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2.0 USE
2.1 RESCUE PLAN:
When using this equipment, the employer must have a rescue plan and the means at hand to implement
it and communicate that plan to users, authorized persons, and rescuers.
2.2 INSPECTION FREQUENCY:
SRDs shall be inspected by the authorized person
1
or rescuer
2
before each use (See Table
2). Additionally, inspections shall be conducted by a competent person
3
other than the user at intervals of no more than
one year. Extreme working conditions (harsh environment, prolonged use, etc.) may necessitate more frequent competent
person inspections. Inspection procedures are described in the
“Inspection and Maintenance Log”
(Table 3). Results of the
Competent Person inspection should be recorded in the
“Inspection and Maintenance Log”
or recorded with the RFID system
(see Section 5).
2.3 NORMAL OPERATIONS:
Normal operation will allow the lifeline to extend and retract with no hesitation or slack as
the worker moves at normal speeds. If a fall occurs, a speed sensing brake system will activate, stopping the fall and
absorbing much of the energy created. Sudden or quick movements should be avoided during normal work operation,
as this may cause the SRD to lock up. For falls which occur near the end of the lifeline travel, a reserve lifeline system
or Energy Absorber has been incorporated to reduce the fall arrest forces. If the SRD has been subjected to fall arrest
forces: remove it from service, mark or tag as “UNUSABLE”, inspect and service as instructed in Sections 5 and 6.
2.4 BODY SUPPORT:
A Full Body Harness must be used with the Self-Retracting Device. The harness connection point must be
above the user’s center of gravity. A body belt is not authorized for use with the Self-Retracting Device. If a fall occurs when
using a body belt it may cause unintentional release or physical trauma from improper body support.
2.5 COMPATIBILITY OF COMPONENTS:
Unless otherwise noted, 3M equipment is designed for use with 3M approved
components and subsystems only. Substitutions or replacements made with non approved components or subsystems may
jeopardize compatibility of equipment and may affect safety and reliability of the complete system. Follow manufacturer’s
instructions for components and subsystems in your personal fall arrest system.
2.6 COMPATIBILITY OF CONNECTORS:
Connectors are considered to be compatible with connecting elements when they
have been designed to work together in such a way that their sizes and shapes do not cause their gate mechanisms to
inadvertently open regardless of how they become oriented. Contact 3M if you have any questions about compatibility.
Connectors used to suspend the SRD must comply with EN362. Connectors must be compatible with the anchorage or
other system components. Do not use equipment that is not compatible. Non-compatible connectors may unintentionally
disengage (see Figure 4). Connectors must be compatible in size, shape, and strength. Self-locking snap hooks and
carabiners are required. If the connecting element to which a snap hook or carabiner attaches is undersized or irregular in
shape, a situation could occur where the connecting element applies a force to the gate of the snap hook or carabiner (A).
This force may cause the gate to open (B), allowing the snap hook or carabiner to disengage from the connecting point (C).
2.7 MAKING CONNECTIONS:
Snap hooks and carabiners used with this equipment must be self-locking. Ensure all
connections are compatible in size, shape and strength. Do not use equipment that is not compatible. Ensure all
connectors are fully closed and locked. 3M connectors (snap hooks and carabiners) are designed to be used only as
specified in each product’s user’s instructions. See Figure 5 for examples of inappropriate connections. Do not connect
snap hooks and carabiners:
A. To a D-ring to which another connector is attached.
B. In a manner that would result in a load on the gate. Large throat snap hooks should not be connected to standard
size D-rings or similar objects which will result in a load on the gate if the hook or D-ring twists or rotates, unless
the snap hook is equipped with a 3,600 lb (16 kN) gate. Check the marking on your snap hook to verify that it is
appropriate for your application.
C. In a false engagement, where features that protrude from the snap hook or carabiner catch on the anchor, and
without visual confirmation seems to be fully engaged to the anchor point.
D. To each other.
E. Directly to webbing or rope lanyard or tie-back (unless the manufacturer’s instructions for both the lanyard and
connector specifically allows such a connection).
F. To any object which is shaped or dimensioned such that the snap hook or carabiner will not close and lock, or that
roll-out could occur.
G. In a manner that does not allow the connector to align properly while under load.
Table 2 – Inspection Schedule
Type of Use
Application Examples
Conditions of Use
Inspection Frequency
Competent Person
Infrequent to Light
Rescue and Confined Space,
Factory Maintenance
Good Storage Conditions, Indoor or Infrequent
Outdoor Use, Room Temperature, Clean Environments
Annually
Moderate to Heavy
Transportation, Residential
Construction, Utilities, Warehouse
Fair Storage Conditions, Indoor and Extended Outdoor
Use, All Temperatures, Clean or Dusty Environments
Semi-Annually to
Annually
Severe to Continuous
Commercial Construction, Oil and
Gas, Mining
Harsh Storage Conditions, Prolonged or Continuous
Outdoor Use, All Temperatures, Dirty Environment
Quarterly to Semi-
Annually
1 Authorized Person:
A person assigned by the employer to perform duties at a location where the person will be exposed to a fall hazard.
2 Rescuer:
Person or persons other than the rescue subject acting to perform an assisted rescue by operation of a rescue system.
3 Competent Person:
An individual designated by the employer to be responsible for the immediate supervision, implementation, and monitoring of the
employer’s managed fall protection program who, through training and knowledge, is capable of identifying, evaluating, and addressing existing and potential fall
hazards, and who has the employer’s authority to take prompt corrective action with regard to such hazards.
