A tie-back connector is a versatile piece of fall protection equipment that serves two functions:
- Standard Connector: Functions as a self-retracting lifeline (SRL) or energy absorbing lanyard.
- Anchorage Connector: Acts as an anchorage connector by wrapping around a rated structure (I-beams or columns) and attaching back to itself.
Tie-back connectors completely remove the need for a separate anchorage device, streamlining the equipment workers require on the job. Whether looping securely around an I-beam, wrapping around a concrete column or attaching to other suitable structures, these connectors are extremely versatile and eliminate the need for a separate anchor. Unlike standard lanyards, these connectors are specially designed with locking snap hooks capable of withstanding forces when tied back into their own webbing. Standard hooks, on the other hand, lack this capability, as the gate – the weakest point of the hook – can bend or fail under the stress of a fall.
OSHA states:
“Unless a snap hook is a locking type specifically designed for the purpose of tying back into a lanyard, it shall not be engaged directly to webbing, rope, or wire rope.”
This means only connectors specifically designed for tie-back use are safe and compliant.
Under no circumstances should a user ever tie a connector back into itself unless that connector is specifically designed for that purpose.
