Pro-3 Series Tripod
Operator’s Manual
3
March 21, 2011, Rev 01
1. INTRODUCTION to TRIPOD APPLICATIONS
Congratulations on your purchase of a Best Hoist Pro-3 Series Tripod as part of your Safety-at-Heights
equipment.
This tripod is constructed of high quality aluminum tubing for light weight, and features patent pending
Tuff-Klik® pin-less connections for easy of set-up and tear-down.
The Tripod may be equipped with a variety of winches and other accessories, depending on your system
requirements.
This product has been specifically designed and carefully manufactured to provide reliable operation in
many different safety-at-heights applications. These include, but are not limited to:
1.1 FALL PROTECTION
The Tripod is designed for use as a supporting structure for a personal fall arrest system(s) for a
worker(s) entering an opening in the work surface.
1.2 WORK POSITIONING
The Tripod may be equipped with a winch used for the suspension of a worker at a work position for the
performance of a task. When a worker is suspended in a work seat or harness, a secondary personal fall
arrest system must be used which meets applicable OSHA or other local requirements.
NOTE: OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart L considers this application to be a single point suspension scaffold,
and requires treatment as such.
1.3 RESCUE
The Tripod, when equipped with a Tuff Built Products Pro-Series winch, may be used as part of a system
meeting the requirements of ANSI/ASSE Z359.4 for the rescue of a fallen worker.
1.4 CONFINED SPACE ENTRY / RETRIEVAL and RESCUE
The Tripod, when equipped with a winch or other suitable device, may be used as part of a system to
facilitate access to and egress from a confined space as well as non-entry rescue in the event of an
emergency. When used with a Tuff Built Products Pro-Series winch, this Tripod meets the requirements
of OSHA 1910.146, and ANSI/ASSE Z117.1 for use as a confined space entry/retrieval and rescue
device.
1.5 FALL PROTECTION WHILE LADDER CLIMBING
In situations where it is not practical to install and use a temporary or permanently installed personal fall
arrest system, the Tripod may be used to support a winch used to guard against falling while climbing a
fixed ladder or other structure. The winch line can be used as essentially a travelling anchorage
connector that moves up and down with the climber. An energy absorbing lanyard is installed between
the winch line and the dorsal D-
ring on the climber’s full body harness. The winch must be operated so
as to eliminate any slack in the winch line as the climber moves up and down. The winch operator must
be specifically instructed in such use of this winch. All installations must be designed, installed, and used
under the supervision of a qualified person.
