fall arresters and rope access system

Fall Arresters and Rope Access System

Many companies may produce fall arrestors that have similar features and functions but may differ in some important respects. For example, the distance an SRL line extends from the housing when it is fully retracted can determine what SRL is right for a given application.

ANSI Z359.14 states that a fully retracted fall arrester of a rope access system can have no more than 60 inches remaining extended (Z359.14-3.1.6). However, this requirement doesn’t mean that every fall arrester will have exactly 60 inches extended at full retraction.

If a worker uses a fall arrestor that extends 24 inches when fully retracted, that worker could safely stand 30 inches away from the anchor point. However, if a worker uses a fall arrester that extends 60 inches when fully retracted, but stands only 30 inches from the anchor point, the SRL won’t begin braking until that work has already fallen 30 inches.

In the second case, that worker could drop 2-1/2 feet farther in a fall event than he would in the first case. To provide the safest conditions for all workers, every person who uses the safety equipment must read all labels and manufacturer instructions. Fall arresters are manufactured with labels that describe their features, including their maximum average arresting force, arresting distance, and other information.

To ensure that a fall arrester and the rope access system is used correctly, those labels must be inspected regularly, and SRLs with missing or illegible labels should not be used. Manufacturer directions are also important to ensure you use the correct SRL for an application. The type of system in use and the type of application must be considered to select the correct SRL for a given application.

The rope access system and all the equipment should be inspected regularly. It can be used for the works at height or works which is difficult to reach. Using rope access system for this purpose is considered as the safest way. However, the proper checking and inspection of the equipment are important.

Fall Protection

Fall Protector

When you purchase fall arrestor systems and components, it is crucial that all of the parts are compatible and that they work for your application. There are equipment designations created by the industry to identify product functions and capabilities, which makes it easier to match products and applications for the best results.

One example is found in ANSI Z359, which designates a fall arrestor system as either Class A or Class B based on their maximum average arresting force (MAAF) and maximum arresting distance. SRLs with MAAF of 1,350 pounds or less and maximum arresting distance of 24 inches or less are considered Class A. SRLs with MAAF of 900 pounds or less and maximum arresting distance of 54 inches or less are considered Class B.

ANSI Z359 also outlines definitions and requirements for other features of a fall arrestor system. There are specifications for leading-edge SRLs (SRL-LE) and SRLs with Integral Rescue Capability (SRL-R). There are guidelines for testing processes and environmental factors. There are many requirements that are intended to make sure all SRLs meet uniform performance requirements. However, manufacturers have some flexibility within those parameters.

where the type of fall protection system is an important factor for choosing an SRL is in the difference between rigid rail systems and rope access systems. Rigid rail systems have very little deflection because they are typically made of some type of steel tubing.

However, rope access systems will deflect significantly in the event of a fall, so a falling worker would come to rest at a lower point with a wire rope system than with a rigid rail system. Because a wire rope system will deflect more in a fall event, you have to consider the arresting distance of your SRLs, especially if your application has multiple levels that are relatively close together.

A Class B SRL’s longer arresting distance, compounded by the higher deflection of the rope access system, might not be able to arrest a fall within the limited space between levels, allowing the worker to strike a lower level.