What is high quality fall protection equipment?
Every year several workers are killed on construction sites in Lithuania. This is a major tragedy and loss for everyone – but what causes these deaths? One of the most common reasons is incorrect use of safety equipment. When working at height, it is absolutely essential to use special fall protection equipment to avoid serious accidents.
In general, fall protection equipment is sufficiently high-quality and safe, but only under one condition – it must be properly maintained and used. When ropes or harnesses are worn, heat-damaged or show physical damage, it is impossible to speak about real safety. Before climbing to the work position, all fall protection equipment must be carefully inspected to ensure work can start safely.
What are the main element of fall protection equipment?
Fall protection equipment is not just a belt around the waist. There are numerous components that support the demanding work of rope access technicians, construction workers, cleaners, electricians, billboard installers, or rescue firefighters.
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Harnesses. These are special full-body harnesses that fasten around the waist, shoulders, and legs. Safety lanyards and other attachment components are connected to them. Harnesses come in different designs and configurations depending on body weight, height, and the nature of the work.
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Lanyards / safety ropes. These are ropes or lanyards attached to D-rings on the back or front of the harness. While climbing, the worker must always hook the lanyard to a stable structure. In some cases, double lanyards with two hooks must be used. Shock-absorbing lanyards can also be used to reduce the impact of a fall.
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Lifeline system. When there is no possibility to attach lanyard hooks directly to stable structures, a special rail or line system – a lifeline – is installed. It includes a special travelling device that provides continuous protection. This solution can be horizontal or vertical and is used when both hands of the worker must remain free.
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Fall arrest block (SRL). When the risk of falling is high or the lanyard is relatively long, a self-retracting fall arrest block can be used. Its purpose is to stop a falling person quickly and prevent gaining too much speed.
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Anchorage points. Special devices designed to be installed between concrete slabs or fixed to structures. They are securely installed and used as anchor points for safety systems and lanyards.
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Karabiners and hooks. Karabiners are steel connectors with a locking mechanism, used to connect different pieces of height safety equipment. Hooks are also special connectors with a one-way closing mechanism, which makes them easy to attach but protected against accidental opening. To unhook them, a specific lever or trigger must be pressed.
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Ascenders and climbing devices. These are devices designed for rope climbing – essentially handles that improve grip and enable efficient climbing up or down the rope.
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Chair / work seat. Special suspended seats that allow a worker at height to sit and, once securely attached, work comfortably for longer periods.
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Tool bag. Rope access workers use special tool bags which are attached to the harness or to structural elements.
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Safety helmet. This is an essential item for every worker at height, as well as for any construction worker. The helmet protects against falling objects from above.
Essential connection elements - ropes and connectors
The key load-bearing element is the rope or line. For lifting and securing people, nylon or polypropylene ropes are used. Their diameter varies, which determines the load they can withstand. The breaking strength is measured in kilonewtons. For example, an 8 mm diameter nylon rope can withstand more than 13 kN, or about 1,300 kg. An 18 mm diameter rope can withstand 64 kN, or about 6,500 kg. So an adult man weighing around 100 kg together with equipment and tools is safely supported by an 8 mm nylon rope. Why is the rope so thin? Because it also has its own weight. When a very long rope is needed, its weight becomes significant. For example, a 220 m long, 18 mm rope weighs about 44 kg – not something you simply carry up by hand without special means. An 8 mm rope is much lighter – around 8.5 kg for 220 m – and can be carried by the worker himself.
Connectors are another important aspect. These include various karabiners, hooks, turnbuckles and pulleys. Their purpose is to securely connect and tension ropes and lines so that workers at height can feel safe and perform their tasks properly.
When choosing fall protection, certification is crucial. Only certified products may be used for work at height. Certification is granted to the manufacturer only after extensive testing under extreme conditions, so the quality of the equipment is confirmed by certification laboratories, not by marketing claims.
