Restraint and Fall Protection Systems

Restraint and fall protection systems have an essential differentiating factor.

A restraint system protects users from a fall while a fall protection system protects users in case of a fall.

When using a fall protection system, users have maximum mobility for their work. They can get at areas where there is a risk of fall, e.g. at roof edges while maintaining a rain drain. In case of a fall, the worker is caught by the system and can be rescued.

A restraint system only allows work in areas, where the possibility of a fall is excluded.

Restraint systems are therefore not suitable for preventing falling off dangerous areas. This applies for maintenance work of rain drains at roof edges, dangerous structures as well as around roof windows or ventilation shafts.

During the installation process of restraint systems their ability for fall protection should also be tested in order to protect people in case of improper use with e.g. too long ropes for reaching the roof edge.

Restraint systems need to be mounted at least 2 m from the falling edge. Usually user are connected to the system with a 1,5 m rope.