Things To Know About Fall Arrest

Posted by Ali Tariq on June 24th, 2022

Fall arrest is a system designed to protect life and limb when an employee accidentally falls from a height. This includes rescue workers, inspectors, construction workers, and other people who work in areas that require high levels of safety.

What should you consider when selecting a fall arrest system?

You should consider the type of industries in which your employees are working, the equipment and tools they use, and their job responsibilities when selecting a fall arrest system. For example, if an employee works at heights above 10 feet and uses only hand tools, his employer can help protect him by eliminating or controlling falls through general fall protection measures such as guarding the edges of elevated surfaces.

The following are advantages of fall arrest systems:

• Fall arrest systems can save lives by preventing injuries and reducing property damage.

• Fall arrest systems can save money by preventing additional injuries from occurring. The cost of replacing tools, equipment, and materials is reduced, too.

• Each fall arrest system carries an inherent risk of failure that costs money and time. The more risk the employer is willing to accept in return for saving a life or saving a significant amount of property, the more likely an employer will choose a fall arrest system.

What is a fall arrest safety harness?

Fall arrest safety harnesses are designed to restrain a worker during a fall or rescue. The harness is designed to fit snugly around the worker's body and to support the weight of the worker in case of a fall. The level of support provided by the harness depends on how it is rigged and used.

The work positioning system includes a full-body harness, lanyard, and a lifeline. It is used in situations where employees need to walk on horizontal or slightly curved surfaces while working. The system helps workers maintain their balance and helps prevent falls while they work. 

Lanyards are the most common type of lead connected to fall protection equipment. For example, a worker may be sent outside on a roof to work on something near the edge of a building. He would use a lifeline attached to his overhead protection system as well as his fall arrest equipment with lanyards for attachment points for both components.

The following are types of fall arrest safety harnesses:

Double-strap, also known as a two-point, two-strap system, consists of a full-body strap with two leg straps that attach at both ends to independent anchorage points. This system supports upper body weight and keeps legs together; however, it does not prevent the head and lower body from swinging from side to side.

A full-body also called a four-point or a full-body harness is designed to protect the worker from falling to a greater range of lateral movement than a double-strap harness and can be used in areas where there are overhead obstructions.

How should you maintain a fall arrest safety harness?

• You should inspect your system before each use. Check to ensure that all parts are in good working order, including webbing, buckles, straps, carabiners (also called snap links), and other accessories. If the system is damaged or any part is not working properly, remove it from service immediately.

• You should regularly inspect the safety harness for age, wear, and damage. Mark any defects or damage with a red X on the orange strapping.

• You should regularly clean and oil the safety harness. The use of mineral oil (not engine oil) is recommended for this purpose because it does not attract dust or dirt. Regular cleaning with mild soap, water, and lukewarm water will help maintain the integrity of all webbing. 

• You may also want to check grommets in the gloves or boots worn with straps to ensure that they are properly inserted into slots on each end of the system. You should replace the webbing, buckles, and straps as necessary to keep your fall arrest system in good working condition.

Conclusion

Fall arrest cables have a wide variety of uses. Their most common use is to install a safety harness on an employee working at heights above 10 meters (33 feet) and where there are no overhead obstructions. 

However, they can also be used in other situations such as aerial lifts, rigging equipment, and other applications. All of these types of fall arrest systems require fall protection cables that have been tested to meet the appropriate safety standards for each application.