Installing Fall-Arrest Systems
Fall-arrest systems require a high degree of planning, training and supervision and rely heavily on workers always ‘doing the right thing’ and not taking short cuts.
For these reasons, they should only be used where none of the other methods are practicable.
Each safety line system is designed and installed based on the number of people connected to the line at any one time, and also takes into account the use of regular or energy absorbing lanyards.
Installing Anchorages and Lines
Each anchorage point should be located so that a lanyard of the system can be attached to it before the person using the system moves into a position where the person could fall.
Anchorage points used should be located as high as equipment permits, as it is safer to work below the point of anchorage. Where the anchorage point is below the harness connection point a shorter lanyard may be required.
Anchorages should be rated at:
• A minimum breaking strength of 15kN (1500kg) for 1 worker.
• A minimum breaking strength of 21kN (2100kg) for 2 workers.
Anchorages and lines between supports should be positioned on the inside face of columns where practicable and used to anchor static lines, or the static line may pass through a cavity tube cast in concrete for that purpose.
Static lines between supports must be free of obstructions to allow uninterrupted movement for persons who may be attached to the line. If a line passes around a column, corner, or other sharp edge, it should be packed to prevent damage to the line.
Limiting Free-fall Distance in Fall-Arrest Systems
Fall-arrest systems incorporating a lanyard should be installed so that the maximum distance a person would free fall before the fall-arrest system takes effect is two metres.
There should be enough of a distance between the work surface and any surface below to enable the system, including the action of any shock absorber to fully deploy before a worker hits the ground.
To work out whether there is enough distance available, you should take into account:
• The worker’s height.
• The height and position of the anchorage point.
• The length of the lanyard.
• Any slack in the horizontal lifeline.
• Any stretching of the lanyard or horizontal lifeline when extended by a fall.
• The length of the energy absorber when extended by a fall.
For example:
• John is 185cm tall.
• The anchor point is above his head, a distance of 2m from the unprotected edge.
• The lanyard he is using is 1.8m long with an energy absorber that will extend up to 1m in the event of a fall.
• Allow 1m for stretching of the horizontal lifeline (if using one)
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Monitoring of Fall-Arrest Systems
It is important that all safety equipment is monitored and checked regularly to ensure it is still an effective control measure for preventing injuries caused by falls.
Each component of the fall-arrest system, including its attachment to an anchorage, must be inspected by a competent person:
• After it is installed but before it is used.
• At regular intervals in accordance with workplace procedures.
• Immediately after it has been used to arrest a fall.
Inspection of the system and its components should be conducted in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications and the relevant standards (e.g. AS/NZS 1891).
If any faults, signs of wear or weakness are found during the inspection, the system should be removed from use until corrective action can be taken, such as replacing defective or worn components.
Never use a fall-arrest system that is faulty in any way!
Watch the video below