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Firebreak SA

Fall Protection

Enquiry FAQ

A  Fall Arrest System always requires ABC’s
A – Anchor Device
B – Body Harness
C – Connecting Device

 

Firstly, you need to determine is the application:

  • Fall Arrest 
    Stand on a platform whist working Physically hang suspended in mid-air in a harness whilst working.
  • Suspension
    Physically hang suspended in mid-air in a harness whilst working

  1. Is the application temporary or permanent? (Affects the choice of Anchor and connecting Device)
  2. What serves as the anchor point? (I-Beam, scaffold, Lifeline etc.)
  3. What serves as the connecting device? (Lanyard, Retractable Lanyard etc.)
  4. What is the require length of the connecting device? (Lanyard generally 1.5M-2M, Retractable 1M-30M)
  5. What type of fall arrest harness is required? (How many connecting points and where are they required, does the application require a waist belt, tool belt, cap lamp belt etc.)

  1. Is the application temporary or permanent? (Affects the choice of Anchor and connecting Device)
  2. What serves as the anchor point? (I-Beam, fixed anchor, roof top etc.)
  3. What rope is being used, with what connecting device (Ascender and descending device)
  4. What type of suspension harness is required? (How many connection points and where are they required, and what size, are additional tool belts, and fitments required?)

  • For heights lower than two meters, retractable lanyards are recommended.
  • Always consider the fall clearance – if you fall, will you clear any lower obstacles, including the ground?
  • Retractable lanyards come in various lengths ranging from 1-30M webbing, galvanized cable and stainless steel.
  • Lanyards are available in cable, rope or webbing, additionally available in single or double options with various lengths e.g. 1M, 1.5M, 1.8M, or 2M or adjustable options.
  • Lanyards are available with various connectors e.g. Karabiners, Snap Hooks and Scaffold hooks.
  • By law the attachment point must be able to support at least a minimum of 1000kg.
  • Harnesses come in various sizes, styles, with single or multiple connection points, with waist belts or tool belts and other accessories, and different webbing, connection and buckle designs.

Fact
The most common fall arrest equipment used is 2pt harnesses (one Rear and one front attachment), using a double scaffolding hook lanyard, which offer the user continuous connection, by alternating between the two connection points on the lanyard during climbing and transit.

Various types and design of rescue kits are available, offering assistance to a variety of applications:

  • Lowering a casualty from a fall from heights
  • Lifting a casualty from a fall from heights
  • Rescuing a casualty in a confined space etc.

We offer two predominant rescue solutions, which cover a variety of rescue and utility applications:

  1. VertiGO R Universal Rescue kit: Lower or lift a casualty, as a rescuer you are able to ascend or descend on the system to assist a casualty, the system is easy to use and offers a 4:1 weight ratio, and comes in two options 25M or 50M.
  2. Miller SafEscape: Used for evacuation or rescue purposes when casualties need to be lowered. Extremely easy to use, custom built in lengths up to 400M.

Active fall protection is made of components and systems that require some manipulation by the workers to make the protection effective. These systems include body belts, full body harnesses, lanyards and their attachments, and component parts such as rope grabbing devices, lifelines, etc. Karam are the leaders in fall arrest and stock a range of Fall Arrest equipment.

The ABC’s

When looking at a complete fall protection system we often refer to the ABC’s of fall protection.

They are:

A : Anchorage – Provides a secure point of attachment for the fall arrest system.
B: Body Support – A Full Body Harness which distributes the forces of a fall.
C: Connecting Device – The device that connects the Full Body Harness to the Anchorage system.

The Full Body Harness is an integral part of active fall protection equipment and is meant to be worn by the worker while working at heights. It consists of shoulder and thigh straps and in case of a fall the impact is distributed and hence the worker is in a comfortable and is in an upright position after the fall is arrested.
Karam offers a range of fall protection equipment that covers the ABC’s.

 

Attachment Points:

Another important aspect to consider when choosing the right harness for the work you do, is to look at the attachment points on a harness. Each attachment point on a harness has a particular function. Here is a quick snapshot on the various attachments on our harnesses and their functions:

 

Dorsal Attachment Point: This attachment point is located on the ID plate on the back of the harness between the shoulder blades. The Dorsal attachment point is ideal for fall arrest purposes because it evenly distributes the forces of fall arrest across a person’s body. It is suitable for standard site work or platform working, where the worker only needs to be attached with no other requirement for climbing, work positioning.

 

 

 

 

Sternal Attachment Point: The ergonomically placed Sternal D ring on the chest area of the Harness is used as a front attachment point for fall protection when using a guided type fall arrester while climbing or entering a confined space

 

 

 

 

 

Lateral Attachment Point : The 2 Lateral D-rings located on the sides in the lower waist area of the harness are used for work positioning. It allows a worker to have both their hands free to work while they remain connected to the work area. It should be noted that these attachment points are not to be used for fall arrest, but instead this system is a form of fall restraint.

 

 

 

 

Ventral Attachment Point : This attachment point is located in the centre of the waist level of the Harness. It is used for rope access, rescue and many other applications.

 

 

 

 

 

Karam’s Range of Harnesses:

When it comes to fall arrest harnesses, Karam are the leaders in fall arrest and offer a range of harnesses from entry level harnesses right up to their specialised harnesses.

 

Contact us and one of our representatives will assist you in finding the perfect harness for your workforce.