hitch Pins.

2. Attach SRL Triple-Locking Carabiner to compatible anchorage
connector.

3. Attach SRL connector to applicable harness D-ring.

All (4) Casters MUST remain in contact

WARNING

!

User must inspect prior to EACH use. Competent Person must complete
formal inspection every 6 months. Competent Person to inspect and initial.

Date of First Use: __________________. Product lifetime is indefinite as

long as equipment passes pre-use and Competent Person inspections.

with work surface at all times.

NOT a stand-alone anchor.

YR J F M A M J J A S O N D

20____

20____

INSPECTION GRID

20____

20____

20____

Part #: 00245

www.guardianfall.com1-800-466-6385 6305 S. 231st St., Kent, WA 98032

90125

(Rev. B)

If equipment fails inspection

DO NOT REMOVE LABEL

IMMEDIATELY REMOVE FROM SERVICE

Guardian Fall Protection 6305 S. 231st St., Kent, WA 98032 phone: [phone] fax: [phone] www.guardianfall.com

Inspection Log

User must inspect prior to EACH use. Competent Person other than user must complete
formal inspection at least every 6 months. Competent Person to inspect and initial.

Date of First Use: __________________. Product lifetime is indefinite, as long as it passes
pre-use and Competent Person inspections.

This inspection log must be specific to one Armadillo. Separate inspection logs must be
used for each Armadillo. All inspection records must be made visible and available to all
users at all times.

If equipment fails inspection IMMEDIATELY REMOVE FROM SERVICE.

Notes

Guardian Fall Protection 6305 S. 231st St., Kent, WA 98032 phone: [phone] fax: [phone] www.guardianfall.com

1385127 (Rev. C)