Fall Arrest System Vs Fall Restraint System

When a system provides fall restraint it is preventing the worker from accessing the potential hazard.

Fall arrest system vs fall restraint system.

The common definitions for fall restraint fall arrest and positioning are listed below to help illustrate the differences. 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. Body support connectors anchors and rescue are all a part of the fall arrest system. Each has some particular nuances that need to be understood to develop a safe and compliant system.

On the surface the terms fall restraint and fall arrest could be mistaken as the same concept. When the person using it wears an over length lanyard to enable access to the edge of a roof. Both fall under the rubric of fall protection but there are important distinctions. Typically a restraint system is.

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. In other words the system stops a worker s fall that has already occurred preventing impact at a lower level. 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. Fall arrest is useful because it allows workers to access more locations on a site.

Fall restraint fall arrest considerations. The technique of securing an. Anchor points for fall arrest systems need to be planned carefully. Sometimes due to restricted free fall distances e g.

In the hierarchy of controls restraint is preferred to fall arrest. 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. Ansi definitions z359 0 2007 fall restraint. However while both processes relate to the working at heights topic as a whole it is important for business leaders to understand the key.

An important consideration is the strength of the structure to which it is being attached. The main difference between arrest and restraint is an arrest occurs after a person freefalls through space. 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. Fall restraint and fall arrest systems are crucial for the safety of those working at heights.

These are most commonly used in the construction industry but may apply to many other situations where employees must work at heights. The suitability of a fall restraint or fall arrest system depends on the nature of the fall hazards at a worksite. Sometimes guardrails will prevent workers from performing tasks in hard to reach places. It is important for you to understand the difference between a fall arrest system and fall restraint system.

In a fall restraint system. Like anything fall arrest is most beneficial in specific circumstances.