Fall Protection
C - Connectors
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 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 less than 2 feet.
What kind of connector do I need?
-
Lanyards
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.
-
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 minimize trip hazards, and also offers greater mobility and maneuverability, which may help increase productivity. Lengths range from 6 to 175 feet.
-
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 connecting device depends on selecting the right product for the application and the environment.
-
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® fiber web offers extra durability and is suitable for abrasive or high-heat
-
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.
-
Fall clearance: More than 17 ½ feetAn energy absorbing lanyard or self-retracting lifeline can be used.
-
Fall clearance: Less than 17 ½ feetIf less clearance is present, the use of a self-retracting lifeline is recommended.
-
Lanyard product series
The world's smallest and lightest shock absorber, and water-repellant and abrasion-resistant webbing,
Allow your crew complete freedom of movement while reducing trip fall hazards, dragging or snagging by expanding to 6 ft. (1.8m) when taut and automatically contracting to 4-1/2 ft. (1.4m).
Ideal when there is no overhead anchorage and your only option is to tie-off at your feet. It can be used for up to a 12 ft. (3.7 m) free fall.
Built to withstand the rigors of tie-back use, eliminating the need for a separate anchorage connector, reducing inventory and cost, simplifying inspections, training and improving compliance.
Retracts and expands smoothly and consistently, from 2-1/2 to 6 ft. (0.8 to 1.8m). Stays taut and close to the body at all times, reducing trip fall hazards, snagging and dragging.
One piece lanyard with energy absorber integrated inside of the webbing offers reduced weight, size and improved comfort, yet maintains durability for added longevity.
For pole-climbing applications, this product features effortless adjustment and "cynches" around a pole during a "cut-out."
An economical stretch lanyard that offers complete freedom of movement, featuring a polyester tubular web that expands to 6 ft. (1.8m) and contracts to 4-1/2 ft. (1.4m) in reaction to a worker's movements.
These one-piece, shock absorbing lanyards are made from a polyester tubular web. Featuring an integral energy absorber, durable webbing and plated alloy steel hardware.
High quality compliance, comfort and safety at a price you can afford. Various styles with lengths and hooks options are available to suit your specific jobsite needs.
-
Self-retracting lifeline product series
A heavy-duty SRL that can stand up to harsh environments. These sturdy, corrosion-resistant sealed SRLs keep foreign elements such as grease, moisture and dirt from entering.
Rugged, lightweight devices you can count on for safety, efficiency and comfort. Stainless steel components, an anti-ratcheting brake system and a semi-sealed design.
An easy-to-use, ergonomically design lifeline that can be directly connected to most harnesses. Can be easily used as a lanyard replacement.
This device is specifically designed for foot level tie-off and sharp leading edge applications. It includes an 8 ft. (2.4 m) working length.
The built-in connector attaches the SRL directly to the back of most harnesses. An all metal anti-ratcheting braking system limits arresting forces to safe levels.
An economical fall protection solution that won't compromise the safety or performance of your crew.
Vertical Lifeline Systems
Choosing the right vertical system and components
Vertical environments require specialized systems selected for the specific application. Permanent systems need to stand-up to the elements for extended periods of time and require corrosion resistant galvanized or stainless steel construction, while temporary systems are often synthetic making them lightweight and easy to move from one location to another.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Vertical lifeline system product series
A vertically suspended steel cable that runs the length of the climbing area and sleeves that automatically follows the user during the climb and lock onto the cable in the event of a fall.
Consists of top and bottom entry/exit gates, rail joints, and multiple mounting bracket options A shuttle connects the worker to the system and locks onto the rail in the event of a fall.
These mobile/static rope grabs feature an energy absorber.
This climb assist system includes lifelines, counterweights, pulleys and other components to aid workers on long climbs.
A vertically suspended steel cable that runs the length of the climbing area with a sleeve connecting the worker to the system that automatically follows them during the climb and locks onto the cable in the event of a fall.
This rope grab can be set for automatic hands-free operation, or manual operation allowing the user to fix the device in place for positioning or restraint applications.
A complete line of mobile and manual rope grabs for synthetic fiber rope, plus a wide variety of lifelines to fit your job application.
Learn more about the fundamentals of fall protection
-
Dec 1, 1901 -
Dec 1, 1901 -
Dec 1, 1901 -
Dec 1, 1901 -
Dec 1, 1901 -
Dec 1, 1901
