Connectors
Fall protection connectors attach the worker’s harness to the anchorage connector. Types will vary depending on whether the worker needs connecting for personal fall arrest or positioning and travel restriction.
A personal fall arrest connector is often a shock-absorbing safety lanyard or self-retracting lifeline equipped with an energy-absorbing element to reduce the force transmitted to the user’s body in the event of a fall.
A positioning and travel restriction connector is usually a lanyard intended to reduce the potential for entering a fall hazard zone or for free falling from a distance of fewer than 2 feet..
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LanyardsSafety lanyards can come in the form of positioning lanyards, which control where a worker can go to keep them from hazards, or shock-absorbing lanyards that contain an energy absorbing unit to limit fall arrest forces experienced by a worker during a fall.
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Self-Retracting Lifelines (SRLs)
Self-retracting lifelines retain tension on the lifeline at all times, staying out of the worker’s way while providing safety. This helps shorten the fall distance and minimise trip hazards, and also offers greater mobility and maneuverability, which may help increase productivity. Lengths range from 6 to 175 feet.
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Vertical Lifeline Systems
Vertical lifeline systems allow for safety, mobility and productivity in vertical climbing environments. They include rope grabs as well as cable-based ladder safety systems and can be portable or permanent, mobile or manual, assisted or non-assisted.
Lanyards and Self-Retracting Lifelines (SRLs)
Choosing between shock-absorbing lanyards and SRLs and understanding features
When choosing a connecting device such as a lanyard or self-retracting lifeline, it's important to consider the conditions of your work environment. From harsh marine and mining, to oil and gas, to general industry, getting the best use out of a fall protection connector depends on selecting the right product for the application and the environment.
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Lanyard or lifeline materialFor general purpose applications that are indoors or in less harsh environments, web material is appropriate. For extremely harsh environments, cable or Kevlar®/Nomex® fibre web offers extra durability and is suitable for abrasive or high-heat.
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Single-leg or twin-leg configurationsSingle leg styles are suitable for a single anchor point connection to work within a specific range of movement. A twin-leg style offers a protective connection as the worker moves from one anchor point to the next for 100% tie-off.
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Fall clearance: More than 17 ½ feetAn energy absorbing lanyard or self-retracting lifeline can be used.
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Fall clearance: Less than 17 ½ feetIf less clearance is present, the use of a self-retracting lifeline is recommended.
Vertical Lifeline Systems
Choosing the right vertical system and components
Vertical environments require specialised systems selected for the specific application. Permanent systems need to stand up to the elements for extended periods of time and require corrosion resistant galvanised or stainless steel construction, while temporary systems are often synthetic making them lightweight and easy to move from one location to another.
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Flexible cable ladder safety systemA permanent vertical fall protection system for often accessed structures such as ladders, towers or tanks that allows the worker to move up and down the entire height of the system. A sleeve connects the worker to the system and locks onto the cable in the event of a fall, allowing the user to regain their footing.
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Rigid rail ladder safety systemConsists of top and bottom entry/exit gates, rail joints, and multiple mounting bracket options designed to mount the rigid aluminum rail to the structure. A shuttle connects the worker to the system and locks onto the rail in the event of a fall, allowing the user to regain their footing.
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Climb assist ladder systemsExtremely tall or lengthy structures can be more easily accessed with an assisted system which provides weight relief to reduce worker fatigue and improve climbing longevity. Various styles of systems are available for both inside (wind turbine) and outside (oil rig) applications for added versatility.
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Cable and synthetic rope grabsPortable systems allow user to move up and down the entire height of the lifeline without disconnecting and having to find new tie-off points along the way. All-purpose synthetic type systems are standard, or choose wire rope cable systems for harsh environments. Mobile systems that automatically follow the user as well as manual systems that the user must fix in place for positioning or restraint are available.
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LifelinesBlended rope lifeline assemblies feature additional abrasion and UV resistance, for added durability, longevity and safety. Wire rope (cable) lifelines are also available for harsh environments. Various styles and lengths are available to suit any need.
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Winch/SRL anchor type ladder safety systemThese ladder mounted masts and posts are ideal for manhole entry and retrieval applications where a permanent fixed ladder exists. The systems simply attach to the underground ladder and provide an anchorage point for a winch or 3-way self-retracting lifeline.
Our Fall Protection team has years of experience and are here to help you.
How to choose other Fall Protection equipment
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Find the most suitable type of anchor for your needs: steel anchors, concrete anchors and specialty safety anchors like our vacuum anchor or other systems designed for your basic to unique applications.
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Discover our extensive range of fall arrest harnesses designed with the latest technology. They provide freedom of movement and flexibility to work in a more comfortable and efficient manner.
Learn more about Body Support
Learn more about Protecta Harnesses -
Our goal is not only helping keep workers safe at height, but getting them safely back to the ground with advanced, reliable rescue systems. We offer the most complete line of safe, easy-to-use and effective rescue systems in the industry.
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Objects dropped from height can result in personal injury to workers, others at the worksite and equipment. When planning for workplace safety, remember, fall protection is about you; dropped object prevention is about those around you.
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Our broad selection of both permanent and temporary, horizontal and vertical lifelines offer significant advantages in safety and productivity and have been precision engineered for a wide range of applications.
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No two confined spaces are exactly alike. Type, size and hazards vary greatly, along with different standards, regulations and company policies that can apply to each working environment.
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Working in any environment above any level where a person could fall causing injury. This includes working on a ladder, scaffolding, flat or sloped roofs, near an edge or an opening in a floor or wall and many, many more.
