Glossary — F to L

Factor of Safety (FOS) — The MBL is divided by a factor to arrive at the SWL or WLL. This provides a 'safety buffer' between safe use and failure. Expressed as a ratio, e.g. 10:1.

Failure Load (FL) — The minimum breaking load of an item of equipment when it is new. See also Minimum Breaking Load (MBL), Breaking Load (BL).

Fall Arrest System — Personal fall protection system intended to prevent a falling person from hitting the ground or obstructions, and designed to limit the impact force of the fall and retain the user in a near-upright position in the harness.

Fall Factor (FF) — The measure of the severity of a fall. The maximum height a person could fall if held by the rope/lanyard, divided by the length of the rope/lanyard, measured from the person to the anchor point.

FASET — Fall Arrest Safety Equipment Training. The body set up in 2000 for regulating the Fall Arrest Safety Net industry.

FISAT — Technical & Representative Association for Industrial Rope Access Working Methods. (German rope access body.)

HASG — The Height & Access Safety Group. Advisory group of 'Work at Height' PPE equipment manufacturers.

HSC — Health & Safety Commission. The UK Government body that creates health and safety legislation for industry.

HSE — Health & Safety Executive. The UK Government body that enforces health and safety legislation for industry.

IRATA — Industrial Rope Access Trade Association.

Kernmantel Rope — Textile rope made of a core (kern) enclosed by a sheath (mantel).

kg — Kilogram. 1000 Grams. SI unit of mass.

kN — Kilonewtons. 1000 Newtons. SI unit of force. See N.

Lifting Equipment — Equipment for lifting, supporting or lowering loads and persons (LOLER), including its attachments used for anchoring, fixing or supporting it — e.g. chain or rope sling or similar, ring, link, hook, plate clamp, shackle, swivel, eyebolt, carabiner, Maillon Rapide or webbing.

Lifting Plan — Equipment requirements and methods to be used for a lifting operation.

LOLER — Lifting Operations & Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998.

Low Stretch Rope — A textile rope with lower elongation and, therefore, less energy-absorbing capacity than a dynamic rope. See also Semi-Static Rope.