Fall protection

The three links of a fall protection system

Personal fall protection only works if all three components are right. The harness according to EN 361 distributes the forces over your body and has a D-ring on the back or chest. The connecting device absorbs the fall: a lanyard with a shock absorber according to EN 355 or a fall arrest block according to EN 360 that follows your movement and locks on a fall. The anchor point according to EN 795 must be able to bear the forces; a pipe bracket or roof edge rarely is.

Always calculate the free fall clearance: the length of the lanyard, plus the extension of the shock absorber, plus your own body length and a safety margin. If that clearance isn't there, choose a system that prevents the fall rather than catching it.

Inspection and rescue plan

Fall protection must be inspected by a competent person at least annually, with a record kept. In addition, you check the equipment yourself before each use for damage, corrosion and legible labels. Also think about what happens after a fall: anyone left hanging in a harness is at risk of suspension trauma within a short time, so make sure a rescue plan and the means for it are in place.

Veelgestelde vragen

From what height is fall protection mandatory?

In the Netherlands, a fall hazard applies from 2.5 meters, and lower when there's extra risk, for example above water, protruding parts or traffic. First you look at collective protection such as railings or scaffolding; only when that's reasonably not possible do you use personal fall protection.

What do I minimally need for a fall protection set?

Three components: a harness according to EN 361, a connecting device with a shock absorber according to EN 355 or a fall arrest block according to EN 360, and a sound anchor point according to EN 795. Equally important is the free fall clearance beneath you: if that's too small, you'll hit the ground before the shock absorber has done its job.

Can I keep using fall protection after a fall?

No. A harness, lanyard or fall arrest block that has absorbed a fall is taken out of service immediately, even if nothing is visible: the shock absorber has stretched and the material is stressed to its core. The same applies if there's doubt about a piece of equipment's history.

Waarvoor dienen suspension trauma-banden?

Suspension trauma-banden zijn lussen die je aan je harnas bevestigt en na een val uitklapt om in te staan. Zo verplaats je je gewicht van de beenbanden naar je voeten, waardoor de bloedsomloop in je benen minder wordt afgekneld. Dat geeft meer tijd tot de redding en verkleint de kans op hangtrauma. Ze vervangen geen reddingsplan.

Mag ik een vallijn met valdemper zelf verlengen?

Nee, een vallijn met valdemper mag je niet verlengen of aan een tweede lijn koppelen. Volgens EN 355 is de totale lengte inclusief valdemper en verbindingshaken maximaal 2 meter. Een langere combinatie vergroot de valafstand, waardoor de valdemper het niet meer kan opvangen en je de grond of een obstakel kunt raken.

Staat jouw vraag er niet bij? Stel hem aan onze specialisten.

The three links of a fall protection system

Inspection and rescue plan

Veelgestelde vragen

Welcome