Fall Protection

Fall-protection equipment and systems are intended to prevent falls where practicable or arrest a fall while limiting the risk of serious injury. Work at height presents hazards associated with roof edges, elevated platforms, ladders, structural steel, tanks, loading areas, and maintenance access. A complete solution requires more than a harness: it may include suitable anchorage, connectors, lifelines, energy-absorbing components, clearance assessment, rescue planning, and competent installation. Selection should begin with a hierarchy of controls, prioritising elimination of work at height and collective protection before relying on personal fall-arrest equipment.

Horizontal or Vertical lifeline arrangements allow authorised users to connect to a system while moving along a defined route. Their suitability depends on structural capacity, span, number of users, line geometry, anchorage design, deflection, clearance, and the manufacturer’s specified configuration. Harnesses and connectors must be compatible with the system and suitable for the task. Restraint systems are designed to prevent the user from reaching a fall edge, whereas fall-arrest systems allow a fall to occur and then limit its consequences.