An Introduction to

Personal Fall
Protection Equipment

About WorkSafeBC
WorkSafeBC (the Workers Compensation Board) is an independent provincial statutory agency
governed by a Board of Directors. It is funded by insurance premiums paid by registered employers and
by investment returns. In administering the Workers Compensation Act, WorkSafeBC remains separate
and distinct from government; however, it is accountable to the public through government in its role of
protecting and maintaining the overall well-being of the workers compensation system.
WorkSafeBC was born out of a compromise between B.C.s workers and employers in 1917 where
workers gave up the right to sue their employers or fellow workers for injuries on the job in return for a
no-fault insurance program fully paid for by employers. WorkSafeBC is committed to a safe and healthy
workplace, and to providing return-to-work rehabilitation and legislated compensation benefits to
workers injured as a result of their employment.

WorkSafeBC Prevention Information Line

The WorkSafeBC Prevention Information Line can answer your questions about workplace health
and safety, worker and employer responsibilities, and reporting a workplace accident or incident. The
Prevention Information Line accepts anonymous calls.
Phone 604 276-3100 in the Lower Mainland, or call 1 888 621-7233 (621-SAFE) toll-free in
British Columbia.
To report after-hours and weekend accidents and emergencies, call 604 273-7711 in the Lower Mainland,
or call 1 866 922-4357 (WCB-HELP) toll-free in British Columbia.

An Introduction to

Personal Fall
Protection Equipment

WorkSafeBC Publications

Many publications are available on the WorkSafeBC web site. The

Occupational Health and Safety Regulation and associated policies and
guidelines, as well as excerpts and summaries of the Workers Compensation
Act, are also available on the web site: <www.worksafebc.com>
Some publications are also available for purchase in print:
Phone:
604 232-9704
Toll-free phone: 1 866 319-9704
Fax:
604 232-9703
Toll-free fax:
1 888 232-9714
Online ordering: <www.worksafebc.com> and click on Publications;
follow the links for ordering
1995, 1997, 1998, 2005 Workers Compensation Board of British Columbia.
All rights reserved. The Workers Compensation Board of B.C. encourages
the copying, reproduction, and distribution of this document to promote
health and safety in the workplace, provided that the Workers Compensation
Board of B.C. is acknowledged. However, no part of this publication may
be copied, reproduced, or distributed for profit or other commercial
enterprise, nor may any part be incorporated into any other publication,
without written permission of the Workers Compensation Board of B.C.

2005 edition
Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication Data
Main entry under title:
An introduction to personal fall protection equipment. -[1995] Irregular.
Issues for 19951998 have subtitle: Safety belts,
harnesses, lanyards and lifelines.
WorkSafeBC.
ISSN 1715-8494 = An introduction to personal fall
protection equipment
1. Falls (Accidents) - Safety measures. 2. Safety
appliances. 3. Industrial safety - Equipment and
supplies. 4. Scaffolding - Safety measures. I. Workers
Compensation Board of British Columbia. 5. Industrial
safety - British Columbia. II. Title: An introduction to
personal fall protection equipment : safety belts,
harnesses, lanyards and lifelines. III. Title: Personal
fall protection equipment.
T55.3.F22I57

363.11' 72'09711

C2005-960228-7

An Introduction to Personal Fall Protection Equipment

- ii -

Contents

Introduction ................................................................................... 1
How long does it take to fall? .................................................... 1
Fall restraint or fall arrest? ......................................................... 2
Written fall protection plan ......................................................... 2
Safety belts ................................................................................... 2
When to use a safety belt .................................................................... 2
Inspecting your safety belt .................................................................. 2
Putting on a safety belt ....................................................................... 4

Full body harnesses ..................................................................... 4

When to use a full body harness ........................................................ 4
Using the right full body harness ....................................................... 5
Inspecting your full body harness ...................................................... 5
Putting on a full body harness ............................................................ 6

Lanyards and anchors ................................................................. 6

Using the right lanyard ....................................................................... 6
Inspecting your lanyard ...................................................................... 7
Personal shock absorbers .................................................................... 8
Carabiners ........................................................................................... 9
Anchors ............................................................................................... 9

Lifelines .......................................................................................... 10
Vertical lifelines .................................................................................. 10
Rope grabs ........................................................................................... 11
Swing-fall hazard ................................................................................ 12
Retractable lifelines ............................................................................. 13
Horizontal lifelines.............................................................................. 13

After a fall ...................................................................................... 14

An Introduction to Personal Fall Protection Equipment

- iii -

Introduction

How long does it take to fall?

The Occupational Health and Safety Regulation

requires workers to use a fall protection system
where they could fall at least 3 m (10 ft.) or
where a fall from a lesser height may result in
serious injury.

Many workers believe that they have time to

regain their balance before they fall this is not
always true.
The following table indicates how far you can fall
in just a few seconds:

This booklet is an introduction to the proper use

of personal fall protection equipment. Do not use
this booklet as a substitute for the Occupational
Health and Safety Regulation concerning fall
protection, or for the manufacturers instructions
specific to the equipment you are using.
In addition, workers must be trained thoroughly
in the safe use and limitations of personal fall
protection equipment, including safety belts,
harnesses, lanyards, and lifelines.

Time

Distance

Distance

(seconds)

(metres)

(feet)

0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
4

1.2
5
11
20
31
44
78

4
16
36
64
100
144
256

You may not have time to grab hold of something

safe, but you can still prevent a tragedy. Properly
maintained and worn, a safety belt or full body
harness attached to a secure anchor could save
your life.

An Introduction to Personal Fall Protection Equipment

-1-

Fall restraint or fall arrest?

Fall restraint systems prevent you from falling.

Examples include:
Work-positioning systems using either safety
belts or full body harnesses that attach you
to an anchor and leave both your hands free
to work
Travel-restriction systems of guardrails or
personal fall protection equipment used to
prevent you from travelling to an edge from
where you may fall

Instructions to workers on how to safely use

the equipment, and
Instructions on how to rescue a worker who
has fallen and cant initiate self-rescue

Safety belts
When to use a safety belt
You must never wear a safety belt in a fall arrest
situation. If you fall into a safety belt, you could
still suffer severe back and abdominal injuries.
Restrict the use of safety belts to fall restraint
systems only. If theres a chance you could fall,
install guardrails or wear a full body harness in a
properly configured personal fall protection system.

Fall arrest systems protect you after you fall by

stopping the fall before you hit the surface below.
Examples include:
Full body harnesses connected by lanyards or
lifelines to secure anchors
Safety
nets

In choosing a fall protection system, you should

first consider installing guardrails or barriers.
They provide a high degree of protection once
installed properly. However, installing guardrails
or barriers at a work site is not always practical
that is when you may need personal fall
protection equipment.

Inspecting your safety belt

Written fall protection plan

Inspect your belt before each use. Check

the buckle, the webbing, the D-rings, and
the manufacturers label for additional user
information.

A written fall protection plan is required prior

to using a personal fall protection system for
work with a potential fall hazard of 7.5 m (25 ft.)
or more.

If the belt is damaged or worn, do not wear it.

Note: A safety belt that meets CSA Standard
Z259.1 is acceptable to WorkSafeBC.

The written plan should identify:

Potential fall hazards on the job
Types of fall protection systems to be used

An Introduction to Personal Fall Protection Equipment

-2-

Buckle

D-rings

Make sure the buckles tongue overlaps the

buckle frame, moves freely, and is not bent or
worn down. Check the roller to make sure it
turns freely on the buckle frame.

Check to see whether D-rings are bent, cracked,

nicked, or gouged.
Do not use safety belts that show signs of
damage.

Manufacturers label
Inspect the manufacturers label on the belt. The
manufacturers label on a CSA-approved safety
belt will contain the following information:
Manufacturer or vendor identification
Belts waist size
Material the belt is made of
Date the belt was manufactured
Model number
Warning not to be used for fall arresting

Webbing
Look for frayed, cracked, cut, burned, or
otherwise damaged webbing.

An Introduction to Personal Fall Protection Equipment

-3-

Putting on a safety belt

Full body harnesses

Before putting the belt on, make sure you have

the right size.

When to use a full body harness

Fasten the belt snugly around your waist. Wear

it high on your waist, not low around the hips or
pelvic area. Position the belt buckle at the front of
your body, and make sure the belt tail is secure in
the belt loop and not hanging out loosely.

When using personal fall protection equipment,

wear a full body harness if you are at risk of falling.
A full body harness consists of straps passed
over the shoulders, across the chest, and around
the legs. In a fall, a full body harness protects you
more than a safety belt, because it distributes the
force of impact over a greater area of your body.

An Introduction to Personal Fall Protection Equipment

-4-

Using the right full body harness

The arrows on the shoulder straps point to the

only D-ring on the harness designed to safely
arrest a fall.

A full body harness designed to arrest falls

should have
A back-mounted D-ring located between the
shoulder blades
The letter A stenciled on each shoulder
strap below the D-ring
An arrow stenciled above each letter A
pointing up at the D-ring

This is a full body harness worn to arrest falls.

Note that the D-ring is located between the
shoulder blades.

Inspecting your full body harness

Inspect your harness before each use. Check
the buckles, the webbing, the D-rings, and
the manufacturers label for additional user
information.
If the harness is damaged or worn, do not wear it.
Buckles
Many full body harnesses have interlocking
buckles called friction buckles. Look for bent,
cracked, or nicked buckles. Test the buckles to
make sure the coupling is secure.

An Introduction to Personal Fall Protection Equipment

-5-

Webbing

Note: A full body harness that meets CSA

Standard Z259.10 is acceptable to WorkSafeBC.

Look for frayed, cracked, cut, burned, or

damaged webbing, and loose or broken stitching.

Putting on a full body harness

Adjust all hardware and straps so the harness fits
snugly, but still lets you move freely. Tuck in all
loose straps so they dont snag or cause you to trip.
Hook on to the harness D-ring (marked A)
designed to arrest falls.

Lanyards and anchors

Look for bent, cracked, nicked, or gouged rings.

A lanyard is a flexible line of webbing or a

synthetic or wire rope used to secure a safety belt
or full body harness to a lifeline or anchor.

Manufacturers label

Using the right lanyard

Inspect the manufacturers label on the harness.

The manufacturers label on a CSA-approved full
body harness will contain the following information:
Manufacturer or vendor identification
Size of the harness
Date the harness was manufactured
Model number

A lanyard that meets the requirements of

CSA Z259.1 is acceptable to WorkSafeBC.

D-rings

Keep lanyards as short as possible to reduce the

distance you could fall. Try to arrange the lanyard
to limit a free fall to no more than 1.2 m (4 ft.)
in a fall arrest situation.
When using a wire rope lanyard for fall arrest, a
personal shock absorber must be incorporated
as part of your personal fall protection system in
order to keep the arrest force at a safe level.

Some harnesses are designed to serve more than

one purpose. Check the manufacturers label for
the harnesss classification.
Group A
Group D
Group E
Group L
Group P

Fall arresting
Controlled descent
Confined entry (raising and lowering)
Ladder climbing
Work positioning

An Introduction to Personal Fall Protection Equipment

-6-

Inspecting your lanyard

Rope or webbing

Inspect the lanyard before each use. Check

the rope or webbing, the snap hooks, and
the manufacturers label for additional user
information.

Inspect along the length of the lanyard and

the eye splices. If you have a three-strand rope
lanyard, carefully twist the rope open to look for
worn, broken, or cut fibres. Do not overtwist, or
you could permanently deform the rope.
Web lanyards should be discarded if the webbing
has cuts or holes, is worn or frayed, or if the
load-bearing stitches are damaged.
If you find any signs of deterioration, burns, or
broken or damaged strands, or if you have any
reason to suspect the lanyard, do not use it.

An Introduction to Personal Fall Protection Equipment

-7-

Snap hooks

Manufacturers label

CSA Standard Z259.1 requires snap hooks to

be self-locking to prevent accidental roll-out.
Roll-out can occur when small D-rings, or other
attachment hardware, cause the snap-hook
gate to push open in a twisting action thus
separating the two components.

The manufacturers label on a CSA-approved

lanyard will contain the following information:
Manufacturer or vendor identification
Length and diameter (if applicable) of
the lanyard
Material the lanyard is made of
Date the lanyard was manufactured
Model number
Warning any unit which has seen fall
arrest service should not be used after
such service

Personal shock absorbers

A shock absorber slows and cushions the fall,
reducing the force of stopping the fall.

Personal shock absorbers are often made of

tear webbing. In a fall, specific stitch patterns
in the webbing absorb the force of impact and
progressively tear apart.

Warning: The shock absorber may increase

the length of the lanyard by as much as 1.2 m
(4 ft.) during a fall. Refer to the label on the
shock-absorbing unit to determine the maximum
elongation. Allow for this extra fall distance when
you include a shock absorber in your personal
fall protection system.
Note: A personal shock absorber that meets CSA
Standard Z259.11 is acceptable to WorkSafeBC.

An Introduction to Personal Fall Protection Equipment

-8-

Carabiners
A carabiner is an oblong-shaped connecting
device used to attach different components of a
personal fall protection system.
A carabiner meeting the requirements of
CSA Z259.12 is acceptable to WorkSafeBC.
A carabiner should:
Have gates that are both self-closing and
self-locking
Have a breaking strength of at least 22 kN
(5,000 lb.)
Have the manufacturers identity and load
capacity clearly marked on it
Inspect your carabiner before each use. Make sure
it is free of damage, deformities, or excessive wear.

* 22kN

Anchors
An anchor what you connect your lanyard or
lifeline to is a key element of any personal
fall protection system. An anchor may consist
of a load-rated strap or sling wrapped around a
substantial structural member on a building.
An anchor may also be a manufactured
component that permanently or temporarily
attaches to a structure.

An Introduction to Personal Fall Protection Equipment

-9-

Lifelines

Selecting an anchor
The selection of a suitable anchor depends on
whether you want to restrain or arrest a fall.

A lifeline is a length of synthetic fibre or steel

wire rope attached to an independent point
of anchorage. A lifeline is typically used in
conjunction with a fall arrest device, such as a
rope grab.

If you want to prevent or restrain yourself

from falling, your anchor must be capable
of supporting at least 3.5 kN (800 lb.) or,
alternatively, the equivalent of four times the
weight of the worker.

Vertical lifelines

If you want to arrest a fall, your anchor must be

capable of supporting at least 22 kN (5,000 lb.).
Alternatively, when the potential arrest forces are
known, an anchor that is capable of supporting
the equivalent of two times the maximum arrest
force generated by a falling worker is acceptable.
For example, the manufacturer will specify
the maximum arrest force on personal energyabsorbing devices in the fall arrest system.
Note: The anchor values above do not apply to
horizontal lifeline systems, as the potential
forces imposed on the anchors of a horizontal
lifeline can be much greater than those for
personal fall restraint and arrest systems. See
page 13 for information on acceptable horizontal
lifeline systems.

Vertical Lifelines
Using the right vertical lifeline
The rope used as a vertical lifeline in a personal
fall arrest system requires a minimum breaking
strength of 26.7 kN (6,000 lb.). The reason for a
breaking strength greater than that of the anchor
is to allow for eye splices and knots tied in the

An Introduction to Personal Fall Protection Equipment

- 10 -

Rope grabs

rope at the anchor end. Splices and knots will

weaken a rope; so, additional capacity of the
lifeline is required.

A rope grab is a device that travels along a lifeline

and will lock onto it in the event of a fall. Rope
used with all rope grabs must be the diameter
specified by the manufacturer. Ensure the rope
grab is installed on the rope in the correct
orientation so the top of the device is installed
pointing toward the anchor.

The following is good industry practice for the

safe use of a vertical lifeline:
No knots or splices in the lifeline except at
the termination points
Attach each lifeline to an independent point
of anchorage
Only one worker connected to a vertical
lifeline
The lifeline should extend to within 1.2 m
(4 ft.) of the ground or safe lower landing, and
If the suspended length of a lifeline exceeds
91 m (300 ft.), lanyard length, and the effects
of wind, rope construction, and strength must
be taken into account

The two most commons types of mechanical rope

grabs are automatic and manual.

Inspecting a vertical lifeline

Exposure to sunlight causes most synthetic fibre
ropes to deteriorate over time. Before each use,
carefully inspect your lifeline to make sure it is in
good condition. Look for signs of chafing or
abrasion, cuts in the yarns or strands, or any visible
deformities that would weaken the rope or interfere
with the free movement of the rope grab.
If you have any doubts about the condition of the
lifeline, do not use it.

An Introduction to Personal Fall Protection Equipment

- 11 -

Swing-fall hazard

An automatic (or mobile) rope grab moves

freely along the lifeline with you. If you fall, it
locks automatically and stops you after a short
distance. If you are using an automatic rope grab,
it is recommended that you limit your lanyard to
0.6 m (2 ft.) in length.

Be careful not to tie off to an anchor in such a way

that if you fall, youll swing into an obstruction.
This is called a swing-fall hazard. A swing fall can
be as harmful as falling to the ground.

An automatic rope grab meeting the requirements

of CSA Standard Z259.2.1 is acceptable to
WorkSafeBC.
A manual rope grab does not move freely with
you. It is always in a locked position on the
lifeline and must be re-positioned by hand.
Manual rope grabs are best suited for use in fall
restraint systems.
The Canadian Standards Association (CSA)
considers manual rope grabs to be rope adjusting
implements. They are not covered by a CSA
Standard, but are acceptable for use when operated
in accordance with the manufacturers instructions.

An Introduction to Personal Fall Protection Equipment

- 12 -

Retractable lifelines

Horizontal lifelines

A retractable lifeline is a specific type of vertical

lifeline that works somewhat like the seat-belt
of a car. The lifeline is coiled inside a protective
housing. As you move up or down, the lifeline
extends or retracts. The line is under constant
tension and leaves no slack.

A horizontal lifeline consists of a synthetic or wire

rope, or fixed rail, rigged between two substantial
anchor points. These lifeline systems allow the
worker to move horizontally along the work
surface while being connected to the lifeline.
Horizontal lifelines and their anchors may
be subject to extreme force in the event of
a fall. Therefore, all permanently installed
horizontal lifeline systems must be certified by a
professional engineer.

The moment you fall, the lifeline locks and stops

your fall after a short distance. Many retractable
lifelines have fall indicators on their protective
housings. Do not use the lifeline if the indicator
shows that a fall has occurred. After a fall, the
manufacturer or the manufacturers authorized
agent must inspect the lifeline and approve it for
continued use.

Temporary horizontal lifeline systems are

acceptable if they are:
1. Manufactured for commercial distribution,
and installed and used according to the
written instructions provided
2. Installed and used according to the written
instructions of a professional engineer, or
3. Installed and used according to each of the
following requirements:
The horizontal lifeline is a minimum
12 mm (12 in.) diameter wire rope having
a breaking strength specified by the
manufacturer of at least 89 kN (20,000 lb.)

Always use a retractable lifeline block in the

vertical position, unless specifically allowed for
by the manufacturer.

An Introduction to Personal Fall Protection Equipment

- 13 -

After a fall

The horizontal lifeline is free of splices

except at the terminations
Connecting hardware, such as shackles
and turnbuckles, has an ultimate load
capacity of at least 71 kN (16,000 lb.)
The span is at least 6 m (20 ft.) and not
more than 18 m (60 ft.)
End anchors have an ultimate load
capacity of at least 71 kN (16,000 lb.)
The horizontal lifeline has an unloaded
sag of approximately the span length
divided by 60
The elevation of the line at any point is at
least 1 m (39 in.) above the working surface
The free fall distance is limited to 1.2 m
(4 ft.)
A minimum of 3.5 m (12 ft.) of
unobstructed clearance is available below
the working surface
No more than three (3) workers are
secured to the horizontal lifeline
The horizontal lifeline is positioned so
it does not impede the safe movement
of workers

After a fall, immediately remove from service all

equipment used to arrest the fall. You cannot use
the equipment again until its been inspected and
approved by the manufacturer or other approved
agent, or by a professional engineer.

An Introduction to Personal Fall Protection Equipment

- 14 -

R09/05

Printed in Canada

BK60