Fall Arrest FAQs

Q: What is the difference between fall arrest and fall prevention.?
A: Fall arrest is aimed at bringing a fall safely to a stop without sudden impact. Fall prevention is the process by which we stop the fall before it has happened.

Q: What Are the necessary Components For Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS)?
A: A personal fall arrest system is as simple as ABCD.

  • Anchors – This is what a worker attaches to while working at height. It must be a solid point and stable.
  • Body – This will be a suitable Harness for your application.
  • Connectors – The device that bridges the Anchor Point to your Harness.
  • Decent & Rescue – Essential equipment that allows the user to be lowered safely post-fall.

Q: What Height Should Fall Protection Be Used For?
A: In most industries, fall protection equipment is required when workers are elevated a total of 4 feet or higher. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has specific guidelines for Fall Protection based on the environment employees work in. Those working within the Construction Industry must have fall protection equipment when working at heights exceeding 6 feet. Fall Protection should also be considered when working within MEWPs or Ariel Work Platforms.

Q: How Do I Inspect My Fall Protection Harness?
A: A daily check of your Fall Protection equipment should be carried out prior to use. Below are things to look out for.

  • Look for cut, broken or pulled stitches in the webbing on the harness. This can be easily seen when pushing the webbing into a U Shape to check for imperfections from high temperatures or corrosive substances.
  • Verify the harness’s manufacturing date and expiration date if one is listed.
    • vMake sure there are no cracks or signs of corrosion on the harness D-Rings. None of the hardware on your harness should be loose or be resistant when connecting with corresponding pieces.

Q: How Often Should I Have My Fall Protection Equipment Inspected?
A: Workers who use Fall Protection equipment should inspect their equipment daily. Each company should also have their Fall Protection solutions inspected annually by a ‘Competent Person’ and you may consider more frequent inspections if you regularly work in changeable conditions & environments.

Q: Which is the right Safety Harness for me and my workplace?
A: To find the correct Fall Protection harness for a given application you will be required to assess the physical characteristics of the equipment and to see whether or not it’s suitable for your industry. Here are 5 key points to consider.

  • The harness should meet the correct standards and certifications for your job & industry.
  • Your harness must have the D-Rings in the correct positions for your task.
  • Your harness should fit tightly though without constricting you.
  • Bear in mind that your harness should be lightweight and comfortable for prolonged daily use.
  • Only harnesses inspected or reviewed by a ‘Competent Person’ should be used.

Q: What Is the Life Expectancy Of Fall Protection?
A: Most types of fall protection will have a manufacturing date on its label. You can potentially find more information about your equipment’s life span within the owner’s manual though not all equipment will have an expiration date. In these cases, a ‘Competent Person’ should regularly inspect your Fall protection equipment to ensure it’s in an acceptable and suitable condition for use. You can prolong the life of your personal fall protection equipment by storing it in a temperature-controlled setting and keeping it clean.

Q: What Is a Competent Person?
A: The term ‘Competent Person’ describes a Safety Manager, a Supervisor or an individual with exceptional safety training knowledge within the workplace. These individuals are experienced in identifying workplace hazards and can take action to correct issues relating to dangerous environments. Inspecting your own Fall Protection equipment is not satisfactory for this process.

Q: What Is An SRL (Self Retracting Lifeline)
A: Self-retracting lifelines (SRL’s) are pieces of equipment that detect when someone is falling and then initiate an auto-locking mechanism to arrest the fall akin to a seat belt operation. An SRL will allow users to move freely when working at height with a set amount of tension on the restraint. If the SRL detects an increase in speed it will immediately stop the ropes from extending farther. SRL’s are available in many different lengths and if you are uncertain which one is best suited for you please call out Working At Height experts on 01903 896630 and we would be delighted to assist.

Q: Is there a Difference Between Fall Arrest and Fall Restraint?
A: Fall arrest and fall restraint systems sound similar but they work very differently. A fall arrest system will allow a fall to occur but the specification & technology is then designed to minimize the chances of a person making contact with another surface. A fall arrest system will then shorten the distance of the fall and catch the worker in suspension opposed to preventing it. A fall restraint solution uses a tie-off system that prevents users from reaching an edge or perhaps falling over an edge. The correct system for you will depend on factors like your location, the task at hand, and how much space you have available.

Q: What Is A Trauma Relief Strap?
A: Trauma Relief Straps are often situated near the waist section of a safety harness and can be deployed if a fall occurs. They will then create a step for the worker to stand on while they wait for rescue. Trauma Relief Straps reduce pressures that can form on the body post a fall so the individual can remain as comfortable as possible with continued blood circulation.

Selecting the right fall protection connector for leading edges.

Leading edge hazards are more prevalent than you might think. On a construction site, you can find leading edges on decks, concrete surfaces, scaffolds, skylights, mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs), manholes and steel beams. It’s important to ensure that your connecting devices, including self-retracting lifelines (SRLs) and energy absorbing lanyards, are designed to account for leading edge hazards.

Leading edge protection is recommended for:

  • Working at heights while installing roof decking
  • Steel erection
  • Working at heights on temporary structures

A leading edge application includes any situation where a connecting device has the potential to contact an edge during a fall. These circumstances are common to a wide range of construction worksites. It’s essential to carefully evaluate whether a leading edge compatible connecting device should be used any time the device could contact an edge during use.

Where do leading edges exist?

Leading edge means the unprotected side and edge of a floor, roof, or formwork for a floor or other walking/ working surface (such as deck) which changes location as additional floor, roof, decking or formwork sections are placed, formed or constructed.

Situations : Mobile elevating work platforms, Concrete decking, Working atop scaffold planking, Precast bridge assembly, Manholes Steel erection, Flooring Beam work, sylights.

Virtually all construction crews will encounter worksite leading edges. That’s why it’s critical to use fall protection components designed, tested and certified to help be resistant to leading edge hazards. These connecting devices should integrate shock absorption to compensate for increased leading edge fall distances.