Mobile Fall Arrest Overhead Systems

Anytime an employee could be injured from falling while working at height, overhead fall protection should be present. These systems aim to make jobsites safer for individuals to perform work on vehicles, heavy-duty machines, and structures. Whether crews are heading to a temporary worksite or have to move around a facility, mobile fall arrest systems provide a designed anchor point that can be used as part of a complete personal fall protection system throughout your building.

Core Components of a Mobile Overhead Fall Protection System

Mobile fall protection systems primarily consist of an anchorage system using a rigid rail with anchorage connectors and trolleys on a portable frame. This frame includes wheels and towable features that enable easy repositioning and movement between jobsites.

Besides the anchorage system, end users will need full-body harnesses and self-retracting lifelines to complete their fall protection apparatus. Our company also provides these accessories, so you can deliver a complete solution to your customers.

Ensuring Proper Anchorage Points

The anchorage point securely connects workers to the fall protection system. A proper anchorage point improves employee safety and meets OSHA design requirements related to support weight and maximum arresting force.

A mobile fall protection system typically requires portable anchor points. This type of fall arrest anchor offers a quick setup process to provide the necessary protection for temporary work areas. Examples of portable anchor points include mobile fall restraint systems and structures that can be removed without support damage.

The safest type of portable anchor point is engineered — it’s designed and installed for fall protection and meets OSHA requirements. If engineered anchor points are unavailable, non-engineered anchor points should use the strongest material available, such as a steel member. A Competent Person, as defined by OSHA, should inspect any beam clamps, eyebolts, through-bolts, turnbuckles, plate washers, anchor bolts, and embeds before a worker uses the anchor point.

Improper anchorage points include structures and items that are noncompliant with OSHA standards, including the following:

• Guardrail systems
• Ductwork and pipe vents
• Rebar
• Ladders and scaffolding
• Plumbing

When installing the anchorage point, consider the height. The anchor height depends upon the fall factor:

• Fall Factor 0: The anchor point is above the worker, and the line is continuously stretched for the shortest fall distance.
• Fall Factor 1: The anchor point is at the worker’s shoulder height for a fall distance of the full length of the lifeline.
• Fall Factor 2: The anchor point is at the worker’s ankles or feet for a fall distance twice the full length of the lifeline. This option should only be used if it is impossible to install an anchor point at or above shoulder height.

Unique Benefits and Applications of Portable Fall Protection vs. Permanent Systems

As the name implies, mobile fall protection systems can be moved from one location to another. Portable overhead fall protection systems from Rigid Lifelines^® can be moved by hand, by forklift, or towed with a heavy-duty pickup truck.

Here are a few unique benefits our systems provide:

• Rapid setup: The lack of a permanent installation reduces downtime and helps your customers keep their projects on schedule. They position the system and begin using it right away.
• Enhanced safety: With a portable system, your end users will always have a reliable overhead anchorage point in any location where they work. This availability increases worker safety.
• Compliance: OSHA and ANSI standards are more challenging to follow in temporary or nontraditional workspaces, but our portable systems supply a compliant solution.

Applications for Mobile Fall Protection

Mobile fall protection serves various uses, including temporary work or changing jobsites. Alternatively, your customers may have rented facilities and want a system they can use without installation.

We see our clients use mobile anchor point fall protection assemblies for the following tasks:

• Aviation: Aircraft maintenance and inspections often require mobile solutions that technicians can position alongside or over the aircraft to move safely over high, curved surfaces.
• Machinery: Large vehicles and machinery maintenance and manufacturing use mobile solutions to provide overhead fall arrest that adapts to different vehicle sizes and shapes.
• Drilling: As oil and gas drilling and extraction progress, workers rapidly deploy to new locations and remote sites.
• Trucking: Truck loading, securing, and tarping all benefit from a mobile solution that workers can position in loading bays or yards for workers on truck beds.
• Military: Workers can repair tanks and military vehicles, completing tasks like welding, painting, inspection, or component replacement.

Common Types of Mobile Fall Protection Systems

Rigid Lifelines^® offers expertly designed mobile fall protection systems. Our designs use rigid rail technology, providing a stable and enclosed track for fall arrest. The setup minimizes deflection and reduces total fall distance. The portable design enables convenient repositioning and quick deployment. Unlike many fall protection systems, ours only requires a visual inspection after a fall event, no costly recertification or replacement of major components. We manufacture products in the United States and protect them with warranties.

Various fall protection solutions are available from Rigid Lifelines^®, including the following.

Griffin Anchor Track™ Systems

The Griffin^™ Anchor Track^™ is available in two versions — skidded and wheeled. The Griffin wheeled system is our leading mobile fall protection solution. This system provides rigid track fall protection with customizable height, span, support structure, finish, and bumper options. The Griffin system can be transported across facilities and loading and unloading yards easily.

Adjustable- and Fixed-Height Rolling A-Frames

Our Adjustable-Height A-Frame Anchor Track^™ is a gantry system with adjustable height, span, and caster frame width for mobility in tight spaces. The Fixed-Height A-Frame Anchor Track^™ has a standard frame height of between 20 and 30 feet and an enclosed track to prevent debris buildup.

Portable Base Swing Arm

The Portable Base Swing Arm Anchor Track™ provides fall protection for tight and narrow indoor and outdoor spaces. The arm reaches between 5 and 30 feet, and the hook height ranges between 10 and 30 feet.

Portable Box Frame

The Portable Box Frame Anchor Track™ provides mobile fall protection for large coverage areas, such as large equipment maintenance and manufacturing. More coverage area can be gained by allowing workers to move up to 30 degrees off-center.

Mobile Custom Systems

Rigid Lifelines^® also designs custom systems for mobile fall protection. Our engineering team will design innovative and ergonomic solutions that will make your workers feel safer when working at heights. These solutions can be incorporated into our standard systems.

Rigid Lifelines^® Portable Fall Protection Equipment for Unmatched Performance

Only with Rigid Lifelines^® will you find active fall protection systems that arrive with the performance capabilities you need for repeat success. We separate ourselves from the competition with select systems featuring the following:

• Enclosed rigid tracks for minimal dust and dirt buildup
• Bolt-together assemblies — no welding necessary
• Custom paint and epoxy coating finishes for inside or outdoors
• Can be moved by hand, forklift, or towed

Why Choose Us?

Rigid Lifelines^® carries over 20 years of industry experience in bringing you world-class fall protection systems. We design, manufacture, and test our products, ensuring they meet OSHA 1910, OSHA 1926, and ANSI Z359 criteria for your applications. There’s a reason why large-scale companies, including ExxonMobil, turn to Rigid Lifelines^®, as our products are tailored to exceed expectations for safety and functionality.

Contact Us to Learn More

Rigid Lifelines^® offers generous warranties, unmatched customer service, and solutions that make worksites safer. If you’re interested in offering any of our mobile fall protection systems at your dealership, find a rep online, or complete our contact form for more information about our fall protection systems and accessories.