| Height Safety Guidance working at height in | | | | rescue provisions are not an issue. When using |
| restraint on construction sites | | | | adjustable and running line restraint systems, |
| What is restraint?Working in restraint allows an | | | | provision for rescue needs to be provided, in the |
| operative the access and mobility required to | | | | event of operator misuse. |
| reach the leading edge (potential fall hazard) and | | | | Anchorage |
| carry out their tasks whilst preventing them from | | | | One of the biggest problems in providing fall |
| potentially falling. | | | | protection is the provision of suitable, adequate |
| Types of Restraint | | | | anchorage in the appropriate location. When using |
| There are 3 main types of restraint equipment | | | | fixed restraint equipment the anchorage |
| found on construction sites:l Fixed length restraint | | | | requirement can be as little as 3 times the weight |
| - A lanyard of a specific length preventing access | | | | of the user, typically 400kg because there is no |
| beyond the fall hazardl Adjustable restraint - A line | | | | possibility of falling. An example of this would be |
| with mechanical adjustment allowing the operative | | | | using a fixed restraint in the basket of a scissor |
| to personally adjust their equipment - for | | | | lift. |
| packages where edge exposure is not a constant | | | | If there is a 1% chance of a fall, then a fall arrest |
| distance from the anchorage.l Running line restraint | | | | anchorage must be provided. Fall arrest anchorage |
| system - A horizontal lifeline used in conjunction | | | | points can be identified by a competent person. |
| with personal adjustable restraint - ensuring the | | | | When using an adjustable restraint and a |
| anchorage remains directly behind the operative | | | | horizontal lifeline system the provision of suitable |
| preventing pendulum. | | | | fall protection temporary or permanent anchorage |
| Restraint versus Fall Arrest | | | | point is required. |
| The most fundamental difference between the | | | | User comfort |
| two methods of work is the fall potential. Fall | | | | Restraint greatly reduces the load (pull) applied to |
| arrest allows the operative to fall and then | | | | the operatives body compared to using an inertia |
| ‘arrests’ this fall. Restraint, when used | | | | reel (fall arrest block). |
| correctly, prevents the fall occurring. Working in | | | | Work site projects and trades require workers to |
| restraint significantly reduces the risk of falling and | | | | be trained to achieve a high standard of |
| therefore all the issues related to fall hazards: | | | | competence in order to work safely at height. In |
| Height clearance implications - with restraint, height | | | | depth knowledge of the equipment and safety |
| clearance is not an issue as there is no fall to deal | | | | concerns can not only improve an operator’s |
| with. The problem with using fall arrest equipment | | | | confidence and efficiency but will also save lives |
| is the clear height required to operate, e.g. a fall | | | | and prevent serious injuries. |
| arrest lanyard clipped at foot level requires up to | | | | Leading Edge height safety training courses are |
| 6.75m to operate safely. When working between | | | | specifically designed for anyone whose job |
| floor zones this is clearly unsuitable. | | | | requires them to work at height and involves |
| If a fall is interrupted by hitting the lower surface | | | | using the necessary safety equipment required to |
| during the shock absorbing process, the force still | | | | do this. |
| left in the system with potentially fatal effects. | | | | For more information visit |
| Special consideration should also be given where a | | | | More than 5000 people every single year |
| lanyard is to be used in a situation where it could | | | | complete our Leading Edgeheight safety training |
| pass over an edge during a fall, e.g. formwork | | | | to not only gain certification but also competence, |
| element, slab edge. There are no legal | | | | confidence and peace of mind in their work |
| requirements for lanyards to be tested passing | | | | activities. |
| over an edge; as they are designed to fall into | | | | With collectively more than 50 years experience |
| free space. | | | | in height safety we have strived to not only |
| As a result the majority of lanyards, particularly | | | | provide the best training but also to further |
| flat webbing, are not capable of withstanding the | | | | develop new ideas, technology, techniques and |
| increased forces created by the acute angle as | | | | repeatedly raise up new standards that put us |
| the lanyard passes over the edge. | | | | above our competition. |
| Rescue provision and method statements | | | | Training is not just about generic principles; to us |
| When using fall arrest equipment on site, the | | | | it's about improving job safety, awareness and |
| contractor has to provide a suitable method | | | | worker productivity through specific guidance and |
| statement detailing rescue provision. By working in | | | | expert knowledge. |
| fixed restraint, there is no fall to deal with, thus | | | | |