Fall Arrest System Vs Fall Restraint System

In the hierarchy of controls restraint is preferred to fall arrest.

Fall arrest system vs fall restraint system.

Each has some particular nuances that need to be understood to develop a safe and compliant system. An important consideration is the strength of the structure to which it is being attached. Typically a restraint system is. In other words the system stops a worker s fall that has already occurred preventing impact at a lower level.

A fall arrest system may be used in tandem with other fall protection devices like guardrails and or a self closing gate but this isn t always the case. The main difference between arrest and restraint is an arrest occurs after a person freefalls through space. Sometimes guardrails will prevent workers from performing tasks in hard to reach places. The common definitions for fall restraint fall arrest and positioning are listed below to help illustrate the differences.

Fall restraint fall arrest considerations. Anchor points for fall arrest systems need to be planned carefully. If fitting a fall restraint system it is recommended that the system should be tested to fall arrest loads to ensure a person s safety in situations where the system may be misused i e. A fall restraint system consists of the equipment used to keep an employee from reaching a fall point such as the edge of a roof or.

Body support connectors anchors and rescue are all a part of the fall arrest system. Fall restraint and fall arrest systems are crucial for the safety of those working at heights. However while both processes relate to the working at heights topic as a whole it is important for business leaders to understand the key. When the person using it wears an over length lanyard to enable access to the edge of a roof.

Like anything fall arrest is most beneficial in specific circumstances. Finding the right approach for your rooftop application requires a formula that considers budget frequency of use and the precise location of the rooftop work areas. These are most commonly used in the construction industry but may apply to many other situations where employees must work at heights. When a system provides fall restraint it is preventing the worker from accessing the potential hazard.

Low building height vehicles racking or machinery in or around the building reducing available height to have the fall arrested safely a restraint system would be the only choice. On the surface the terms fall restraint and fall arrest could be mistaken as the same concept. It is important for you to understand the difference between a fall arrest system and fall restraint system. The technique of securing an.

Fall restraint systems are preferable to fall arrest systems but with some applications workers have no choice but to work close to the leading edge. Ansi definitions z359 0 2007 fall restraint. In a fall restraint system. Fall arrest systems are designed to stop the fall and absorb the energy.

Both fall under the rubric of fall protection but there are important distinctions. The suitability of a fall restraint or fall arrest system depends on the nature of the fall hazards at a worksite.