Safety Harnesses Ensuring Worker Safety at Heights - Trans-Web

1. CHOOSING THE RIGHT FALL ARREST SYSTEM – A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE An effective fall arrest system protects your team and fulfills legal obligations for health and safety. However, there are so many different brands and options out there that picking the right fall arrest system can seem like a big task. When it comes to ensuring that you have the right equipment and systems in place to prevent falls from height, this is what you need to think about. BEFORE YOU LOOK AT EQUIPMENT… There are three key steps that need to be completed before you start looking at a fall arrest system. These are: 1.Look to prevent a fall, by changing equipment so that the need to work at height is removed or reduced. 2.If that can’t be done, then permanent installations will need to be created to access the work area in question, such as ladders, walkways and platforms. 3.The last step is to provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as an effective fall arrest system that can deliver to high standards. CHOOSING THE RIGHT FALL ARREST SYSTEM

2. The aim of a fall arrest system is that the person using it comes to a complete stop if they fall. There are three main components in any effective fall arrest system: an anchor point, a harness, and a connector. ANCHOR POINT This needs to be robust enough to arrest someone who is falling and is reliant, to a certain extent, on the host structure it is attached to (e.g., a building). When you’re looking at your anchor point, you’ll need to start by checking that the static resistance is >12kN. The height of the installation of the anchor point is going to be key – preferably it will be above the head and allow for a drop of two lanyard lengths. Look at the length of the connection in relation to the ground and remember that there could be a pendulum effect when someone falls. FULL BODY HARNESS This is a mandatory requirement and a key part of a fall arrest system. A harness is made up of straps, loops, and components that allow it to be effectively fitted to the body of the person using it. It should provide support during a fall and distribute fall arrest forces as evenly as possible. The right harness will depend on factors such as the job, the environment, and the needs of the wearer. LANYARDS & CONNECTORS There are several different options for a fall arrest connection system. These include an energy-absorbing lanyard, a retractable type of fall arrester, and mobile fall arrestors on vertical anchor lines. See our height safety range for more product ideas. IS A FALL ARREST SYSTEM THE RIGHT OPTION? It’s also important to consider the other choices you have when looking at preventing falls. This includes the option of a fall restraint system that will restrict someone’s movements so that they don’t end up in areas where there is a risk of a fall. Choosing the right fall arrest system will make all the difference as to whether safety standards can be maintained, and your team effectively protected.

3. At Trans-Web, our height safety equipment can be tailored specifically to your needs. Find out more by contacting us. Please visit: https://www.trans-web.co.uk/choosing-the-right-fall-arrest- system-a-comprehensive-guide/