As a well-known distributor of gloves and accessories for the entertainment business, Dirty Rigger have an accomplished reputation!

The company was established in 2010 as a sister company to the Le Mark Group who have been supplying event equipment to the arts and entertainment industry since the 1980s, so expanding the business was a no-brainer.

The range of Dirty Rigger products we currently stock includes the Dirty Rigger Podger Holster, the Dirty Rigger Podger Tool Lanyard, both of which are essential for conducting work on event rigging.

We recently added Dirty Rigger Gloves to the range –  designed to provide comfort and flexibility while still being durable enough to last. Be sure to take a closer look at them when you head over to our Dirty Rigger section!

Find all of the Dirty Rigger products that we offer, by clicking the button below. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to give us a call on 0117 9381 600.

View Dirty Rigger Products >

A rope grab device is a perfect tool for people working at height because it allows the operator to move along the rope to do their work, but it will grip onto the rope and stop the operator’s descent automatically if they happen to fall.

At Life-Gear we stock a range of different rope grab devices that are perfect whether you are a professional arborist, tree surgeon or if you climb for sport. If you are buying or using a rope grab for the first time, bare these points in mind:

• Ensure you have completed appropriate climbing training and are confident operating a rope grab.
• Make sure your rope grab is compatible with your rope or lanyard.
• Read the instruction manual thoroughly before you start climbing so that you know exactly how to use your new rope grab.

The G-Force Work Positioning Guided Fall Arrester is designed for use with a 12mm rope and comes in three colours. Use it as part of a fall arrest system or for work positioning on an access rope.

The G-Force Guided Shock Absorbing Fall Arrester (14mm) has a gate that makes attaching and detaching it from the rope easy! Much like the 12mm rope grab, this rope grab will automatically grip the rope in the event of a fall.

To view all the rope grabs that we offer, simply click the button below:

View All Rope Grabs >

If you can’t find the rope grab you were looking for, get in touch! Our specialist team will do their best to help you. To browse more working at height and arborist equipment, browse the rest of our site.

When looking for the right style of safety helmet, there are lots of things to consider:

• What type of work will you be doing?
• What level of protection do you need?
• Does your headwear need to comply with any safety regulations?

At Life-Gear we offer different types of safety helmets that should keep your head, face, eyes and ears protected at all times. Continue reading if you want to find out what different types of safety helmets we offer.

Bump Caps

Bump caps such as this ERGODYNE Short Brim Bump Cap, are perfect for protecting your head from minor bumps and bruises. This cap is fitted with a hard removable shell to protect you from falling objects and is foam lined for comfortable wear all day. This also cap complies with EN 812 regulations. We think this is the perfect cap to wear on site, even if no lifting tasks are ongoing - you can never be too safe!

Shop Bump Caps >

Chainsaw Helmets

Our chainsaw helmets are perfect for protecting your head, ears and face when you're cutting down trees or carrying out other tasks with a chainsaw.

Shop Chainsaw Helmets >

Climbing Helmets

 If you climb for work or pleasure, you know (or should know) the importance of wearing a proper climbing helmet when at height. The climbing helmet you choose should be secure, robust and comfortable, particularly if you intend to wear it for a long climb. This Edelrid Ultra Lite Climbing Helmet is a great option because it has side attachment options, allowing you to attach ear protectors or a visor if you need to. If you'd like a closer look at this particular helmet - click here. Or, if you'd like to view all of the safety helmets we stock, click the button below:

All Safety Helmets >

If you have any questions about the different types of safety helmets we stock, or if you'd like to purchase one over the phone then don't hesitate to contact us on 0117 9381 600. We look forward to hearing from you!

Arborist helmets are different to other kinds of safety helmets, because they not only protect the wearer from being struck by fallen objects, they also provide protection around the sides of the head. Whether you climb trees as part of your job or as a hobby, wearing an arborist helmet will ensure you can climb comfortably and safely.

Which arborist helmet is the best? To help you decide, we have chosen three of the best arborist helmets we stock and tell you more about them here.

Petzl Vertex Best Climbing Helmet PETZL-VERTEXB

This helmet had to come first because best is in the name, and that’s because it is one of the most popular climbing helmets amongst arborists. Some of the features that make it one of the best arborist helmets include; attachment points for a visor or ear defenders, CentreFit adjustment and an incredibly strong chin strap. We think you’ll love it, take a closer look here.

Edelrid Ultra Lite Climbing Helmet

This Edelrid Ultra Lite Climbing Helmet makes it into our best arborist helmet top 3 because it is secure and effective. It can offer protection from molten metal splatter, has attachments for ear protectors or a visor, and it comes with removable inner padding for extra comfort. Take a closer look here.

Edelrid Zodiac Tree Climbing Helmet

And finally, this Edelrid Zodiac Tree Climbing Helmet has made it into our because it is lightweight, impact-resistant, and comes with a fully adjustable chin strap with a closure system for comfort. This arborist helmet looks stylish, has vents to keep your head cool, and is sure to keep you safe while you work and climb. Do you think this is the best arborist helmet for you? Take a look here.

It is hard for us to tell you what the best arborist helmet is because it largely depends on personal preference and the type of climbing job you’re doing. However, we are sure that these are some of the best arborist helmets on the market, so we can assure you they won’t let you down.

In this blog, we will take a look at some of the different types of winches on the market in order to establish how and when it is appropriate to use them.

What are winches and what are they used for?

A winch is a device consisting of a length of rope or chain that's wound around a drum. When the drum turns, the length of rope/chain is either shortened or lengthened (depending on which direction you're turning it in). This relatively simple mechanism has lots of practical applications, but it is most commonly used to move cars, boats, and other heavy loads.

Broadly speaking, operators have a choice between manual and electrical winches. Each option has different benefits, so the right choice for you will depend on the nature of the task at hand.

Hand Winches

Hand winches are a great choice if you're looking for a manually-operated winch. Hand winches can be very useful for arborists who need to carry out work in wet conditions and locations where there are no power outlets, such as woodland areas.

Pictured above is our Heavy Duty 250kg Hand Winch. With its high capacity and automatic brake, this winch is perfect for use in emergencies and small-scale forestry operations.

View all hand winches >

Electric Winches

Electric winches are often a preferable option for arborists working near a power source. Using an electrical winch is less physically demanding, and allows you to focus your attention on the job. An electric winch also allows loads to be moved more steadily because the drum turns continuously - this can be advantageous when moving delicate or sharp objects.

The winch pictured above is our 500kg Electric Winch (110V). This product has a lifting capacity of 500kg and a pulling capacity of 800kg, making it ideal for moving heavy objects such as forest debris. Unsurprisingly, it is one of our best sellers!

View all electric winches >

Using a chainsaw can be very dangerous. That’s why it’s important that people using, and in the presence of someone using a chainsaw are supplied with appropriate personal protective equipment and use it correctly. In this blog, we talk about the significance of each piece of PPE and showcase some of our favourite products from our chainsaw protective gear range.

When using a chainsaw there are a few key areas of the body that you should be aiming to protect including your; head, eyes, ears, hands, legs and feet.

Protecting your head, eyes and ears:

The most frequent chainsaw related injuries are not lacerations or cuts, but an injury caused by flying debris, therefore protecting the head and face is absolutely essential. The helmet you see in the photo above is part of our Forestry Helmet Set, which comes complete with noise cancelling ear cups. We also stock Edelrid Ultra-Lite II Arborist Climbing Helmets which are robust and come in a range of colours.

Shop Chainsaw Helmets here >

For extra eye protection, you could also consider wearing protective glasses or goggles – take a look at our Eye Protection range here:

Shop Eye Protection >

Protective clothing for hands, legs and feet:

Wearing protective clothing on your hands, legs and feet will dramatically reduce the risk of an accidental laceration or cut occurring. Here at Life-Gear.com, we can supply all the necessary PPE to keep you protected!

Hands:

The gloves you see above are our SIP 2XD3 Chainsaw Gloves in Red/Black. This particular pair will provide protection for both your hands and they are reinforced with waterproof rubber meaning they’re incredibly durable and will allow you to safely grip the chainsaw regardless of the weather conditions.

Legs:

Choosing a pair of trousers that will protect your legs in the event that the chainsaw came into contact with them is a necessity.

The pair you see here are the Innovation II Type C Chainsaw Trousers in Red/Black. They’re incredibly comfortable thanks to their lightweight material and ventilation. The reason they are suitable for chainsaw users is because they are composed of Pezatec (Condura®) and Pezaflex (Condura®) fabrics with a Teflon™ finish and Dyneema® yarns. These trousers will provide optimum comfort and protection!

Browse our entire Chainsaw Trousers Range Here >

Feet:

Protecting your feet is just as important as protecting the other parts of your body, and the best way to do so is by wearing boots that have been designed specifically for chainsaw users. These ones are the Haix Protector Ultra Signal Chainsaw Boots in Red – they are lined with GORE-TEX®, and have an anatomically designed protective toe cap.

View all our Chainsaw Boots here >

Be sure to contact us if you have any questions about our chainsaw PPE – We’re more than happy to help.

When climbing a tree, there are certain pieces of equipment that are absolutely essential. Whether you're a professional tree surgeon or you climb trees for some other reason, safety should always come first and having the right gear will dramatically reduce the risk of injury.

Safety Harnesses

You have a reasonable amount of choice when it comes to selecting a suitable safety harness. The harness you choose should fit snugly but still be comfortable to wear.

The tree climbing work positioning harness pictured above is a great option because it is affordable, comfortable, and has multiple attachment points. Make sure you know your waist size before ordering as this will ensure that the harness fits correctly.

Alternatively, you could opt for a full body harness. These harnesses are probably a more comfortable choice for tree surgeons because you can easily sit down into the harness and still feel secure while working at height for extended periods. One of our favourites is the PETZL AVAO rope access safety harness, which wraps over the body in an 'X' shape to reduce the pressure on your body during longer suspensions.

View all harnesses >

Lanyards

A lanyard (or flipline) is a length of cord that can temporarily hold a tree climber in place. Having a lanyard attached to your safety harness allows you to maintain a point of contact with the tree at all times.

There are many options available when it comes to picking a lanyard: the length, mechanism and material can vary from one product to the next, so be sure to do some research before making a purchase.

View all lanyards and fliplines >

Helmets

If you're working up a tree, it's important to buy a protective helmet that was actually designed for arborists and tree surgeons. A standard hardhat is not acceptable - hardhats are designed to protect the head from falling objects, and while this is still a potential hazard when climbing a tree, there's also a risk that you will be hit from the side or fall from a great height. Your helmet needs to be capable of protecting you in all of these circumstances.

The helmet shown above is a favourite amongst arborists: the PETZL Vertex Best Climbing Helmet. It features:

• A CentreFit adjustment system
• A strong chinstrap
• Attachment points for a visor / ear defenders

View all safety helmets >

At Life-Gear.com we stock a variety of arborist bags that are designed to serve different purposes; some arborist bags are ideal for storing all your equipment as you move from site to site and others are more compact and secure for use while you’re working in the trees.

Arborist bags need to be:

• Durable
• Easy to access
• Watertight
• Big enough to store your equipment
• Compact enough not to get in the way

We have selected a few of our arborist bags to give you an overview of their different qualities and uses. Our arborist bags will get you on site, up the tree and able to work with as little hassle as possible.

Getting on site:

As an arborist you will have a lot of equipment you need to take on site with you, this may include your:

• Harness
• Helmet
• Ropes
• Hardware

Whatever you need with you will be kept together, dry and secure in this Large Edelrid Arborist Equipment Storage Bag. This bag has a capacity of 45 litres, D-rings so that you can secure your equipment into it using a padlock, and it’s floatable and watertight meaning none of your equipment will get damaged even in the harshest conditions.

For use in the trees:

Once you have ascended into the treetops, you need an arborist bag that’s easy to access and close to your body. This Edelrid Mini Equipment/ Tool Bag for Harness Belt is the ideal bag for the job! It can be attached to any harness or belt using a standard hook, or pair it with one of our tool lanyards.

For smaller items:

If you need to carry small pieces of equipment like pruning tools etc. into the trees, this Lyon Arborist Equipment Bag is perfect. It can carry up to 3litres of equipment, has a drawstring closing mechanism and will fit easily to any harness.

Not sure if any of these arborist bags are right for you? Not to worry, we have lots more for you to choose from on our site!

View our arborist bags here >

If you have any questions about any of the products featured in this blog, or if we can help with anything else, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re happy to help with whatever query you may have.

Whether you need to transport equipment, furniture or machinery, it is imperative that you secure heavy objects in place to avoid potentially harmful accidents from occurring. In this blog, we talk about some of the equipment and accessories available from Life-Gear.com that can be used to safely secure heavy objects. 

Before selecting the right equipment to secure your load you need to establish the following:

• How much does your load weigh? This is important because you need to choose an appropriate tie-down method that can withstand the pressure of the object you wish to transport.

• How will the weight be distributed? Will the object be stood up or laid down? This can help you to determine how many tie downs you need to keep the item secure.

• Is there suitable friction between the object and the vehicle? If the object is likely to move around a lot because a) it’s on wheels, or b) because the base of the object and the vehicle surface are both slippery, then you need to ensure appropriate friction devices are used.

• Choose the right tie downs. Having established the weight of your load and how many tie downs you’ll need, you can purchase the right number and style of tie downs. Take a look at some of the options available on Life-Gear.com below:

Ratchet Lashings

Ratchet lashings, like this Premium 5 Tonne Ratchet Lashing Strap (with claw hook) are excellent for securing down a variety of objects and they’re incredibly easy to use. You can buy them individually, or in packs of 10, 30 or 50!

Individual Ratchet Lashing >     10 Ratchet Lashings >     30 Ratchet Lashings >     50 Ratchet Lashings >

Take a look at our instructional Ratchet Lashings video here, using these lashings couldn’t be easier:

Ratchet load binders

If ratchet lashings aren’t suitable to secure your load, then perhaps you should consider a ratchet load binding kit like the one you see here. These kits are often used for transporting heavy-duty equipment such as diggers and they’re just as easy to use as ratchet lashings.

The load is secured using the chains, and the user can adjust the tension in the chain using the ratchet mechanism to ensure that the that the object being transported doesn’t move.

At Life-Gear.com we offer a range of ratchet load binding kits and accessories including:

• 12600kg M.B.S Ratchet Loadbinder Kit with Latch Hooks >
• G80 Lifting Chain >
• Ratchet Load binder for 13-16mm diameter chain >

But you can view the full range of Ratchet Load Binders here:

Load Binder Kits/Load Binders >

Polypropylene Rope

Polypropylene rope isn’t great for tying down overly large or heavy loads, but it is ideal for tying down smaller, lighter objects. This rope is economical, reliable and weather resistant, making it perfect for a number of tying down jobs.

We supply polypropylene rope in a variety of lengths and diameters, you can view all the polypropylene rope we offer here:

Polypropylene Rope Range >

Hopefully, this can help you move your loads from A to B without any accidents, however, if you have any questions you can contact us, our customer service team are happy to assist you in any way they can.