Horizontal and vertical 8mm cable based fall arrest systems

Fall Arrest System

This design principle will protect end-users from serious injury, as it greatly reduces the effects of a fall. The end-user can reach a point where a fall can occur.
To allow this design principle to function correctly, a minimum fall clearance distance of 6m is required. This is needed to incorporate shock absorbing lanyard deployment and cable deflection, along with size (height) of end-users. A correctly designed system will arrest an end-user in the event of a fall (after 2m) preventing the end-user from hitting the deck. As indicated, ridge systems are installed to the ridge line of a roof. They can be installed slightly off centre (to the left or right) to allow for sky lights, chimneys etc. Ridge systems do not run to the end of the building. They run on either side and should stop 2m from each edge of the roof end. Due to this design principle a pendulum swing hazard occurs. To counter this, No single point anchors (anti-pendulum posts) are required to be installed (No in each corner) thus alleviating this hazard with the correct use of the PPE supplied.

Fall Restraint System

This design principle stops the end-user from reaching any position where a fall can occur, still providing full and unrestricted access to all areas of the roof as required (gutters, fans, roof lights etc.) and is the recommended choice of system. The correct use of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) i.e., Harnesses, Lanyards etc., is critical to this design principle working correctly. Loads exerted on restraint only systems are significantly less than those required on fall arrest systems. Systems fitted to the perimeter of a roof are better for wider roofs and are easier for end-users to operate. Perimeter systems tend to be no less than 2m from the edge of the roof and use a restraint lanyard, allowing adequate access to the roof edge tasks (gutters etc.).