Fall arrest devices, such as harnesses, guardrails, safety nets, and warning lines, protect people from falling and being injured in industries like construction, performance art, and sports. Harnesses are the most common restraint system, while guardrails physically block falls, safety nets cushion falls, and warning lines serve as a visual reminder of elevated surfaces.
A fall arrest device is a device designed to protect people from falling. There are restraint systems designed to prevent falls and others that work to prevent a person from being injured when a fall occurs. Some of the more common fall arrest devices are harnesses, guardrails, and safety nets. These devices are used by several industries, especially construction, performance art and sports such as rock climbing, where people are suspended high above the ground and are at risk of death or injury if they fall.
The most commonly used type of fall arrest restraint is a harness. Slings can fit around a person’s legs and waist or around the legs, waist and shoulders. While there are harnesses that fit just around the waist, these don’t offer much protection and can cause injury if a person falls. To be used as a fall arrest device, a harness must be properly attached to a stable beam or wire that can safely support the person’s weight. Construction, the performing arts, and sports commonly use harnesses as their primary fall restraint system.
Guardrails can also be used as a type of fall arrest safety device. These restraints prevent a person from falling by physically blocking them and providing something to hold on to. Areas where falls are not likely, such as cliffs or elevated outdoor areas, may only use rails to prevent falls. Areas where dangerous falls are likely, such as construction sites, should use rails in conjunction with another type of restraint that can successfully keep a person safe in the event of a fall.
Safety nets can be used to prevent a person from being injured in a fall. These nets are placed below the surface where people stand or walk and can catch a person falling from the surface. The flexible material of the net cushions the fall, preventing serious injury.
Warning lines are also used as a type of fall arrest safety device. These lines serve as a visual reminder that the person is near the edge of an elevated surface. They also provide slight physical resistance although they are usually not strong enough to catch a falling person. On roofs, a sliding guard, which comes off the edge at an upward angle, can be used as a physical block to prevent objects or people from sliding off the roof.
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