1. Process Change
The change of working practice to remove the fall risk.
2. Collective, or Passive Safety
Provision of fall protection without the use of Personal Fall Protection Equipment (PFPE).
3. Fall Restraint
Provision of fall protection with the use of suitable PFPE and anchorages to provide a safe system of work where the worker is kept away from fall risks.
4. Fall Arrest
Provision of fall protection with the use of absorbing PFPE and suitable anchorages to minimise the forces generated in the event of a fall.
Personal Fall Protection Equipment (PFPE)
Full Body Fall Arrest Harness European Standard: EN 361:2002
A harness is designed to provide comfort and safety in the event of a fall by the transfer of loads around the body to major muscle groups.
There are several different designs, for use in specific situations. All harness must conform to EN361 and should be supplied with a rear fall arrest anchorage point as a minimum. Specific work requirements may then require additional points such as chest points or work positioning belts.
Restraint Lanyard European Standard: EN 354:2002
Restraint lanyards come in a variety of lengths to a maximum of 2m and with a variety of hooks, dependent on the physical requirements of the user to enable complete restraint to be achieved. As these are not equipped with a shock absorber they must never be used for fall arrest. Restraint Lanyards must conform to EN354 and be attached directly to a full body harness.
Shock Absorbing Lanyard European Standard: EN 355:2002
Shock absorbing lanyards must conform to EN355 and must limit the amount of force passed to the user in the event of a fall to less than 6kN. A minimum clearance of 6.75m from anchor to impact point is required as described in EN355.
These are available in various lengths and with various attachments, in either single leg or double leg configurations. Specific hook arrangements are available as required for different anchorages and work environments.
Lanyards should always be attached directly to the rear attachment point of the full body harness, and should never be extended or have the hooks changes without consultation with the manufacturer.
Self Retracting Lifeline (SRL)
Also known as a Fall Arrest Block, this is a cable or webbing device, which self-retracts inside a housing unit to ensure that the cable or webbing remains taut at all times. Available in a variety of lengths upto 60m, these units are used in conjunction with a full body harness and a suitable anchorage point. With a built-in shock absorber, they arrest the falling worker in distances of less than 1m. Extension of the unit is not allowed without the manufactures approval, and the attachment of Shock Absorbing Lanyards is strictly prohibited under EU Law.
All SRLs should be attached directly to the Full Body Harness on the rear D-Ring, and positioned above the user, unless otherwise stipulated by the manufacturer.
Vertical Fall Arrest Device European Standard: EN 353-1:2002
Conforming to EN353, these devices are travelling units with a cam device and shock absorber, using cable, rope or rail to travel on. These devices are either temporary (rope) or permanent installs (cable/rail) and should be used in conjunction with a front attachment harness. Attachment to the side D-ring of a belt, even if incorporated into a full body harness, is strictly forbidden, as is the extension of the device by attachment of any other lanyard.
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