What should you know about fall protection

Fall protection must be used in all work situations where there is a risk of falling with injury. In general, there are three types of fall protection equipment:

Equipment that prevents you from falling (fall-preventing equipment)
Equipment that secures you if you fall (fall-absorbing equipment).
Lifting, evacuation, and hoisting equipment.

All equipment that has been exposed to a fall must be discarded or sent for repair.

Image of workers securing themselves against falls

When should you choose fall-preventing equipment?

You should choose fall-preventing equipment if you work on, for example, roofs or other platforms where there is a risk of falling over an edge.

The equipment must prevent a fall situation and therefore have a length and anchoring that prevent you from reaching where a fall can occur. The equipment consists of:

A harness
An anchor point
A safety line

When should you choose fall-absorbing equipment?

You should choose fall-absorbing equipment if you work in places where there is a risk of free fall. For example, when working on roof surfaces, facades, element construction, and in wind turbines.

The equipment must absorb the fall, and there are several factors to consider, including free height, fall factor, and whether there are sharp edges that the equipment must withstand during a fall.

The equipment consists of:

A harness
An anchor point
A safety line/fall block
A fall limiter (built into the equipment)

What is a fall limiter and how do you calculate the free height?

Fall limiter – your safety against severe fall forces

During a fall, enormous forces develop – for example, if you weigh 100 kg and fall 2 meters, the load can reach up to 2.5 tons. The body can only handle about 600 kg of load, so the fall limiter is crucial for your safety. It reduces the load so that you are never subjected to more than what the body can handle. The fall limiter is therefore built into the fall protection equipment, ensuring a controlled and safe deceleration.

Free height – calculate the safety distance

To calculate the free height correctly, include the following:

The length of your line (up to 2 meters)
The maximum extension of a triggered fall limiter (up to 1.75 meters)
Your own height (about 2 meters)
A safety distance of at least 1 meter to the nearest obstacle

This ensures you have enough space for a safe stop without the risk of hitting obstacles.

See an example of a fall limiter below

Know the ABCD of fall protection

A – ANCHORAGE / ANKERPUNKT

- An anchor point must withstand a pull of 1200 kg for three minutes

- An anchor point should preferably be placed above head height

- You may work at a maximum angle of 30 degrees relative to the anchor point

- Equipment used as an anchor point (steel sling/belt sling) must be tested according to EN795 (1200 kg)

B – BODY SUPPORT / FALL HARNESS

- Be aware of the maximum weight the harness is approved for

- Most harnesses have a maximum lifespan of 10 years

- A harness can have multiple anchor points, always marked with an A

C – CONNECTORS / FALL LIMITERS OR LINES

- A rope with a rope lock is fall-preventing equipment that ensures you do not reach the edge

- Not all fall stop trolleys are approved for horizontal use

- A standard two-meter fall limiter requires a free height of 6.75 meters

D – DESCEND AND RESCUE / EVACUATION

- There must always be at least two people when using fall protection (for rescue purposes)

- There must always be an evacuation plan before starting work with fall protection

- If you fall and are rescued by your fall protection equipment, you must be rescued within a maximum of 20 minutes

How to choose the right harness

When working at height, your harness is your best safety measure – it distributes the energy from a fall to the strongest parts of your body, such as the pelvis and thigh muscles. Therefore, a H-harness is ideal, as it provides maximum protection and comfort while keeping you well secured.

H-harnesses are available in two categories, both complying with EN361 standard and fully securing you. The difference lies in comfort level and ease of use, so you can easily choose the model that suits your needs and work tasks. The choice depends on how often and under what conditions the harness will be used. Always remember to choose a harness that matches your weight class – this ensures you get optimal protection.

Do you use the harness occasionally?

Both meet the EN361 standard and fully secure you. The difference lies in comfort level and ease of use, so you can easily choose the model that suits your needs and work tasks. The choice depends on how often and under what conditions the harness will be used. Always remember to choose a harness that matches your weight class – this ensures you get optimal protection.

Do you use the harness frequently?

Then we recommend choosing a Standard+ harness with good padding, quick-release buckles, and easy adjustment.

Should the harness have a belt or not?

Some harness types are available with a belt, which provides extra comfort and additional functions. However, the belt should only be used for positioning – e.g., on a mast.

Should the harness be used for special tasks

There are harnesses with a range of special features: sit harnesses, dirt-resistant harnesses with special coating for painting work and heavily soiled work, Kevlar harnesses for welding, and much more. Contact us at otto schachner nordic, and we will help you find the perfect solution for your needs.

If an accident occurs

Plan your evacuation strategy

Before starting work, an evacuation plan must be in place – if you hang in the harness for more than 15-20 minutes, blood circulation can start to close off, and the risk of serious complications such as cardiac arrest increases when the blood returns to the body. A quick and safe descent can therefore be life-saving.

Prepare with a clear plan:

Who will carry out the rescue? Ensure it is clear who performs the rescue work.
Do you have the right rescue equipment? The equipment must suit the task and be easily accessible.
Is the rescuer trained for the task? Ensure the person has the necessary training to handle the equipment correctly.
Can the rescue team reach in time? Ensure that rescue can occur within the critical 20 minutes.

With a clear plan and proper equipment, you and your team are ready to act quickly and safely if an accident occurs.

What to check before use

Safety equipment can wear over time due to UV radiation, sparks, chemicals, paint, wear from sharp edges, and dust. Therefore, it is required that the equipment be inspected by a qualified person at least once a year – otherwise, it must not be used.

At the same time, the equipment should be checked every time you use it.

Check the following points:

Straps and wire: No damage or wear.
Buckles: Must function correctly without rust or other damage.
Brake in fall block: Must work precisely to ensure safety.
Fall indicators: Ensure they are intact.

Lifetime

Most safety equipment has an expected lifespan of 5-7 years, but a maximum of 10 years from the date of manufacture.

Training and proper use of fall protection

otto schachner nordic offers, in collaboration with BJ Specialuddannelse and Service, courses with our own fall protection experts, ensuring you receive the necessary training and instruction in the correct use of fall protection equipment.

Our courses and training

Fall protection course: A compact, 2-3 hour course focusing on basic theory and safe use of fall protection.
Fall protection training: A more comprehensive training with 2-3 hours of theory and in-depth practical exercises, providing a solid understanding of the equipment and its use.

Courses are held either at our fall protection center in Fredericia, at BJ Specialuddannelse and Service on Møn, or directly at your company. Regardless of the course or training chosen, you will receive a certificate documenting your competence and knowledge in fall protection.

We offer the following courses

Basic fall protection
Refresher course in fall protection

Refresher working at heights

Confined space

Fall protection course tailored to company needs, held at your own company or at one of our training centers

Custom-designed fall protection course as needed, held at your own company

See more here: BJ Specialuddannelse courses

See our fall protection brochure here: Fall protection brochure otto schachner nordic

This guide is prepared by

Nordic Safety Alliance

Specialists in safety equipment for industry and construction for 80 years.