Deutsch
English (Canada)
English (United States)
Español
Français
Italiano
Nederlands
Polski
Português
中文
Success
In the realm of occupational safety, especially for industries where work is conducted at heights, understanding the nuances of fall protection is imperative.
Fall hazards are among the leading causes of serious work-related injuries and deaths. To combat these risks, businesses employ various fall protection systems. Primarily, these systems can be categorised into two broad types: Fall Restraint and Fall Arrest. Understanding the distinction between these systems is vital for businesses aiming to ensure employee safety and maintain compliance with regulatory standards.
1.Fall Restraint Systems
Definition:
A fall restraint system is designed to prevent workers from reaching a fall hazard in the first place. The goal is to restrain or restrict a worker’s movement so they cannot get close enough to fall.
Components:
Body Wear: This refers to the safety harness EN 361 or belt EN 358 or site harness EN813 worn by the worker. For a fall restraint system, a full-body harness isn't always required; in certain conditions, a body belt EN 358 OR A SITE HARNESSES EN813 will suffice.
Anchorage: This is a secure point of attachment for CONNECTED FALL ARRESTER lanyards. For fall restraint, it must be able to support at least 2650 pounds / 1200 kg
Connecting Device: This could be a lanyard, lifeline EN354 or EN358 with max length of 2 m. Its length is crucial – it should be short enough to ensure that the worker can't reach the fall hazard when fully extended.
Example:
Consider a roofer working on a flat roof, with the edge being the fall hazard. A fall restraint system might involve a lanyard attached to a body belt, with the other end attached to an anchor. The length of the lanyard would be such that even if the worker tries to approach the edge, the lanyard would restrain them from reaching a point from where they might fall.
NB: The lanyard EN 354 cannot have a length superior of 2 m
2. Fall Arrest Systems
Definition:
Fall arrest systems, unlike fall restraint systems, are not designed to prevent the fall. Instead, they are designed to safely stop (arrest) a worker who has already fallen, preventing them from hitting the ground or an object below.
Components:
Body Wear: A full-body harness EN361 is a non-negotiable component of the fall arrest system. Body belts are not appropriate for fall arrest because they can cause injury during a fall.
Anchorage: For fall arrest systems, the anchorage should be able to support much greater loads compared to fall restraints. It should withstand at least 5,000 pounds or be designed and installed as part of a complete fall arrest system with a safety factor of at least two.
This is a secure point of attachment for connected fall arresters. For fall arrester, it must be able to support at least 2650 pounds / 1200 kg EN795 or 2870 pounds / 1300 kg for 2 peopleS (TS16415 multi users)
Connecting Device fall arrester: This can be a shock-absorbing lanyard EN355 or a retractable lifeline EN360 or rope-grabs life line EN 353.2-EN 353.1. Their design is to absorb and distribute the force must be inferior to 600 daN exerted during a fall, minimising injury.
Means of Rescue: A critical, but often overlooked component. Once a fall has been arrested, the worker is left hanging. There needs to be a mechanism or procedure to rescue them promptly. The user can use evacuator EN 341 or rescue winch EN 1496
Example:
Imagine a construction worker working on a crane at a significant height. Their full-body harness is connected to a shock-absorbing lanyard, which in turn, is attached to a robust anchor point. If the worker were to fall, the fall arrest system would activate, with the shock-absorbing lanyard expanding to decelerate the fall, ensuring the worker is stopped safely before reaching the ground or any obstruction below.
Fall Restraint vs. Fall Arrest Comparison: Key Differences
Objective:
Fall restraint systems are proactive, aiming to prevent a fall from occurring. Fall arrest systems are reactive, designed to act once a fall has already taken place.
Body Wear:
Fall restraints may use safety harness EN 361 or belt EN 358 or site harnesses EN813, while fall arrest strictly requires a full-body harness EN361.
Anchorage Strength:
Anchorage point would be conform to EN795 or with a minimum breaking load of 2650 pounds / 1200 kg
Scope of Application:
Fall restraints are best suited for locations where it's possible to restrict movement to prevent reaching fall hazards, like flat roofs. Fall arrest systems are obligatory for places where fall hazards cannot be completely avoided, such as scaffolding work or tower maintenance.
Conclusion
For businesses operating in industries where working at heights is a norm, understanding the distinction between fall restraint and fall arrest systems is of paramount importance. Choosing the appropriate system can be the difference between a near-miss and a fatal accident.
By comprehensively assessing the work environment and understanding the inherent risks, businesses can deploy the correct system, ensuring not just regulatory compliance but, more importantly, the safety and well-being of their employees. Don't hesitate to ask for the certificate of conformity in accordance with the new european regulation 2016/425.