4
1.0 PRODUCT APPLICATION
1.1 PURPOSE:
Anchorage Connectors are designed to provide anchorage connection points for Fall Arrest
1
or Fall Restraint
2
systems: Restraint, Work Positioning, Personnel Riding, Rescue, etc.
;
Fall Protection Only:
This Anchorage Connector is for connection of Fall Protection Equipment. Do not connect
Lifting Equipment to this Anchorage Connector.
1.2
STANDARDS:
Your Anchorage Connector conforms to the national or regional standard(s) identified on the front cover
of these instructions. If this product is resold outside the original country of destination, the re-seller must provide these
instructions in the language of the country in which the product will be used.
1.3 SUPERVISION:
Use of this equipment must be supervised by a Competent Person
3
.
1.4 TRAINING:
This equipment must be installed and used by persons trained in its correct application. This manual is to be
used as part of an employee training program as required by CE. It is the responsibility of the users and installers of this
equipment to ensure they are familiar with these instructions, trained in the correct care and use of this equipment, and
are aware of the operating characteristics, application limitations, and consequences of improper use of this equipment.
1.5 RESCUE PLAN:
When using this equipment and connecting subsystem(s), the employer must have a rescue plan and
the means at hand to implement and communicate that plan to users, authorized persons
4
, and rescuers
5
. A trained, on-
site rescue team is recommended. Team members should be provided with the equipment and techniques to perform a
successful rescue. Training should be provided on a periodic basis to ensure rescuer proficiency.
1.6 INSPECTION FREQUENCY:
The Anchorage Connector shall be inspected by the user before each use and, additionally,
by a competent person other than the user at intervals of no longer than one year.
6
Inspection procedures are described in
the
“Inspection and Maintenance Log”
. Results of each Competent Person inspection should be recorded on copies of the
“Inspection and Maintenance Log”
.
1.7 AFTER A FALL:
If the Anchorage Connector is subjected to the forces of arresting a fall, it must be removed from service
immediately, clearly marked “DO NOT USE”, and then destroyed.
2.0 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
2.1 ANCHORAGE:
Anchorage requirements vary with the fall protection application. Structure on which the
Anchorage Connector is placed or mounted must meet the Anchorage specifications defined in Table 1.
2.2 PERSONAL FALL ARREST SYSTEM:
Figure 1 illustrates the application of this Anchorage Connector. Personal Fall Arrest
Systems (PFAS) used with the system must meet applicable Fall Protection standards, codes, and requirements. The PFAS
must incorporate a Full Body Harness, and limit Arresting Force to the following values:
Maximum Arresting Force
Free Fall
PFAS with Shock Absorbing Lanyard
6 kN (1,350 lb)
Refer to the instruction(s) included with your
Lanyard or SRD for Free Fall limitations.
PFAS with Self Retracting Device (SRD)
6 kN (1,350 lb)
2.3 HAZARDS:
Use of this equipment in areas with environmental hazards may require additional precautions to prevent
injury to the user or damage to the equipment. Hazards may include, but are not limited to: heat, chemicals, corrosive
environments, high voltage power lines, explosive or toxic gases, moving machinery, sharp edges, or overhead materials
that may fall and contact the user or Personal Fall Arrest System.
2.4 CLEARANCE:
Refer to the instructions included with your Fall Arrest subsystem for specifics regarding Fall Clearance
calculation.
2.5 COMPONENT COMPATIBILITY:
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 the safety and reliability of the complete system.
2.6 CONNECTOR COMPATIBILITY:
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 must comply with EN 362. 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 2).
Connectors must be compatible in size, shape, and strength. 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).
1 Fall Arrest System:
A collection of Fall Protection Equipment configured to arrest a free fall.
2 Fall Restraint System:
A collection of Fall Protection Equipment configured to prevent the person’s center of gravity from reaching a fall hazard.
3 Competent Person:
One who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary,
hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.
4 Authorized Person:
A person assigned by the employer to perform duties at a location where the person will be exposed to a fall hazard.
5 Rescuer:
Person or persons other than the rescue subject acting to perform an assisted rescue by operation of a rescue system.
6 Inspection Frequency:
Extreme working conditions (harsh environments, prolonged use, etc.) may require increasing the frequency of competent person
inspections.
