Personal protective systems against falls from a height protect the user against falls from a height by preventing or arresting falls. In particular:
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Fall arrest is the action which prevents the user from hitting the ground, a structure or other obstacles during a fall.
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Fall prevention is the action which stops the user from approaching an area where there is a risk of falling.
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Work positioning is the action which allows the operator to work tensioned or suspended in a way that avoids falls.
A personal protective system against falls consists of an assemblage of components which are either permanently connected to each other or can be separated. It is comprised of: body harness, secure anchorage point and connection system.
FALL ARREST SYSTEM |
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A system that arrests falls and limits the impact force on the body of the user during fall arrest. The main characteristics of a generic fall arrest system are as follows: In particular, a fall arrest system includes: body harness, secure anchorage point and connection system. |
RESTRAINT SYSTEM |
A system which prevents falls from a height by limiting the user’s movement. The main characteristics of a generic restraint system are as follows: A restraint system must be assembled in such a way as to prevent the user from reaching areas or positions where there is a risk of falling from a height. Any suitable body harness and any suitable lanyard may be used. In particular, a restraint system includes: body harness, secure anchorage point and connection system. |
WORK POSITIONING SYSTEM |
A system which allows the user to work tensioned or suspended in a way that avoids falls. The main characteristics of a generic work positioning system are as follows: |
The personal protective system against falls from a height consists of an assemblage of connected components; for the system to work correctly certain essential factors must be taken into consideration, such as the clearance, the fall factor and the pendulum effect, and how they interact with each other. The assessment of these factors determines which components should be assembled to give adequate protection.
CLEARANCE AND FALL FACTOR |
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CLEARANCE (min H) |
FALL FACTOR |
FALL FACTOR 0
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FALL FACTOR 1 |
FALL FACTOR 2 |
PENDULUM EFFECT |
The dangerous oscillation the user would be subjected to if the anchorage point is not fixed vertically with respect to the actual position of the user. Such lateral oscillation could expose the user to dangerous collisions with close obstacles of different kinds, causing a range of injuries. Often, given the nature of the work zone, it is not possible to secure an anchorage point vertical to the position of the user; in this case oscillation can be prevented by using to different anchorage points situated on both sides of the user. |
FALL ARREST SYSTEM |
Fall arrest devices are employed simultaneously in order to prevent the injurious fall to the ground of the user. |
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RESTRAINT SYSTEM |
Fall restraint devices are employed simultaneously in order to prevent the user from reaching a position where there is a risk of falling. |
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WORK POSITIONING SYSTEM |
Work positioning devices are employed simultaneously in order to maintain the user in a sustained and stable position, enabling them to use both hands while working and in such a way as to prevent a free fall. |
DORSAL ATTACHMENT POINT |
Device with a single rear dorsal attachment point for fall arrest. |
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DORSAL AND STERNAL ATTACHMENT POINTS A/2 |
Device with two attachment points for fall arrest, one on the rear and one on the front (obtained by connecting two semi-attachment points A/2). |
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DORSAL AND LATERAL ATTACHMENT POINTS |
Device with three attachment points. One on the rear for fall arrest and two lateral points for restraint and work positioning. |
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DORSAL, STERNAL A/2 AND LATERAL ATTACHMENT POINTS |
Device with four attachment points, one on the rear and one on the front (obtained by connecting two semi-attachment points A/2) for fall arrest, and two on the side for restraint and work positioning. |
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LATERAL ATTACHMENT POINTS |
Device with two lateral attachment points for restraint and work positioning. |
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