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prads  
#1 Posted : 21 December 2022 10:04:02(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
prads

Can a full body harness be used without a shock absorber up to a certain height limit taking into account the fall distance?

Appreciate all/any expert feedback on this.

peter gotch  
#2 Posted : 21 December 2022 10:14:51(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
peter gotch

Morning Prads

I've been around long enough to remember when safety belts were considered OK in many circumstances.

I guess that if you could manage to justify the use of a safety belt then you could probably justify not having a shock absorber in a full body harness in 2022.

But, I doubt that you will find anything with a degree of authority in print saying that this is a sensible choice of full body harness.

Possibly time to read whatever EN, ANSI or other standard is relevant.

thanks 1 user thanked peter gotch for this useful post.
prads on 21/12/2022(UTC)
SteveForrest  
#3 Posted : 21 December 2022 13:05:55(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
SteveForrest

Could you not work in restraint using a fixed length lanyard?

arnoldisnumerouno  
#4 Posted : 23 December 2022 05:25:24(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
arnoldisnumerouno

What type of work at height is being carried out? Working from a MEWP? Working on a roof? Different scenarios may lead to more specific guidance
Pirellipete  
#5 Posted : 23 December 2022 08:20:17(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Pirellipete

So a lanyard with no shock absorber is Fall Restraint isn't it ??  and not Fall Arrest

Which is fine as long as there's no danger of them actually falling off the edge/whatever and being left dangling, which is what Fall restraint is meant to do

Any fall from any height in a harness with no shock absorber is likely to have some negative effect on the wearer IMO, I'm sure we've all seen the viral pics of  'de-gloving'

Edited by user 23 December 2022 08:23:00(UTC)  | Reason: added text

bigpub  
#6 Posted : 03 January 2023 14:06:00(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
bigpub

What does the risk assessment state? Is there a rescue plan?

SteveL  
#7 Posted : 04 January 2023 14:12:20(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
SteveL

We use full body harnesses with restraint lanyards for fall prevention and retractable hook blocks or lanyards for fall arrest. The distance of teh possible fall must be taken into account as well as possible pendulim swing. 

Energy absorbing lanyard length 2m, energy absober within lanyard = 1.75m distance from D shackle to feet = 1.5m. Safety distance 2m. If lanyard attached 1m above D shackle fall distance of 6.25m minimum required to make use of absorbing lanyard practicable. Restraint lanyard length = Diastance from anchor point for lanyard attachement to required working area to prevent access to leading edge. 

As previously mentioned a rescue plan is required for retrieval, rescue of fallen person. 

http://www.wahsa.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/WAHSA-TGN04-Guidance-on-the-use-of-single-and-twin-energy-absorbing-lanyards.pdf

thanks 2 users thanked SteveL for this useful post.
peter gotch on 04/01/2023(UTC), SteveForrest on 04/01/2023(UTC)
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