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Risk Assessment The fall arrest devices listed here are designed to protect people’s lives. The equipment should be selected, used, maintained and stored by competent and properly trained personnel who will carefully: 1 Assess the fall risks on the site, taking into account working conditions and hazards. 2 Define an appropriate fall arrest system for the job and provide an appropriate rescue plan. 3 Preferably select all system components from the same manufacturer. 4 Check the equipment selected complies with the laws and standards in force, or is suitable for the proposed work. 5 Check the conditions of use of the system by reading and complying with the instructions supplied with the components, ensuring the equipment is only used under conditions and in operations for which it is suitable. 6 Provide the user with initial and continuing training necessary for handling, using, maintaining and storing the equipment entrusted to him. 7 Select reliable anchorage points located as close as possible to the user and if possible above the user having a minimum static strength at failure of at least 1,500 daN. 8 Check carefully each of the system components before each use, and maintain an inspection programme taking into consideration the conditions of use. 9 Avoid users working alone. 10 Store under conditions that will not alter the system components. 11 Prevent any modification of a system component without prior agreement from the manufacturer. 12 Remove from use any product that has been used in a Fall or has a Defect or has been Damaged. EN 363 - Fall Arrest Systems Set of personal protective equipment against falls from a height, linked to one another and intended to stop a fall. A fall arrest equipment must contain at least a full body harness and a fall arrest device. EN 365 - Inspection/Maintenance It is an obligation for the following to be carried out: 1st Level - The user must visually check the PPE before every use. 2nd Level - During use, the PPE must be inspected at a minimum of once per year by the manufacturer or by a competent person, this inspection must be recorded. EN 795(B) - Anchorage Devices - Class B An anchor device with one or more stationary anchor points without the need for structural anchor(s) or fixing element(s) to fix it to the structure, e.g. a webbing sling. EN 813 - Sit Harness Harnesses intended for use where free-fall is not used – in particular, work positioning/restraint and for use in abseiling or rope access. EN 362 - Connectors Connection element or equipment component. A connector can be a karabiner or a hook. Standards .......................................................................................................................... EN 12841/C Rope access systems - back up devices EN 341 Descenders EN 354 - Shock Absorbers Connection elements or equipment component. A lanyard can be in rope made of synthetic fibers, in metallic rope, in strap or in chain. Anyone working where there is a risk of a fall... Caution: A lanyard without energy dissipating element must not be used as a fall arrest equipment. EN 354 - Lanyards Component of a fall arrest equipment, which guarantees the stop of a fall from a height in safety by reducing the impact of the shock. EN 358 - Work Positioning Systems A work positioning system consists of components (work positioning belt and lanyard) linked to one another to form a complete equipment. EN 360 - Retractable Type Fall Arresters Fall arrester with self locking device and a self-retractable system for the lanyard. An energy dissipating element can be built-in to the equipment. EN 361 - Full Body Harness Body gripping device intended to stop falls. The full body harness can be made of straps, buckles and other elements , set and adjusted in a right way on the body of an individual to hold him back during a fall and afterwards. Legislation and Standards To conform with European legislation, all Fall protection that is supplied as Personal Protective Equipment must comply with the Personal Protective Equipment Directive [implemented into UK law by The Personal Protective Equipment (EC Directive) Regulations 1992] and be CE marked on the fall protection, or on the packaging when this is not practical. TOWER Fall Information 42 Making the difference