Fall Arrest System Vs Fall Restraint System

It is important for you to understand the difference between a fall arrest system and fall restraint system.

Fall arrest system vs fall restraint system.

In the hierarchy of controls restraint is preferred to fall arrest. Like anything fall arrest is most beneficial in specific circumstances. When the person using it wears an over length lanyard to enable access to the edge of a roof. 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.

Both fall under the rubric of fall protection but there are important distinctions. In a fall restraint system. The common definitions for fall restraint fall arrest and positioning are listed below to help illustrate the differences. Ansi definitions z359 0 2007 fall restraint.

Anchor points for fall arrest systems need to be planned carefully. Fall arrest is useful because it allows workers to access more locations on a site. The suitability of a fall restraint or fall arrest system depends on the nature of the fall hazards at a worksite. Typically a restraint system is.

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. Sometimes due to restricted free fall distances e g. However while both processes relate to the working at heights topic as a whole it is important for business leaders to understand the key.

A fall restraint system consists of the equipment used to keep an employee from reaching a fall point such as the edge of a roof or. 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. 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.

Body support connectors anchors and rescue are all a part of the fall arrest system. Fall restraint system will suffice. Fall arrest systems are designed to stop the fall and absorb the energy. In other words the system stops a worker s fall that has already occurred preventing impact at a lower level.

When a system provides fall restraint it is preventing the worker from accessing the potential hazard. An important consideration is the strength of the structure to which it is being attached. 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. 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. Fall restraint fall arrest considerations.