Fanny packs have long been a staple for lifeguards and stereotypically used by construction safety professionals. While they are awkward looking and at least somewhat nerdy, they are great pieces of gear for those that choose to use them. Recently, Ryan Hoag, an Assistant Project Manager who was a lifeguard growing up and has a brother who is a safety professional began testing the use of a fanny pack in his daily life on the jobsite. When asked what his motivation for use of the fanny pack in his work life was he said, "I'm tired of lugging my pens, pencils and markers, my tape, my iPad, a water bottle, gloves, ear plugs, respirator on occasion and my tape...did I already say tape, in my safety vest."
Anyone who's worn a safety vest that is bogged down with additional tools and gear knows that it has the pockets to hold it all but that it quickly turns into a saggy snag hazard that hangs off the wearer and gets hung up on handrails and tries to pull the wearer off any ladder they may choose to climb. After nearly being strangled by his hung up vest while climbing down from the top of a water storage tank, Ryan decided there had to be a better way. In the trailer later that day, Ryan determined that when it comes to safety, safety professionals must know what's best and be on to something with their fanny pack style. He kept getting hung of on the fanny pack name and figured the negative stereotype tied to the name would slow down his use and potential jobsite wide adoption. While daydreaming in the afternoon team meeting, Ryan came up with a naming solution - Waist-mounted Tool Holder. On the way home that night he bought a fanny pack from the local outdoor and sporting supply store. The next day, he started wearing it and professing the possibilities and improvements his WTH could provide for jobsite users. As usual, the General Superintendent was slow to adoption but he has allowed the other jobsite engineers to purchase WTH's for their use. With more use, and the right name, fanny packs (WTH's) have been requested by all jobsite staff from foreman to the PM for the upcoming Christmas gift.
Given that the construction industry is the second largest industry in the US behind healthcare, Ryan is busy strategically buying stock in traditional fanny pack suppliers in anticipation of mass WTH purchases. He hasn't gotten a bonus in a while but is optimistic he'll get a good dividend on one of his stock purchases.
***This was another Fake Construction News article. Stay tuned for more.***
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