When working at a height is unavoidable, all personnel involved in the application must be protected against the risk of a fall.
Beyond implementing fall prevention strategies, self-retracting lanyards are one of the many safety devices that can be used to provide additional fall protection.
Metreel is a leading provider of lanyards which form part of our vast range of fall protection systems and equipment.
Here is a general overview of self-retracting lanyards to demonstrate how they can improve safety within a variety of industrial settings.
Self-Retracting Lanyards: An Overview
A self-retracting lanyard is attached to both a worker’s harness along an anchor point. The idea is that should a worker sustain a fall, the self-retracting lanyard has an internal braking system to instantly stop the fall.
Not only does this shorten the descent of the fall, but it also reduces the force that would have otherwise been exerted on the body.
The components found on a self-retracting lanyard include:
- Anchorage connection
- Braking system
- Impact indicator
- Lanyard line
- Manufacturer and safety compliance information (i.e. OSHA or ANSI)
- Retractable casing
- Retracting mechanism
- Snap hook or carabiner
While various lanyards exist, a self-retracting lanyard ensures the line is kept taut due to having a fixed length of safety protection.
When To Use A Self-Retracting Lanyard
A health and safety assessment is needed to determine if a self-retracting lanyard should be worn.
However, generally speaking, a self-retracting lanyard can be worn when working from a height in a number of scenarios. For example, applications involving aerial lifts, tower climbing, scaffolding or roofing. In such cases, there is a chance that a worker may trip or fall off the ledge at a height and sustain serious injury. Therefore, a self-retracting lanyard offers a form of protection if a fall were to occur.
Specifically, an SRL would be worn when there is a need to minimise the distance of the fall. This is to avoid impact with the ground, as well as to prevent contact with nearby obstacles.
In addition, a self-retracting lanyard can be a requirement when workers also need to be able to move freely while working at a height.
Self-Retracting Lanyard Benefits
- Offers excellent safety features due to the rapid engagement of the braking system
- Built to withstand a variety of industrial environments
- Workers can still move freely while wearing the lanyard
- Reduces swing hazards due to the taut line
- Various lanyard types available to suit a a variety of requirements
Metreel – Discover Our Fall Arrest & Fall Protection Products
If your commercial operations involve working at a height, then Metreel can provide a range of solutions to protect your workers.
Our vast range of fall arrest and fall protection products are geared towards a variety of industries. You can view our full range of products and specifications by downloading the free Metreel brochure.
Or, if you have any questions about purchasing Metreel fall protection or fall arrest systems please give us a call on 0115 647 0422 or drop us a message and we’ll be in touch shortly.