The Complete Guide to Fall Arrest Systems

There are numerous chances for workers to be exposed to fall hazards in the workplace today. One of the leading causes of injuries on industrial and construction sites is falling. The severity of many of these exposures puts workers' lives in danger. The three primary thoughts are fall restraint, fall arrest, and fall management. 

The best practice for preventing injuries from falls is to make sure that the employees are wearing fall protection harnesses and other safety gear. If the user loses his balance or holds on to the ledge, a fall protection solution can stop him from falling. A fall protection system should be part of your safety protocol if your employees frequently perform work at heights. Below is the guide to fall arrest systems and how to keep your employees safe at work.

What is a fall arrest?

A fall protection system called fall arrest safely prevents a person from falling from a height. Fall guarding and Fall restraint are additional fall prevention strategies.

The purpose of fall arrest equipment is to prevent an already occurring fall. Fall arrest comes in two primary categories: general and personal. 

Both techniques should minimize the free fall distance and shield the user from colliding with other objects as they fall. Additionally, they should be designed to reduce the forces of a person's fall and protect them from swing or pendulum falls. 

Remember that fall arrest should only be used when other fall protection techniques are impractical or unavailable. A fall protection strategy that includes multiple fall protection systems is the best.

What are the components of the personal fall arrest system?

A full-body harness, a connecting mechanism, and an anchor point are necessary components of every personal fall arrest system.

Full Body Harness

The wearable part of the fall arrest system is a full-body harness. It secures the user to the anchorage point and shields them from falling objects.

The harness keeps the wearer suspended upright and distributes the forces of a fall throughout the body.

Connecting Device

The full-body harness is connected to the anchor point using the connecting device, as the name would imply. When working at a height, this device which calculates the potential fall's length should always be worn, connected, and anchored.

Lanyards and self-retracting lifelines are the two main connecting items.

An internal or external shock absorber is frequently included in short lanyards, flexible rope lines, or webbing straps that are used to lessen the force applied to a person in the event of a fall.

Another connection between the harness and the anchorage point is a self-retracting lifeline, but this one automatically retracts rather than letting the wearer hang loosely.

Anchorage Point

The anchorage point supports the person's weight during a fall. This is typically fastened to a stable structure where work is done, like a steel member.

To ensure their load-bearing capacities are unchanged, any bolts and washers used for the anchorage point must undergo routine inspection and evaluation.

Factors to be considered when using a fall arrest system?

You should consider any potential risks the worker might face if they fall when installing a fall arrest system. 

The three main elements are the pendulum effect, bottoming out, and suspension trauma.

The Pendulum Effect

The pendulum effect also called a swing fall, is when someone falls and then swings from side to side before being taken into custody. Hanging workers run the risk of hitting the ground or other structures.

If the worker strikes something in their path, the bigger the swing, the more significant the impact. If the lanyard or lifeline is caught in the motion and runs into a sharp or rough edge, it may also break.

The anchorage point should be placed directly above the worker to minimize potential swinging. Workers should be able to switch anchor points as the project progresses to ensure that the lanyard or lifeline is always parallel to the ground.

Bottoming Out

Bottoming out occurs when a worker strikes the ground, any objects, machinery, or the ground floor of a building before the protective device stops the fall.

This may occur if there is another hazard or when the "total fall distance" is higher than the length from the work site to the ground level.

The anchorage point to the ground, or other potential danger, is the total fall distance. When calculating this distance, it is essential to consider the worker's height, distance from the safety factor, and length of the lanyard.

Suspension Trauma

If the worker is held upright for an extended period with little movement, suspension trauma may result. Blood pooling in the legs due to pressure from the body weight in the harness can render a person unconscious, seriously injured, or even dead.

Any fallen worker should be taken to a hospital for evaluation as soon as possible. To enable the emergency medical personnel to assist the worker as needed, let them know how long the employee has been suspended. The amount of time the worker is suspended vertically should be kept to a minimum by having a successful rescue plan.