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Working at Height Toolkit - Fall Restraint
Introduction
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 require that priority be given to equipment that provides collective protection as opposed to equipment that is ‘personal’ and protects only the person using it.
Work restraint is a method of fall protection that prevents the user from getting into a position where a fall from height could occur. It is a method of personal protection, so should be chosen only after consideration for collective methods of protection have been exhausted. Conversely, fall restraint systems should be chosen in preference to fall arrest systems.
Typically, work restraint systems involve the user wearing a safety harness, to which a fixed-length lanyard is attached, with the other end of the lanyard being attached to an immovable anchor point. The fixed-length nature of the lanyard makes it impossible for the wearer to enter a position in which a fall could occur.
Where an adjustable lanyard (or rope system) is used in fall restraint scenarios it is important that the lanyard is adjusted to the optimum length to prevent the user accessing a position where a fall could occur. When using a weightbased restraint system, consideration should be given to the number of personnel that might be using the system at any one time, how it will be raised to the roof and how the weight of the equipment will impact the loading capabilities of the surface on which it will be situated. Before using anchor points for a fall restraint system, they must be assessed to ensure they are unquestionably secure for the loading imposed.
Work restraint systems are most used for roof maintenance work to keep workers away from exposed edges, but they are also required by those working from boom type Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs), as they aim to keep personnel within the MEWP basket. Advice on fall protection for several types of MEWP is contained in ‘Fall protection in mobile elevating work platforms’ Technical Guidance Note H1 from the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF).
As with most other systems devised to offer personal protection they rely on users being competent and also on them maintaining a high level of discipline whilst undertaking the work, but also when getting to their point of work, or moving the anchor point, to enable them to start work in a new position.
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