Despite the stunning views daily, aerial jobs pose clear workplace safety risks. Therefore, all height workers, including arborists, glaziers, light technicians, roofers, steel workers, and window cleaners, should wear the latest Fall Arrest Systems protection gear and have their equipment regularly inspected.
In addition to providing fall protection equipment and reliable working at heights harness inspection, Newcastle Safety Servicing has years of experience in aerial job safety equipment inspections. We are here to help you determine which fall arrest system is most suitable for your occupation.
Fall Arrest Systems: What Are They?
Let’s first define the fall arrest system in the context of industry safety before we discuss the different types. A fall arrest system protects aerial workers from falling from dangerous heights. When the system senses a fall, it stops the system and prevents the fall. It is proven that fall arrest systems can save workers from injury or death, so all industries should invest in the available fall protection equipment. Protective equipment alone isn’t enough. To ensure the equipment remains functional, industry professionals should schedule regular fall protection inspections.
Different types of fall arrest systems
Fall arrest systems can be divided into two main categories; general and personal. Fall arresters should be used in all situations involving working at height, including scaffolding and safety nets.
Personal fall arresters are safety systems that require height safety PPE attachment systems such as harnesses to be installed. Fall arrest systems must include scaffolding wherever possible, and it should be built on every worksite. The next section of this article explains the types of fall arrest systems available in your industry:
Fall Arrest Systems: 3 Types
There are three types of fall arrest devices: type 1, type 2, and type 3. The type 1 fall arrest device attaches to ropes, rails, or anchorage lines. When loaded, they travel in the direction of the line and lock, arresting the fall. Type 2 fall arrest devices are spring-loaded anchorages that lock when loaded and release when unloaded. Seatbelts are the most common type 2 fall-arrester device that everyone is familiar with. A type 3 fall-arrest device includes an inertia reel with a retrieval function, which is usually used in confined spaces. The type 3 fall-arrest device protects against falls in confined spaces and aids in egress.
Fall Arrest and Fall Restraint Systems: What’s the Difference?
There is a lot of confusion between fall arrest systems and fall restraint systems. The fall arrest system detects when the user is falling and locks to prevent the fall. Fall restraint systems, on the other hand, are more rigid pieces of equipment that prevent falls from occurring.
The use of fall arrest systems
Earlier in this article, we discussed the types of roles that benefit from fall systems. Arborists, light technicians, roofers, glaziers, steel workers, and window cleaners are among the professions that may require fall arrest systems. Work at height requires aerial workers to have the greatest flexibility and freedom of movement. Using a fall system on a daily basis can vary from roofers preventing falls with karabiner systems to window cleaners attached to safety harnesses on multi-story buildings. Safety equipment for aerial workers includes self-retracting lifelines, connectors and karabiners, safety harnesses, pole straps, and lanyards.
