Testing of fall protection equipment before use
Fall protection is your lifeline when working at a height or depth. Before you begin your work, it is important to do a thorough visual inspection and test of the equipment.
Start by securing a stable anchorage that can withstand a drag of 1,200 kg. Review your equipment and be aware that the following factors will affect any fall:
- Fall length (fall length and ground clearance)
- The body weight of the falling person
- The ability of the equipment to absorb the load
- The surface and placement of the equipment on the body
- The direction of the force in the body
What is fall factor?
The shorter the drop length you have, the less clearance you will need. Three fall factors are considered:
- Fall factor 0 = Anchorage over head height.
- Fall factor 1 = Anchorage next to the harness (d-ring on the back or chest)
- Fall factor 2 = Anchoring at the feet
Calculate the length of the fall and your clearance
When working with fall arresters, calculate the ground clearance (height below the work site).
An example might look like this:
Use of a fall block (SRL) will significantly reduce the fall length.
