USE
PRE-USE INSPECTION
Before each use, a person who is going to use the
fall arrester
, shall
a close visual examination of the retractor’s elements: cover,
snap hook, handle, working cable or webbing (entire length), must be carried out in respect of mechanical, chemical and thermal
defects. The user has to check the retractor functioning by dynamic pulling the working cable/webbing.
The cable/webbing should block and stops pulling out. After releasing the cable/webbing, the retractor should pull in the
cable/webbing. The examination must be carried out by . In the case of any defect or doubt of correct condition of the
fall arrester ,
do not use it.
!
personal protective equipment shall only be used by a person trained and competent in its safe use.
!
personal protective equipment must not be used by a person with medical condition that could affect the safety of
the equipment user in normal and emergency use.
!
a rescue plan shall be in place to deal with any emergencies that could arise during the work.
!
it is forbidden to make any alterations or additions to the equipment without the manufacturer's prior written
consent.
!
any repair shall only be carried out by equipment manufacturer or his certified representative.
!
personal protective equipment shall not be used outside its limitations, or for any purpose other than that for
which it is intended.
!
personal protective equipment should be a personal issue item.
!
before use ensure about the compatibility of items of equipment assembled into a fall arrest system. Periodically
check connecting and adjusting of the equipment components to avoid accidental loosening or disconnecting of
the components.
!
it is forbidden to use combinations of items of equipment in which the safe function of any one item is affected by
or interferes with the safe function of another.
!
before each use of personal protective equipment it is obligatory to carry out a pre-use check of the equipment, to
ensure that it is in a serviceable condition and operates correctly before it is used.
!
during pre-use check it is necessary to inspect all elements of the equipment in respect of any damages,
excessive wear, corrosion, abrasion, cutting or incorrect acting, especially
in
retractable fall arresters - cable or
webbing, retractor and brake proper acting, casing, energy absorber, connector;
!
regular periodic inspections are the essential for equipment maintenance and the safety of the users which
depends upon the continued efficiency and durability of the equipment.
!
during periodic inspection it is necessary to check the legibility of the equipment marking.
!
it is essential for the safety of the user that if the product is re-sold outside the original country of destination the
reseller shall provide instructions for use, for maintenance, for periodic examination and for repair in language of
the country in which the product is to be used.
!
personal protective equipment must be withdrawn from use immediately when any doubt arise about its condition
for safe use and not used again until confirmed in writing by equipment manufacturer or his representative after
carried out the detailed inspection.
!
a full body harness
conform to EN 361
is the only acceptable body holding device that can be used, in a fall arrest
system.
!
in full body harness use only attaching points marked with big letter "A" to attach a fall arrest system.
!
the anchor device or anchor point for the fall arrest system should always be positioned, and the work carried out
in such a way, as to minimise both the potential for falls and potential fall distance. The anchor device/point should
be placed above the user . The shape and construction of the anchor device/point shall not allowed to self-acting
disconnection of the equipment.
I
t is recommended to use certified and marked structural anchor point complied
with E
N795.
!
it is obligatory
to
verify the free space required beneath the user at the workplace before each occasion of use the
fall arrest system, so that, in the case of a fall, there will be no collision with the ground or other obstacle in the fall
path. The required value of the free space should be taken from instruction manual of used equipment.
!
there are many hazards that may affect the performance of the equipment and corresponding safety precautions
that have to be observed during equipment utilization, especially:- trailing or looping of lanyards or lifelines over
sharp edges,- any defects like cutting, abrasion, corrosion,
!
climatic exposure,- pendulum falls,- extremes of temperature,- chemical reagents,- electrical conductivity.
!
personal protective equipment must be transported in the package (e.g.: bag made of moisture-proof textile or foil
bag or cases made of steel or plastic) to protect it against damage or moisture.
!
the equipment can be cleaned without causing adverse effect on
its
materials. For textile products use mild
detergents for delicate fabrics, wash by hand or in a machine and rinse in water. Plastic parts can be cleaned only
with water. When the equipment becomes wet, either from being in use or when due cleaning, it shall be allowed
to dry naturally, and shall be kept away from direct heat. In metallic products some mechanic parts (spring, pin,
hinge, etc.) can be regularly slightly lubricated to ensure better operation. Other maintenance and cleaning
procedures should be adhered to detailed instructions stated in the
Service M
anual of the equipment.
!
personal protective equipment should be stored loosely packed, in a well-ventilated place, protected from direct
light, ultraviolet degradation, damp environment, sharp edges, extreme temperatures and corrosive or aggressive
substances
.
THE ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF USE OF PPE AGAINST FALLS FROM A HEIGHT
Connecting the fall arrester to a structural anchor point should
be done by joining the arrester handle to a structure with the
aid of a connector or sling complying with EN362 or EN795
standards. The shape of the structural anchor point should not
let self-acting disconnection of the device.
It is
recommended
to use cert
i
fied and marked structural anchor point
co
nform to
EN 795.
Connecting the fall arrester to a full body harness
shoud be done by joining t
he arrester snap hook (placed
on the end of working cable/webbing) to the frontal or dorsal
attachment point of full body harness only. Full body harness
must conform to EN 361. Always protect the gate of the snap
hook against accidental opening with locking gear.
D
uring use the
fall arrester should
be protected from a contact
with oils, acids, solvents, basics, open fire, hot metal drops and
sharp edges. During working on the lattice constructions we
should avoid interleaving the working
cable/webbing
between
the individual construction elements. We should avoid using
the device in the dust laden and gre
a
sy environment.
The retractable fall arrester shall be installed above the
operator.
When the
device is installed in the vertical line above the user the
minimal clearence distance below working level shall be 1,5
m.
When the cable of the retractable fall arrester is deflected
from vertical line a pendulum effect occurs during fall
arresting. In order to minimise the pendulum effect the cable
deviation angle from vertical shall never exceed 40°. For this
purpose the user is permitted to move laterally through
distance “l” not greater than 1/2 “v” .
The clearance distance bellow working level must be greater
than 1,5 m+ lateral distance “l”.
Structural anchor point should be situated above
the job place and have static resistance min. 12kN.
The retractable fall arresters allowed to horizontal usage and to protection against falls over an edge are specially marked - see
pictogram description. The arresters were successfully tested according to new PPE -Directive 89/686/EEC regulation
(Document CNB/P/11.060). For roof works the retractable device shall be associated with roof lanyard AZ 800. The equipment
may be used over such kind of edges as: rolled steel profiles, wooden beams or clad, rounded roof parapet. In case of very
“cutting type edge or “not free of burrs” (such as unclad roof rusty steel girder or a sharp concrete edge an edge protector should
be mounted.
The exact method of use the equipment is described in Instruction Manual of the roof lanyard AZ800.
STRUCTURAL ANCHOR POINT REQUIRMENTS
UTILIZATION THE FALL ARRESTER FOR ROOF WORK
v
retractable type
fall arrester
retractable type
fall arrester
anchor point
anchor point
l
z
working
level
pendulum
effect
ground
level
o
max 40
