Fall Arrest Systems
A variety of track designs to suit all applications.
Fall arrest systems are designed to stop a worker from hitting a lower level in the event of a fall.
Unlike fall restraint, which prevents a worker from reaching a fall hazard in the first place, a fall arrest system allows freedom of movement across a work area and activates only when a fall occurs.
As a leading UK supplier of fall arrest systems, Metreel designs, manufactures and installs bespoke solutions for industrial and commercial environments across the country.
Under the Work at Height Regulations 2005, employers must take all reasonably practicable measures to prevent falls. Where work at height cannot be avoided and collective measures such as guardrails are not feasible, a personal or structural fall arrest system must be in place.
Whether you need a permanent structural system for a production facility or guidance on personal fall arrest equipment, our team can specify the right solution for your application.
Discover our fall arrest systems on our website or give us a call on 0115 932 7010 to speak with our team.
The Core Types Of Fall Arrest Systems
Fall arrest systems broadly divide into two categories: personal fall arrest equipment, which is worn and carried by the individual, and structural fall arrest systems, which are permanently installed into the building or structure.
Personal fall arrest equipment includes harnesses, energy-absorbing lanyards, and self-retracting lifelines. These are suited to applications where workers move between anchor points or where a fixed installation is not practical.
Structural fall arrest systems such as rigid rail systems and horizontal lifelines, provide a continuous anchorage track that workers connect to and travel along. These are typically used in industrial facilities, manufacturing plants, warehouses, and building maintenance applications where repeated safe access to the same area is required.
Metreel’s Met-Track® rigid rail fall arrest system is a structural solution, engineered for permanent installation in demanding industrial environments.
Metreel's Met-Track® Rigid Rail Fall Arrest Systems
Industrial fall arrest systems protect workers from serious injury during tasks at height
Met-Track® fall arrest rigid rail is a horizontal system that features a permanently installed anchorage rail and free-running connectors housed within the enclosed profile.
Available in spans up to 2500mm and accommodating two users simultaneously, it provides safe access to high-level work areas, especially during fall arrest and rescue situations.
Standard Profile Designs
| Met-Track® Rail Only | Met-Track® AL360 |
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Take a look at our brochure today and find out more about our products and fall arrest systems.
Discover Metreel’s Personal Fall Arrest Systems – Designed Around Your Needs
Personal fall arrest systems save lives. Without them, you risk serious health and safety issues that can be detrimental to both employees and the company. Fall arrest systems are configured with numerous elements, including anchorage points, tracks and trolleys. If you are unsure about the setup you need, please call us on 0115 932 7010.
Bespoke Arrest Systems
The Met-Track® rigid rail system consists of a permanently installed rigid anchorage rail and free-running anchorage connectors, housed within an enclosed profile. Available in spans of up to 2500mm, with longer spans available upon request, and provides support for two users.
Reduced Freefall distance
Offering numerous advantages over traditional wire-based systems, the Met-Track® rigid rail fall arrest system will not stretch in the event of a fall. This minimises the fall distance, which will further reduce the likelihood of injury from the fall. Unlike its wire-based alternative, the Met-Track® fall arrest system can be configured for self-rescue, accompanied by descent or remote rescue arrangements.
These are crucial factors that must be considered when selecting fall arrest systems, including fall arrest equipment, ladders and other fall arrest devices.
Modular Configuration
The Met-Track® rigid rail system boasts the ability to feature multiple rail configurations, allowing users to pass one another while carrying out high-altitude work. Traditional systems prevent this crossover, reducing the efficiency with which operators perform tasks due to waiting for their colleague to complete their work.
Utilising the correct design layout, the Met-Track® systems offer safe access to high or hard-to-reach areas that are considered high-risk. As a preference, the Met-Track® should be installed in a fall restraint configuration to minimise the possibility of a fall. In circumstances that do not allow for fall restraint, the Met-Track® can be installed to provide workers with the ultimate protection against falls.
For architectural applications, the Met-Track® is easily incorporated into the structural design, allowing it to be concealed within areas such as the eaves of the building, ensuring the building’s overall aesthetics remain intact.
Key Features
- Less fall clearance
- Reduced risk of secondary fall injuries
- Safer work for multiple people
- System and components require minimal maintenance
- Easy to install or replace
- Components available in a variety of finishes, including galvanised, powder coated or stainless steel
Free movement for multiple users with bypass capability
Trolley movement on the Met-Track® rigid rail systems is FLUID! The trolley moves when you move! A user doesn’t have to wrestle the trolley over and through intermediate supports.
Utilising fitting single rails close to each other, users have the ability to cross each other in complete safety whilst carrying out their work at the various locations.
We also have a range of fall restraint systems to suit your needs too.
Call us today on 0115 932 7010 for advice and help with your fall arrest needs.
Installation Options To Suit Every Application
Ceiling-Mounted Monorails
When floor space is limited, the Met-Track® rigid rail systems enable a permanent fall arrest solution without the need for floor-mounted structures, leaving the floor area free. Perfect for production and warehouse facilities, vehicle loading or unloading and industrial cleaning and maintenance.
Free-Standing Monorails
Free-standing monorail Met-Track® systems provide independent and permanent fall arrest solutions, covering long spans of area, where no existing support exists. Configurations include cantilever arms, t-frame or goal post structures, which cover the access area.
Swing Arm Systems
Met-Track® rigid rail swing arm systems typically provide a permanent fall arrest solution for areas where overhead cranes and fall arrest systems share the same space. Swing arm systems provide circular or semi-circular coverage within a limited footprint. When not in use, it can be removed to eliminate an obstruction in the work area.
Combine the swing arms and a simple monorail to complete a foldaway system. These can be supplied as an independent floor-mounted system or mounted to existing columns or walls. Motorised arm rotation is also available and required for longer or multiple bay systems.
Get in touch with an expert
Need some help or advice with your fall arrest systems? We’re happy to provide some free advice about your fall arrest needs and provide fall protection where necessary.
Fall Arrest FAQs
If you have a question about fall arrest systems, you should hopefully find your answer below. For anything else, or to place an order with our team please call us on 0115 932 7010.
What Is The Difference Between Fall Arrest And Fall Restraint?
Fall restraint prevents a worker from reaching a position where a fall could occur. The lanyard or connecting device is set at a length that physically stops the user from reaching the edge or hazard zone. Fall arrest, by contrast, allows the worker to move freely across the work area and activates only in the event of an actual fall, stopping the worker before they strike a lower level. Fall restraint is generally the preferred approach where it is achievable, since it eliminates the fall rather than managing the consequences of one.
When Is A Fall Arrest System Legally Required?
Under the Work at Height Regulations 2005, a risk hierarchy applies. Employers must first consider whether work at height can be eliminated, then whether collective protective measures (such as guardrails or working platforms) can be used. Where these are not practicable, personal fall protection, including fall arrest systems, must be provided. The Regulations apply to all work at height where there is a risk of injury from a fall, regardless of height.
What Standards Apply To Fall Arrest Systems In The UK?
Key standards include EN 361 (full-body harnesses), EN 354 (lanyards), EN 355 (energy absorbers), EN 360 (self-retracting lifelines), and EN 795 (anchor devices). For rigid rail horizontal lifeline systems, EN 353-1 applies to guided type fall arresters on a rigid anchor line. Compliance with these standards, alongside correct system specification and installation, is essential for legal and insurance purposes.
How Often Do Fall Arrest Systems Need To Be Inspected?
Under LOLER 1998, all lifting and lifting-related equipment used in fall arrest applications must be subject to thorough examination at intervals not exceeding six months, or as specified in an examination scheme prepared by a competent person. Pre-use checks by the user are also required before every session. Records of examination must be retained. Equipment that shows signs of damage, wear, or has been subjected to a fall arrest load must be taken out of service and inspected before reuse.
What Is A Rigid Rail Fall Arrest System?
A rigid rail fall arrest system consists of a permanently installed anchorage rail typically aluminium or steel along which a trolley or runner travels freely. The worker connects to the trolley via a lanyard or energy absorber. Because the rail is rigid, it does not stretch or deflect in the event of a fall, which significantly reduces freefall distance compared to wire-based horizontal lifeline systems. Rigid rail systems can also be configured for self-rescue or assisted rescue, which is a significant advantage in high-risk environments.
Can Multiple Workers Use A Fall Arrest System At The Same Time?
This depends on the specific system and how it is configured. Metreel’s Met-Track® rigid rail system can accommodate two users simultaneously, and the bypass capability of the trolley mechanism allows users to pass one another on the rail without disconnecting. Traditional wire-based systems do not permit this crossover, which can reduce productivity where multiple workers need access to the same area.
What Is The Difference Between Fall Arrest And Fall Restraint?
Fall restraint prevents a worker from reaching a position where a fall could occur. The lanyard or connecting device is set at a length that physically stops the user from reaching the edge or hazard zone. Fall arrest, by contrast, allows the worker to move freely across the work area and activates only in the event of an actual fall, stopping the worker before they strike a lower level. Fall restraint is generally the preferred approach where it is achievable, since it eliminates the fall rather than managing the consequences of one.
When Is A Fall Arrest System Legally Required?
Under the Work at Height Regulations 2005, a risk hierarchy applies. Employers must first consider whether work at height can be eliminated, then whether collective protective measures (such as guardrails or working platforms) can be used. Where these are not practicable, personal fall protection, including fall arrest systems, must be provided. The Regulations apply to all work at height where there is a risk of injury from a fall, regardless of height.
What Is A Personal Fall Arrest System?
A personal fall arrest system (PFAS) is a combination of equipment worn and used by an individual worker to stop a fall in progress before they strike a lower level or surface. It differs from a structural fall arrest system, which is permanently installed into a building or structure, in that it is personal to the user and travels with them.
A personal fall arrest system typically consists of three connected elements: a full-body harness worn by the worker, a connecting device such as an energy-absorbing lanyard or self-retracting lifeline (SRL) and an anchorage point or anchor device rated for fall arrest loads. All three elements must be compatible with one another and correctly specified for the application no single component functions safely in isolation.
Personal fall arrest systems are governed by a range of EN standards. The harness must comply with EN 361, connecting lanyards with EN 354 and EN 355 (for energy absorbers), and self-retracting lifelines with EN 360. Anchor devices must meet EN 795. Equipment must be CE or UKCA marked and sourced from a reputable supplier.
When Should A Personal Fall Arrest System Be Used?
A personal fall arrest system should be used when work at height cannot be eliminated and collective protective measures such as guardrails, safety nets, or working platforms are not reasonably practicable for the task in hand. It sits at the lower end of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 hierarchy of controls, meaning it should be considered after, not instead of, collective measures.
In practice, personal fall arrest equipment is appropriate in situations where a worker needs to move freely across a surface or structure, where the work area changes frequently, or where installing a fixed structural system is not viable. Common applications include roof maintenance, steelwork, construction scaffolding, telecoms mast climbing and inspection tasks on elevated plant or equipment.
A personal fall arrest system should not be used in place of fall restraint where restraint is achievable.