FALL ARREST SYSTEMS

We are Sydney's FALL ARREST
Systems Specialist with the best Service, Professional Advice and Product Range.

WHAT IS A FALL PROTECTION SYSTEM?

Working safely at heights must be a priority for anyone working where you can fall from one level to another that can cause injury or death.

Recent fatalities and the resulting significant fines and even imprisonment for those who neglected the safety of their employees emphasise the necessity of adequate fall protection systems on your site.

A fall protection system is designed to catch a worker in the unfortunate event of a fall limiting the chances of an injury or death.

The Hierarchy of Control was implemented to give a greater understanding of preferred methods when identifying hazards and how we should deal with them.

Hierarchy of Control

As you can see, the Hierarchy places elimination of the hazard as main priority.

When Working at Heights, the main objective is to remove the physical risk from the worker.

If this cannot be obtained, working through the hierarchy utilising each step is vital to reduce the probability of a fall.

Now let us dive into PPE from the above hierarchy of control for working at heights.

PPE or Personal Protective Equipment is the last resort on the hierarchy of control as it exposes the worker to the greatest risk to the hazard.

When implement PPE for Working at Heights, there are two (2) main options:

No1 Roofing & Building Supplies
SafetyLink Fall Protection Equipment

WHAT IS A FALL RESTRAINT SYSTEM?

Fall Restraint System (as per AS/NZS 1891.4 restraint technics)  is exactly what is says, it’s designed to restrain the worker from accessing the fall edge of a roof or structure by the way of restraining rope lines etc.

This is the preferred method of the two as it poses the least risk to the worker.

While this method reduces the risk of fall over the edge, there is still a risk of a worker falling through a roof (Skylight sheets for example) as the surface maybe damaged via rust, deteriorated etc roofing structure.

WHAT IS A FALL ARREST SYSTEM?

Tools for fixing height safety equipment

A Fall Arrest Systems is very similar to a fall restraint system with the only different being that the worker can not only reach the fall hazard but fall over the edge.

With this risk in place, its vial that the system includes absorption units such as a shock pack or self-retracting lifelines (SRL’s).

These units are designed to reduce the energy generated during a fall in which reducing the loads transferred onto the body.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FALL ARREST AND FALL RESTRAINT?

The difference between the two is more about technique than the equipment.

Both techniques (arrest and restraint) require you to have the same ratings for anchor points, both require full body harnesses and shock absorption units.

For more information on this, please refer to standard AS/NZS 1891.4 or consult us for more information

EQUIPMENT INSPECTION

How often should fall protection equipment be inspected?

Regular safety inspections of all fall protection equipment are mandatory. Harness gear, equipment, and rope and webbing elements need to be inspected at least every 6 months.

For inspections on anchor points, staticlines and rail system. It’s best to refer to the manufacturer’s instructions. There it will outline the inspection requirements.

If you’re using fall arrest equipment in a corrosive environment, then you will need to increase the frequency of inspections.

SAFETY TRAINING

Fall protection equipment must be used correctly to protect your workers.

That’s why all staff working at heights must have completed a Working At Heights Competency Training Course through a Registered Training Organisation (RTO).

For more information, contact your nearest RTO provider for Working At Heights

HARNESS

All fall arrest harnesses must meet ASNZS1891.1. This will ensure that the webbing and any stitching or other joins will hold up under severe impacts of a fall.

A full body harness is part of a fall protection system is designed to reduce the possibility of injury due to constriction.

All harnesses have a maximum permitted life of 10 years. Check the label of any harness for the following information:

  • Serial number and compliance with ASNZS 1891.1
  • Manufacture date and information
  • Final date for removal of harness

Roof Workers Safety Kit

LANYARDS

Lanyards are a critical part of the fall protection system as it provides the connect between your anchor and your anchor.

The lanyard should always contain a shock absorber which is designed to reduce the energy generated in a fall to 6kN or below.

Even when working in restraint, a shock absorber most be within the system.

FrogLink Roof Anchors

ANCHORS

Anchor points come in a wide variety of types and designs and are suitable for metal, tile and concrete roofs. As stated in the Australia standards ASNZS 1891.4, The minimum requirement for an anchor point is 15kN.

Remember, anchor points must be inspected and recertified every 12 months.

View All Anchor Point Products

FrogLink Anchor Points

QUALITY FALL PROTECTION SYSTEMS

Here at No1 Roofing and Building Supplies we offer a wide range of quality fall protection systems and protective equipment.

We can also offer expert height safety advice to help you comply with all height safety legislation.

We offer some of the best height safety equipment solutions around so come and talk to us about how to keep your staff safe.

Free Design & Planning for Safety Height Equipment with No1 Roofing

EXPERT FALL PROTECTION PLANNING

EXPERT FALL PROTECTION PLANNING (FREE SERVICE)

No1 Roofing in partnership with SafetyLink’s design and planning team are here to help work out the positioning of your fall protection system.

Ensuring all areas of your roof are accessed safely.

Things to consider when planning your roof layout:

  • Are all areas of your roof protected, allowing complete access when working at heights?
  • Are you protected from the ground up, allowing complete access to your roof?
  • Detailed comprehensive documentation provided e.g. installation guides, testing results, product sheets should be provided.
  • No1 Roofing can also provide you with a qualified and reputable installer of SafetyLink products.

Contact our team at sales@no1roofing.com.au for more information.

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