Safety Tip of the Month by Tim Bambrick
Self-Retracting Lifelines 101
Self-Retracting Lifelines (also known as SRL’s) are a key piece of equipment in fall protection. Last month we talked about the differences between Energy Absorbing Lanyards and Self Retracting Lifelines. While I touched briefly on some aspects of proper usage of SRL’s, this month I would like to take a deeper dive.
Every tool has a specific job. Have you ever tried to use a screwdriver and a hammer in an attempt to make a chisel out of the screwdriver? Most of us have and, although it wasn’t the proper process, it got the job accomplished. The worst outcome of using a screw driver as a chisel, is ruining the screwdriver. When it comes to misusing an SRL, the consequences can be devastating, leading to serious injury or even death. Unfortunately, as I travel the country teaching proper use of safety equipment, I often find that SRL’s are being used properly improperly.
Let’s be honest; how often do we look at the instructions and labels before we put something together or use it? It may be fine skip the instructions before putting together a cheap piece of furniture or a toy for your kid; however, when using fall protection equipment, you must read and follow the instructions as lives could be at stake.
Here are some guidelines to follow before purchasing an SRL:
- Read the instructions and labels.
- Not all SRL’s perform the same way. Make sure your application fits what the SRL is designed to do.
- Purchase only Self Retracting Lifelines that have been properly tested in an ISO 17025 accredited test lab to the guidelines set in ASSE/ANSI Z359.14.
- Be sure that the SRLs that you are using have the correct support documentation stating that they meet the ASSE/ANSI Z359.14 standard.
Here are some guidelines for proper use of SRL’s:
Pre-Use Inspection
Self-Retracting Lifeline (SRL) should be inspected by the user before each use, using the inspection procedures below (Illustration 6). In addition, unit should be fully examined and inspected to ensure:
- Markings are legible
- Components are free from corrosion, bending, cracks, dents or deformity
- SRL is clean and free of dirt, oil, mold, mildew and contaminants
Inspection Procedure
Step 1: Inspect for loose screws and bent or damaged parts.
Step 2: Inspect housing for distortion, cracks or other damage. Ensure swivel eye is not damaged or distorted. Swivel eye must turn freely.
Step 3: Ensure lifeline extends and retracts fully without hesitation or creation of slack in the line.
Step 4: Ensure device engages (locks up) when lifeline is jerked (tugged) sharply.
Step 5: Inspect wire cable lifelines for cuts, kinks, broken wires, bird- caging corrosion, welding splatter, chemical damage or severe abrasion. Check all thimbles and other areas for excessive wear, including cracks or separation of metal components.
Step 6: Inspect webbed lifelines for frayed strands, broken webbing, burns, cuts and abrasions. Look for heat damage, paint build-up, corrosion and chemical damage indicated by discoloration.
Step 7: Inspect all snap hooks and connectors for damage; ensure secure, locking engagement.
Let’s talk about strike tests (Step 4.) A strike test is when you pull down sharply on the SRL line component to ensure the locking device engages correctly. The locking mechanism in an SRL can fail if it has been exposed to dirt and debris that has gotten inside the housing; so a strike test before each use is critical. If there is any doubt that the SRL is damaged or not catching during the strike test, take the SRL out of service and send it back to the manufacturer for repair or replacement. I always recommend doing a couple of strike tests throughout the course of the work day. This may seem like a daunting task, but the more you make this a part of your daily work habits, the more it will become second nature.
Free fall: One of the common offenses of improper usage of SRL’s is the free fall. Most SRL’s are designed to be used overhead, as they are not rated for free fall. Yet, I observe workers using them below their tie off points and even at or below their feet in some cases. This is a very dangerous situation. If you were to fall, you would free fall the distance that the SRL is connected below before it attempts to engage to save you. If the SRL was not rated and tested for this, the unit could fail not to mention the blow it causes to your body when you travel the extra distance before the SRL brings you to a stop. Also, the extra high force due to the free fall acceleration may compromise the anchor and full body harness. So, before you go attaching that SRL to an anchor at or below the D-ring or a location where free fall will occur before the SRL is engaged, please check and ensure the SRL is rated for that.
As we discussed last month, be aware that ANSI has not fully developed testing parameters for free fall situations. If you do find an SRL that claims it can be used for certain free falls, ask for proper testing documentation and have a qualified person review the material.
Leading Edge: In most cases, leading edge SRL’s are designed for free fall and are commonly used for below d-ring connections. Be aware that even though you are using a leading edge SRL, it does not mean you are protected from every type of edge. I have witnessed leading edge tests where the line component failed when the test was performed on concrete edges. The ANSI testing qualification for the edge surface is a metal bar .0005 inches in radius. If you have a different type of edge with a smaller radius or different material like concrete, have an ANSI deemed qualified person review the fall hazard and recommend a solution.
Adverse Environments: When selecting the proper SRL, keep in mind the environments in which the SRL will be exposed. Whether it is on an off-shore oil rig, an area where Arch flash PPE is required, or even a simple welding operation, consult with an ANSI defined competent person to ensure the SRL meets the requirements for the working environment.
Be Aware: There are a lot of safety equipment companies that have the ANSI standards labels on the SRL’s without supporting documentation. These SRL’s do not meet the qualifications. Using an SRL that qualifies and meets the ASSE/ANSI standard is always a step in the right direction. Also, it’s a good idea to ask the SRL manufacturer for batch testing reports, and/or even testing videos. Just because a manufacturer’s SRL passed initial ANSI testing doesn’t mean quality stops there. A conscientious company will conduct batch tests.
It is important that employees get to return home safely to their families at the end of every day. To ensure they do, you must provide them with the correct safety equipment, as well as ensure they are properly trained to use it. Follow the guidelines above and be aware of the pitfalls when selecting the correct safety equipment.
You may get by hitting a screwdriver with a hammer as a makeshift chisel. However, in the safety industry, you must make sure you have the right tool for the right job. You can do this by taking the time to study the specific product you have in your hands. I can assure you, there is a specific application for every tool. Take the time for the pre-use inspection and remember to check the labels. These actions are simple, easy, required by OSHA and more importantly, could save your life. If you have questions on how to obtain these pieces of information from a manufacturer, please feel free to contact me at 740-525-4544.
When unsure of safe work practices and equipment usage, please contact your company’s competent person or feel free to
reach out to us at Malta Dynamics for help on correct product selection and usage.
Tim Bambrick Bio
Tim Bambrick holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Thaddeus Stevens College and has spent more than a decade in the fall protection and safety industry. He utilizes this wealth of experience as Director of Product Development for fall protection manufacturer Malta Dynamics. Whether developing new and innovative equipment, improving existing products, or validating new ones, he utilizes his unique expertise within the industry to ensure that Malta Dynamics is able to offer the highest quality products on the market. He currently sits as a voting member on the ASSE/ANSI Z359 committee helping to develop new criteria that will eventually become the standard for keeping workers safe. It’s this invaluable experience with the committee that gives him an especially keen eye for detail when qualifying products and developing new ones. His knowledge ranges from not only the science that drives and guides fall protection products, but he is also very aware of the user interface portion of products. He has a direct hand in instruction, training, and the overall use of the very products his group develops. Tim is at the very nerve center of Malta Dynamic’s belief in how they approach all they do -
Solutions Bourne.
For specific questions concerning technical safety issues or about Malta Dynamics products, Tim can be reached at
tbambrick@maltadynamics.com.
