Essential Shock Absorbing Webbing Lanyard, 1.8 m, Steel Scaffold Hook

BUYER'S GUIDE

Using Lanyards and Energy Absorbers Correctly

A lanyard is the connecting element between the harness and the anchorage point and can be used for fall arrest or restraint, depending on the product chosen. Fall arrest lanyards include an energy absorber that stops the fall while keeping the force on the worker's body below 6kN.

1. Choose by category: shock absorbing lanyards for fall arrest, leading edge kernmantle rope lanyards near sharp edges, work positioning lanyards for hands-free work, and restraint lanyards to stop the user reaching an exposed edge.
2. Check fall clearance before work: lanyard length and energy absorber elongation decide the distance needed, the catalogue guide is allowed fall arrest distance = 2L + 1.75 (L = lanyard length), and the total lanyard length should not exceed 2.0m.
3. Anchor as high as possible to keep the fall factor low; anchoring at the feet (fall factor 2) can mean a fall of up to twice the lanyard length.
4. Restraint lanyards have no energy absorber and work positioning lanyards are not fall protection equipment, so never use them for fall arrest; pair work positioning with a separate fall arrest lanyard.
5. Never wrap a lanyard around an anchor and clip it back on itself, never use it for suspension, and never join two single lanyards to make a forked or longer lanyard.
6. Inspect every lanyard for damage, cuts and burns before use.

Summarised from the manufacturer's catalogue. Selection must follow your site risk assessment and the competent person's judgement.