7
B. FREE FALL:
Personal fall arrest systems must be rigged such that the potential free fall is never greater
than 6 ft. (1.8 m). Avoid working above your anchorage level to avoid an increased free fall distance.
IMPORTANT:
Some energy absorbing lanyards, such as EZ Stop® Retrax™ and the Shockwave lanyards, make
use of retracting devices designed to shorten their free length. These devices do not decrease free fall distance
C. FALL ARREST FORCES:
The assembled fall arrest system must keep fall arrest forces below 1,800 lbs.
(8.0 kN) when used with a full body harness.
D. FALL CLEARANCE:
Should a fall occur, there
must be sufficient clearance in the fall area to
arrest the fall before striking the ground or other
object. Energy absorbers can extend the fall
arrest distance by up to 42 inches (106.7 cm).
Figure 4 shows how to estimate fall clearance
distance when using an energy absorbing lanyard
or energy absorber subsystem. Other factors
may influence the required clearance distances.
For example, using an energy absorbing lanyard
or energy absorber with a rope grab (fall
arrestor) may require additional clearance due to
stretch in the lifeline or sliding of the rope grab
on the lifeline during fall arrest. Some full body
harness models incorporate a sliding (positional)
D-ring in the back as the fall arrest attachment,
movement of this D-ring during fall arrest can
increase the fall clearance distance required. Use
caution when assembling system components
that could act to extend the fall arrest distance
(and therefore fall clearance required). Refer to
manufacturer’s instructions for each part of the
system for more information on fall clearance.
E. SWING FALLS:
Swing falls occur when the anchorage point is not
directly above the point where a fall occurs. The force of striking an
object while swinging (horizontal speed of the user due to the pendulum
affect) can be great and may cause serious injury. In a swing fall
situation, the total vertical fall distance of the user will be greater than if
the user had fallen vertically directly below the anchorage point. The user
must therefore account for an increase in the total free fall distance and
the area needed to safely arrest the fall. Swing falls can be minimized by
working as directly below the anchorage point as possible. Never permit
a swing fall if injury could occur. If a swing fall situation exists in your
application contact DBI-SALA before proceeding. See Figure 5.
F. SHARP EDGES:
Avoid working where the lanyard, subsystem, or other
system components will be in contact with, or abrade against, unprotected
sharp edges. Do not loop lanyard around small diameter structural members.
If working with this equipment near sharp edges is unavoidable, protection
against cutting must be provided by using a heavy pad or other means over the exposed sharp edge.
G. RESCUE:
The user (employer) must have a rescue plan and the ability to implement it when using this
equipment
H. AFTER A FALL:
Lanyards with integral energy absorbers, or energy absorber components which have
been subjected to the forces of arresting a fall must be removed from service and destroyed. See
Figure 18.
WARNING:
Read and follow manufacturer’s instructions for associated equipment (full body harness, rope grab,
etc.) used in your fall protection system.
IMPORTANT:
For special (custom) versions of this product, follow the instructions herein. If included, see
supplement for additional instructions.
3.3 MAKING CONNECTIONS:
See Figure 6 for hook operation. When using a hook to connect to an
anchorage, or when coupling components of the system together, ensure accidental disengagement (roll-
out) cannot occur. Roll-out occurs when interference between a hook and the mating connector causes the
hook’s gate or keeper to accidentally open and release. Roll-out may occur when a hook is connected to an
undersized ring such as an eye bolt or other non-compatible shaped connector. Self-locking snap hooks or
self-locking and self-closing gate carabiners should be used to reduce the possibility of roll-out when making
connections. Do not use hooks or connectors that will not completely close over the attachment object. For
Figure 4 - Estimating Fall Clearance
Working Surface
Required Distance below
working surface to nearest
obstruction “RD”
Nearest Obstruction
Free Fall Distance “FFD”
6 ft. (1.6 m) maximum allowed
Energy Absorber
Deceleration Distance
“DD”
Height to Dorsal Connector
when worker is suspended “H”
Clearance to obstruction “C”
1 1/2 ft. (.5 m) minimum required
“FFD” = Free Fall Distance
“DD” = Energy Absorber Deceleration
distance (3 1/2 ft. [1.1 m])
“H” = Height to dorsal connector when
worker is suspended
“C” = Clearance to obstruction during
fall arrest (1 1/2 ft. [.5 m] required)
“RD” = Required distance below working
surface to nearest obstruction
“RD” = “FFD” + “DD” + “H” + “C”
Figure 5 - Swing Fall Hazard
Swing Fall
Hazard