Guide to Personal Fall Arrest Systems
Fall arrest body harnesses and lanyards are available at a lot of places but are they in stock when you need them the most? Like yesterday?
Well that’s where you need a supplier you always has stock on hand and if not can locate the fall arrest body harnesses and lanyards from a group of affiliated suppliers.
Where do you start?
Right here for Full Body harnesses
Fall arrest Full body harnesses
Right here for 4′ Lanyards
4 Foot Shock Absorbing Lanyards
Right here for 6′ Lanyards
6 Foot Shock Absorbing Lanyards
A Personal Fall Arrest System is comprised of three (3) key components – anchorage connector; body wear; and connecting device. While a lot of focus has been given to anchorage connectors and body wear (full-body harnesses), when discussing fall protection, the connecting device (a shock-absorbing lanyard or self-retracting lifeline) between these two components actually bears the greatest fall forces during a fall. Anchorage/Anchorage Connector Anchorage: Commonly referred to as a tie-off point (Ex: I-beam, rebar, scaffolding, lifeline, etc.) Anchorage Connector: Used to join the connecting device to the anchorage (Ex: cross-arm strap, beam anchor, D-bolt, hook anchor, etc.)
- Anchorages must be capable of supporting 5,000 pounds (22kN) of force per worker.
- Must be high enough for a worker to avoid contact with a lower level should a fall occur.
- The anchorage connector should be positioned to avoid a “swing fall.”
Body Wear Body Wear: The personal protective equipment worn by the worker (Ex: full-body harness)
- Only form of body wear acceptable for fall arrest is the full-body harness.
- Should be selected based on work to be performed and the work environment.
- Side and front D-rings are for positioning only.
Connecting Device Connecting Device: The critical link which joins the body wear to the anchorage/anchorage connector (Ex: shock-absorbing lanyard, fall limiter, self-retracting lifeline, rope grab, etc.)
- Potential fall distance must be calculated to determine type of connecting device to be used – typically, under 18-1/2 ft. (5.6m), always use a self-retracting lifeline/fall limiter; over 18-1/2 ft. (5.6m), use a shock-absorbing lanyard or self-retracting lifeline/fall limiter.
- Should also be selected based on work to be performed and the work environment.
- Shock-absorbing lanyards can expand up to 3-1/2 ft. (1.1m) when arresting a fall; attach lanyards to the harness back D-ring only; never tie a knot in any web lanyard – it reduces the strength by 50%.
Terry Smeader
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Tags: 4 foot lanyard, 6 foot lanyard, Fall Arrest, full body harness, shock absorbing lanyards
