Archives: FAQs

Archives: FAQs

Fall Protection: This general term covers all methods of protecting workers against a fall, including both passive and active systems. Note that this use of “fall” references one from height.  

Fall Arrest: This is an active fall protection system that arrests or stops a body from hitting a lower surface once a fall has occurred. This system typically includes: [1] an anchor point or series of anchor points; [2] a connector such as an energy-absorbing lanyard or SRL; and [3] bodywear such as a harness.

Fall Restraint: This is an active fall protection system that focuses on keeping a worker from getting close to a fall hazard in order to avoid a fall. These systems use many of the same elements as a fall arrest system. They are most often designed with specific-length lanyards and are utilized on a walking or working surface such as an open rooftop, platform or other surface near a fall hazard. 

Archives: FAQs

Passive Fall Protection: This is a system that is fixed (stationary) and does not require worker interaction, such as a guardrail, hole cover or netting system.  

Active Fall Protection: This type of system is mobile and requires a worker to use specific equipment. Fall arrest and fall restraint systems are two types of active fall protection.

Archives: FAQs

Determining fall clearance is perhaps the most important aspect of fall protection. If not properly calculated, the wrong equipment could be selected for a particular job and, in the event of a fall, the result could be devastating. 

Fall clearance is the minimum distance needed for equipment to arrest (or stop) a fall and keep a worker from striking the ground or the next lowest surface. It is not a simple distance calculation. There are many factors to consider, such as: 

  • Free Fall
  • Lanyard Length
  • Deceleration Distance/Arrest Distance
  • Harness Stretch
  • Height of Worker (Working Surface to Dorsal D-Ring)
  • Safety Factor
  • Swing Fall Drop Distance

If the distance between the anchor point and nearest obstruction is less than the determined fall clearance, the fall arrest system will not protect a worker from hitting a lower surface. 

View examples below on how to calculate fall clearance for Class 1 (overhead) SRLs, Class 2 (below D-ring) SRLs, 6′ and 12′ free fall lanyards.

View Fall Clearance Chart

View examples below on how to calculate fall clearance for Class 1 (overhead) SRLs, Class 2 (below D-ring) SRLs, 6′ and 12′ free fall lanyards.

View Fall Clearance Chart

Another consideration are situations known as swing falls. A swing fall occurs when an anchorage point is not directly above a worker. The nature of these falls means that adjusted calculations must be made. 

View examples below on how to calculate fall clearance for Class 1 (overhead) SRLs, Class 2 (below D-ring) SRLs, 6′ and 12′ free fall lanyards.

View Fall Clearance Chart

Another consideration are situations known as swing falls. A swing fall occurs when an anchorage point is not directly above a worker. The nature of these falls means that adjusted calculations must be made. 

View examples below on how to calculate fall clearance for Class 1 (overhead) SRLs, Class 2 (below D-ring) SRLs, 6′ and 12′ free fall lanyards.

View Fall Clearance Chart

Archives: FAQs

Yes. The FS-EX311 can be used with any Safewaze roofing kit. However, the user must be aware that the structure to which the FS-EX311 is being attached must meet all pertinent OSHA, ANSI and local regulations and standards pertaining to anchorage strength.  

OSHA 1926.500 and 1910.66 states, “Anchorages used for attachment of a personal fall arrest system (PFAS) shall be independent of any anchorage being used to support or suspend platforms and must support at least 5000 lbs. (4kN) per user attached; or be designed, installed and used as part of a complete PFAS which maintains a safety factor of at least two and is supervised by a qualified person.”

Archives: FAQs

No. Both OSHA and ANSI standards indicate that two or more snap hooks should not be connected to each other. A snap hook needs to align with the applied load to which it is connected. If the snap hook is attached to the eye of another hook it may not be able to move or rotate when a load is applied, breaking the connection and causing a hazardous situation. 

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A pelican hook usually refers to a hook with a large gate opening, typically in the 60 mm (2-2 ¼ in.) range. These types of hooks are often referred to as “rebar” hooks due to their association with and common incorporation into rebar chain assemblies. These assemblies are used for work positioning when tying rebar.

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ANSI Z359 defines a snaphook as “a connector comprised of a hook-shaped body with a normally closed gate or similar arrangement that may be opened to permit the hook to receive an object and, when released, automatically closes to retain the object.” 

Snaphooks typically “snap” closed and generally come in two types:    

  1. Automatic-locking: These hooks have a self-closing and self-locking gate which remains closed and locked until intentionally unlocked and opened for connection or disconnection. Required by ANSI Z359.
  2. Non-locking: These hooks have a self-closing gate which remains closed but not locked until intentionally opened for connection or disconnection. Not permitted by ANSI Z359.

A double-locking snaphook is an automatic-locking hook. The “double” refers to the two-step action required to unlock and open the gate. It also refers to the self-closing and self-locking operations that take place once the hook is released. 

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A tongue buckle used with grommets and a pass-through closure are the most common forms of fasteners currently found on full body harnesses. 

Tongue buckle fasteners incorporate a traditional belt-buckle style closure. They have a prong that fits into a metal grommet which has been inserted into the fabric of the harness. This is a reliable method of closure with the condition of being binary in terms of sizing. There is no room for adjustment between the grommets. With this type of fastener, harness sizing adjustment is typically easier, especially when wearing gloves. 

Pass-through, or parachute buckles, feature a male/female closure system. The male end passes through the opening in the female buckle creating closure between the two ends. Placement of the web through the buckle typically provides for a higher degree of custom adjustment than tongue buckle fasteners with grommets. Also, use of these buckles tends to reduce the overall weight of the harness depending upon the materials. Pass-through buckles are standard chest strap fasteners on the majority of harnesses. 

The term “parachute buckle” is sometimes used to describe more contemporary fasteners utilizing a male and female attachment where the female component incorporates a mechanical latching system to hold the male component in place. 

Archives: FAQs

Based on extensive testing, Safewaze harnesses are certified at a user weight rating of 85-420 lbs. including clothing and equipment in accordance with OSHA and ANSI guidelines.

OSHA regulation and ANSI standard both specify a standard maximum combined weight of user, clothing, tools and equipment of 310 lbs. OSHA allows an exception for a higher capacity provided that equivalent protection is provided and validated by the manufacturer. The ANSI Z359 Fall Protection code requires individual end-user weight ratings within 130 lbs. to 310 lbs. The primary concern around increasing weight capacity involves potential health risks from complications of orthostatic intolerance (suspension trauma) that could be experienced by a worker weighing more than 310 lbs.

Many full body harnesses manufactured in the United Sates can support additional weight safely. The determining factor in a successful fall arrest for a user in such a situation is the capability of the energy absorbing self-retracting lanyard. When a deceleration device limits maximum arrest forces to less than 1800 lbs. and prevents the user from hitting the next lower lever or an object in the fall path, the harness functions properly in the event of a fall.

Note that Safewaze products are labelled in accordance with ANSI 130-310 lbs. and OSHA maximum weight capacity of 420 lbs. We have conclusively determined that our equipment maintains an average arrest force within or below the required standards and have verified user weights from 85- 420 lbs. For any further questions on user weights on a personal fall arrest system rated outside the ANSI 130-310 lbs. range, please consult a Safewaze fall protection specialist.

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