Swing Falls: Problems and Solutions

Fall protection systems are a wonderful protection method for people who work at height. But, those systems are only as good as their correct installation and use. When a fall protection system is installed and used correctly, a worker should be able to have their fall arrested with minimal consequences. However, in the event that a system is installed incorrectly or workers do not use the equipment properly, there is the possibility for a swing fall to occur. 

According to ANSI Z359.0, definition 2.190, swing falls are, “A pendulum-like motion that occurs during and/or after a vertical fall. A swing fall results when an authorized person begins a fall from a position that is located horizontally away from a fixed anchorage.” 

And definition 2.191 describes swing fall distance as, “The vertical drop in height experienced by the worker using a fall arrest system from the onset of the swinging motion to the lowest point reached during the swing.”

A swing fall is dangerous because a worker is gaining momentum before they smack into a nearby object or structure. Things like walls, columns, large pieces of equipment, and vehicles are all objects that a worker could potentially hit during a swing fall. And if a worker were to have impact with those objects, they could suffer from bruising, broken bones, concussions, and even death (if they hit extremely hard). As a result of these potential injuries, it’s important to try and prevent workers from experiencing a swing fall.

This event tends to occur when a worker attempts to access an area outside of where their fall protection can travel. The goal with installing a fall protection system is to make sure that the system covers any area that a worker will potentially need to access as they are doing their job. But, there are times when a worker may need to access an area outside of the coverage of their fall protection system. And if a worker falls while their lifeline is at an angle, that worker will be at an increased risk for swinging into something during the fall event.

Here at Rigid Lifelines, we encourage our users to stay within a 30° off-plumb angle from an overhead anchorage point (“Off Plumb,” is the industry term for a lifeline that is not exactly perpendicular to an anchorage). If a worker tries to access an area at height that is outside of the perimeter of their track, their connection cable or web-strap will probably be at an angle. As soon as that cable or web strap is at an angle more than a few degrees off-plumb, workers will be at an increased chance for having a swing fall. To keep the trolley directly over the worker’s head, the system needs to be designed so that it travels over the entire length of a workspace. By having a system that keeps the trolley directly over the worker’s head, there will be fewer opportunities for a worker to experience a swing fall.

Additional anchorage points or another overhead fall protection system should be used in the event that one overhead system cannot cover the entire work area. Additional system connection points can potentially reduce the chance of a swing fall because workers won’t be putting their lifelines at angles. And not having a lifeline at an angle will limit the potential pendulum-like motions for a falling worker.

The physical position of the system in the facility has a large role in whether or not a worker is going to collide with another object during a potential swing fall. Taking the position of the system into consideration during the design and installation process should allow a majority of these damages to be avoided. But, workers also need to be trained properly to ensure that they understand the importance of having the trolley directly overhead and not having their lifeline at an angle as they are working.

Fall protection systems are an excellent way to protect people who need to access and work at dangerous heights in the workplace. But, it is crucial that careful planning and considerations occur to ensure that enough of the required work space has been covered by the fall protection system. Thorough system coverage will allow a worker to effectively and safely do their job.

Until the next time, stay safe up there!