Posted By Paul Gil
Hi all,

At present we have a problem with scaffolders wearing the standard shock absorber lanyard which deploys after fall, this is normally 2 M long + height of individual+ length of lanyard = 5 metres, therefore fall arrest is useless at heights below 5.5 m.

Safe working methods are used, however,can anyone advise of a product available on the market to be used by scaffolders working a heights below 5.5 metres, when working without edge protection, erecting/ altering/ dismantling etc.

I was thinking of the seat belt type lanyards often used by steel fixers etc,

Grateful for any advice

Posted By Edward H
Your calculation is correct, but don't forget that the distance is measured from the attachment point not the platform height. There are now a number of systems that allow scaffolders to attach to a vertical scaffold standard at above head height. Some of those systems require a fitting to be attached to the standard ideally that should be bolted on before the standard is erected.

Be careful with the "extendable lanyards" a.k.a. inertia reels or retractable fall-arrest. Most are capable of extending to more than 2m, so if the wearer moves say 3m from the attachment and falls they will swing in an arc, hitting various bits on the way before ending up at least 3m below the reel; the reels take a short time to lock-up and also contain shock absorbtion. All of the above tend to require similar clearances for reels as for fixed lanyards... the key is to clip high [or use advance handrail system]

Posted By Susan Oxley
advanced guard rail system maybe in some instances?