Tips for Choosing & Maintaining Your Equipment
If you work in rope access, you know that fall arrest systems are essential. They help to prevent falls or arrest them safely if they do occur.
Hey everyone,
If you work in rope access, you know that fall arrest systems are essential. They help to prevent falls or arrest them safely if they do occur.
There are three major components of a fall arrest system in rope access:
- Full-body harness - A full-body harness distributes the force of a fall evenly across your body, preventing serious injuries. It should be comfortable and fit snugly, but not too tightly.
- Energy absorber - An energy absorber is a device that helps to reduce the force of a fall. It is typically attached to the full-body harness and the lanyard.
- Connectors - Connectors are devices that connect the different components of a fall arrest system together. They can include carabiners, snap hooks, and lanyards.
It’s important to choose fall arrest equipment that’s appropriate for the specific task you’re performing. For example, if you’re working at a height of 20 feet or more, you could need a different lanyard than if you’re working at a height of 5 feet.
OSHA Standard 1910.140
OSHA Standard 1910.140 sets the requirements for fall protection systems in the workplace. The standard requires that all personal fall arrest systems (PFAS) meet the following requirements:
- The PFAS must be used under the supervision of a competent person.
- The PFAS must be capable of sustaining a minimum tensile load of 5,000 pounds.
- The PFAS must be proof tested to a minimum tensile load of 3,600 pounds without cracking, breaking, or incurring permanent deformation.
- The gate strength of snap hooks and carabiners must be capable of withstanding a minimum load of 3,600 pounds without the gate separating from the nose of the snaphook or carabiner body by more than 0.125 inches (3.175 mm).
Conclusion
Fall arrest systems are essential for anyone working at heights, especially in rope access. By choosing the right equipment and using it properly, you can help to prevent falls and stay safe while working at heights.
Tips for Choosing and Maintaining Fall Arrest Equipment
- When choosing fall arrest equipment, consider the specific tasks you’ll be performing and the environment in which you’ll be working.
- Make sure that all your equipment is compatible with each other.
- Inspect your equipment regularly for signs of wear and tear. Replace any damaged or worn equipment immediately.
- Have your equipment inspected and certified by a qualified professional on a regular basis.
Where to Buy Fall Arrest Equipment
AHS Rescue is a leading provider of fall arrest equipment and other safety gear. We offer a wide variety of equipment to choose from, including full-body harnesses, energy absorbers, connectors, and more.
To purchase fall arrest equipment from AHS Rescue, visit our website at https://www.ahsrescue.com/. If you don’t see it there, give us a call (602-944-7723).
I hope this blog post was helpful. Stay safe, everyone!
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