I would appreciate any opinions out there on the use of FABA fall arrestor systems on vertical ladders > 2m high (access only, not working from). Do you believe them to be best practice or do you rely on hoops? Do you have any ladders with fall arrest fitted as well as hoops? Do you experience any problems with FABA fall arrest systems and do you have a minimum height ladder before installation is considered? I'm aware that EN353:1 has been withdrawn but installations are still going ahead under the standard and as far as I'm aware fall arrest systems are still considered to be best practice. I'd love your opinion. Thanks Cathy

There is some research out there that suggests ladder hoops should not be relied upon: http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrpdf/rr258.pdf However my experience is that opinion is divided and some of our roofing contractors insist that hoops are a valubale part of the cat ladder! Clearly a fall arrest system offers better protection against falls, it'll be a risk based decision as to whether you implement them or not.

Jake: You state that "Clearly a fall arrest system offers better protection against falls...". Could I ask what you base this on? I have seen the HSE research about hoops - but I've also seen a number of reports of failure in fall arrest systems (those designed with vertical wires and 'runners' to which a lanyard is attached). Some of these failure are systemic design failings, others are failures of individual units... Some installed fall arrest systems apparently will not arrest falls (or will not arrest within the specified fall distance). On that basis, I suspect a hoop system - even with the risks described and graphically shown in the HSE research - may actually offer better protection! Especially since hoops are visbily either there or not there, whilst fall arrest wires, runners, clamps and etc need periodic inspection and maintenance and even then may fail-to-danger on the one occasion they are needed to work in anger. I have no axe to grind on this issue - except that I have been waging a long-running campaign AGAINST the fitting of 'permanent fall arrest' wires on new transmission towers, since they will require more frequent access for inspection and maintenance of the system than we need to inspect and maintain the towers!. We don't use hoops either - we currently rely on well trained teams using twin lanyard "clip clops..". Steve Steve

Hi Steve Ashton makes a good point. Ensure any controls used do not create more of a safety issue than the original problem. In your risk assessment, follow the WAH Regs and guidance, and prove you have done this. In the past I have used twin lanyards (like the Absorbica Y)for climbing ladders, and if required to work at height from them, a work position harness would be used as well.

Hi Colin It makes interesting reading as I currently work offshore a vast majority of drilling derricks use the rising rail type of system so I will make inquiries into if they are the same type and what the inspection regime is.