Fall Protection Forum

For people who have had a fall arrested while working at height, suspension trauma can be avoided in one of two ways: prompt rescue (i.e. within 15 minutes) or properly using trauma relief straps. Suspension trauma is caused by a worker’s blood getting caught in their legs and becoming toxic…

Fall protection systems are designed to keep people safer while they work at height. But, if the systems are not used properly, there can be some very deadly consequences. There are a startling number of reports of people who have died while using a fall protection system or some form…

This blog was originally posted on 10/22/2014 and reviewed 3/9/2021. Disclaimer: The staff of Rigid Lifelines are not medical experts. If a worker is experiencing suspension trauma, seek medical assistance immediately. Historically, rescue planning is the part of a fall protection program that most workplaces forget. This forgotten planning usually…

Self-retracting lanyards (SRL) are the form of fall arrest device that is required for use with all Rigid Lifelines fall protection systems. In order to ensure that your fall arrest device is functioning at its peak performance, it’s crucial that you inspect your equipment thoroughly before each use. After any…

Because of the similar structure of material handling cranes and engineered track fall protection systems, it can seem more efficient to use a fall protection system for the purposes of material handling. However, there are unique design differences between equipment used for fall protection and material handling. The design difference…

Shock absorbing lanyards are commonly used devices for fall arrest. In several specific fall protection applications, shock absorbing lanyards are actually the preferred device. As with anything in the fall protection industry, it’s important to inspect your equipment before each use. When equipment is used without a preliminary inspection, there…

Picking out a rooftop fall protection system can be a little overwhelming because most safety personnel know that they need to protect rooftop workers, but they don’t always know what the best solution might be. As a result, some people may feel it’s easier to simply avoid finding a fall…

Almost everyone in the world has performed a task in a manner that is unsafe. Whether you’ve stood on a wheeled office chair to change a light bulb or used two-by-fours to prop up your car while you change a flat tire, the fact remains that sometimes people will choose…

Regardless of where you’re working, it’s always important to have confidence in your fall protection equipment. One of the best ways to have that confidence is to know what can damage a fall protection system. When fall protection systems are installed in a coastal location, there are several situations that…

The pros and cons of using fall protection in the workplace sparks a surprising amount of debate among people who work at height. At first, it can seem like there are a lot of rules and regulations that need to be followed. And the process of obeying those rules and…

Rescuing a worker post fall arrest can be a difficult task. As a result, there are many places where people work at elevation while using a fall protection system, but often there is no plan to get that person if their fall is arrested on the system. One of the…

Lots of fall protection providers offer different types of programs and training courses for their customers. Often times, a course will cover one specific area of fall protection. One of the most popular classes is a “Competent Person” training course where workers and other safety professionals can learn the basic…