Considerations In Selecting Kitted Horizontal Lifelines
Considerations In Selecting Kitted Horizontal Lifelines
Driving home from the fishing camp in Louisiana yesterday afternoon, I passed through a construction zone on I-10 where a number of horizontal lifelines were in place on precast bridge beams used in overpasses.?These were commercially available kits for this purpose with stanchions that affix to the top of the precast beam by clamping to the rebar hoops.?One of the beams had a sign showing very low clearance height for vehicles passing below and thus very low fall clearance for the workers tied off to the horizontal lifeline about 42” above the beam.?Based on my knowledge of this system and its technical data, a falling worker using a 6’ shock absorbing lanyard would come in contact with the ground.
In the last ten years, I have noticed an alarming trend in the purchase and use of “kitted” or as they are sometimes called, “pre-engineered” horizontal lifelines.?The premise with these units is that they have a predetermined tension, deflection and ultimately end loading for a set number of users and a set span or distance between intermediates.?This deflection and loading information is often provided in chart form for the purchasing entity to reference BEFORE they make the buying decision, to ensure that the system meets their needs.
One of the issues with these kits is that they are often purchased without prior review of the technical data and may be considered and often used, when there is not sufficient clearance to provide safe fall distance for the attached workers.?I’ve seen cable based kitted systems used in overhead anchorage applications where the fall clearance is as little as 4’6” (think flat bed truck) with little hope of keeping a falling working from striking the ground, even with an SRL in use.
Fit for purpose??One of the other concerns with these systems is the use of kits designed for temporary applications but left in place permanently.?If the units are designed for temporary use, they are generally constructed of materials not suited for long term exposure (multiple years) to the elements and may rapidly break down in this extended exposure to the elements.?Galvanized cable may be used with fist grip clamps rather than the more suitable stainless cable and permanently swaged stainless connections.?A kernmantle or other rope-based lifeline designed for temporary use may break down quickly with years of exposure to the elements.?A fabric-based shock absorber may degrade over continuous exposure to UV rather than a more suitable shock absorber with stainless internals.
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This is not a dig as the manufacturers of the kits, but a call to action for those who may be considering this type of product to research before buying and utilize products following their intended use.?Most manufacturers of these kits will post detailed instructions on their websites, so you may review prior to purchase.?Please pay particular attention to the anchor point loading requirements, the fall distance clearance required based on the system deflection and subsystem elongation when using lanyards or PFLs (SRLs), and the requirement for oversite by a Qualified Person.
There are many top-tier suppliers who offer these units and have spent countless hours refining their instructions that provide the technical details as well as the does and don’t for use of these kits or systems.?Tritech Fall Protection is not in the business of designing kitted or temporary horizontal lifeline systems.?We are, however, often asked to inspect and/or certify these systems post installation by the original purchaser.?We often find that they are not used in accordance with the manufacturers’ instructions or are not installed in such a way as to prevent the attached workers from meeting the next lower level.?This may necessitate removal and replacement with a system, perhaps a permanently installed horizontal lifeline or rigid rail, which is custom designed, engineered and installed for the specific site application.????
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Prior to buying any horizontal lifeline kit, permanent or temporary, please completely read the instructions and technical materials to ensure that it will perform as needed and you have the staff onsite to complete the installation as directed by the kit manufacturer, including suitably trained competent and qualified personnel.?If not, please reach out to our team for assistance with a custom system for your specific application.?
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