How Do I Test My Rigid Track Fall Arrest Equipment?

Load testing has its place in an industrial facility. Load tests are important and necessary in the realms of material handling cranes. However, when it comes to fall protection, you don’t actually need to perform a drop test on the system (OSHA and ANSI Z359 have said so). As long as the system has been designed by a Qualified Person and properly inspected before each use, no test is required. But, if you have a policy with your company where you need to perform a load test, we’ll help you determine your options.

As with most things in life, there’s an expensive and a cheap way to do things. Both forms of load testing are equally logical and both show you the capabilities of your system. Ultimately, it will boil down to your company protocol requirements and the budget that’s available. Lucky for you, we will cover both.

In a broad inspection, it’s important to know the two types of tests that can be performed. A static fall protection test is a test that places a weight or force on an anchorage point. Usually, some sort of hoist or hydraulic jack will be required to place that weight or force on the anchorage point. You can also use a scissor lift if that is easier and you have the resources. But, you will need to find some method of placing the weights or force on the anchorage point once the fall protection system is installed. The second type of test is a dynamic fall protection test. This test is a bit intense because it involves both lifting a weight into position and then releasing the weight into a free fall by using a quick release mechanism. However, if you have the means of accomplishing this sort of test, please go for it.

If you have a one person rigid track fall arrest system, you can use either a static proof load test or a dynamic performance test to sample the capabilities of your system.

In order to conduct a static proof load test, a competent person will need to connect a hoist or winch to a trolley. In order to pass the test, the trolley will need to hold a 900 lb weight for one minute. Assuming that everything is functioning correctly, the trolley and the track will support this gently applied load without any catastrophic failures or permanent deflections. In fact, the system is tested for these sorts of capacities (if not higher) by the rigid track manufacturer on a regular basis.

A dynamic performance test is accomplished when a competent person drops a 220 lb test weight on a rip-stitch lanyard after a 6 foot free fall. We recommend using a rip stitch lanyard instead of an SRL simply because the rip-stitch lanyard is less expensive than an SRL to consume. However, you can also perform this test with an SRL if it is required by company policy. But remember, you might not be able to use that SRL again after a high-capacity dynamic proof test has occurred.

If you have a system that is designed for two or more people, you should consult the manufacturer to ask them for logistical information about load testing such systems.

IT’S ALWAYS A SMART PRACTICE TO CONSULT WITH THE SYSTEM MANUFACTURER TO DETERMINE THE STATIC WEIGHT THAT SHOULD BE USED FOR LOAD TESTING YOUR SYSTEM.

PLEASE NOTE: Both wire rope and high static-weight engineered track systems must have a Qualified Person direct the testing process. Their guidance will ensure that the proper measures are being considered during the testing process. If you need to perform a fall protection system load test for your company (since it isn’t required by OSHA or ANSI), please remember to document the various details of the load test you performed in a report or your notes and consult with the manufacturers of the equipment being tested. It’s always a good idea to have documentation of system performance tests.

Thank you for reading! Remember to stay safe out there!

Hannah Addison