The difference between fall arrest and fall restraint is that Fall Arrest is the art of stopping a worker from falling after they have already lost balance while Fall restraint is in place to prevent fall in its entirety.
Workers need to stay safe on the job and workplace accidents can happen in a flash, and it’s up to the employer to make sure your employees are safe while they’re working. This is why you might have heard about fall protection equipment or even seen it in action.
There are two main types of fall protection equipment:
- Fall arrest equipment and
- Fall restraint equipment.
Both are designed to help protect workers from falling beyond a certain distance or height, but they work in different ways and have different benefits. Let’s take a closer look at each one so that you can figure out which one is right for your company and workers.
What Is Fall Arrest?
Fall arrest is a type of personal fall protection system that is designed to arrest (or stop) a person’s fall. This means that if a person falls while wearing fall arrest equipment, the equipment will stop their fall and keep them safe on the ground. Fall arrest equipment can be used in a wide range of industries and environments. It can be used at heights of up to 50 feet and comes in a variety of styles to meet the unique needs of different workers.
It includes a full-body harness, lanyard, and anchor point, preventing impact with the ground.
What Is Fall Restraint?
Fall restraint is another type of personal fall protection system. It is designed to restrain or prevent a person’s fall. This means that if a person is about to fall while wearing fall restraint equipment, the equipment will slow their fall and reduce their speed before bringing them to a stop; it prevents fall from taking place Fall restraint equipment can also be used at heights of up to 50 feet and comes in a variety of styles to meet the unique needs of different workers. Fall restraint equipment is sometimes referred to as fall arrest retardant equipment (FAR).
The Difference Between Fall Arrest And Fall Restraint
As we’ve already discussed, fall arrest and fall restraint are two different types of personal fall protection systems. Let’s take a look at the key differences between these systems:
- Fall arrest systems are designed to arrest a person’s fall, meaning that if a worker falls, the fall arrest equipment will stop the fall and keep them from hitting the ground. Fall restraint systems are designed to restrain a person’s fall, meaning that if a worker falls, the fall restraint equipment will slow their fall and bring them to a stop without going all the way to the ground.
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2. Fall arrest systems are designed for one-time use only. If the system is activated and the worker does not land safely, the system will be damaged and will need to be replaced. Fall restraint systems, on the other hand, are designed to be used many times before they need to be replaced.
3. Fall arrest systems are meant to protect workers from falling beyond a certain distance or height. Fall restraint systems are meant to prevent workers from falling at all.
Why Is Knowing The Difference Important?
Knowing the difference between fall arrest and fall restraint systems is important because it will help you determine which system is best for your workers. This can help you keep your workers safe while they’re on the job and help them to do their jobs more efficiently and productively.
- If you are using fall arrest systems, you’ll want to make sure that workers don’t fall beyond the maximum distance or height for the system. If they do, the system might activate and cause injury to the worker.
- If you’re using fall restraint systems, you don’t have to worry about the maximum distance or height since the system is designed to stop the fall before a worker goes beyond those limits.
Which Type Of Protection Should You Choose?
Now that you know the difference between fall arrest and fall restraint systems, it’s time to decide which type of system you should use. There are a few factors you will want to consider before you make your decision.
- Specific job requirements: To choose the right fall protection system, you will first want to consider the job requirements of your workers. This includes things like the height of the job site, the tools and equipment used, and the amount of risk involved in the job.
- Workers’ preferences: You also want to consider what your workers prefer. If they have any specific preferences or equipment needs, you should make sure to meet those requirements.
- Cost: Another thing to consider is the cost of each type of system. While fall arrest systems are more expensive than fall restraint systems, they have benefits that fall restraint systems don’t, such as increased productivity and efficiency.
READ: What Is Fall Arrest System & Their Types
Bottom line
When it comes to fall protection, there is a big difference between fall arrest and fall restraint systems. Fall arrest is designed to arrest a person’s fall, while fall restraint is designed to restrain a person’s fall. Additionally, fall arrest systems are meant to protect workers from falling beyond a certain distance or height, while fall restraint systems are meant to prevent workers from falling at all. Next time you are in charge of keeping your workers safe on the job, make sure to choose the right fall protection system.