FAQs
(Q) What is the difference between fall protection, fall arrest, and fall restraint?
(A) Fall Protection is a general term that covers all methods of protecting workers from falls from height. Both fall arrest and fall restraint are therefore fall protection. Fall Arrest specifically describes systems that arrest a falling body after a fall from height. Fall restraint describes systems designed with specific length lanyards that keep a worker’s center of gravity from reaching a fall hazard.
(Q) Self Rescue- What do OSHA and ANSI say about self-rescue?
(A) OSHA requires that employers provide workers with self rescue capability or prompt rescue after a fall from height. Self rescue simply means that the worker uses a device or a procedure to return the worker back to the safety of the working surface or some other safe lower surface. There are many pieces of equipment available today that enable a worker to rescue themselves, e.g. rigid track systems used with self-retracting lanyards can limit total fall distances to the point where the worker simply “steps up” to safety after falling only a few inches. Also, the Rigid Lifelines Self Rescue Trolley (SRT®) enables a worker to propel themselves back to safety after falling into an area with no hand holds.
(Q) At what height is fall protection required.
(A) Per OSHA 1910, fall protection is required starting at 4 feet for General Industry, and per OSHA 1926, fall protection is required at 6 feet for Construction.
(Q) I am new to fall protection. Which national safety standard is the best guide for using fall protection properly?
(A) The relatively new ANSI standard Z359.2 (released October 2007) defines all the employer responsibilities for providing fall protection to workers in General Industry. OSHA can reference all ANSI Z359 standards as requirements under OSHA’s “General Duty Clause”. Note that this standard Z359.2 works equally well for the Construction industry.
(Q) Please explain OSHA’s requirement for 5000LB anchorage strength.
(A) OSHA requires non-certified anchorages to be capable of supporting 5000LBs per person attached, or to be designed as part of a complete fall protection system designed by a “Qualified Person”. A Qualified Person is generally a person with an engineering degree who is also knowledgeable in the requirements of fall protection systems.
(Q) What type of energy absorber should be used on Rigid Lifelines fall arrest systems?
(A) Only Self Retracting Lanyards (SRLs) that limit fall forces to 900 lbs MAF (Maximum Arresting Force) are allowed to be used on these Rigid Lifelines systems. SRLs are required to limit total fall distance, enable self rescue, and limit the potential for injury during a fall. The following lanyards are NOT acceptable for use on Rigid Lifelines systems: “rip stitch” lanyards, energy absorbing lanyards, “shock packs” attached to fixed length lanyards, or personal energy absorbers attached to fixed length lanyards.
(Q) Why does Rigid Lifelines only allow the use of Self Retracting Lanyards (SRLs) on their fall protection systems?
(A) Self Retracting Lanyards (SRLs) work in combination with our rigid system design to create a fall protection system that does the best job of limiting fall distance during a free fall event. Self Retracting Lanyards operate by employing a braking system to lessen fall forces. Because of the self retracting nature of the Self Retracting Lanyard, they limit the fall distance to several inches. Fixed length energy absorbing lanyards however are not acceptable for use on Rigid Lifelines fall protection systems. The non-retractable nature of the fixed length lanyards adds significantly to the total fall distance and increases the potential for injury. Only Self Retracting Lanyards are approved for use on Rigid Lifelines fall protection systems.
(Q) How often should fall protection equipment be inspected?
(A) Fall protection equipment should be inspected by the user before each use, and should also be inspected at least once a year by a Competent Person who is designated by the employer to oversee the fall protection program. Note the Competent Person can inspect the equipment more frequently if the use is severe.
