Personal Fall Arrest Systems
A fall arrest system provides maximum freedom of movement for workers to conduct their duties. In doing so it allows them to reach the point where a fall could occur, such as the edge of a roof for gutter maintenance. However, in the event of a fall, the fall will be arrested and so allow the person to either effect a self-rescue or be rescued.
Fall arrest consists of 2 types:
1. General fall arrest, such as nets; and personal fall arrest, such as lifelines.
2. The most common manifestation of fall arrest in the workplace is the Personal Fall Arrest System, or PFAS (“lifeline”).
Such a system must include 4 elements referred to as A B C D’s of Fall Arrest:
- A – Anchorage – a fixed structure, often including an anchorage connector, to which the other components of the PFAS are rigged.
- B – Body Wear – a full body harness worn by the worker.
- C – Connector – a subsystem component connecting the harness to the anchorage – such as a lanyard.
- D – Deceleration Device – a subsystem component designed to dissipate the forces associated with a fall arrest event.
- S – Site Safety Plan
Each of these elements is critical to the effectiveness of a personal fall arrest system. There are many different combinations of products that are commonly used to assemble a personal fall arrest system, and each must meet strict standards – OSHA, ANSI, LnI, and State Legislation. The work setting generally dictates the combination or combinations that are most appropriate.
Fall Restraint System – A System the prevents a person from reaching a ‘Fall Risk’
A fall protection system that prevents the user from falling any distance. The system is comprised of either a body belt or body harness, along with an anchorage, connectors and other necessary equipment. The other components typically include a lanyard, and may also include a lifeline and other devices. OSHA Standard Number 1926.751
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