Falls from a height remain the biggest killer of workers on the job. Unfortunately, this has been the case for many years now, according to the annual HSE reports.
Taking safety seriously is one of the best ways to protect those who work at a height. Self-retracting lifelines and shock-absorbing lanyards are two pieces of equipment that your team may need to wear to help prevent injury or death as a result of a fall.
While it’s imperative to obtain independent health and safety advice, these are some use case scenarios for self-retracting lifelines and shock-absorbing lanyards to guide you.
What Are Self-Retracting Lifelines And Shock-Absorbing Lanyards?
Self-retracting lifelines (SRL) are a type of retractable lifeline, which usually consists of webbing, cable or rope. Similar to a car seatbelt, a SRL retracts automatically. They allow free movement while staying taut, but if a fall occurs, the mechanism locks instantly and an internal brake or energy absorber works to reduce the impact force.
A benefit of self-retracting lifelines is that they provide short free-fall distances. They also require a lower clearance, and they also keep workers mobile with minimal slack.
A shock-absorbing lanyard is a fixed or adjustable lanyard which has an EN 355 energy absorber. How they work is that the worker is attached via the lanyard. In a fall, the absorber tears out to gradually slow the fall, reducing force on the body and anchorage.
Shock-absorbing lanyards benefit from being lightweight and cheaper than SRLs. They are suited to short duration tasks that involve an overhead anchor and ample clearance.
Which One Do You Need?
Choose a self-retracting lifeline (SRL) when:
- You can rig overhead and want minimal clearance with high mobility.
- There is any chance of foot-level tie-off or leading/sharp edge (only with SRLs explicitly rated and tested for that use).
Choose a shock-absorbing lanyard when:
- The task is short and the area is well defined
- The anchor is overhead, and you have ample verified clearance below.
Make Working At A Height Safer With Solutions From Metreel
When it comes to choosing equipment that will protect your people while working at a height, there is a lot to consider. Self-retracting lifelines and shock-absorbing lanyards are some of the many tools that can be employed, so allow the experts here at Metreel to offer you tailored advice.
A great place to start is our dedicated fall protection page, where you can explore our solutions in full.
However, our fall protection experts can also offer guidance based on the specific solutions required.
Give us a call on 0115 932 7010 or complete our contact form and we’ll be with you shortly.