Building sites and factories can be chaotic, with many different tasks being performed by large teams. Each member contributes to the task at hand. Your job sites require high productivity on every job you do as a business owner. Aside from ensuring that everyone takes part in the process safely, you are also responsible for ensuring that each step is conducted safely.
The risk of falls and injuries when your crew is working at height is increased. OSHA safety standards ensure their safety and confidence as they work. Safety Lanyards that protect workers from falls and self-retracting lifelines made to meet OSHA regulations are a great way to keep your employees safe.
Firstly, what are these types of equipment?
Can you recall the fundamentals fall protection is based upon? Fall Safe systems consist of anchors, supports, and connections. By establishing a tight connection between an anchoring point and the worker's body harness, a connecting device forms the 'C' component. There is no comparison when it comes to fall protection lanyards and self-retracting lifelines, yet both are very common.
The Contrast Between Fall Arrests and Fall Restraints
Several types of fall protection are available, including fall arresting devices and fall-restraining devices. An employee who slips or stumbles can be prevented from falling off a height when using fall arrest devices. Every fall arrest system consists of the following three elements.
- Anchorage: a permanent, immovable connection
- Body support: An item such as a full-body harness or similar item could be used
- Connector: An element bridging the anchor point and the body support
A fall restraint limits the radius of work of workers to keep them from falling. A fall restraint system can consist of many components, ranging from ropes, cables, and guardrails to barriers that keep workers within a defined area.
Lanyards Provide Fall Protection. What Are They?
There are two categories of fall protection lanyards: safety lanyards and fall protection lanyards. In most cases, they are made of a cord, rope, or webbing. In a fall, these lanyards connect the worker's harness to an anchor point and prevent them from falling.
Fall restraints can be applied to them due to their traditionally short length. Working distances can be set on the lanyard, allowing workers to keep a safe distance from work edges. Work positioning can also be accomplished with fall protection lanyards, such as for leading-edge work.
What Is Different About Self-Retracting Lifelines?
Webbing or wire rope constitute self-retracting lifelines, just like fall protection lanyards. Depending on the job requirements, these connectors act as a link between workers' bodies and anchor points. They retract right into a casing in the ceiling automatically.
During a fall, where a worker may lose consciousness, the SRL's internal brake will prevent this from happening. In addition to stopping unwinding during sudden or sharp movements, this safety technology mimics the ability of a seat belt.
How Do You Choose?
It does not matter which choice is better for you - it largely depends on your preferences. Each protects against fall hazards in a different way, and we require different fall protection devices for different projects. When determining the right fall protection device for you and your workers, consider the job, its specs, and its needs.
Fall Protection Lanyards: When to Use Them?
Fall protection lanyards are an effective solution to keep your workers safe on the Jobsite if the fall hazard can be eliminated by careful work positioning and fall restraint. Moreover, fall protection lanyards are more budget-friendly than SRLs, so they may be a better choice than SRLs.
By keeping workers within a set radius, fall protection lanyards prevent them from approaching ledges or workplace hazards owing to free-hanging ropes or cables.
Self-Retracting Lifelines: When to Use Them?
In the event that active fall protection is required at your specific worksite, SRLS would be a good option. Compared with energy-absorbing lanyards, SRLs provide a shorter fall distance. As a result of falling, the SRL's internal braking device will ensure that the worker comes to a complete halt.
Whenever the anchor point is above the ground, SRLs are a great choice. In addition to keeping the connection directly above the head of the worker, overhead anchor points keep the workspace free of connections that could cause tripping. This prevents swing falls.
The Importance Of Training Cannot Be Overstated
Always train before you purchase the latest fall protection and buy PPE kit online equipment. Safety lanyards or self-retractable lifelines are particularly important to utilize properly. As opposed to passive fall protection like guardrails, these require operational awareness of the user. Additionally, training your workforce regarding the self-retractable lifelines would also ensure ease of operations and higher efficiency at the workstation.
