Fall Arrest

What is Fall Arrest?

Fall arrest refers to any system that mitigates the result of a fall either by limiting the distance of the fall or limiting the impact that would result from the fall.

Fall arrest is the least preferred option in the hierarchy of fall protection.

• Work from the ground if at all possible
• If there is no alternative to working at height, use equipment to prevent a fall
• Use specialised equipment to minimise the distance and the possible consequences of a fall

Fall arrest is quite obviously the least preferred solution because once a body is in free-fall the potential for injury increases dramatically. Add to this the fact that the body accelerates whilst falling and it is clear that minimising the distance of the fall is also very important.

Different working heights generate different risks.

High level roof access for building maintenance.

Whilst it is not always possible for architects and building designers to design out the need to work at height, as much thought as possible needs to go into the building structure to minimise the need to work at height and to minimise the risks that will be generated by maintenance requirements. Typically linking to a roof line via a harness and lanyard will provide adequate and safe roof access but dependent on the building design this may incorporate elements of both fall restraint and fall arrest. Whilst we do design roof access systems that may incorporate the need for fall arrest elements, we will always propose systems that rely firstly on fall restraint.

It also has to be borne in mind that if any high level access system relies in any part on fall arrest that a rescue plan has to be put in place and the equipment installed and training provided to enable rescue within ten minutes. Any cost savings of a simpler system relying on fall arrest are likely to be outweighed by the cost of the training and the rescue equipment.

You are welcome at any time to discuss your project and your needs with our design department who can be contacted on 0845 241 9102 or via info@sayfasystems.com.

Low level access for construction and maintenance close to ground level.

Where harness and lanyard may impede movement too much to be practical or where time is limited fall arrest bags are an option as they are both effective and quick to move and install.

Fall arrest bags work by cushioning the impact of a falling body from a relatively low level providing a safe landing. They have the additional benefit that they provide a passive/collective system which means that individual workers are protected without have to take any specific action. In some cases, these benefits mean that fall arrest bags provide the best solution.

Aviator offers a complete range of ‘fall arrest’ options for high level working.

The Aviator range of products includes safety line systems which in conjunction with the appropriate brackets can be fitted to any roof type – from ‘green roofs’ to all types of standing seam and profiled metal roofs. Once linked to the line using an Aviator shuttle, lanyard and harness, the user can access all roof areas to carry out maintenance and other work.

On occasion, depending upon the building design, a worker has to enter an area where there is a fall risk and at that moment the system becomes a ‘fall arrest’ system and the design then takes account of all factors that may cause a fall and equally design in devices to minimise the fall distance and the consequences.

Please contact Sayfa Systems design department via info@sayfasystems.com or call 0845 241 9102 for further information

AirDeck offers an effective and rapid solution to protecting workers from the consequences of low-level fall.

AirDeck is a fall arrest bag which is quick to inflate and install on site, has minimal impact on site storage and working and yet offers collective/passive fall protection up to 2.75 metres above ground level in line with PAS 59 – 2014.