Gear Up with Gear Experts Podcast

In episode 31 of Gear Up with Gear Experts, we welcome Connor Harris as our guest. Connor is the Video Production Manager for Columbia Creative Services, GME Supply, and Columbia Safety and Supply. He's been with the company for a little under 3 years. We talk with Connor about: Examples of how to use video effectively; Columbia Creative Services's video creation process; The in-studio capabilities of Columbia Creative Services; and The outdoor & on-location capabilities of Columbia Creative Services. Click here to contact Columbia Creative Services. Disclaimer: We'd also like to take this time to remind everyone that while this show is meant to be fun, entertaining, and informative it is not intended to replace proper, in-depth training. Manufacturer's instructions must also be followed and reviewed before any fall protection equipment is used. And proper training should be received before operating any equipment or before climbing. Why do YOU Climb? We’d like to hear from you about why YOU climb. Email us a voice message at gearup@gearexperts.com about why you climb and what climbing means to you for a chance to be featured on the show - and win some swag of course.

In episode 30 of Gear Up with Gear Experts, Alex and John discuss respirators and what you need to know to be able to protect yourself. We cover: The different hazards that might require respiratory protection; How to determine if you need a respirator; The different types of respirators; What the classifications like N95 and P100 actually mean; OSHA and NIOSH respirator standards; and How to properly fit test a respirator. Disclaimer: We'd also like to take this time to remind everyone that while this show is meant to be fun, entertaining, and informative it is not intended to replace proper, in-depth training. Manufacturer's instructions must also be followed and reviewed before any fall protection equipment is used. And proper training should be received before operating any equipment or before climbing. Why do YOU Climb? We’d like to hear from you about why YOU climb. Email us a voice message at gearup@gearexperts.com about why you climb and what climbing means to you for a chance to be featured on the show - and win some swag of course.

In episode 29 of Gear Up with Gear Experts, we welcome Ben Bowman back as our guest in the studio to talk all about NWSA. Ben is the Director of Sales & Marketing for Safety LMS and first joined us back on episode 12. We talk with Ben about: What NWSA actually is; Why NWSA was started; The process to get NWSA certifications; How the certifications work in relation to other industry certifications; and Other certifications that Safety LMS offers. To find out more information about how to schedule your NWSA exam, click here. Disclaimer: We’d also like to take this time to remind everyone that while this show is meant to be fun, entertaining, and informative it is not intended to replace proper, in-depth training. Manufacturer’s instructions must also be followed and reviewed before any fall protection equipment is used. And proper training should be received before operating any equipment or before climbing. Why do YOU Climb? We’d like to hear from you about why YOU climb. Email us a voice message at gearup@gearexperts.com about why you climb and what climbing means to you for a chance to be featured on the show – and win some swag of course.

In episode 28 of Gear Up with Gear Experts, we welcome Jason Murphy from Kenwood to the studio to talk all about 2-way radios. We talk with Jason about: The beginning of our partnership; Analog vs. Digital Radios; Waterproof radio solutions; Radio accessories; FCC registration; A radio built specifically for tower climbers; Repeaters; and Try before you by. Disclaimer: We’d also like to take this time to remind everyone that while this show is meant to be fun, entertaining, and informative it is not intended to replace proper, in-depth training. Manufacturer’s instructions must also be followed and reviewed before any fall protection equipment is used. And proper training should be received before operating any equipment or before climbing. Why do YOU Climb? We’d like to hear from you about why YOU climb. Email us a voice message at gearup@gearexperts.com about why you climb and what climbing means to you for a chance to be featured on the show – and win some swag of course.

This episode’s theme is By the Numbers. It is officially 2020! Welcome to not only a new year but a new decade. Before we start focusing on the new year, we wanted to reflect on 2019 one more time. It’s become a tradition here at GME Supply to close the year with a reflection on some of our accomplishments and in 2019 our numbers were bigger than ever. In episode 27 of Gear Up with Gear Experts, John spends some time breaking down GME Supply & Columbia Safety & Supply’s annual By the Numbers Report For a full transcript of our By the Numbers Report, check out the full report on GME Supply’s blog by clicking here. Disclaimer: We'd also like to take this time to remind everyone that while this show is meant to be fun, entertaining, and informative it is not intended to replace proper, in-depth training. Manufacturer's instructions must also be followed and reviewed before any fall protection equipment is used. And proper training should be received before operating any equipment or before climbing. Why do YOU Climb? We’d like to hear from you about why YOU climb. Email us a voice message at gearup@gearexperts.com about why you climb and what climbing means to you for a chance to be featured on the show - and win some swag of course.

In episode 26 of Gear Up with Gear Experts, John spends some time highlighting his favorite episodes from the year. RF Safety One of my favorite episodes of the year was episode 10 which originally aired in May. In that episode, we welcomed Max from Fieldsense into the studio to talk about RF safety. Click here to listen to the full episode.  Industry Manpower Shortage My next highlight for 2019 is when we covered industry manpower shortages. That was back on episode 15 which originally was released in July. We welcomed Gear Expert Mike Khron to the studio to discuss the manpower shortage in the wireless industry. Click here to listen to the full episode.  Wireless Industry Finance Part of being a Gear Expert means understanding the industries we serve and making sure we are doing everything we can to help our customers succeed. In episode 17 which aired back in August, we welcomed Gear Expert John Lamond into the studio to talk all about wireless industry financing and how we can help make sure you succeed. Click here to listen to the full episode.   Tower Family Foundation At GME Supply and Columbia Safety we focus on keeping workers safe and productive on the job. But, sometimes accidents happen and those accidents can put an emotional and financial strain on the families affected. In episode 12 which aired back in June, Alex and I covered our partnership with the Tower Family Foundation. Click here to listen to the full episode.  Wind Energy Myths Our episode debunking wind energy myths (episode 24) just aired a few weeks ago, but it has already climbed to the top of my favorites list. We welcomed our resident Wind Energy expert, Cody Sellers, into the studio. Here’s a little taste of that episode. Click here to listen to the full episode. Also, Alex and I announced it last week and you’ve still got time to enter. We’re giving away a FREE Wera Tools advent calendar. To enter to win, head on over to facebook.com/gearexpertshow like our page and tag someone who you think would like to win. Entries close on December 31st and we will announce our winner on our next episode (January 8th). So head on over to facebook.com/gearexpertshow and good luck! Disclaimer We’d also like to remind everyone that while this show is meant to be fun, entertaining, and informative it is not intended to replace proper, in-depth training. Manufacturer’s instructions must also be followed and reviewed before any equipment is used. And proper training should be received before operating any equipment or before climbing. Why do YOU Climb? We’d like to hear from you about why YOU climb. Email us a voice message at gearup@gearexperts.com about why you climb and what climbing means to you for a chance to be featured on the show – and win some swag of course.

In episode 25 of Gear Up with Gear Experts, Alex and John discuss some of their favorite gifts for the upcoming holiday season. John’s Picks: GME Supply “Climb Higher” Tower Family Foundation Donation T-Shirt | $19.99 Milwaukee M18 6-Tool Combo Kit | $699.00 Ergodyne 6466 N-Ferno Thermal Jacket | $133.96 Alex’s Picks: Lift Safety Dax Fifty 50 Carbon Fiber Full Brim Hard Hat | $150.00 Klein Tools Rechargeable Personal Work Light | $39.99 Leatherman Super Tool 300 Multi-Tool | $89.95 Our Favorite Gift: Our favorite gift of the season is the 2019 Advent Calendar from Wera Tools! Check below for how you can enter to win one. Click here to see our complete holiday gift buying guide where we cover nearly 100 gift ideas. From gifts under $20 to complete tool sets, this list has everything you need for that special someone in your life. The Tower Family Foundation We are proud to partner with the Tower Family Foundation. For more information about our partnership with them and our GME Supply “Climb Higher” Tower Family Foundation Donation T-Shirt, check out episode 12 of this podcast. Enter To Win! We are giving away a free 2019 Wera Tools Advent Calendar. To enter to win, head on over to our Facebook page, like and share the giveaway post, and tag someone you think would like to win in the comments. Entries will close on 12/31/2019 and a winner will be announced on episode 27 (which will be released on 01/08/2020). Disclaimer: We’d also like to take this time to remind everyone that while this show is meant to be fun, entertaining, and informative it is not intended to replace proper, in-depth training. Manufacturer’s instructions must also be followed and reviewed before any fall protection equipment is used. And proper training should be received before operating any equipment or before climbing. Why do YOU Climb? We’d like to hear from you about why YOU climb. Email us a voice message at gearup@gearexperts.com about why you climb and what climbing means to you for a chance to be featured on the show – and win some swag of course.

In episode 24 of Gear Up with Gear Experts, we welcome Gear Expert Cody Sellers as our guest in the studio. Cody is the Northwest Regional Sales Manager and first joined us back on episode 3. We talk with Cody about: The myth that wind energy is more expensive than conventional energy; The myth that wind turbines are really loud; The myth that turbines kill birds; and The myth that offshore wind turbines are not safe for sea life. Our weekly insight stays in-line with the wind theme. This week we discuss some of the interesting facts associated with wind energy. Topics include: US wind capacity; Job creation; and How much electricity is produced and the effects it has on our carbon footprint. Disclaimer: We’d also like to take this time to remind everyone that while this show is meant to be fun, entertaining, and informative it is not intended to replace proper, in-depth training. Manufacturer’s instructions must also be followed and reviewed before any fall protection equipment is used. And proper training should be received before operating any equipment or before climbing. Why do YOU Climb? We’d like to hear from you about why YOU climb. Email us a voice message at gearup@gearexperts.com about why you climb and what climbing means to you for a chance to be featured on the show – and win some swag of course.

In episode 23 of Gear Up with Gear Experts, we welcome Gear Expert Chris Heitkamp as our guest in the studio. Chris first joined us back on episode 1. We talk with Chris about: The broad capabilities of GME Supply and Columbia Safety to source equipment; An example of a time when our Gear Experts were able to utilize our resources to help a customer meet a unique challenge; and Our commitment to our customers to continue building partnerships for the benefit of our customers. With winter just around the corner, our weekly insight covers thermal gloves and some of the things you should look for when selecting a pair of thermal gloves. This week we discuss thermal gloves. Topics include: Wind/Water Resistance; Grip; Dexterity Cut/Impact Resistance; and Personal preferences You can check out our full blog post on thermal gloves by clicking here. Disclaimer: We’d also like to take this time to remind everyone that while this show is meant to be fun, entertaining, and informative it is not intended to replace proper, in-depth training. Manufacturer’s instructions must also be followed and reviewed before any fall protection equipment is used. And proper training should be received before operating any equipment or before climbing. Why do YOU Climb? We’d like to hear from you about why YOU climb. Email us a voice message at gearup@gearexperts.com about why you climb and what climbing means to you for a chance to be featured on the show – and win some swag of course.

In episode 22 of Gear Up with Gear Experts, we welcome Gear Expert Bryan Dominique as our guest in the studio. Bryan first joined us back on episode 6 and is the Regional Sales Manager for the Northeast from North Carolina into Eastern Canada. We talk with Bryan about: Suspension trauma, it’s effects on the body, and how to prevent it; Swing fall and how to calculate a safe zone to prevent swing fall from causing injury; and Other hidden dangers of falling. Our weekly insight stays in the theme of things that happen when a fall occurs, but without the victim hitting the ground. This week we discuss fall clearance. Topics include: What is involved in planning for an accurate fall clearance; Free fall distance; Deceleration distance; Height of the D-Ring; Harness & D-Ring shift; and Safety factors. You can download our free Fall Clearances 101 Poster from our Knowledge Base by clicking here. Disclaimer: We’d also like to take this time to remind everyone that while this show is meant to be fun, entertaining, and informative it is not intended to replace proper, in-depth training. Manufacturer’s instructions must also be followed and reviewed before any fall protection equipment is used. And proper training should be received before operating any equipment or before climbing. Why do YOU Climb? We’d like to hear from you about why YOU climb. Email us a voice message at gearup@gearexperts.com about why you climb and what climbing means to you for a chance to be featured on the show – and win some swag of course.

In episode 21 of Gear Up with Gear Experts, we welcome Gear Expert Austin Painter as our guest in the studio. Austin first joined us back on episode 8 and is the Regional Sales Manager for the Great Lakes Region of the US. We talk with Austin about: The different types of gear we can customize (spoiler: we can customize anything); What the process looks like if you need gear customized that isn’t available on our website, or if you need additional customization beyond what we offer online; and Our partnership (Spoiler: it’s pretty much our amazing marketing department for hire) with Columbia Creative Services to help with any design work you might need. Our weekly insight stays in the theme of custom items. This week we discuss banners and signs. Topics include: OSHA jobsite sign compliance; The materials used in our banners (Spoiler: they are tuff – so they handle the job); and The customization options available. You can find our full blog post about safety & jobsite banners by clicking here. Disclaimer: We’d also like to take this time to remind everyone that while this show is meant to be fun, entertaining, and informative it is not intended to replace proper, in-depth training. Manufacturer’s instructions must also be followed and reviewed before any fall protection equipment is used. And proper training should be received before operating any equipment or before climbing. Why do YOU Climb? We’d like to hear from you about why YOU climb. Email us a voice message at gearup@gearexperts.com about why you climb and what climbing means to you for a chance to be featured on the show – and win some swag of course.

In episode 20 of Gear Up with Gear Experts, we welcome Gear Expert® Michelle Galloway back as our guest in the studio. Michelle first joined us on episode 11 and is the National Sales Director for GME Supply. We talk with Michelle about: The broad rules that cover head protection; The different types and classifications of hard hats; Safety helmet standards; The difference between a hard hat, safety helmet, and climbing helmet; and Safety helmet service life. This episode is jam-packed with useful content and we decided to skip our weekly insight. But, you can check out a bunch of our hard hat content with this playlist on YouTube and this Free Downloadable Poster available on the GME Supply and Columbia Safety Knowledge Base. Disclaimer: We’d also like to take this time to remind everyone that while this show is meant to be fun, entertaining, and informative it is not intended to replace proper, in-depth training. Manufacturer’s instructions must also be followed and reviewed before any fall protection equipment is used. And proper training should be received before operating any equipment or before climbing. Why do YOU Climb? We’d like to hear from you about why YOU climb. Email us a voice message at gearup@gearexperts.com about why you climb and what climbing means to you for a chance to be featured on the show – and win some swag of course.

In episode 19 of Gear Up with Gear Experts, we welcome Gear Expert® Andrea Seeley as our guest in the studio. Andrea is the Human Resources Manager for GME Supply and Columbia Safety and has been with the company for almost 4 years. We talk with Andrea about: How company culture has positively affected our company; Our philosophy and values; and We provide some insight into our onboarding process for new team members. This week we discuss our Choose Your Gear Expert® page. Topics include: The inspiration for the creation of our Gear Expert® page You can find the Gear Expert® page for GME Supply by clicking here. And click here for the Columbia Safety Gear Expert® page. Disclaimer: We’d also like to take this time to remind everyone that while this show is meant to be fun, entertaining, and informative it is not intended to replace proper, in-depth training. Manufacturer’s instructions must also be followed and reviewed before any fall protection equipment is used. And proper training should be received before operating any equipment or before climbing. Why do YOU Climb? We’d like to hear from you about why YOU climb. Email us a voice message at gearup@gearexperts.com about why you climb and what climbing means to you for a chance to be featured on the show – and win some swag of course.

In episode 18 of Gear Up with Gear Experts, we welcome Gear Expert® Tyler Nelson back as our guest in the studio. Tyler first joined us on episode 7 and is the National Sales Director for GME Supply. We talk with Tyler about: Kits and how they can increase productivity and streamline the ordering process; Our training partner relationships and how it uniquely positions us to help beyond equipment; and Equipment compatibility. In our weekly insight, we discuss vibrations – and not the good kind. We cover: The effects vibrations can have on the body; The different components of HAVS (If you don’t know what HAVS is, then you definately want to hit the play button at the top of the page); and The standards used for anti-vibration gloves. We’ve got a blog post all about HAVS. You can find that by clicking here. Disclaimer: We’d also like to take this time to remind everyone that while this show is meant to be fun, entertaining, and informative it is not intended to replace proper, in-depth training. Manufacturer’s instructions must also be followed and reviewed before any fall protection equipment is used. And proper training should be received before operating any equipment or before climbing. Why do YOU Climb? We’d like to hear from you about why YOU climb. Email us a voice message at gearup@gearexperts.com about why you climb and what climbing means to you for a chance to be featured on the show – and win some swag of course.

In episode 17 of Gear Up with Gear Experts, we welcome Gear Expert® John Lamond back as our guest in the studio. John first joined us on episode 4 and is the National Sales Director for GME Supply. We talk with John about: The increase in entry-level requirements and the age of a maturing industry; Profit margin and inter-company relationship building; and Long remittance periods. This week we discuss our knowledge base. Topics include: The inspiration for setting up the knowledge base; and What types of content live there. You can find the knowledge base for GME Supply by clicking here. And, you can find the knowledge base for Columbia Safety by clicking here. Disclaimer: We’d also like to take this time to remind everyone that while this show is meant to be fun, entertaining, and informative it is not intended to replace proper, in-depth training. Manufacturer’s instructions must also be followed and reviewed before any fall protection equipment is used. And proper training should be received before operating any equipment or before climbing. Why do YOU Climb? We’d like to hear from you about why YOU climb. Email us a voice message at gearup@gearexperts.com about why you climb and what climbing means to you for a chance to be featured on the show – and win some swag of course.

In episode 16 of Gear Up with Gear Experts, we welcome Gear Expert® Jim Zepp back as our guest in the studio. Jim first joined us back on episode 9 and is the Regional Sales Manager for the South Central Region. We talk with Jim about: The basics of a cable climb system; The hardware involved in a cable climb system; Equipment compatibility concerns; Standards and updates. Our weekly insight stays in the theme of cable climb systems and also covers walking working surfaces. This week we discuss the 1910 Subpart D Standard. Topics include: An overview of 1910 Subpart D; Breakdowns of each of the parts of the standard; and Future compliance dates. You can find the free 1910 Subpart D downloadable poster by clicking here. Disclaimer: We’d also like to take this time to remind everyone that while this show is meant to be fun, entertaining, and informative it is not intended to replace proper, in-depth training. Manufacturer’s instructions must also be followed and reviewed before any fall protection equipment is used. And proper training should be received before operating any equipment or before climbing. Why do YOU Climb? We’d like to hear from you about why YOU climb. Email us a voice message at gearup@gearexperts.com about why you climb and what climbing means to you for a chance to be featured on the show – and win some swag of course.

In episode 15 of Gear Up with Gear Experts, we welcome Gear Expert® Mike Krohn back as our guest in the studio. Mike first joined us back on episode 2 and is the Regional Sales Manager for the Heart of America Region. We talk with Mike about: The typical size of a tower, wind, and solar crew; The background of crew members and where they come from; Issues that employers are facing when bringing employees in; and The college vs. trade misconception. Our weekly insight is a continuation of our discussion in episode 14 about rope. This week we discuss rope termination options. Topics include: Knots; Termination Plates; and Sewn & Spliced Terminations. You can find our full blog post about rope termination options by clicking here. Disclaimer: We’d also like to take this time to remind everyone that while this show is meant to be fun, entertaining, and informative it is not intended to replace proper, in-depth training. Manufacturer’s instructions must also be followed and reviewed before any fall protection equipment is used. And proper training should be received before operating any equipment or before climbing. Why do YOU Climb? We’d like to hear from you about why YOU climb. Email us a voice message at gearup@gearexperts.com about why you climb and what climbing means to you for a chance to be featured on the show – and win some swag of course.

In episode 14 of Gear Up with Gear Experts, we welcome Gear Expert Michael Obuchowski as our guest in the studio. Michael first joined us back on episode 5 and is the Sales Account Manager for the Southwest Region of the US. We talk with Michael about: Why rope compatibility is important when it comes to being safe while on the job. What things to look at when considering rope compatibility. Tips and tricks to ensure rope compatibility when purchasing equipment. Our weekly insight stays in the theme of rope. This week we discuss the effects of knots on rope. Topics include: The strength decrease caused by knots. You can find our full blog post about the effects of knots on rope by clicking here. Disclaimer: We’d also like to take this time to remind everyone that while this show is meant to be fun, entertaining, and informative it is not intended to replace proper, in-depth training. Manufacturer’s instructions must also be followed and reviewed before any fall protection equipment is used. And proper training should be received before operating any equipment or before climbing. Why do YOU Climb? We’d like to hear from you about why YOU climb. Email us a voice message at gearup@gearexperts.com about why you climb and what climbing means to you for a chance to be featured on the show – and win some swag of course.

In episode 13 of Gear Up with Gear Experts, our guest is Beau Aero. Beau has been with GME Supply and Columbia Safety for 15 years (but technically since birth). We talk with Beau about: The 3 most common types of rope; The importance of knowing your rope; The history of rope inspection and the Cordage Institute; Rope inspection best practices; and How to properly store and care for your rope. Disclaimer: We’d also like to remind everyone that while this show is meant to be fun, entertaining, and informative it is not intended to replace proper, in-depth training. Manufacturer’s instructions must also be followed and reviewed before any fall protection equipment is used. And proper training should be received before operating any equipment or before climbing. Why Do You Climb? We’d like to hear from you about why YOU climb. Email us a voice message at gearup@gearexperts.com about why you climb and what climbing means to you for a chance to be featured on the show – and win some swag of course.

In episode 12 of Gear Up with Gear Experts, our guest is Ben Bowman. Ben is the Director of Marketing & Sales for Safety LMS. Safety LMS is North America’s #1 source for tower safety training. We talk with Ben about: How the training philosophy of Safety LMS sets them apart from traditional safety training companies; Why training is important (SPOILER: it’s more than just safety); Some examples of when training made all the difference; and Some of Ben’s favorite training sessions. This week we discuss our partnership with the Tower Family Foundation. The Tower Family Foundation or (Tower Industry Family Support Charitable Foundation) “was established to help provide assistance to the family members of a severely injured, permanently disabled, or deceased tower worker injured or killed in an accident stemming from working at heights on communication structures or other on the job-related activities that tower workers are involved in on a daily basis”. As part of our efforts to help raise money, we are launching the brand-new GME Supply “Climb Higher” Tower Family Foundation Donation T-Shirt. All proceeds from this shirt will be donated directly to the Tower Family Foundation. Disclaimer: We’d also like to remind everyone that while this show is meant to be fun, entertaining, and informative it is not intended to replace proper, in-depth training. Manufacturer’s instructions must also be followed and reviewed before any fall protection equipment is used. And proper training should be received before operating any equipment or before climbing. Why Do You Climb? We’d like to hear from you about why YOU climb. Email us a voice message at gearup@gearexperts.com about why you climb and what climbing means to you for a chance to be featured on the show – and win some swag of course.

In episode 11 of Gear Up with Gear Experts, our guest is Michelle Galloway. Michelle is the National Sales Administrator for GME Supply and has been with the company for nearly 6 years. We talk with Michelle about: How to pick the right harness; Connection points and the differences, benefits, and negatives of tongue buckle, pass-through, and quick connect buckles; What makes the difference in harness quality; and Tips for women looking for a harness. This week we discuss Harness Inspection. Topics Include: The three main things to look at when inspecting a harness; What to do if your harness fails inspection; How to properly retire a harness; and Harness inspection forms. Disclaimer: We’d also like to remind everyone that while this show is meant to be fun, entertaining, and informative it is not intended to replace proper, in-depth training. Manufacturer’s instructions must also be followed and reviewed before any fall protection equipment is used. And proper training should be received before operating any equipment or before climbing. Why Do You Climb? We’d like to hear from you about why YOU climb. Email us a voice message at gearup@gearexperts.com about why you climb and what climbing means to you for a chance to be featured on the show – and win some swag of course.

In episode 10 of Gear Up with Gear Experts, our guest is Max Birch. Max is the lead engineer for FieldSENSE. FieldSENSE is an industry-leading manufacturer of personal RF Monitors. We talk with Max about: His journey into the RF Industry; A Brief History of FieldSENSE; How the relationship between FieldSENSE and GME Supply began; FieldSENSE’s design philosophy; What RF safety is; What frequencies we need to look out for; The effects of RF; RF and rooftops; RF training; Symptoms of RF sickness; FCC Regulations & Shaped Response; How the FieldSENSE works; The 6-minute averaging rule; Common RF misconceptions; and Additional features of the FieldSENSE 2.0 Disclaimer: We’d also like to remind everyone that while this show is meant to be fun, entertaining, and informative it is not intended to replace proper, in-depth training. Manufacturer’s instructions must also be followed and reviewed before any fall protection equipment is used. And proper training should be received before operating any equipment or before climbing. Why Do You Climb? We’d like to hear from you about why YOU climb. Email us a voice message at gearup@gearexperts.com about why you climb and what climbing means to you for a chance to be featured on the show – and win some swag of course.

In episode 9 of Gear Up with Gear Experts, our guest is Gear Expert Jim Zepp. Jim is the Regional Sales Manager for the South Central Region and has been with GME Supply and Columbia Safety for just over 6 years. We talk with Jim about: What tool tethering is and how crews can apply it to their workday; Why you need to use tool tethers; How tool tethering works when tools are so different in size, shape, and weight; and How you can get started with tool tethering. This week we discuss the ISEA/ANSI 121 Dropped Objects Prevention Standard. Topics include: A history of tool tethers; What the ISEA/ANSI 121 Standard entails; and What the standard outlines for safety managers, crew leads, or business owners. Announcements: April was a busy month for us and we have no plans of slowing down anytime soon. We are going to be joining our friends from FieldSESNE and Multiwave at Connect (X) in Orlando, FL from May 20th-23rd. If you find yourself at the show, be sure to stop by the FieldSENSE and Multiwave booths and have a chat with our Gear Experts. Disclaimer: We’d also like to remind everyone that while this show is meant to be fun, entertaining, and informative it is not intended to replace proper, in-depth training. Manufacturer’s instructions must also be followed and reviewed before any fall protection equipment is used. And proper training should be received before operating any equipment or before climbing. Why Do You Climb? We’d like to hear from you about why YOU climb. Email us a voice message at gearup@gearexperts.com about why you climb and what climbing means to you for a chance to be featured on the show – and win some swag of course.

In episode 8 of Gear Up with Gear Experts, our guest is Gear Expert Austin Painter. Austin is the Regional Sales Manager for the Great Lakes Region and has been with GME Supply and Columbia Safety for just under 2 years. We talk with Austin about:   Best practices to use when preparing for a job that will involve lifting and rigging; Double Braid Rope; Finding the right equipment to use for lifting and rigging; and Capstan Hoists. This week we discuss the ASME B30 Standard for lifting and rigging. Topics include: A breakdown of the ASME B30 Standard. Announcements: We also make an announcement that we are pretty excited about! April is a busy month for us. We are attending two different trade shows at the end of the month. From April 24th-25th we will be up north with our friends in Montreal, QC attending STAC. If you find yourself in the area be sure to stop by our booth and say hi! At the same time, we are sending a team of Gear Experts out to Charollete, NC from April 24th – 26th to attend SEAA. If you’re in the area come by and say hi! Disclaimer: We’d also like to take this time to remind everyone that while this show is meant to be fun, entertaining, and informative it is not intended to replace proper, in-depth training. Manufacturer’s instructions must also be followed and reviewed before any fall protection equipment is used. And proper training should be received before operating any equipment or before climbing.

In episode 7 of Gear Up with Gear Experts, our guest is Gear Expert Tyler Nelson. Tyler is the Regional Sales Manager for the Southeast and has been with GME Supply and Columbia Safety for just over 5 years. We talk with Tyler about: Key pieces of equipment that should be in every rescue kit; Best practices; Training; and Resources to ensure rescue kits are compatible. This week we discuss ANSI for descent devices. Topics include: A breakdown of the ANSI Z359.4-203 Standard. Announcements: We also make an announcement that we are pretty excited about! April is a busy month for us. We are attending two different trade shows at the end of the month. From April 24th-25th we will be up north with our friends in Montreal, QC attending STAC. If you find yourself in the area be sure to stop by our booth and say hi! At the same time, we are sending a team of Gear Experts out to Charollete, NC from April 24th – 26th to attend SEAA. If you’re in the area come by and say hi! Disclaimer: We’d also like to take this time to remind everyone that while this show is meant to be fun, entertaining, and informative it is not intended to replace proper, in-depth training. Manufacturer’s instructions must also be followed and reviewed before any fall protection equipment is used. And proper training should be received before operating any equipment or before climbing.

In episode 6 of Gear Up with Gear Experts, our guest is Gear Expert Bryan Dominique. Bryan is the Regional Sales Manager for the Northeast from North Carolina into Eastern Canada and has been with GME Supply and Columbia Safety for 3 1/2 years. We talk with Bryan about: What being a Gear Expert means in relation to an RSM; What benefits an RSM can offer a customer when looking for equipment; What resources RSMs have to allow them to provide timely service and expertise; and What benefits RMSs add to customized kit options. This week we discuss some of our Gear Expert’s favorite products. Products include: Guardian Seraph Construction Harness; Skylotec SkySafe Pro Flex Shock Absorbing Lanyard; GME Supply Premium Rope Bag; and WestFall Pro Work Rescue Descender. Disclaimer: We’d also like to take this time to remind everyone that while this show is meant to be fun, entertaining, and informative it is not intended to replace proper, in-depth training. Manufacturer’s instructions must also be followed and reviewed before any fall protection equipment is used. And proper training should be received before operating any equipment or before climbing.

In episode 5 of Gear Up with Gear Experts, our guest is Gear Expert Michael Obuchowski. Michael is the Sales Account Manager for the Southwest Region and has been with GME Supply and Columbia Safety for 2 1/2 years. We talk with Michael about: How we are uniquely suited to serve the solar industry; Best practices when looking for solar equipment; Proper equipment use; and What to expect as the industry continues to grow. This week we discuss Eye Protection. Topics include: ANSI Z87.1; ANSI Z87.1 Testing Standards; ANSI Z87+; and MIL-PRF 32432. You can find our full blog post about eye protection by clicking here. Announcements: We also make an announcement that we are pretty excited about! We are going to be sending some Gear Experts to the Wireless West Conference in Scottsdale, AZ from April 15th-17th. If you find yourself in the area, be sure to stop by our booth, chat with us, and check out some of the cool gear we are going to bring. Disclaimer: We’d also like to take this time to remind everyone that while this show is meant to be fun, entertaining, and informative it is not intended to replace proper, in-depth training. Manufacturer’s instructions must also be followed and reviewed before any fall protection equipment is used. And proper training should be received before operating any equipment or before climbing.

In episode 4 of Gear Up with Gear Experts, our guest is Gear Expert John Lamond. John is the National Sales Director and has been with GME Supply and Columbia Safety for 5 years. We talk with John about: Why safety is an important part of a tower climbers job; Best practices when looking for equipment; Making sure equipment is safe for re-use; and Other things (besides equipment) to consider when it comes to job site safety. This week we discuss Rope Inspection. Topics include: Things to look for during inspection; What to do with a rope if a fall occurs; and Inspection forms. You can find our full blog post about rope inspection by clicking here. You can download a free rope inspection form by clicking here. Announcements: We also make an announcement that we are pretty excited about! We’re expanding. We’ve got a new location in Dallas, Texas. If you’re in the Dallas area, come check out our new building and say hello! Disclaimer: We’d also like to take this time to remind everyone that while this show is meant to be fun, entertaining, and informative it is not intended to replace proper, in-depth training. Manufacturer’s instructions must also be followed and reviewed before any fall protection equipment is used. And proper training should be received before operating any equipment or before climbing.

In episode 3 of Gear Up with Gear Experts, our guest is Gear Expert Cody Sellers. Cody is the Northwest Regional Sales Manager and has been with GME Supply and Columbia Safety for 2 years. We talk with Cody about: What exactly we mean by customizable kits; Benefits of kits; Popular types of kits; and What industries can take advantage of our kits. This week we discuss Tower Climbing Kits. Topics include: What the kits include; Time savings; and Further customization. You can find our full blog post about tower climbing kits by clicking here. Announcements: We also make a few announcements that we are pretty excited about! We are the Infinity Sponsor for NATE Unite 2019. If you find yourself going to NATE this year – be sure to stop by our booth and say hello! We’re expanding. We’ve got a new location in Dallas, Texas. If you’re in the Dallas area, come check out our new building and say hello! Disclaimer: We’d also like to take this time to remind everyone that while this show is meant to be fun, entertaining, and informative it is not intended to replace proper, in-depth training. Manufacturer’s instructions must also be followed and reviewed before any fall protection equipment is used. And proper training should be received before operating any equipment or before climbing.

In episode 2 of Gear Up with Gear Experts, our guest is Gear Expert Mike Krohn. Mike is the Regional Sales Manager for the Heart of America Region and has been with GME Supply and Columbia Safety for just over 1-1/2 years. We talk with Mike about: When you need communication on a job site or for your company in general; When you need to start considering upgrading your equipment; What expectations you should have for your communication equipment; and How communication equipment is an investment, not an expense. This week we discuss Digital vs. Analog Communication. Topics include: Main differences; and Compatibility You can find our full blog post comparing digital and analog communication equipment by clicking here. Announcements: We also make a few announcements that we are pretty excited about! We are the Infinity Sponsor for NATE Unite 2019. If you find yourself going to NATE this year – be sure to stop by our booth and say hello! We’re expanding. We’ve got a new location in Dallas, Texas. If you’re in the Dallas area, come check out our new building and say hello! Disclaimer: We’d also like to take this time to remind everyone that while this show is meant to be fun, entertaining, and informative it is not intended to replace proper, in-depth training. Manufacturer’s instructions must also be followed and reviewed before any fall protection equipment is used. And proper training should be received before operating any equipment or before climbing.

Hosts John Medina and Alex Giddings welcome Gear Expert Chris Heitkamp in the first show. John and Alex spend a few minutes talking about what the show is, why we started it, and what you can expect in the future.