Working at Height presents significant risks to workers. If handled poorly, then workers can suffer serious falls which can result in injuries and even fatalities in the worst cases. According to the Health and Safety Executive, the safest way to work at height is to not do it at all. But this isn’t always possible, so one answer to protecting workers is fall arrest equipment.
Exactly which type of fall arrest system is right for the job can only be decided following a thorough working at height risk assessment by a competent person or company (like our team at Altus Safety). Only this risk assessment can tell you exactly what the risks facing your workers are, and the very best way to mitigate those risks is to prevent falls, accidents, and deaths in the workplace when working at height using active fall protection equipment. And sometimes, fall arrest equipment is best for the job.
Below we’ll take a look at what exactly fall arrest equipment is, the various types and their uses, and consider the pros and cons of fall arrest equipment. We’ll even briefly cover the hierarchy of control measures suggested by the HSE as part of height safety regulations to help you understand how we decide what fall protection solutions are necessary at your site or building to protect your workers.
What Is A Fall Arrest System?
To be clear, the HSE recommends avoiding working at height in the first instance, and where that can’t be achieved, preventing falls from happening in the first place (usually in the form of fall protection and edge protection – physical restraints that means a fall can’t happen at all).
But some tasks require an individual to work at height in a way where falls are possible. That’s where fall arrest equipment comes in. So how does a fall arrest system work?
Fall arrest equipment slows a fall and prevents a fall from happening where an individual is at risk of falling a great distance. Instead, the fall is minimised reducing the effects of the fall and preventing serious injury. They directly deal with any fall hazard identified in a full risk assessment.
How Does Fall Arrest Work (And How Is It Different To Fall Restraint)?
Personal fall arrest systems are typically made up of:
- Body harnesses
- Lanyards
- Safety lines – either vertical or horizontal lines
- Anchor points
They work by attaching the individual to the safety line or anchor point using the body harness and lanyard. This provides a secure attachment point should a fall occur. The lifeline, lanyard, or safety line attachment will usually be self-retracting, meaning when the force of a person falling is applied to it, it will lock automatically, stopping the fall from worsening.
This is different to a fall restraint system, which typically involves similar equipment, like a body harness, lanyard, and anchor point, but the system is usually installed in an area where falling over an edge isn’t likely – such as for roof access rather than facade access. Here the system acts to physically restrain a person from falling, rather than stopping a fall that’s already happened.
When Should Fall Arrest Equipment Be Used?
Fall arrest equipment should always be used if an individual is carrying out work at a height of more than 2m and a thorough risk assessment has determined that a fall over an edge or through a surface is likely. There’s complicated maths involved in working out the right system here, as the total fall clearance distance needs to be taken into account to ensure that the worker can fall safely using the arrest systems.
Essentially, though, if you require your workers to work at height, and there’s an unavoidable risk of them falling, then you’ll want to stop that fall from becoming worse using a fall arrest system. Active fall protection systems can save lives with fall arrest systems being used to minimise the free fall distance and prevent injuries. Rescue equipment can then be used alongside a suitable fall protection system to bring the worker back to a safe position.
Different Types Of Fall Arrest Equipment
Although there are lots of fall arrest equipment to choose from, at Altus Safety we specialise in the most commonly used in the UK
- Overhead safety systems
- Vertical lifelines
- Horizontal safety lines
Overhead Safety Systems
Overhead safety systems work on a track, installed above the user’s head, providing secure attachment to the secure attachment point of the roof. It can be used by multiple users at once and is typically installed in warehouses, for plant access, and at construction sites, where an individual is working at height indoors.
The track above the worker’s head allows them to stick to a prescribed route for maximum safety.
Vertical Lifelines
Vertical lifelines also work on a track, but the system runs alongside a worker as they ascend or descend, meaning they’re typically installed by ladders for roof or plant access. It works as a backup for workers, giving them the confidence to climb up and down ladders knowing this additional system is there should a fall happen, because it will catch them and slow the fall.
All of our vertical lifeline systems are installed with a fall arrest shock absorbing device which means not only will the fall be slowed and stopped, but the shock of the fall will be absorbed, reducing the risk of minor injuries, too.
Horizontal Safety Lines
Horizontal safety lines work in exactly the same way as their vertical lifeline counterparts above, only the systems are designed to work alongside the worker for moving horizontally across a space, rather than up and down.
They’re typically installed on roofs where edge protection isn’t a viable option (usually due to the building’s design), and it’s a great, affordable alternative that allows for 2 to 3 users to be attached to the track securely at the same time.
The whole system is made up of:
- a wire set up on a horizontal plane
- harnesses
- an anchor point at either end of the system
- shock absorbing lanyards
- self retracting lifelines
This provides thorough fall arrest protection for workers at height.
Pros & Cons Of Fall Arrest Equipment
Not all pros and cons of fall arrest equipment broadly will apply to every single system, which is why we recommend researching our different fall arrest equipment thoroughly to determine which is best for you – or else just give us a call on 0330 113 0870.
For now, here are some of the pros and cons that are worth keeping in mind:
| Pros | Cons |
| A great form of protection for workers when fall protection and prevention isn’t possible, giving them full peace of mind. | Often requires more advanced height safety training for workers to use effectively. |
| Often allows for multiple users at once, meaning tasks requiring 2 or more workers can often be completed using these systems. | More regular compliance testing is required every 12 months because of its load requirements should a fall happen. This increases costs. |
| Most systems are flexible in their design, meaning they suit any roof type or building layout. | A full rescue plan is necessary when fall arrest equipment is installed at a site. Not a con, but it is something else you’ll need to think of and ensure you review regularly. |
| Temporary and permanent options are available, giving you a broader range of options to pick from according to your needs. | |
| ALL of our fall arrest systems comply fully with the latest height safety standards, so you know you’re getting a trusted system from a reputable company. | |
| Many of the systems are easy to install, cutting down installation costs and making the system more affordable. |
How To Decide Which Height Safety Control Measure To Use
According to the HSE, there is a clear hierarchy of control measures, which states clearly that when working at height, you should consider the following in stages, considering carefully whether each stage is achievable before moving on to the next:
- Avoid working at height
- Prevent falls using equipment already on site
- Prevent falls through using and testing collective fall protection equipment
- Prevent falls by using and testing personal protective fall protection equipment
- Minimise the distance of any potential falls (fall arrest)
- Ensure the working environment is safe
- Minimise the consequences of falls (fall arrest)
- Prevent falls through proper training and instruction
As you can see, fall arrest systems are relatively far down that list – so should only be implemented if the other previous options have been exhausted and no viable solution found.
Unsure what’s right for you? Altus Safety can help…
What Is Fall Arrest Equipment: Next Steps
Fall arrest equipment is designed to slow a fall should one occur, reducing the impact of that fall and ensuring the safety of workers who are carrying out tasks at height. There are a range of fall arrest systems open to you, so deciding which is best for you could take some time.
Making the right choice requires a thorough risk assessment and deep consideration of the HSE’s hierarchy of control measures. This should be carried out by a competent person or company, which is where we come in.
At Altus Safety we have years of experience in the working at height safely industry. Our systems are all designed, installed, tested, and maintained to the highest standards using the latest regulations to ensure safety. Let us help you make your site safer today with our fall arrest system services.