Fc < 6 kN Fc < 6 kNFc > 6 kN Fc > 6 kNFc < 6 kN Fc < 6 kNFc > 6 kN Fc > 6 kN
GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF WORK AT HEIGHT
Clearance disregarded
Clearance
Lanyard with ABSORBICA-I or Y energy absorber
JANE or PROGRESS lanyard without energy absorber
Example for 100 kg
Suspension
Work Positioning
Fall Arrest
The user is working while suspended when they no longer have any weight on their feet, but are supported primarily by the harness. The load is thus shared between the waistbelt and the leg loops/ seat.
A work-positioning system supports the user and allows them to be precisely positioned with the weight on their feet. This system is not designed to arrest a fall; the user must keep their body weight on the positioning system.
The work-positioning system must be used together with a fall-arrest system.
Warning You must have understood and retained the information from your products Instructions for Use to be able to apply the techniques presented in this document.
Learning appropriate techniques and methods of protection is your own responsibility. Petzl solutions are given for information purposes only, with no guarantee of their effectiveness in your specific working situation. The relevance of these solutions varies by context, so always carry out your own risk assessment in the field
Mastering the techniques presented here requires specific training and practice. Work with a specialized organization for all of your training activities.
The fall-arrest system is a belay system that is independent of the means of progression or work positioning.
The fall-arrest system prevents the user from falling to the ground in the event of a fall. Its role is to arrest the fall while limiting the impact force experienced by the user. It must therefore be used with enough clearance to allow for an unobstructed fall.
General Information About Falls The risk of falling is a key concept to master when working at height. The severity of a fall depends on independent factors:
The weight of the user, including equipment:
The greater the weight, the more energy to be dissipated during the fall.
The length of the fall:
The longer the fall, the more energy to be dissipated during the fall. The risk of hitting an obstacle is also greater.
The position relative to the anchor:
When the worker moves above their anchor, the severity of the potential fall increases. The fall factor concept is sometimes used to describe the worker s position relative to the anchor and the severity of the fall. This concept applies to climbing, restraint, or work-positioning situations, when a dynamic rope lanyard is used.
Precautions for the type of system used: the Instructions for Use specify the limitations for use of equipment, particularly in terms of fall distance and the worker s position relative to the anchor.
Restraint A restraint system limits the work zone, to help prevent the worker from entering an area that may present a fall risk. This system is not designed to arrest a fall from height.
Impact Force A fall-arrest system helps limit the impact force sustained by the user.
It is typically made up of an energy absorber that tears in order to limit the forces over a given stopping distance.
A dynamic rope lanyard has a low capacity for energy absorption. Its use requires taking great precautions: reducing the potential fall distance and staying in a work position below the anchor.
A webbing lanyard or a cable with no capacity for energy absorption cannot be used to arrest a fall.
Clearance Clearance is the minimum amount of clear space below the user that prevents the user from hitting an obstacle in the event of a fall.
Clearance takes into account: - Weight of the user - Length of the fall - Tearing length of the energy absorber - Average height of the user - Safety margin of 1 meter
Clearance Value
The tearing length of the energy absorber, depending on the fall, can only be known based on the manufacturer s information; this is why a clearance estimate is suggested in the Instructions for Use for each fall-arrest device.
Anticipating the Means of Rapid Evacuation Limiting the effects of inert suspension:
In the event of a fall where the worker loses consciousness or is incapacitated, inert suspension in the harness presents a mortal danger requiring an urgent response. Work teams must be equipped and trained to quickly evacuate an injured team member.
Evacuating a victim without assistance:
Procedures for evacuating workers should be determined whenever a new worksite is established.
Releasable systems can be created when installing work ropes to allow evacuation from below.
Working alone must be prohibited: a worker may find themselves alone at height, but at least one person trained in evacuations should be present and equipped on site.
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To learn more about calculating clearance, see the technical information available at www.petzl.com
