Fall arrest devices

A fall arrest device is a device that is designed to intercept a fall. This is a type of connection. This connection is intended to intercept the fall over a short distance and thus prevent major injuries.

In most cases, a fall arrest device is used in combination with an integrated energy absorber. The damper ensures that the fall is weakened, thereby further reducing injuries. The integrated energy absorber makes an additional external absorber superfluous.

In general, a fall arrest device can be compared to the function of a car seat belt. Inside such a connecting device there is a drum on which a rope or a belt strap is wound. This rope or tape is the lanyard.

In order to ensure sufficient safety in the event of a fall, the attachment of the ropes must also be of high quality and resilient. Because in the event of a fall, the rope must not come loose from the drum, even if it is completely rolled out.

During normal activity and at normal speed, the belt unrolls automatically and offers the workers a good radius to be able to carry out the work without restriction.

Only when a dangerous situation, a fall occurs, and the tape unwinds significantly faster, does the tape's braking function come into effect. At a speed of 1.5 meters per second, the brake of the fall arrest device is triggered and the fall is intercepted.

Thanks to the automatic unwinding mechanism, the rope is always kept at a slight tension and is constantly secured.

The demands on a fall arrest device are high, because safety can only be guaranteed if everything works perfectly and the load limits meet the requirements. The load limits differ depending on the rope used inside the drum. The rope or the belt inside can either consist of a man-made fiber rope, a webbing or a wire rope.

• Man-made fiber ropes and belts must withstand a force of 15 kilonewtons.
• Wire ropes have to withstand a force of 12 kilonewtons.

Safety is only given if a fall arrest device can withstand these forces. The final force on the body of the person wearing the belay device must not exceed 6 kilonewtons.

It is also important that the blocking function works optimally. In order to check this, it must be ensured that the blocking remains after it has been triggered until there is no longer any force acting on the band. This type of function is similar to that of a car seat belt. Another crash can only be prevented with this function.

There are many areas in which a fall arrest device can be used. Because fall protection is always necessary when working at a great height. A fall arrest device is a type of secondary fall protection device that can protect individuals from falling.

Such a safety device can only be used with attachment points, fixed points that are firmly connected to a substrate. Regardless of the height, whether on roofs or wall openings or for other work at heights, a fall arrest device can be used to provide the necessary fall protection.

Although a fall arrest device is designed for use at heights, there are legal requirements that restrict its use. A fall arrest device must not be used when working over water or other substances in which one can sink. If there are functional problems or if the blocking function is triggered too late, it can sink into the liquid substances. Thus, the fall is intercepted, but there is a much greater risk. In these cases, other fall protection systems must be used.

Even when working over edges, special regulations apply to the use of fall protection devices. If the rope or belt comes into contact with an edge during work, this must be checked in particular. The safety system can only be used here if the belt can withstand the load and this has been checked. In this case it must also be ensured that an additional damper is used.

Like all fall protection devices, a fall arrest device must also be manufactured according to special specifications. All devices must have test approval. During this test, the devices are tested in accordance with the current DIN EN 360 standard, the requirements are checked and functionality is ensured.

The different models also allow different functions. Some devices can also be used as a preventive fall protection. For this, the length of the extension of the tape can be set individually. This prevents workers from getting near the edge of the fall.

Other devices also have a drain function, which can also be made much easier when rescuing fallen people. All safety functions are carried out normally, but the tape can be released after a fall. Rescue can be made easier in this way.

• Anchor devices that may be used in Germany must have the seal AE feature. This seal is awarded by the German Institute for Building Technology. This seal ensures that all important safety guidelines have been complied with.
• Personal protective equipment is subject to the various DIN standards that ensure that the minimum quality has been observed. Relevant DIN standards in this area are primarily DIN EN354: 2010 and DIN EN 795: 1996.

Only approved fall protection devices may be used and offer sufficient protection in an emergency. It is particularly important to adapt the fall protection to the respective area.

In order to be able to use all the advantages of a fall protection device and to ensure the highest level of safety, it is important to set the device correctly. Once this is done, the fall arrest device offers the great advantage that workers can move freely and are not restricted by the safety device. In this way, work can be carried out at height without restrictions and the workers are still well secured. The fall arrest device gives a good feeling of security and thus also offers a pleasant feeling for the workers.

In addition, height safety devices that can be adjusted have the great advantage of ensuring safety even before the possibility of a fall. In this way, there is no risk of getting near the edge of the fall and a fall is ruled out early on.

With the additional function of a drain, recovery after a fall is made easier and can be carried out without great effort.

The advantages offer more flexibility, both at work and when using fall protection devices. This ensures a pleasant and high level of security.