Choosing a fall protection connector can be challenging – we recommend starting with our blog, Choosing A Connector. The connector blog covers types of connectors (both SRLs and lanyards) along with fall restraint versus fall arrest, calculating fall clearance, environmental conditions and types of hazards.
Once a need for a lanyard (rather than an SRL) is identified, there are still several key factors that influence which type of lanyard is required.
What is a Lanyard?
Lanyards are essential components of fall protection systems, providing a connection between the worker and an anchorage point. A lanyard is a flexible line made of webbing, rope or cable. They are usually a fixed length, generally lightweight and often used when workers need to easily move around a work area. Depending on the use, they may include an energy absorbing system, either internal or external. Lanyards come in both single and dual leg style with a wide variety of anchor connection hooks including tie-back options.
Fall Arrest vs. Fall Restraint vs. Positioning
Lanyards are commonly used in both fall arrest systems and fall restraint systems as well as for work positioning. A basic understanding of each of these terms is important when choosing a lanyard.
Fall arrest literally means to stop a fall. A fall arrest system is fall protection designed to safely stop a person who has already fallen. This system includes a harness, connecting device with an energy-absorber such as a lanyard or SRL and anchorage. These systems are critical where a risk of falling from an elevated height exists and the hazard cannot be eliminated.
In the event of a fall, the system uses energy-absorbing components to slow down and stop the fall, reducing the impact force on the worker’s body to levels within industry compliance in order to minimize injury.
Fall restraint means to hold back a worker so they cannot fall. A fall restraint system, also known as a travel restraint system, is fall protection designed to prevent a worker from reaching a fall hazard. This system includes a harness, restraint lanyard without an energy absorber and anchorage.
Unlike fall arrest systems, fall restraint systems are proactive – they are designed to prevent a fall by restricting the worker’s access to the fall hazard. This system restrains the worker’s movement to within a safe zone, an area where the risk of falling is eliminated.
Positioning is a type of fall restraint used to increase work efficiency. A positioning system is fall protection designed to keep a worker in a fixed position at height so they can more easily perform work with their hands. A positioning system is also often used with a fall arrest system.
Choosing between fall arrest, fall restraint and positioning systems depends on both the nature of the work and the work environment. Restraint is preferred when the work can be conducted with restricted movement from within a safe area thereby removing the fall hazard. Proper training, equipment maintenance and industry compliance are critical in ensuring the effectiveness of each of these systems.
Energy Absorbing vs Non-Energy Absorbing Lanyards
A key deciding factor when choosing a lanyard is whether it has an energy absorbing system, also called a shock absorbing system (the terms shock and energy are often used interchangeably) as well as whether that system is internal or external.
- Energy Absorbing Lanyard: These lanyards are equipped with a built-in shock absorber to reduce impact forces on the worker and reduce injury in a fall. The shock absorber is designed to slow the deceleration of the fall, reducing the force transmitted to the worker and the anchorage point. Shock absorbing lanyards are frequently used in general fall protection scenarios where the fall distance and forces must be controlled, such as in construction, maintenance and industrial settings.
- Non-Energy Absorbing Lanyard: This type of lanyard is used for fall restraint because the worker is kept from reaching the fall hazard, there is no possibility of a fall so no shock-absorption is needed.
Internal vs. External Energy Absorbing Lanyards
In fall protection systems, the distinction between internal and external energy absorbing lanyards relates to where the energy absorption mechanism is located and how it functions.
- Internal Energy Absorbing Lanyards: These lanyards have the shock absorbing component built into the material of the lanyard itself. The integrated energy absorption means there is no visible external shock pack. These lanyards are often compact and lightweight, providing the worker with greater mobility.
- External Energy Absorbing Lanyards: These lanyards have a visible shock absorbing component located outside of the lanyard material, such as a pouch or shock pack. These lanyards are generally heavier due to the housing of the external energy absorber.
The key differences between an internal and external shock absorbing system include size, weight and flexibility. Lanyards with internal systems are typically lighter and more streamlined than those with external systems while the external systems may offer greater flexibility in styles. Choosing between internal and external energy absorbing lanyards often depends on specific requirements for the job as well as personal preference for comfort and mobility.
Single Leg Lanyard vs Dual Leg Lanyard
A single leg lanyard has two connection points: one that attaches to the worker and another that attaches to the anchorage. A dual leg lanyard has three connection points: one connection point for the worker and two connection points for anchorage. The two hooks, or connection points, on a dual lanyard allow the worker to remain continuously connected when moving between anchor points such as in tower climbing and on rooftops. This continuous connection, also known as 100% tie-off, ensures a worker is tied-off, or connected, 100% of the time when working at height and is required for OSHA compliance.
Lanyard Material
Fall protection connectors such as SRLs and lanyards are manufactured in a variety of materials to best fit both the work and the work environment. Lanyards are commonly made of webbing and can also be made of cable, rope or other materials for specialty applications.
- Webbing: Web lanyards are typically made of high-strength synthetic materials such as nylon or polyester. Specialty materials and coatings are easily combined with traditional webbing. Web lanyards are lightweight, flexible and non-conductive, plus the web material is less likely to damage working surfaces. They may be less durable when coming in contact with sharp or abrasive edges and may be damaged by UV exposure.
- Cable: Cable lanyards are made from metal, most commonly galvanized or stainless steel and can be coated with PVC or nylon for added longevity. They are corrosion resistant and durable in harsh conditions as well as protected against abrasive and sharp edges. Cable lanyards are conductive and often heavier than their web counterparts, and the rigidity can interfere with movement.
- Rope: Rope lanyards are often made with polyester or poly blends. They are lightweight, flexible, non-conductive and non-damaging to surfaces but generally not as durable as web or cable. A wear sleeve can help protect the rope and add longevity. Rope lanyards can be used with a shock absorber for fall arrest and are often used for positioning and restraint applications.
- Specialty Materials: These materials may include coated webbing, cable, chain or rope as well as emerging materials such as wire rope. Extreme environments may require lanyards that are non-corrosive, non-conductive or resistant to high temperatures or icy conditions.
Lanyard Length
Selecting the proper length for a fall protection lanyard is based primarily on the work radius required and the fall clearance needed for worker safety, which factors in whether the anchorage is at foot level or overhead. The type of work being performed, system requirements and worker preference are also factors to consider.
The lanyard length must also be appropriate for the distance the worker needs to travel from the anchor point for the specific work being performed. Generally speaking, the shortest lanyard option should be utilized for best mobility and to decrease entanglement and trip hazards.
The most common lanyard length is 6-foot, however, lanyards are also available in 3-foot, 4-foot or adjustable lengths. A 3-foot lanyard limits the free fall distance and keeps the worker close to the anchor point, ideal for environments with limited clearance. An adjustable length lanyard allows for flexibility when the distance varies and is also more common in restraint applications.
6-Foot vs 12-Foot Free Fall Comparison
A 6-foot free fall lanyard is designed to safely arrest a fall when anchored at or above the dorsal D-ring, limiting the free fall distance and reducing impact forces on the worker. A 12-foot free fall lanyard, however, is engineered specifically for scenarios where the anchor point is below the dorsal D-ring, increasing the free fall distance and generating higher forces. These lanyards incorporate additional energy absorption capability to safely manage the increased fall distance and greater impact energy, ensuring worker safety in more demanding work-at-height scenarios.
Choosing the Right Lanyard
Choosing a suitable fall protection lanyard can be a complex process with a variety of options. Once you determine that a lanyard is the right connector, you still need to determine what type of lanyard based on the application (fall arrest or fall restraint?), what material (web or cable?), what length (determine your fall clearance) and what type of shock absorption when using a lanyard for fall arrest in a fall protection system. If you need further assistance selecting the right lanyard for your specific need, contact us to speak with a fall protection expert.
