December 31, 2004—The UK’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued a warning on the importance of following manufacturers’ instructions on the use of fall arrest equipment, in particular systems based on twin-tailed, energy-absorbing lanyards. The warning has been prompted by a recent incident in Australia, where a worker was killed when his lanyard failed.
An energy-absorbing lanyard is a line for connecting a full body harness to an anchorage point with an in-built, in-line device that reduces the impact of a fall. Twin-tailed lanyards enable users to move freely whilst remaining clipped on at all times. However, their incorrect use can result in the protection afforded by the energy absorbance being by-passed and the full force of a fall transmitted to the body. This may also cause equipment failure, with potentially fatal consequences.
Advice on inspection and deterioration of lanyards can be found in the HSE leaflet “Inspecting fall arrest equipment made from webbing or rope” [450kb] (Ref.INDG367), available from HSE Books.
