How to choose fall protection equipment

When is it necessary to use a fall protection system?

A fall protection kit should be used in situations where collective protective equipment is insufficient. When working in areas with a risk of falling, collective protective measures, such as guardrails, fall arrest nets, or safety nets, should be the first choice to prevent injuries. Collective protective equipment prevents access to areas with a fall hazard and does not require the user to wear additional gear. Additionally, the use of collective protective equipment does not require separate training or instruction.

In cases where the use of collective protective equipment is not feasible, individual fall protection equipment must be used to ensure safety when working in areas with a risk of falling. Depending on the workplace and the nature of the work, the appropriate fall protection kit must be chosen to ensure optimal safety and prevent avoidable injuries.

Fall restraint or fall arrest system?

When selecting a fall protection kit, the first step is to determine whether the kit is to be used as a fall restraint or fall arrest system. Whenever possible, the first option, which prevents the user from experiencing free fall, should be preferred. The purpose of the fall arrest system is to protect the user from injuries caused by free fall.

In both systems, it is important that the user has received the necessary training for using the equipment. Otherwise, injuries caused by improper use of the equipment, such as selecting the wrong anchor point, insufficient adjustment of the harness, or using a safety line unsuitable for the task, can be more severe than those that would have occurred without the equipment.

Fall prevention system

The purpose of a fall prevention system is to prevent access to areas where there is a risk of falling. A fall prevention system cannot be used to stop a fall; in case of fall risk, additional fall arrest devices must be used.

A preventive system should be preferred over an arresting system whenever possible, as it prevents the fall and is easier to use. In certain situations, using a preventive system is the only option, such as when there is limited free space below the working surface (e.g., work on low buildings or above or around machinery), and the distance for fall arrest is insufficient.

The fall prevention system includes:

— body holding device – positioning belt (EN 358) or safety harness (EN 361);
— safety line (EN 354) or positioning line (EN 358);
— anchor point (EN 795).

Fall arrest system

The purpose of a fall arrest system is to limit the distance of free fall and prevent collisions with obstacles. It is used when working in areas where a person could be injured in the event of a fall, such as on weak surfaces, near the edge of a roof, or next to an opening on the ground.

When using a fall arrest system, a rescue plan must be prepared in advance. The lack of a quick response in a rescue situation could cause suspension trauma.

A fall arrest system includes:

— body holding device – safety harness (EN 361), which may be combined with a positioning belt (EN 358) or seat harness functionality (EN 813);
— fall arresting element – lifeline with shock absorber (EN 354 + EN 355), retractable fall arrester (EN 360), or fall limiter with a line (EN 353-1 or EN 353-2);
— anchorage point (EN 795).

When selecting products, you should consider the following factors:

A fall protection system designed to protect from high falls essentially consists of three elements, but when choosing specific products, you need to consider the working area, the nature of the work, the user’s comfort, and their needs. For example, harnesses with padding might seem comfortable but could cause discomfort during certain tasks, as the padding does not fulfill its purpose and becomes an additional burden. Even worse is the situation where, due to ignorance or other reasons, a product is chosen for a task that is not suitable for that.

01
Body holding device

This can be a full body harness or a positioning belt. The positioning belt is only for use in work positioning systems and fall prevention systems. If there is a risk of free fall, a suitable solution is a full body harness, which can also be equipped with a positioning belt, sitting harness, or rescue harness loop. It should also be considered whether additional equipment is available, as quick connectors and tool holders can save time.

02
Attachment system

This is the part between the safety harness and the anchor point. In fall prevention systems and work positioning systems, its purpose is to prevent and support the user in a way that they are protected from free fall – for example, a lifeline or positioning line. In a fall arrest system, the purpose of the attachment system is to stop the fall and reduce the impact during the fall. This can be achieved using, for example, a shock-absorbing lifeline or an automatic fall arrester.

03
Anchor point

The anchorage system must be reliable and capable of withstanding the maximum dynamic force that the user, along with their carried equipment, may generate during a fall. Anchorage devices can be permanently fixed or portable. To ensure safety, the anchorage point should be positioned in such a way that the potential fall risk and height are minimized. It is recommended to use anchor points compliant with EN 795 standards.

Sources used:

We assist with equipment selection!

Visit us at Vitamiini 6a, 51014 Tartu, where you can see and try different equipment, or contact us at (+372) 56 111 024 / abi@kukkumiskaitse.ee, and we will find suitable solutions for your work situations.

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Kukkumiskaitse.ee

Kukkumiskaitse.ee is a high-altitude work center founded in 2011, aimed at providing the best safety solutions for working safely at heights and in confined spaces. Our goal is to offer a comprehensive solution – consultation for finding the right solution, system installation, training for users, and periodic inspections of products. We have manufacturer-provided training for the installation of all the systems we offer. The necessary tools for performing the work can be purchased from our online store, our warehouse in Tartu, or through our authorized dealers.

Kukkumiskaitse OÜ is a member of the Estonian High Altitude Work Association, ERCA, and BSA.

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