Fall arrest
Fall arrest systems are designed to safely stop a person falling and reduce the impact of a fall. It should only be used in instances where is not possible or practical to use a fall prevention system.
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Fall arrest – protecting lives after a fall
Fall protection systems are divided into two groups; passive and active. Fall arrest is means of active fall protection, meaning it is designed to safely stop or arrest a person already falling. This is different from fall prevention, which is a means of passive fall protection that helps prevent a person from falling in the first place.
While fall prevention is preferrable in almost all situations, there are occasions that call for fall arrest systems to be in place.
Regular maintenance of plant and machinery, gutter cleaning, roof repair, solar panel maintenance etc. all require working at heights and impose significant risk on those undertaking these tasks, so a means of fall arrest is put in place to ensure the safety of the personnel working at heights.
Choosing a fall protection system
When choosing a fall protection system for your building, there are three main factors to consider:
What tasks will need to be carried out?
How frequently will the tasks need to be carried out?
What is the risk associated with the task?
Once these three factors have been determined, you can determine if and where you’ll need a fall prevention system, a fall arrest system, or a rope access system. Use the table below to help evaluate your requirements.
| Maintenance Category | Item | Maintenance Frequency | Example System |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Priority | Mechanical Plant and Equipment Hot water units, A/C units, refrigeration units, mechanical exhausts, ect. | Frequent | Fall Protection Passive Fall Protection (Permanent) ie. Permanent Guaradrail, Skylight Protectors |
| B Priority | Gutters, Windows and Garden Planters Eave gutters, box gutters, clerestory windows, roof lights, garden planters ect. | Periodic | Fall Protection Active Fall Protection (Permanent) ie. Fall Arrest Anchor Point, Static Line, Rigid Rail |
| C Priority | General Roof Access Parapets, flashings, roof sheeting, concrete membrane etc. | Infrequent | Fall Protection Temporary Fall Protection ie. Temporary Guardrail, Temporary Anchor Point, Elevated Work Platform |
What fall arrest systems are available?
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Anchor pointsallow maintenance personnel to safely access and work on roofs and facades by providing a secure anchor to attach to while at heights. When used in combination with a harness and lanyard system, a high-spec anchor point can handle excessive loads and remain secure when stopping a fall.
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Static linesmaintain continuous attachment for multiple workers navigating roof structures at heights. They can be installed temporarily or permanently depending on the frequency of use.
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Rigid railsoffer continuous attachment to help personnel navigate roof structures safely. As a permanent system, rigid rails can also be incorporated into the design of a building to minimise visual disruption while providing a strong, high-spec fall arrest solution.
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Take the risk out of height safety designs
Our height safety system design specialists have a deep understanding of industry requirements and help you meet your obligations for fully compliant systems right from the start.
Exceed compliance
Minimise ongoing costs
Reduce rework
Protect lives
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