How to Choose an Effective Horizontal Lifeline System

No matter the industry, there are many occasions that’ll require workers to venture out onto a roof or another elevated workspace. Because each job has unique needs, you need to know which factors to consider when choosing a lifeline system that suits the job. We'll discuss these factors and when a horizontal lifeline system is the best option.

Horizontal Lifeline Systems

A horizontal lifeline system – often abbreviated as “HLL” – consists of a wire rope anchored between two anchor points, sometimes with intermediate anchor points when the length of the entire system requires it. 

Workers attach themselves to the horizontal lifeline slider using different fall arrest equipment, including body harnesses, lanyards, and hooks.

An HLL can be positioned at the base of the leading of a roof, along a wall, or around any holes or exposed equipment.

Instances when Horizontal Lifelines are Your Best Fall Protection Solution

A Horizontal lifeline system proves especially useful in the following instances:

When Work is Being Done Close to a Ledge

If your workers have to work near a rooftop ledge, you need an industrial fall protection system made to prevent falls from an elevated work area. If a user falls while attached to a lifeline system, the system will, depending on the setup:

• Stop the fall before the employee goes over the edge, or

• Limit the employee’s falling distance over the edge, preventing them from hitting surfaces beneath them. 

When There's More than One Worker in the Space

Say you have multiple workers on a rooftop. Horizontal lifelines are designed to provide fall safety continuously to each person wherever they work on the rooftop.

One HLL can accommodate up to five workers at a time as they perform their tasks. Because all are continually attached to the safety line, HLLs can provide the best option for complete fall protection for multiple employees working high above the ground.

When the Roof’s Slope is Greater than 3:12

Guardrails can provide great fall protection on industrial rooftops, but are only effective on “low slope” roofs, where the roof’s angle is 3:12 or less.

On more steep rooftops, a horizontal lifeline system offers an ideal alternative. These systems can protect employees from falls no matter the slope or uneven construction of some industrial rooftops.

Different Things to Consider When Choosing a Lifeline System for a Job

Here are some more factors to consider when determining the kind of lifeline system you should choose to foster industrial fall protection in or on your facility:

Compliance with OSHA Standards

Ensure the lifeline system you choose meets OSHA's standards. Make sure the lifeline systems you purchase are designed by professionals in the fall protection field and meet the typical requirements that make for sound, OSHA-compliant fall safety equipment. This will save you from future penalties and potential worksite accidents and injuries.

Your Needs

Industrial rooftops and the jobs employees perform on them can vary. Choose a system that is optimal for your space, and provides the proper protection for the operations workers will be conducting.

That can mean factoring the size of your rooftops leading edge, the slope of the roof, the number of employees required to perform the tasks, and the proximity of the work to the leading edge and any exposed equipment. All of these variables can influence the type of fall protection system needed for your particular situations.

Ease of Use

While HLL systems are considered a type of active fall protection, they still should be easy and comfortable to use. That means choosing the right components of the system to fit the job and the employees.

Choose safety harnesses, lanyards and hooks that fit right, operate easily, and won’t impede a worker’s movement as they perform their tasks.

The Key Components of a Complete Horizontal Lifeline System

Speaking of those components, no Horizontal Lifeline System is complete with just the lifeline itself. A full horizontal lifeline system is made of several parts with each one providing a function that contributes to industrial fall protection. For instance:

Safety Harness

The purpose of a safety harness is twofold: dispersing fall forces safely across a worker's body should they fall and supplying enough mobility to allow the worker to complete their tasks effectively. 

There are many different kinds of safety harnesses available on the market today, each offering some variety of features and construction. No matter the job at hand, or the environment in which the job will be performed, there’s likely a safety harness made to fit the job. Just make sure it will fit the intended user and is compliant with all governing regulations and requirements.

Shock Absorbing Lanyard

Connecting a safety harness to a lifeline can be done in a number of ways. One of the most reliable is through the use of a shock absorbing lanyard.

To ensure comfort and safety during a potential fall arrest, these lanyards are fitted with a shock-absorbing device made of specially woven webbing that elongates through tearing on its weave and stitching. The shock absorber is designed to reduce the shock produced from the sudden stop of a fall arrest system by dissipating the kinetic energy and controlling the slowdown. This reduces the overall impact of the fall on the user, reducing the chance of injury.

Horizontal Lifeline System Accessories

Each component of horizontal lifelines adds to its strength. The modern range of HLL parts and accessories are built to support safety, extra flexibility, and mobility when working at elevated sites.

For example, there are hooks and carbineers that attach each component, such as harnesses, lanyards, etc., securely to one another. There are also overhead intermediate anchors which allow workers to pass through the anchor points without repeatedly attaching and detaching from them. There are a wide variety of accessories that can be included into an HLL system, depending upon your needs and specifics.

Work with a Horizontal Lifeline Manufacturer You Can Trust

Beyond hiring qualified workers, successful industrial fall protection depends on taking advantage of OSHA-compliant tech and equipment to ensure safety at job sites. 

It also pays to choose lifeline systems that accommodate modern construction needs, such as lifelines that protect multiple workers simultaneously and material that promotes comfort.

Tractel® is committed to ensuring your worksites are safe by providing top-quality safety products designed for working-at-height. Browse our catalog today.