Clearance distances

For a typical 2 m energy-absorbing lanyard, measured from the lanyard anchor point:

Lanyard length + Deployment length + Safety factor 2 m + 1.5 m + 2.5 m = 6 m clearance.

Drag the sliders to see whether a given anchor height clears the required fall path.

When the height is less than the clearance

When working at heights of less than 6 m, it is always good practice to attach a suitable-length lanyard to a high point on the structure. In the event of a fall, the impact force with the ground or supporting structure would be considerably reduced.

The golden rules

• ALWAYS ensure fall arrest attachment points are kept as high as possible in order to reduce fall heights to a minimum.

• NEVER use an energy absorber that has been partially deployed. In the event of a fall the Peak Impact Force could be in excess of the 6 kN that a body can absorb.

• When using a double energy absorber, ensure that the lanyard not in use is NOT connected to any part of the harness. In a fall, the energy absorber would effectively be bypassed — causing a possible failure of the lanyard webbing.

• NEVER use two single energy-absorbing lanyards to make progress along a structure. In the event of a fall onto both lanyards, the maximum peak impact force applied to the body would be double the force using a single energy absorber.

• NEVER lengthen an energy-absorbing lanyard by adding attachment slings that are too long. Energy absorbers are designed to reduce Peak Impact Forces of a 100 kg person falling double the length of the lanyard to below 6 kN. Considerably lighter or heavier operatives may generate considerably greater impact forces.

• NEVER clip the lanyard's connector around the structure and then back onto the lanyard. In the event of a fall the connector could have a load applied across the gate, possibly in excess of the MBL in this orientation. Large 'Scaffcrab' type connectors will also be affected by this 'cross loading' when connecting to irregular shaped structures.

• When using a mobile fall arrester (EN 353-2) on a flexible line, ALWAYS ensure there is a stopper knot at the base of the route to ensure protection from falling 'over the edge'.

Inspection frequency

BS EN 365:1993 gives general requirements for periodic inspections of PPE against falls from height. PPE Regulations require components to be examined at least every twelve months.

HSE Specialist Inspector Report No. 59 states that for textile items, this period should be reduced to every six months, and for arduous environments, every three months or more frequently if the risk assessment shows special hazards.