Fall-protection systems

When lifting and carrying loads, personnel require a range of fall-protection systems that reduce the risk of injury and minimize harm should a hazardous situation arise.

The equipment range includes:

• Belts and lanyards;
• Fall-arrest hooks;
• Snap hooks for fall-protection systems;
• Lifting or descent devices;
• Devices with automatic locking;
• Pulley blocks for rope access work;
• Helmets.
• Lanyards/cords.

Products are certified according to national and international standards. In Russia this is GOST R EN 363 2007, which defines a fall-protection system as personal protective equipment against falls.

Design

The system includes an anchor device, a harness and an energy-absorbing system.

1. Anchor device — fixed or mobile lines, or dedicated anchor points.
2. A harness with attachment points on the chest or back area of the body, used to secure the worker and prevent falls. Attachment points are marked with the letter A.
3. The energy-absorbing system uses shock absorbers to reduce impact load in the event of a fall. When the main component is used with a retractable lanyard, shock absorbers may be omitted.

Types

Fall-protection elements are divided into three types:

1. Upper. An assembly of straps that wraps around the chest, with shoulder straps that secure it to the shoulders.
2. Lower. Also known as a “sit harness.” The system includes a waist belt and leg loops.
3. Combined (full-body) fall-protection systems, which include both of the above elements.

An upper harness without the lower part is dangerous: it can cause the worker to be strangled. The safest option is combined use. Using a sit harness achieves the minimum equipment weight, which is useful in certain cases.

Operating features of fall-protection systems

Fall-protection systems are used in construction, installation, rescue and restoration work at height. The list of procedures and work requiring such equipment is set out in the 2014 occupational safety rules for work at height.

Use of a fall-protection system is required in the following situations:

1. When there is a risk of a worker falling from a height of at least 180 centimeters.
2. When performing work at a height of more than 180 centimeters, if the work is carried out above mechanical elements, water or other surfaces.
3. When climbing or descending to a height of more than 5 meters on a ladder with an angle exceeding 75°.
4. For rope access technicians, if they perform work no more than 200 centimeters from unguarded edges, at a height of at least 189 centimeters, or where the platform guarding is too low.

Conditions for admission to work at height using fall-protection equipment:

1. Storage conditions. Harnesses and rope-based fall-protection systems must be stored in a dry room, suspended or elevated, away from direct sunlight. Storage near aggressive substances — solvents, acidic or alkaline media — is not permitted.
2. Only personnel who have completed training and briefing, and who are sober and in normal physical condition, may be allowed to work with lanyards.
3. It is important to correctly install the anchor attachment point and not to use the fall-protection system to hold up the worker.
4. The system may only be put on in accordance with the instructions.
5. All components of the device must be inspected every six months.

How to choose correctly

Correct use of fall-protection systems saves the lives of employees and rope access technicians and prevents falls. To minimize the risk of falls in production, it is important to observe several rules:

1. Selection of rope-based fall-protection systems — based on personnel’s size and weight parameters, with a safety margin on weight.
2. Ropes must not rub or become tangled with each other when several employees are working.

Using fall-protection harnesses without certification or in unsuitable condition can lead to tragic consequences.