Fall protection is PPE (personal protective equipment) against falls from a height and it is used to protect people from falling from an elevated surface. Find safety harnesses, fasteners, as well as complete fall protection sets in the HAHN+KOLB onlineshop.
DID YOU KNOW THAT FALL ARRESTERS MUST BE INSPECTED REGULARLY?
The inspection of fall protection equipment is a mandatory requirement for all users and must be carried out regularly by an expert. Likewise, a visual inspection is required before each use. Learn in the HAHN+KOLB onlineshop how often fall arresters have to be checked.
WHAT ARE FALL ARRESTERS?
Fall arresters are the personal protective equipment against falls from a height. People working at height are protected from falling or the fall is arrested. Serious injuries can thus be prevented and occupational safety is ensured even when working at height.
WHEN MUST FALL ARRESTERS BE WORN?
When working above or on water or other liquid substances, fall protection must always be worn.
When working in traffic routes (open stairwells or all other types of wall openings), fall protection must be worn from a height of 1 meter.
For all other work, for example on roofs or windows, fall protection must be worn from a height of 2 meters.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENt SYSTEMS?
Restraint system
PPE for restraint that keeps the wearer away from areas where there is a risk of falling, thus preventing the fall (EN 358). This includes a harness, a lanyard and an anchor point.
Catch system
Catches the falling person and must support the entire body in such a way that it is held securely both during the fall and afterwards.
There are four different variants: Fall arrest system with energy absorber (EN 354 / EN 355), fall arrest system with retractable type fall arrester (EN 360), fall arrest system with arrester with fixed guide (EN 353-1) and fall arrest system with accompanying fall arrester including movable guide (EN 353-2).
WHAT ARE THE COMPONENTS AND WHAT IS THEIR FUNCTION?
The fall arrest harness consists of webbing straps that enclose the body. It has the task of catching the falling person, transferring the impact forces to suitable parts of the body and then holding them in such a way that injuries are kept to a minimum.
The harness has at least one rear fall arrest eyelet, but can also have several eyes:
Rear fall arrest eye: For securing to anchor points above the head or behind the body
Front fall arrest eyelet: For securing to anchor points in front of the body
Climbing protection eyelet: For securing to climbing systems
Lateral retaining eyelet: For positioning in unsafe standing conditions
Additional eyelets: For attaching tools, carabiners, ...
Anchor points
Anchor points can be either permanently installed (e.g. steel beams, columns, roof beams, ...) or movable.
Lanyard with strap energy absorber Consists of a lanyard (max. 2 m long), a strap energy absorber and a connecting element (e.g. snap hook). The strap energy absorber reduces the impact forces acting on the person during falls.
Travelling fall arrester Consists of a rope runner, a belt fall arrester and a movable guide (rope). It is a connecting device that runs along and stops at jerky movements and a certain speed and does not run along further, so that the fall is stopped or stopped.
Retractable type fall arrester Is a fall arrester with an automatic blocking function from an extraction speed of 1 m/s. Inside there is a drum equipped with a belt or rope. This moves with the movements of the person, allowing a greater radius for work. In the event of a fall, the blocking is triggered and the fall is thus arrested.
Fasteners This includes all forms of hooks (e.g. snap hooks, mountaineering hooks, ...).
HOW OFTEN DO I NEED TO CHECK MY FALL ARRESTERs?
Fall arresters must be inspected by an expert as required, but at least once every 12 months.
In addition, a visual inspection by the user must take place before every use.
It is also important that instruction must be given once every 12 months, or more frequently if necessary (e.g. after an accident).
Our PPE consultants will be happy to advise you individually tailored to the requirements of your company. Please contact your HAHN+KOLB representative or send us your request by email.
Fall arresters
Safety harnesses
Fall arresters
Fasteners
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