Fall Arrest System

Fall Arrest Systems

For working at great heights, fall arrest systems are designed to safely stop a person from serious injury after a fall has occurred. These systems are essential for areas where the risk of falling cannot be fully eliminated, since they are designed to protect workers in the event of a fall from heights of 3 metres or more. These systems include a harness, lanyard or inertia reel, and an anchor point.

A fall arrest system is used whenever a worker needs to work at heights, especially a worker who may need to reach some potentially dangerous area to perform a task. It is crucial for anyone working at heights to have fall arrest protection in the event that they experience a fall.

Our Fall Arrest Systems Include:

Safety Harnesses		Lanyards		Anchorages
Inertia Reels		Ropes & Ropelines		Confined Space Equipment

The Difference Between Fall Arrest and Fall Restraint Systems

While they may seem the same, there are clear differences between fall arrest and fall restraint systems. A fall restraint system prevents the person from reaching the edge by limiting their movement, ensuring they stay outside the fall hazard zone. A fall arrest system allows a fall to occur but safely stops the worker before they hit the ground by limiting the fall distance and controlling the forces involved.

Both approaches require correct design, installation and use. Training is essential. In the hierarchy of control, restraint is preferred because it prevents exposure. Use arrest only when elimination, passive protection or restraint are not reasonably practicable.

The Five Main Components of a Fall Arrest System

• A – Anchor: A rated point of attachment that can withstand arrest loads. This may be a single-point anchor, a static line or an overhead rail.
• B – Body Harness: A full body harness is designed to secure a worker to a fall protection system, protecting them in the event of a fall by evenly distributing fall forces across the worker’s body.
• C – Connector: A lanyard, self-retracting lifeline and other hardware like karabiners and anchorage connectors.
• D – Deceleration Devices: Deceleration devices, such as shock absorbers, are designed to reduce the impact forces on a worker’s body during a fall, helping to minimise injury.
• E – Emergency Plan: A clear method to recover a person quickly. Roles, equipment and steps must be defined before work starts. Practice the plan. Fast rescue reduces risk.

All components must be compatible, installed by a competent person and maintained according to the manufacturer’s instructions and the relevant standard.

Main Types of PPE for Fall Arrest Systems

Safety Harness 

The safety harness is the foundation of any fall arrest setup. It distributes the force of a fall evenly across the body and keeps the worker upright after arrest. Safemaster offers a selection of certified full-body harnesses suitable for general maintenance, construction, and confined-space entry, all designed for comfort and durability.

Lanyards

Acting as the connecting link between the harness and the anchorage point, lanyards form a key part of the fall arrest system. They include integrated energy absorbers that minimise shock forces during a fall. Safemaster stocks a wide range of lanyards including adjustable, twin-tail and shock-absorbing types, each tested for compliance and ease of use.

Anchorage

Anchors are the secure attachment points of a fall arrest system. They must withstand high dynamic loads and be installed by a competent person. Safemaster designs and supplies a variety of anchorage solutions to suit different structures, from roof-mounted anchors to portable and temporary systems, all rated and tested to Australian requirements.

Inertia Reels

Also known as self-retracting lifelines, inertia reels are an integral part of modern fall arrest systems. They allow greater mobility while maintaining constant tension on the lifeline and lock immediately in the event of a fall, limiting free-fall distance. Safemaster’s inertia reels are available in multiple lengths and configurations, ideal for frequent access and maintenance work.

Ropelines

Rope-based fall arrest systems, allow controlled movement in fall arrest and work positioning applications. Safemaster provides durable kernmantle and static rope systems complete with compatible rope grabs and connectors, ensuring safe and reliable performance.

Confined Space Equipment

For workers entering tanks, pits or shafts, Safemaster offers complete confined-space rescue and fall arrest setups. These include tripods, winches, and retrieval blocks, providing both fall protection and a safe recovery option during emergency situations.

Each of these systems is designed to integrate seamlessly, allowing workers to stay protected while maintaining productivity on site.

Australian Standards for Fall Arrest Systems

Fall arrest equipment and systems used in Australia must comply with the AS/NZS 1891 series for industrial fall arrest systems and devices. AS/NZS 4488.2:1997 provides the framework for rope-based fall arrest and access systems, outlining how to specify, select and maintain rope components to ensure safety and reliability. Safemaster supplies and certifies a wide range of personal fall arrest systems in accordance with Australian Standards to meet your site requirements.

Important Considerations for Setting up These Systems

When setting up a fall arrest system, fall factors and fall distances are critical factors to be considered. The lower the anchor in relation to the human body, the greater the fall distance will be. By minimising the height of the fall, the speed will be reduced at the point when the arrest event starts. The worker must ensure there is sufficient distance between the work surface and any surface below to enable the system, including the action of any shock absorber, to deploy fully, without the worker hitting the below surface.

Properly Training Your Workers

In order for the fall arrest system to properly protect workers, training is crucial as it allows workers to have an in-depth understanding of how to use the equipment, as well as being better prepared to deal with a fall incident if it occurs. When selecting a fall arrest system, it’s important to consider who will be using the system, the type of work that needs to be accomplished at the site, and how many people will be involved with different jobs at heights.

Get Reliable Fall Arrest Equipment Today

Safemaster offers a huge range of personal protective equipment for workers to use in a fall arrest work application. Click the links below to browse our comprehensive range of fall arrest equipment OR range of personal protective equipment for fall arrest work applications. If you have an enquiry you can contact us here or call us on (08) 6243 3111 today.