Fall Arrest vs Fall Restraint Systems

Fall restraint and fall arrest are two different harness-based systems with fundamentally different purposes and limitations.
A fall restraint system prevents the wearer from reaching an edge where a fall could occur — it stops you getting there.
A fall arrest system catches a person after they have fallen — it does not prevent the fall, only the impact with the ground.
Fall restraint is always preferred over fall arrest because the worker never experiences a fall or the forces involved.
A fall arrest harness must include a shock absorber to reduce the deceleration forces on the body during arrest.
The clearance distance below a fall arrest anchor must be calculated to ensure the worker does not hit the ground or obstruction.
Suspension trauma can kill a person hanging motionless in a harness within 15 minutes — rapid rescue is essential.
A written rescue plan must be in place and practised before any work begins using fall arrest equipment.
All harnesses must be inspected before every use by the wearer and undergo formal inspection every six months by a competent person.
Only full-body harnesses meeting EN 361 are suitable for fall arrest — waist belts must never be used for this purpose.

Understand the difference	Restraint stops you reaching the edge; arrest catches you after a fall — using the wrong system for the situation can be fatal.
Suspension trauma	A person left hanging in a harness after arrest loses consciousness and dies within minutes — rescue must be immediate.
Clearance calculation	If the clearance distance is wrong, the arrested fall ends with the worker hitting the ground or a lower structure.

Do

Don't

Choose fall restraint over fall arrest wherever the work situation allows it.
Calculate the required clearance distance before setting up any fall arrest system.
Inspect your harness for damage, wear, and correct function before every use.
Ensure a written rescue plan is in place before using any fall arrest equipment.
Practise the rescue procedure so the team can recover a fallen worker within minutes.
Use only EN 361 full-body harnesses for fall arrest — never use waist belts.
Clip on to the anchor point before reaching any edge or unprotected area.
Check that anchor points are rated for the required load before attaching.
Arrange six-monthly formal inspections of all harnesses by a competent person.
Adjust the harness to fit snugly — a loose harness shifts dangerously during arrest.

DON'T confuse fall restraint with fall arrest — they serve different purposes.
DON'T use fall arrest without calculating the clearance distance below the anchor.
DON'T wear a harness you have not personally inspected before the shift.
DON'T use fall arrest equipment without a rescue plan ready and tested.
DON'T leave a person suspended in a harness — rescue within minutes or they will die.
DON'T use a waist belt for fall arrest — only full-body EN 361 harnesses.
DON'T walk to the edge before clipping on — attach at the safe zone first.
DON'T attach to anchor points that have not been verified for the required loading.
DON'T use harnesses that are overdue for their six-monthly formal inspection.
DON'T wear a loose harness — it must be snug on shoulders, chest, and legs.

See also: Falls From Height Awareness | Edge Protection Requirements

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