What is the difference between restraint and fall arrest?
Work at height?can be carried out in different ways with varying equipment and systems of working.?Restraint?and?fall arrest?are two common types of systems used for working at height safely. It is important that the appropriate equipment is selected and used with the relevant training to ensure safe working.
Work Restraint?
A system whereby a person is prevented from reaching zones that present a fall risk by using personal fall protection equipment (PFPE).
This is the best type of protection as it removes the risk of falling altogether and therefore should always be first choice for carrying out at work at height, where possible.
?1. Limit of user’s movement
2. Harness attachment point
3. Anchor
4. Lanyard
5. Fall risk area
When restraint equipment is used correctly with the proper training, the equipment should prevent the operator reaching the fall hazard.
Carrying out work at height using a work restraint system is considered safest, as it prevents falls occurring, and should be first choice for use wherever possible.
Fall Arrest
Fall arrest systems enable work at or near a fall hazard using equipment designed to limit the extent and consequences of a possible fall, when used correctly with the proper training.
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A fall arrest system physically links the user to the workplace structure by a series of interconnected components which together protect the user, should a fall occur, by applying an arresting force and deceleration through a specified arrest distance.
In the event of a fall, the three objectives of a fall arrest system when used correctly are:
? To prevent workers reaching a hazard by arresting the fall.
? Absorb the energy of the fall to reduce impact on the worker. Personal fall protection systems standard, EN 363, requires the impact force on the user to be no more than 6 kN.
? Have a minimum distance of deceleration: this distance will vary depending on the fall arrest system used.
In the simplest terms:
? Work restraint – No fall hazard.
? Fall arrest – Fall is possible; Personal Fall Protection Equipment (PFPE) will limit the consequences.
Work restraint systems are generally considered the safest option, as they remove the fall hazard, and therefore should be first choice wherever possible.
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2 年I absolutley prefer wearing fall-arrest systems, but to use them as a fall-restraint system. I don't know each time the exact situation and have no intention to change my PPE. Or I come across different situations at the same workplace. Lanyards with energy-absorbers and most guided type fall arresters including a flexible anchor line (but not the automatic fall-arresters) can be used in this way.