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Ground or first obstruction Whether you are working in a cradle, on scaffolding, or performing any other type of work at heights, the fall arrest system is of no help if you reach the ground before your fall is stopped. Although it sounds obvious, we, unfortunately, see all too often inadequate fall arrest systems. The source of the problem is usually a lack of training or a solution developed without the assistance of a qualified person. Miscalculating the fall arrest distance always leads to the same result: injuries or death. Many workers don't fully understand how a fall arrest system works and don't adjust the system according to the actual data of the situation. Often, when adding the length of the safety harness, the lanyard, the anchorage as well as the height of the
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worker, the total length can cause injuries. Therefore, to learn how to efficiently calculate the fall distance and leave the necessary clearance is crucial.
The Components of a Fall Arrest System A fall arrest system (Personal Protective Equipment for working at heights) is essentially composed of three integral elements: a body harness, a fall-arrest device (lifeline, shock absorber, carabiner, connector, cable, etc.), and an anchorage system. The greater the free fall distance, the more energy the fall will produce and the more violent will be the shock. The free fall is the distance traveled during a fall before the fall arrest system is triggered. July 2021 - www.visionmediahitech.com
