Introduction to Fall Protection, Pt. 2
When it comes to fall protection, every situation calls for a unique solution. Harnesses and SRLs are standard and most frequently associated with fall protection, but not every job calls for or is compatible with such a system. Sometimes you need something a bit simpler. Shock-absorbing lanyards could be just the thing.
A lanyard is made of core material of a particular length that absorbs dangerous arrest forces as it extends, nullifying the potentially disastrous effect of a fall. It’s not as sophisticated as an SRL and it’s much more likely to leave you swinging from the momentum, but it’s a perfectly effective option for your fall protection needs. They come in many different lengths, colors, and materials to fit whatever your particular situation calls for.
But what if there is no anchorage point? What if you need to descend into an area or walk along a beam at a construction site, and there is simply nowhere to clip your device? Where there’s no anchorage to be found, you make your own. There are a number of ways to do this. For the steel girder situation, you’ll want a horizontal lifeline system. At first glance it looks like any old SRL, but it’s designed to be secured at either end of an elevated workspace and tightened with the winch handle on its side. The worker threads the wire through a shock-absorbing lanyard and walks along the length of it, the lanyard sliding along with them. In the event of a fall, a properly tightened line will act as a standard anchorage point would, while the lanyard absorbs the arrest forces.
Also available are controlled descent systems, which can take many forms. Most prominent is the classic tripod model seen in products like the DBI8300030 from 3M, which features a solid aluminum build and telescoping legs that adjust to the terrain. Say you need to go down a manhole or narrow chasm. The tripod will dig into the ground with its specialized feet, providing the same support for the worker as a normal anchorage point. The whole assembly sets up in seconds, making it ideal for rescue operations. Also available are the Advanced line of DBI-SALA hoist systems, which come in a highly distinctive green and are available both as their separate composite parts and as full apparati.
We also have cable sleeves, which are little wheeled devices that can attach to a lifeline stretched from the bottom to the top of a ladder with a tightening apparatus. If the user slips, the sleeve will lock up and prevent them falling all the way down. There are other, lower-tech options such as D-ring extensions to give you more slack in a close-quarters situation, sliding beam anchors for a moveable connection point, contoured support seats (DBI1001396), and reinforced hoistable tool buckets with six connection points and puncture-resistant plating in the bottom.
Enviro has hundreds of products to address your fall protection needs and concerns, and we’re excited to welcome you into our business family.